Chapter 24 Chapter 23 And She Could Finally Give Herself a Reason To Let Go
Timothy drove Queenie to the hospital. They registered and saw the doctor. The doctor didn't find anything either. Timothy wasn't sure and took Queenie for another detailed physical examination.
"No, I just had a physical examination last week." Thinking about the need to draw a lot of blood again, Queenie resisted, "I just ate a bad stomach."
Timothy looked at her, "No. You want to throw up when you eat. We must find out the cause or it will affect your health."
"Okay, okay, I'll listen to you." Queenie rolled up her sleeves and righteously stretched her arms out. And she closed her eyes tightly. Timothy, seeing how scared she was, couldn't help but put his hand on Queenie's arm to give her some comfort.
Actually, Queenie was not afraid of pain. She just couldn't bear to see her blood being drawn. When she felt Timothy's touch, she immediately became a little scheming. She slipped into his arms with a weak and timid look, "Oh, it hurts."
"It's okay, it's okay, it'll be fine soon," Timothy patted her and gently coaxed.
Queenie was fine. But she just deliberately pretended to be poor and leaned in his arms. And she asked Timothy to help her walk. Her pouting look was so ashamed to be seen.
Ursula saw this scene from afar that the man who was usually indifferent and unsmiling now wore an almost pleasing expression and carefully held the girl in his arms, as if he was holding a precious treasure. She had never seen him with such a gentle and caring look.
"Mrs. Harrold, what's wrong?" An old doctor with white hair who was following Ursula asked. "Oh, nothing," Ursula smiled and continued, "Professor Diaz, I heard that you are recently researching a new drug that stimulates brain cell activity. I wonder if you can cooperate with our company?" "Your company is so big. How could you still need me?" Professor Diaz smiled and wanted to get it over with.
"It's because our company has good conditions that we have so many big talents joining us! Everyone who wants to join us is equipped with a special laboratory with the best equipment in the world. If you come, I will definitely get you the top team and labs. And the R&D funds will be applied to you according to the company's maximum budget. And I won't let you down."
"I know your company is financially strong, but I have already reported this project to the hospital. If you really have any ideas, go to the leaders of the hospital!" Professor Diaz did not stop after he finished speaking. He stepped forward and happened to bump into Timothy and Queenie. Timothy quickly let go of Queenie when he saw the old professor, made a stooping salute, and called out respectfully, "Professor."
The old professor looked at him and patted him on the shoulder affectionately, "You're just in time. I was just looking for you! I've got a new idea for the brain stimulating drug you mentioned last time, come with me."
Timothy looked at Queenie, who nudged him, "Go ahead, I'll wait for you over here." Timothy smiled at Queenie, nodded to Ursula to say hello, and followed the old professor away. Seeing their back figures, even after twenty-three years, Queenie recognized that this was Timothy's former professor in the Department of Medical and Pharmaceutical Research at Quark University. He was also Timothy's tutor of postgraduate studies. He liked Timothy a lot and often gave Timothy his own projects to lead.
Queenie was just about to find a seat and wait for Timothy when she heard a voice greet her, "Hello, Miss Jackson."
Queenie turned her head to see. It was a woman greeting her wearing a tailored light gray suit dress, a smart floppy bob haircut, and a light green silk scarf tied around her neck. Carrying a black Hermes bag, she looked very successful with her designer pile.
"You are...?" Queenie did not know her. The only thing she knew about her was that she was the woman who pretended to be Timothy's wife that day at the old house and made her mistake. When she thought about it, Queenie immediately turned on the battle mode with great vigor, 'so it was Timothy's suitor! You will see how I smash you up.'
"I'm Ursula Harold. I'm Timothy's business partner," Ursula elegantly walked over and reached out her hand, "actually you should know me. I graduated from the same school as Timothy. And you answered a few times when I called him for advice!"
"You're... Junior Harold?" Queenie suddenly remembered that there was a young girl in college with a clean look and a little rustic style, who always liked to call Timothy "senior" and call and text him at night to ask him to revise all kinds of academic papers for her. That was the one she had told Timothy to watch out for.
She didn't expect that the girl had become so fashionable and elegant now.
