Claire Bennett is shocked. She turns her head and looks in the direction of the door. A tall and
handsome man appears in the backlight.
The young man has a warm smile on his face.
But when he sees clearly what is happening in the room, his smile is a little embarrassed and he says
embarrassingly, “Excuse me.”
The man turns to leave but Leo Howard pulls the sheet over Claire Bennett and says, “Wait a minute.”
The young man does not turn around and wonders, “brother, what’s wrong?”
Leo Howard says, “Why do you suddenly appear here?”
The man shrugs his shoulders and spreads his hand. “I just got off the plane to give you a surprise.”
After that, he puts the door on and the footsteps are fading away.
Leo Howard looks at the dazed Claire Bennett and frowns, “what are you doing? Dress up and go
downstairs.”
Claire Bennett glares at Leo Howard and says, “You tore my clothes just now.”
Leo Howard finds a white shirt from the wardrobe and throws it to Claire Bennett. “Put it on.”
Claire Bennett puts the big white shirt on her and feels it has a very elegant fragrance. It smells very
good. It smells a little like Leo Howard. She frowns at the thought.
“That man just called your brother. Is he your brother?” Claire Bennett asks.
Leo Howard glances at her coldly and says, “Yes, his name is Ling Howard.”
Claire Bennett is shocked when she suddenly feels a kind of sadness in her heart. She finds that she
knows little about Leo Howard. She doesn’t even know Leo Howard’s family.
Fortunately, Claire Bennett has long been used to it.
...
Downstairs.
Ling Howard leans on the sofa and crosses his legs with a smile on his lips. He is sunny and
handsome. The maid is attracted to him. Ling Howard is very cheerful and smiles at everyone.
Dressed Leo Howard and Claire Bennett both go downstairs.
Ling Howard greets Leo Howard warmly.
But when he sees Leo Howard’s gloomy face, his words are swallowed in his stomach.
There is a moment of silence.
Ling Howard coughs twice and says, “I did disturb you just now. You don’t have to be so angry.”
Ling Howard smiles cheekily. He sits next to Leo Howard and puts his hand on Leo Howard’s shoulder.
“Your girlfriend is beautiful.”
Leo Howard takes Ling Howard’s hand from his shoulder and whispers, “You don’t study abroad well.
What are you doing back home?”
Ling Howard explains, “I’ve graduated from the foreign school.”
“Really?” Leo Howard asks.
Ling Howard says, “I don’t lie to you. I come back to continue my study. I’ve already found the school.”
Leo Howard interrupts him and frowns, “I think you can come back and work in our family. What’s the
point of reading so many books? You’re smart. After two years of work, you will surely achieve
something.”
When it comes to business, Ling Howard’s usual smile disappears instantly.
Ling Howard says, “Okay. I have nothing to say. Don’t you introduce your girlfriend to me?” Ling
Howard looks Claire Bennett over with a smile on his face.
Claire Bennett also finds that the handsome man has no Leo Howard’s hegemony. He is sunny and
easy-going. The two brothers look completely different.
Claire Bennett is the first time to see Ling Howard. They haven’t talked yet but Claire Bennett has a
crush on the man.
Leo Howard glances at Claire Bennett and says, “She’s not my girlfriend.”
Claire Bennett lowers her head and knows that Leo Howard will not let go of any opportunity to
humiliate her.
But then Leo Howard laughs and says, “She’s my wife.”
Claire Bennett and Ling Howard are shocked. Claire Bennett does not show it but pats herself on the
chest.
Ling Howard opens his eyes wide. His eyes go back and forth over them. He says unbelievably,
“What?”
Leo Howard doesn’t say anything.
Ling Howard punches him hard and says angrily, “You didn’t even tell me about your marriage! Are you
kidding me?”
Ling Howard is first surprised and then a little angry. Leo Howard pats him on the shoulder and says,
“My marriage with her involves some family matters so it’s rather hasty. I know you value your studies
so I don’t want to disturb you.”
Ling Howard seems to have been deceived. He sits there breathlessly and says, “How many times will
you get married in your life? You didn't tell me.”
Leo Howard looks at Claire Bennett and they are silent. The atmosphere becomes quiet. But Ling
Howard seems quick to reassure himself by waving, “Come on, it’s all over.”
Leo Howard smiles at his brother and knows that Ling Howard can not be angry with him all the time.
They have not seen each other for several years and have a good chat. They forget Claire Bennett.
Claire Bennett listens to their laughter and suddenly realizes that she is an outsider. So she quietly
leaves her seat and walks towards the door.
Claire Bennett walks out into the garden outside the villa and watches the fish swimming in the fish
pond.
Claire Bennett squats down and holds the fish in the pond with her hands. She only holds a handful of
clear water and helplessly lets them run away from her fingertips.
Claire Bennett sees a figure behind her in the reflection. She turns to look and a pure and bright smile
comes into her eyes.
“Sister-in-law is a sentimental person.” Ling Howard jokes.
Claire Bennett doesn’t know what to say. She asks casually, “what do you want to learn?”
Leo Howard pushes his hands in the air as if there were rhythms in the air. His fingers are whiter and
more flexible than Leo Howard’s.
“Music.” Ling Howard says, “Though I have known music before, I am prepared to study hard this time.”
Claire Bennett looks at Ling Howard in surprise and asks him, “Is it the music school in A City?”
Ling Howard nods.
Claire Bennett is like finding a confidant. She says happily, “I just went through the admission
formalities.”
“Really? I didn’t expect sister-in-law to like music too!” Ling Howard is equally happy. “It’s good to be
with you,” he said. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to adapt to domestic life.”
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