Without thinking Winnie had already knew what he wanted to say, “Mr. Conrad, aren’t you being too…”
Clarence replied coldly, “What? Forget it, you better come for the dinner.”
“No, no, no, Mr. Conrad I’ll promise you!”
Clarence hung up and threw it at Nathan, “Arrange someone else to go for the dinner tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
Pausing for a moment, Clarence said, “Do I have plans tomorrow?”
“Yes initially…” Nathan quickly changed his words, “But not anymore.”
Clarence acknowledged that, and continued walking forward.
At the car, Nathan said again, “Mr. Conrad, there’s another thing.”
“Tell me.”
“Recently Ms. Steward and a foreigner called Daniel have been very close.”
Clarence asked, “Stella’s neighbour?”
Nathan nodded, “Yes.”
“What are his background and qualifications, have you investigated.”
“He’s a Chinese-Italian mix with no parents, he’s a cello performer, and is quite reputable
internationally. A few months ago he organized a concert tour, and City N was the final stop.”
Clarence said, “How did he and Phoebe meet?”
“Last week at Ms. Steward’s birthday party, he was invited to perform.” Nathan continued, “Before that,
the two of them had a few private dates, looks like…”
“Alright.” Clarence cut him off, “I don’t care about those, monitor her, and don’t let her go look for
Stella.”
“Alright.”
…
On winter solstice, it started snowing since morning, and the temperature was dropping quickly.
Stella and Sherry went out early in the morning to buy the ingredients for the hotpot. Just when they
reached the doorstep, they saw Channing waiting there.
Opening the door, Stella said, “Didn’t I ask you to come over in the afternoon, why are you here so
early.”
Channing took the vegetables in her hands, “The lecturer had something on suddenly in the morning,
so she took the day off.”
Sherry said in envy, “That’s great, I really hope that my boss has something on too, so that I can take
the day off as well.”
Stella laughed and said, “You are the boss, what are you talking about.”
“Oh right, too bad.”
Just when they were talking, the door next door opened.
Daniel stood at the door, after sweeping his gaze through the three of them, his gaze fell on Channing.
He asked, “This is?”
Stella said, “This is my brother.”
Daniel laughed, “So Ms. Radomil still has a brother.”
Speaking, he nodded at Channing, greeting him.
Channing nodded his head slightly as a reply.
Daniel said again, “Is it your house gathering today.”
“It’s winter solstice today, I got some friends over for a meal.”
Daniel raised his brows, as if a little confused, “Winter solstice?”
At the side, Sherry explained simply, “It’s a Chinese traditional festival, after we celebrate winter
solstice, this means that it will get colder after this.”
Daniel understood, “I see, it’s my first time hearing of this festival, how embarrassing.”
Sherry said in surprise, “I see your Mandarin is really good, I thought you have a lot of understanding
on the Chinese culture.”
“I’ve been living under a rock.”
“Oh right, since you don’t know about winter solstice, I think you wouldn’t know what we eat over here
during winter solstice right?”
Daniel asked for guidance humbly, “What do you eat?”
Sherry said with a serious face, “Canned food.”
Daniel, “…”
Stella couldn’t help bursting into laughter.
Daniel gave a cough, as if wanting to say something, but not sure how to put it.
Stella said, “Emmett will be coming tonight too, Mr. Daniel do you want to join too?”
“Since Ms. Radomil had already said this, it would be rude to refuse. I’ll see you guys tonight.”
Stella smiled and nodded.
After closing the door, Sherry pursed her lips and asked, “Stella, why did you invite him.”
Stella replied, “I felt that he really wanted to come.”
“Really?”
Channing said, “I could feel it too.”
Sherry touched her nose, “Why didn’t I realize.”
Stella said, “Daniel is alone in City N, I think he should be quite lonely too, didn’t you say neighbours
must take care of each other. Just so happened that Emmett will be here too, so it won’t be too
awkward.”
“Did I say that before?” Sherry mumbled to herself softly, “But I think he should enjoy eating canned
food by himself.”
“If you don’t want him to come, why not I go let him know…”
“Forget it.” Sherry pulled Stella back, and said righteously, “Words can’t be taken back once they are
said, let’s leave it like it is.”
Stella laughed, took the vegetables from her and entered the kitchen.
Sherry stood on the spot for a few seconds, and then speedily went back to her room to change.
After a moment she ran out, “Chan, does this look good?”
Channing, “… No.”
“OK, then I’ll go change to another outfit.”
In the afternoon, Emmett arrived, and brought with him a bouquet of flowers.
Hearing sounds from outside, Channing turned around to take a look, then asked Stella quietly, “Is this
the one Sherry said was chasing you?”
Stella hit his shoulder, and brought the vegetables to wash, “Stop talking nonsense, it’s not like that.”
“I think he’s not bad, why don’t you consider him?”
“Then why don’t you consider the many girls who are chasing after you?”
“…”
Channing fell silent and went to cut the vegetables.
Not long after, Emmett’s voice rang from outside the kitchen, “Can I help with anything?”
Stella turned around and smiled, “No need, you take a seat outside, we’re almost ready.”
Emmett nodded, and turned to look at Channing, “This must be Chan, this is the first time I’m meeting
you, nice to meet you.”
Hearing this, Channing was a little surprised, “You know me?”
Emmett initially wanted to say that he had seen him together with Stella during university, but when the
words reached his mouth, he changed it to, “I heard Sherry mention before.”
Channing said, “I thought you heard from… other people.”
Stella coughed, and passed the vegetables in her hands to him, “Chan, help me wash this.”
Seeing this, Emmett said, “Then I won’t disturb you guys, if there’s anything give me a call.”
Stella smiled and nodded, “Alright.”
Not long after Emmett arrived, Daniel came too, bringing with him a bottle of red wine.
The skies were turning dark, the snow outside was getting heavier and heavier.
With everyone arriving, the house started feeling a lot cosier.
This was Stella’s first time having such a merry gathering with her friends.
Looking at this scene, the corner of her lips raised, her mood couldn’t help but feel better.
At this moment, Sherry leaned on the door and asked, “Stella, how long more, Winnie hasn’t arrived,
should I ask her?”
Stella said, “I’ll be done in five minutes, you give her a call.”
“Alright.”
But they didn’t realize that once Sherry’s words finished, the doorbell and her phone rang at the same
time.
Stella said, “You pick up your phone, I’ll go get the door.”
But they didn't realize that once Sherry’s words finished, the doorbell and her phone rang at the same
time.
Stella said, “You pick up your phone, I'll go get the door.”
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