Ursula smiled decently, "Yes, it's me, I've always wanted to see you again, and I finally got this chance today."
"Oh, yeah? Is there something?" Seeing her attitude so good, Queenie made herself embarrassed to be mean to her.
"It's nothing. I just heard Timothy say that you disliked me a lot, so I want to know why?" Ursula looked at Queenie and asked softly.
"Did I say that? No way!" Queenie wanted to get over the conversation. Although she really had said that, she was embarrassed to be questioned by the person she had judged behind the person's back.
Timothy! What did he say to her?
Ursula smiled and looked at her silently. As people came and went in the hospital corridor, she lowered her head and smiled, saying then, "You just got your blood drawn. You haven't had breakfast yet, did you?"
"Not yet!" Queenie shook her head.
"Come on, I'll take you downstairs to get something to eat, Timothy and Professor Diaz should have a while to talk about their business." Ursula's voice was soft, giving the impression that she took care of people often and was so thoughtful that it was impossible to feel resentful.
Queenie hesitated for a moment. But eventually, she nodded and agreed, "Okay!"
The two of them went to the noodle shop next to the hospital. Ursula asked Queenie in a soft voice, "What do you want to eat?" "I'll have beef spaghetti!" Queenie replied.
Ursula nodded and went to the counter to order. And then she scanned the code to pay with her phone. Queenie rushed over, "My treat, my treat."
"It's okay. It's already been paid for," Ursula pushed her phone back and said with a smile, "It's a wish of mine to sit and chat with you for a while. So this meal is a thank you meal."
"Talking to me is a wish? That's too much of a compliment." Queenie was very pleased by Ursula's flatter. She felt really comfortable talking to this woman. That would be described as sophisticated and thoughtful!
The two sat on the glass side of the room and chatted casually as they waited for their meal. Ursula looked at Queenie with relief and a hint of wistfulness in her eyes, "I actually liked Timothy when I was in college."
"I know," Queenie nodded, "If you didn't like him, how come you would always text him in the middle of the night and beg him to teach you how to solve those tests every now and then?"
"So you told Timothy you hated me?" Ursula laughed. "It's always annoying for people who try to steal my things!" Seeing how open she was, Queenie let loose with her own words.
"You know, because of that, he rejected me three times," Ursula said softly, "Twenty-three years, I confessed my feelings to him three times. And the last time I thought I was going to succeed."
"But he still refused, because of what you said," Ursula said softly.
Queenie licked her lips and didn't know what to say. An apology? There was no need. She did dislike her! "Actually, I always felt like I hated you. But when I heard you were back, I actually wanted to thank you." Ursula said.
"With you back, I can finally give up and no longer have to compete with him on who is more persistent and long-loving," Ursula smiled, "It's sad. But I'm convinced I will lose."
"Actually, Timothy is very nice. But I don't think you need to waste so many years on him," Queenie couldn't help but comfort her.
"That's because you don't know how good he was to you. Sometimes I don't know if I fell in love with Timothy or if I fell in love with this love Timothy gave you." Ursula lowered her eyes, remembering something from the past. She remembered very clearly that in the years when Queenie had just disappeared, she pretended to look for news of Queenie with Timothy in order to get close to him. And she even went to a foreign country with him once.
That time, they went to Sallyreign because he heard that the car in the accident had appeared there. Sallyreign was her hometown. She hosted Timothy enthusiastically. She drove her car to accompany him in the streets and alleys, looking for the white bus. When the night fell, Timothy parked the car at the harbor and looked across to Holly Port City, not saying a word for a long time.
She bought burgers and handed them over. He hadn't eaten almost all day. "Eat something!" Ursula said.
Timothy, who was only twenty-eight years old, took the burger from her hand but did not eat it. He was still looking at Holly Port City. A breeze from the sea was blowing through, ruffling his dark hair, and the darkness made his side face look deeper and more melancholy.
She chewed her burger in silence. And after a long time, she only heard Timothy ask in a deep voice, "Have you ever been to Holly Port City?" "Yes, I have!" As a native of Sallyreign, Ursula had been there many times. So she positively picked up the conversation and said, "Do you want to go? It's easy to get a visa at customs over here. It's very convenient now."
