Natalie didn't turn around, but felt the cold autumn wind blowing straight into her face.
She used to think he was brave, resourceful, and knowledgeable, but now he seemed to be blind, stupid, and vague.
"I wish you two a happy future." Natalie's voice was as cold as ice.
She bent down from the car and quickly disappeared down the street.
"Boss, the man just now is..."
"Nothing." Natalie interrupted the assistant, looking unhappy, "Don't ask questions that shouldn't be asked anymore."
"Understood." The assistant was silent for a moment.
Natalie looked at the scenery outside the window that was gradually disappearing, her eyes became gloomy, and then she took out her phone to call.
"Brother, where was the good place you mentioned yesterday? I suddenly want to go."
The noisy sound on the other end of the line suddenly stopped. "Where are you now?"
Natalie lazily fiddled with the file in her hand. She raised her eyes to look at the road sign, "Blackthorn Street."
"Very good."
The phone hung up, the car sped away in the scorching sun, and the autumn wind was cold.
---
Lily watched Natalie's car disappear, the corner of her lips unconsciously smiled, but she quickly regained her hurt expression, saying, "Samuel, she didn't mean it. Don't blame her."
Samuel retracted his gaze; the depths of his eyes were filled with worry. "Why are you here?"
Lily pouted painfully, feeling wronged: "You didn't come to find me, so I can only come to find you."
Samuel's whole body was filled with bitterness. He said in a low voice: "I'm working."
Feeling his anger, Lily cautiously walked to his side, pulling the hem of his shirt with her injured hand: "Samuel, I'm sorry for delaying your work. I see your grandmother's birthday is coming up soon. Let's go pick out a birthday present for her."
Samuel was stunned; he had forgotten about this.
Ever since Natalie married into the Morgan family, he had never worried about family matters. Natalie had always prepared for her grandmother's birthday.
Lily took this opportunity to continue pretending to be pitiful, her expression pained as she said, "Samuel, my hand hurts so much."
Samuel looked at the blood on her palm, his eyes narrowed: "Oliver, take her to the hospital."
At first, he only knew that Lily was unwell. He didn't know that her blood clotting function was not good, until she accidentally hurt her finger while peeling fruit, the bleeding couldn't be stopped, so he was worried just now.
"Yes." Oliver quickly moved, his eyes cold, "Miss Lily, please get in the car."
Lily was very dissatisfied with Oliver's attitude, but the most important thing for her now was to be a good girl; after all, her coming to New York alone was already a big taboo for Samuel.
She got in the car, saw Samuel still standing, and said pitifully, "Samuel, aren't you coming with me?"
"I still have something to do," Samuel said and left.
Lily watched his back as he left, secretly clenching her hands. She had to hurry.
In the second-floor office, Minister Mark stood by the window, observing the whole thing, including Lily's injury.
"Mr. Mark, sorry, I'll go take care of something," Samuel said apologetically.
When Minister Mark was not yet assigned to New York, he was working in the capital. Every time he went to Morgan's house, he brought gifts. Minister Mark could be said to be Samuel's teacher in housing construction and tourism, and he respected him very much.
Minister Mark glanced at him, took out two tissues from the box, and handed them to him: "Wipe the water on your hands, my floor is dirty."
Samuel took the tissues, looked down to see if the floor was really dirty.
"Samuel." Minister Mark hesitated, took a sip of nourishing tea, and then asked meaningfully: "Who was that girl just now?"
Samuel was stunned for a few seconds; his handsome face flashed with worry, but he finally said, "It was the girl who saved me at sea seven years ago; her name is Lily."
"Oh?" Minister Mark drawled, his sharp eyes staring at his face that had gone through many ups and downs, "Did you see clearly?"
Samuel hesitated for a few seconds, neither denying nor affirming, just saying bluntly: "She hasn't been doing well these past few years."
"Hey, I don't understand the love between young people." Minister Mark suddenly sighed, then changed the subject: "Samuel, your grandmother's birthday is coming up, you have to have fun with me." He chirped.
"I'll send someone to pick you up then." Samuel finally smiled on his stern face.
"Okay." Minister Mark called back from work, "I have something to take care of, I can't see you off."
How could Samuel let him give it to him? After leaving two boxes of delicious tea, he turned around and walked out.
"Samuel, you have to open your eyes."
Samuel didn't answer, just gently closed the door.
-
The good place Nathaniel mentioned was actually an amusement park.
Natalie had never grown up in their family since she was little, and she lacked the company of her brothers when she grew up. Nathaniel always wanted to take her to the amusement park.
She had a great time.
Roller coaster, big pendulum, jumping machine... any interesting game, Nathaniel was the first to give up in the end.
The two sat on the stone bench. Nathaniel's face was pale, but Natalie held an ice cream in each hand.
"Brother, are you okay?" Her small, fresh face was still a little worried.
Nathaniel looked up, he placed his warm hand on her hair, and said softly, "I just... haven't played in a long time."
Natalie smiled brightly, "I don't believe it, my brother is afraid of heights."
"Play again?" Nathaniel regained his strength and stood up as if inviting.
"No more, no more." Natalie stepped forward, holding an ice cream in her hand.
She tossed her long hair, gently caressing it, revealing half of her slender neck, which was especially sparkling under the evening sunlight.
Nathaniel held his fingertips tightly and followed.
The little girl had grown up.
"Natalie, do you want to go to my secret base?" Nathaniel walked beside her.
Natalie smiled, tilted her head, and thought for a moment: "Let's go."
Her brother's secret base was indeed what everyone wished for.
When the car stopped at the top of a small hill, Natalie felt a little sleepy. At this time, the night had fallen, except for the continuous lights in the distance; there was only the sound of leaves rustling in the wind.
"This place can see all the fireworks of the southern city, but can't hear the hustle and bustle. Every breath, every movement, and every silence belongs to me." Nathaniel's voice was cold, but his eyes were extremely bright.
And Natalie had long been immersed in it.
She spread her arms wide, welcoming the wind blowing from the valley. Every day at Morgan's house in the past three years, her eyes passed by, and her heart was extremely peaceful.
"Brother, thank you for sharing the secret base with me." She closed her eyes and whispered.
I don't know how long it took. When she turned her head, Nathaniel had already hugged her in his arms, stroking her head.
Nathaniel sighed helplessly, "If you can't bear it, just tell me, I will always protect you."
"Yes," Natalie said.