Timothy lowered his eyes slightly, "Really?" "So... Are you going?" Ursula asked again. Timothy shook his head slightly, "I'm not going." "Oh!" Ursula took another bite of her burger. "She wants to go." Timothy whispered.
Hearing this, Ursula couldn't help but turn her head to look at him. Timothy didn't say another word. He didn't explain the phrase "she wants to go", but she understood it. It must mean Queenie wanted to go.
Somehow, Ursula felt that the burger in her hand did not taste good anymore. And she even realized that she would have no chance for him in a few years.
That was the first time she came to her senses and realized that she couldn't get that man. That was the first time she gave up on Timothy and left the country after graduation. But in the years that followed, she didn't meet a man who made her so impressed that she was embarrassed to even look at him. At night, she always thought of Timothy on the beach that day. He was so charming, so melancholy, and so dreamy.
So, she went back. When she got back, Timothy had just received surgery. He was in a bad condition. He was thinner than the year she left. His face was pale and his temperament was more subdued, like a pool of stagnant water, without any waves.
She visited him often and even joined his research lab to work with him. For several years in between, he remained in this state. Until he brought home a baby and told everyone that it was his son.
At first, Ursula thought it was his adopted son. But then she heard from Timothy's mother and realized that it was Queenie's brother.
Ursula went to a 100-day celebration for the baby. At the banquet, Timothy kept holding Albert very gently. And everyone asked him to put Albert down and eat properly, but Timothy smiled and said, "Put him down and he'll cry. I'll eat it this way. It's okay.
That night, Timothy kept holding the tiny swaddle. Occasionally, he could use one hand to pinch something to eat. And when Albert cried, he was always the first to know if Albert was hungry or uncomfortable.
When the party was over, Ursula deliberately stayed until the end, helping Timothy pack up his things. She turned her head to look at Timothy's gentle side face, which seemed to have become different from the melancholy and silent side face by the seaside in her memory. She couldn't help but lower her head and ask in a soft voice, "Do you really plan to raise this child alone?"
Timothy nodded, "Of course."
"I... I can help you raise him together. I mean... Wouldn't it be better for the baby to have a mother?" Ursula asked nervously.
Timothy stopped what he was doing and thought about it, "He has a mother, and my wife is his mother." "But, isn't she his sister?" Ursula said.
Timothy thought for a moment and said, "Then we'll change the name when she gets back."
Ursula lowered her head and didn't dwell on it. She knew she had failed again. After that, Ursula noticed that Timothy seemed to bet all his thoughts and love for his wife on Albert. He raised the child with all he might.
Sometimes Ursula wanted to ask him, "The child is actually not yours. Don't you want to have a child of your own?"
But she did not dare to ask. She was afraid to ask. She was afraid to lose Timothy, even as a friend.
So it dragged on and on till this age. She was too tired to wait. She wanted to give up. But she couldn't let go. She could not let Timothy on his own without anyone to help him, or anyone to love him.
But Queenie came back. The person he had been hoping for so many years came back. And she could finally give herself a reason to let go.
Ursula recalled this unrequited love of hers for twenty-three years and smiled gently, "I don't regret it. I'm just tired. Queenie, you have to be good to him."
"Otherwise, I'll really become a bad woman," Ursula smiled with tears, "a very bad, bad woman."
Queenie raised her head, looked her in the eyes, and said, "You don't have to tell me. As long as I live in this world, I will always be the one who treats him the best."
Ursula stood up, smiled, and nodded, "Good. I will not say any more blessings. Goodbye, Queenie."
Queenie nodded, "Bye, Ursula."
After a friendly handshake, the two women said goodbye to each other with decorum and courtesy. Ursula had a lot of work to do, so she turned around and left. Queenie sat in her seat, ate the spaghetti Ursula bought, and thought to herself, 'This is a nice woman.'
'Unfortunately, I'm better.'
Queenie finished her spaghetti and ran back to the hospital. But Timothy and Professor Diaz hadn't finished talking. Queenie opened the door to a slip to peek. She saw that Timothy was sitting in the room and was talking with Professor Diaz about some files on the computer. His serious and focused look was very handsome.
She peeked for a while. Timothy seemed to have finally found a gaze on him. He turned his head and saw it was Queenie. He could not help but show a smile to her. That smile was gentle and calm, like a warm morning light that illuminated the front.
Queenie was charmed by that smile and suddenly remembered that when she was in college, she always did the same thing, sneaking to his lab to look for him. When he was doing serious experiments, she did not dare to disturb him. So she stayed behind the door or window to peek at him. It was always as if he had telepathy. He would suddenly look up, find exactly where she was, and then give her a smile that would sweeten her heart for a long time.
In the office, Timothy hurriedly finished his conversation with Professor Diaz. He walked to the door and opened it. He said to her, "Wait for a long time!"
"It's okay, take your time," Queenie said.
"I finished. We'll talk about the rest in the Professor's lab tomorrow." Saying that, he took Queenie away and waved goodbye to Professor Diaz by the way.
Professor Diaz nodded, looked at the girl in Timothy's arms, and suddenly thought, 'Ah, it's that Quira!'
The girl who had stolen away his best student in his lab class countless times. Professor Diaz smiled as the images of those young people's youth came back to him frame by frame like a movie. Well, when a man got older, it was easy to think about the past. What a nice couple.
"I just saw your wife," Queenie walked ahead and raised her eyebrows. "My wife?" Timothy was puzzled. "The person pretending to be your wife," Queenie said again.
"Oh, Ursula," Timothy nodded. He saw her too, "What's wrong?" "I think she's quite nice, elegant, intellectual, generous, and well-spoken." Queenie stopped in her tracks. She leaned against the window in the hallway and asked curiously, "Honestly, after all these years, did you really never think of accepting her?"
"..." Timothy looked at her without answering.
Queenie smiled and nudged him, "Gee, come on, I won't be mad." Timothy took a deep breath and after a moment of silence said, "The truth is, I thought about it."
Queenie's eyes widened. Her leisurely posture instantly became a little stiff. Standing up straight, she looked at him. The smile on her face gradually disappeared. The expression that remained on her face was a maintaining calm look. She asked softly, "Then why didn't you accept her in the end?"
"I just didn't think she and I were right for each other after all," Timothy walked over to the window and frowned, "Mostly because I didn't think I was a suitable marriage partner and didn't want to harm her."
"As what you have said, she's a nice girl. When I'm vulnerable, I really want to run to her. But then, when I'm sensible, I think that's a despicable idea."
"Maybe in another ten or twenty years, I'll accept her. Who knows?" Timothy laughed a little.
Queenie's expression had gone cold. "Are you trying to piss me off?" "Aren't you the one who told me to tell the truth?" Timothy suddenly defended guardedly.
"Oh, how did I expect your truth to be like that?" Queenie huffed and glared at him, "You should have just answered, 'No, I never thought of that. I will always wait for you. And I never thought of accepting any other women!' What do you mean by showing that appreciated look for that woman?"
Timothy felt a little innocent, "I was waiting for you!"
"Waiting for my ass," Queenie raised her hand and hit him, "You have been mentally cheated on me, do you know that? You thought about it? How many times have you thought about it?"
Timothy was already afraid to tell the truth, "Just... Just once." Only the year his mother died, he thought about it once.
Queenie reached up and grabbed Timothy's shirt off his chest and stood on her tiptoes. She said fiercely into his eyes, "So that's one mental affair?" "Now you are acting like a fishing law enforcement officer," Timothy said with slight defiance.
"What's wrong with my fishing enforcement?" Queenie said, "If I don't ask nicely, will you tell the truth? Timothy, ohh Timothy. You're quite a playful little old man."
"A few days ago, you called me a flower, and today you call me a little old man." Timothy unhappily raised his hand to pinch her cheek.
"Heh, you of the day before yesterday and you of today are already two people in my eyes." Queenie immediately pulled his hand down. She leaned close to his ear and said, "I won't forgive you easily if you dare to cheat."
"Wash yourself and wait for tonight." After saying that she blew ambiguously in his ear, let go of him with a hum, and turned around to walk ahead.
Timothy touched his ear, which was a little tickled by her breath. He looked at her back with some confusion. This guy was still acting like a female rascal as before.
Queenie pretended to be angry and walked ahead. In fact, of course, she understood Timothy, who would not like to live an easy life? Timothy was also an ordinary person. He would also be vulnerable, and tired. He would also want to be lazy and hesitate.
She could understand. After all, if it was someone else, the person may not be able to hold on. How could she expect the person to wait for her to return?
But understanding was one thing. Angry was another. How could she punish him without an excuse? Tonight, she must make him submit again from body to heart! She would never let him have the slightest thought about anyone else in his life!
The two of them waited for another hour or so at the hospital and finally got the test report, which showed that Queenie's blood pressure and cellular activity were higher than normal.
Timothy especially took the report to a friend he was familiar with to have a look. The doctor said it might be due to some physical discomfort generated by high speed. There should be no major problems, but they should pay attention to observation later.
At last, the doctor prescribed some carsick medicine for Queenie.
Queenie looked at the carsick pills in her hand and was speechless, "This trip took so long, I really should take some carsick pills. But my reflex arc is too long! It's been so long that I'm just starting to get dizzy."
"The body reacts to a lag sometimes," Timothy said, "why don't you just rest at home these days and don't go to work."
"I can't, I've already taken a week off. Even if I have connections, I can't afford to not show up for work." Queenie said.
"Okay, I'll take you there. Call me if you don't feel well." Timothy thoughtfully took her downstairs to the office.
"Got it! I know!" When Timothy lowered the window, Queenie bent down and said, "Get prepared tonight, I haven't forgiven you."
"Prepare for what?" Timothy asked.
"What do you think?" Queenie winked at him, reached out, and touched his face, "I just came from the honeymoon period. Recall the memories. Don't act innocent."
Timothy's cheeks instantly turned red. He coughed and glared at her, "Go to work. What are you talking about out there?!"
"Geez. So pretentious." Queenie scolded. She leaned in and kissed his lips, "Anyway, you won't be able to run away. I will leave for work. Byebye, Timmy."
"Timmy... ?" Timothy raised his eyebrows slightly. He was surprised at the way she called him and couldn't help but complain, "That's greasy."
But the corner of his mouth was raised. He couldn't hold back his smile.
When Queenie arrived at the office, Kola, holding the papers, met her head-on, "Hey, Jackson, what have you been for the whole week?"
"I went back to my hometown and brought some souvenirs for everyone." Queenie smiled as she walked into the office and shared the souvenirs she brought with her, "My hometown has little specialties. So I brought some pine nuts from there. Come on, come on, come on, share them all. The pine nuts are the best. It tastes good."
"Thank you! Thank you!" Kola and the others took what Queenie gave them and thanked her repeatedly. "Where's Mr. Foster? Why don't I see him?" Queenie looked into Nathanael Foster's office, but there was no one there.
"I don't know. Mr. Foster didn't come to work today."
"No way. Such a workaholic like him didn't come to work?" Queenie asked incredulously. "Maybe he's out for business!" Kola guessed.
Queenie was busy in the office. Until noon, she saw Nathanael Foster, who looked a little tired and didn't seem to have slept well. She followed him into the office with the souvenirs.
"Mr. Foster, here are some souvenirs I brought for you. I've put them here for you, so you can peel some and have a taste when you have time," Queenie said.
"Have you forgotten that we are from the same place?" Nathanael looked at the big bag of pine nuts and said, "What kind of souvenirs are you bringing me? I've been biting these things since I was a kid. And I really had lost a few teeth because of these things."
"I remember. It's just that I brought them for everyone. And it won't be right if I miss your share, hahaha!" Nathanael looked at her and couldn't help but mention, "It's not twenty years ago anymore. You don't have to be so polite with your office colleagues. It's not necessary."
"Well, I know." Queenie laughed, thinking that Nathanael talked mean but was actually a nice person. He never hid or did secret moves at work. Once she knew his temper, she got along well with him.
Nathanael Foster yawned and waved her out. Queenie asked, "Why do you look so sleepy?"
"Huh, you've been having fun this week. I've been working overtime all week and staying up late every day. Can I not be sleepy?" Nathanael glanced at her and said, "Go and get me a cup of coffee."
"Okay." Queenie went to the pantry and quickly made a cup of coffee. Nathanael didn't even taste it first. He just gulped it.
Queenie wanted to leave. But after thinking about it, she couldn't help but turn around and ask, "Have you heard about Noah Foster?"
"I don't know, and I don't want to know." Nathanael glared at her and said, "Didn't I tell you not to mention him to me?"
Queenie sighed and scratched her hair, "I know I shouldn't mention it. But I heard he's missing."
"Disappeared?" Nathanael sneered indifferently, "He's been missing for twenty-three years, isn't it normal for him to disappear?"
Seeing his unconcerned look, Queenie opened her mouth, hesitated, and advised, "Why don't you go and find out? After all, he is not too familiar with this world!"
"What's it for me?" Nathanael raised his head and looked at her coolly, "I'm not going to be responsible for taking care of him and providing for his old age when he didn't even raise me, am I?"
Seeing his firm attitude, Queenie couldn't say anything else. She could not talk too much about other people's family matters.
"Okay, I'm going to work." "Good!" Nathanael Foster didn't even look up. He was looking at the computer in silence.
Queenie peeked back at him as she walked out. His expression was still cold, as if he really didn't care.
After the sound of the door closing, Nathanael put down his busy hands, frowned tightly, and concentrated for a long time before taking out his cell phone. He flipped to the blacklist of his phone. An ordinary cell phone number was lying in it. He thought about it and removed the number from the blacklist. And then he put the phone on the table and began to work.
But he couldn't concentrate. He always wanted to touch the phone. Finally, he got annoyed and rang the company's internal line, "Kola, come in for a minute."
Kola came in, "Mr. Foster." "Yes!" Nathanael reached out, "Give me your phone." "Huh?" Kola was confused.
Nathanael tapped the table with the back of his hand, and Kola handed over the phone. Nathanael asked him to open the password. And then he dialed the number as it showed on his own phone.
The phone rang for a while and no one answered. Nathanael threw Kola's phone at Kola and frowned, "You can leave!"
"Emm." Kola was called in and kicked out without a clue. Scratching the hair inexplicably, he couldn't understand what Nathanael was up to.
In the afternoon, Queenie went outside with Kola to shoot a commercial. When she arrived at the location, she found out that it was the school where Albert was in.
The location of the shoot was an abandoned school building behind the school area. After Queenie finished docking her work, she couldn't help but want to go see Albert.
The last time she saw his class name was written in his homework book, Class 3 Second Junior. She went and searched for him.
Class 3 Second Junior was on the second floor of a school building. When Queenie went over there, it was during a class. She sneaked up to the window of the classroom and looked in. The classroom was filled with more than forty students. Queenie thought that according to Albert's height he should be sitting at the back. But she didn't see him after searching for a long time. And finally, she saw him in the third row. His serious and attentive look was really similar to young Timothy's.
Queenie looked at him for a while. But she didn't want to disturb him. So, she stepped aside.
After the bell rang, she went to the door of the classroom to say hello to Albert. But Albert frowned at her. He picked up his bag and walked over to her, asking in an impulsive tone, "Who told you to come to my school?"
Queenie was so disgraced that her smile froze, "My company came to your school to film a scene. And I saw that you were almost out of school. So I stopped by to pick you up."
"Who needs you to pick me up?" Albert rolled his eyes at her and passed her with his school bag.
Queenie was not angry. She followed and said, "What hobby class are you going to tonight? I'll give you a ride."
"No need," Albert said. "Do you want to have dinner together?" Queenie asked again. "No," Albert refused again.
"Come on, kid, don't be so cold!" Queenie grabbed the strap of his school bag and laughed, "It's fate to meet each other, so give us a chance!"
"Who is destined to meet you? I'm sick of seeing you at home every day, and you even come to school?" Albert stared at her and said, "If you want to be good with my father, I won't stop you. If you serve him well, it's not like I won't give you any goodness. Just don't think too much about it. Do you really think you can be my stepmother?" He ignored Queenie and got on his bike to leave. But Queenie grabbed him. Albert angrily shook off her hand and said, "Are you done?"
Queenie held Albert's arm tightly, looked at him, and said, "I just want to be Timothy's wife, but I don't want to be your stepmother. You don't have to accept me. You and I can live in harmony. But to make your father happy, it's better for us to live in harmony too." "Who wants to live in harmony with you?" Albert said disdainfully.
"You!" Queenie laughed, "I'm showing goodwill to you now. You'd better accept it. Or, else I'll show you what pillow talk is all about. The saying 'If you have a stepmother, you will have a stepfather' is not just summed up by the masses."
Albert gasped, "You're threatening me, huh? Is my dad the kind of guy who gets carried away by women?" Queenie laughed, "You don't believe me?" "Let's try, who's afraid?" Albert said with hatred!
When Timothy came home from work, he saw Queenie and Albert in the living room when he entered the house. As soon as he opened the door, both faces looked over at the same time. Their eyes were crystal clear and their expressions were exactly the same.
"Dad, I have several math problems I can't do, please teach me." Albert ran over and grabbed Timothy's arm.
Timothy put down his briefcase and said gently, "Okay, wait for me to change my clothes."
Albert gave Queenie a smug look as if she was demonstrating her throne. Queenie raised her eyebrows and followed Timothy into the room like a fox. Then she locked the door...
Albert waited outside the door. He waited for a while but his father didn't come out. Albert was so angry that he slammed the door outside, "Dad, come out and teach me how to solve problems!"
After a while, Timothy came out and said, "I think you should explore how to solve the problem by yourself first, and then ask me if you really don't know how to do it."
"That's right, kids need to learn the good habit of learning on their own. They can't just open their mouths and ask questions." Queenie came from behind and leaned next to Timothy to add fuel to the fire.
"Senior Quira is right." Timothy nodded approvingly. Albert pointed at the two of them in exasperation. He turned his head and left.
At dinner, Albert looked at the table of vegetarian dishes and asked in amazement, "Dad, didn't you say you'd make me spicy chicken tonight?"
"Senior Quira doesn't eat spicy food, and her appetite is not good lately. We should have more vegetables." Timothy smiled as he brought up a plate of boiled cabbage.
"She can't eat it, but I can eat it!" Albert shouted.
"Well, you can wait for a few more days." Timothy gave him a look that said "you should let Quira win". And then he passed a plate with rice to Queenie. Queenie smiled and pointed at the mushroom plate, "I want that."
Timothy pinched a piece and wanted to put it on her plate. But Queenie opened her mouth and gestured for Timothy to feed it to her. Timothy smiled indulgently and fed the mushroom to Queenie, who ate it and then glanced at Albert proudly.
Albert put down his chopsticks and stood up in anger and left. "Albert, why don't you eat?" Timothy asked worriedly from behind. "Oh, he must have eaten on the way back from school. He's not hungry," Queenie said. "That kid, how many times have I told him to stop eating at roadside stalls?" "You know children, they are all disobedient. It will be solved by a nice beaten up. If one time is not enough, then beat twice..."
Albert was so angry at these conversations that he wanted to run back and shake Timothy awake and tell him not to listen to Queenie's false accusations against him. But when he turned around and saw his dad's gentle gaze and slightly smiling side face at the table, he had to hold back his anger and go back to his room.
His dad and he were rarely this happy together. When the two of them ate together, they were always fast. And his dad rarely spoke. Occasionally, he would speak. But the conversation was brief. Not like now, he was laughing while eating. A meal would take a long time.
At midnight, Albert was too hungry to sleep and was tossing and turning in bed when there was a knock on the door. Albert was still angry and didn't open the door. But the knocking persisted and Albert was finally annoyed to open the door. It was Queenie who held a plate of pasta out his door. She was smiling, "I made something for you. Do you want it?"
"No!" Albert was still angry and closed the door. But Queenie flexibly got in, "Oh, don't be angry. I'm just kidding with you."
"You demon! You just spelled my dad!" Albert was so angry that he pointed at Queenie and scolded her. Queenie laughed and said, "Okay, okay, okay, it's all my fault. I just wanted to show you! Haha! I didn't expect it to work so well." "No way! My father loves me the most!" Albert said forcefully.
"Yes, yes, yes." Queenie nodded, "Your dad loves you the most, and loves me second, okay?" "You're third at most, my mom is the second!" Albert corrected.
Queenie smacked, "Okay, the third is fine." "Can we just get along?" Queenie asked again.
"Then you can never steal my father from me. And you must always remember in your heart that you are the third important to him!" Albert emphasized.
"Okay young master, got it. I'll remember it, young master." Queenie brought the pasta to Albert and asked, "Can you eat it now?"
Albert's stomach rumbled. He took the plate reluctantly and said, "I did it for my father's sake."
"Sure, sure." Queenie smiled, propped her head up, and watched him eat the food. Seeing he was indulged in eating, she couldn't help but ask, "Is it good?"
"Not bad!" Albert said, "Just put more beef in it."
"I've already put a lot," Queenie laughed, "You are just like my dad. He would put a plate of beef on a plate of pasta."
"Your dad? Do your parents know you're dating an old man with a son?" Albert couldn't help but worry again. If he had a daughter, he would never agree with his daughter finding such a marriage partner.
If she met with family resistance, would this woman break up with her father?
"He knows," Queenie laughed on her arm, "I took your dad to meet my parents last weekend."
"They didn't object?" Albert asked in disbelief.
"No, they were happy," Queenie replied.
"That's good." Albert nodded. And after taking a few bites of food, he couldn't help but say, "My dad must have given them a lot of money."
Queenie couldn't help but puff out a laugh, "That's right, the reason that I married your dad is because of money."
"Nonsense. Besides being older, what's wrong with my dad? Many girls like my dad! Didn't you also chase after him with all your heart?" Albert would never allow anyone to slander his father.
"Fine, fine, fine, you're right about everything." Queenie laughed, "I'm the one who chased your dad."
"What are you laughing at?"
"I just thought you were kind of cute." "Who... Who asked you to compliment me?" "I can't even tell the truth?"
The sounds of talking and laughter coming from the room made even Timothy, who was worriedly standing outside, curl his mouth slightly. He received a text message from Queenie at work today, saying she was going to teach her brother a lesson and asked him to cooperate.
He was a little worried about whether Queenie's idea was right or not. After all, Albert's character was also very stubborn. But he didn't expect the result to be good.
Perhaps the half-same part of the blood was the reason. Albert did not hate Queenie in his heart, and that was the reason why he chose to accept her after weighing the pros and cons.
Queenie came out of the room with a plate. Timothy was pouring water in the dining room. Seeing her coming, he turned his head and asked with a smile, "He's good now?"
"Well, isn't coaxing kids my specialty?" Queenie put the plate into the sink and said smugly, "You should recall how I coaxed you back then."
"Well, Quira is the best at that." Timothy walked over and turned on the faucet to wash the plates.
Queenie stood by him and looked at him. Her gaze was as gentle as water. And after a while, she suddenly whispered, "Let's never talk to Albert about his real identity!"
Timothy paused and turned his head to look at her. Queenie nodded and said, "I think that's fine." "Sure!" Queenie laughed, "He's super into you and has to steal the first place in your heart from me."
Timothy laughed. Queenie came over and asked, "Hey, do you think I'm the first one in your heart?"
Timothy looked at her, didn't say anything, just maintained the pose of washing dishes with detergent on his hands. Turning around, he bent down slightly and kissed her gently on the corner of her mouth.
Then he looked up, without speaking. But the reflection of his pupils was all about the girl in front of him.
Queenie pursed her lips, smiled, and tilted her head, "Okay, I got your answer." "I love you the most, too." After saying that, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed her back. This time Timothy didn't hide or push. He cooperated by lowering his head and gently responding to her kiss.
Under the moonlight, the two seemed to have found a familiar feeling, making out so naturally and intensively. But...
For no reason, they suddenly felt a line of sight. They turned their heads in unison, only to see Albert holding a glass of water and looking at them indignantly.
Queenie and Timothy hurriedly separated awkwardly, giggling unnaturally.
Albert poured a glass of water as if he hadn't seen it. He turned to leave, then turned back and said, "I don't care if you guys are together, but I won't accept a second child!"
He went back to his room and closed the door with a snap.
"So possessive. Who will he be like?" Queenie couldn't help but mutter. "Who else would he be like?" Timothy said coolly, "Like you!"
Queenie was speechless.
Well, well, well. It was her own brother. What else could she do but love him?