CHAPTER 230: CHAPTER 230: A GIRL IN LOVE

The text in the "Moments" reads: Thank you Mr. Sutton for the birthday gift delivered early.

Underneath is a picture of a large bouquet of roses, with a small card that reads: Happy Birthday, Sylvie.

Thinking about what Catherine Yardley said to her last night, Shannon Quinn was much calmer this time.

She looked at the writing on the card; the handwriting was a man’s, but Shannon recognized that it wasn’t Landon Sutton’s handwriting, so she comforted herself by thinking it might just be a normal gift between friends, even the card was written by someone else.

Though telling herself not to mind, she couldn’t help but look at this "Moments" post several times.

In her memory, she hadn’t yet received a birthday gift from Landon Sutton.

Around nine o’clock, Landon Sutton sent her a message, which finally lifted Shannon Quinn’s mood a bit.

The content he sent didn’t seem intended for Shannon to reply, more like a cautious reminder: Remember to take your medicine, avoid getting out of bed unnecessarily.

Shannon stared at that message for a long time, as if the unpleasant feelings brought by the roses had dissipated considerably.

She didn’t even notice herself, at this moment holding her phone and grinning like a young girl in love.

The anticipated Friday finally arrived, Shannon couldn’t sleep early in the morning, and kept checking WeChat intermittently, yet she never received his message, not daring to ask actively, she found a variety show to divert her attention and pass the time.

Until noon when Catherine called her for lunch, she grew even more frustrated.

Normally he’d message her around eight or nine, how come it’s twelve now and still no sign?

Could he be on a plane?

But with the time this morning, even if he were flying, he’d have arrived long ago.

Or perhaps because she didn’t reply, he thought she didn’t see, so he couldn’t bother sending any more?

"Waiting for someone’s message? Staring at your phone even while eating."

Shannon, feeling guilty, said, "Work stuff, waiting to discuss the response."

Catherine just smiled without exposing her lie.

After resting for two days, Shannon was more agile than before, and after dining, she helped wipe the table and lay on the couch to watch TV.

Her eyes were on the TV, but her mind was on the phone.

She couldn’t resist the urge to message him multiple times, though she opened the chat interface, she didn’t know what to write, so ended up giving up.

In the afternoon, around three o’clock, Catherine went out to buy some daily items, and asked Shannon: "Shannon, did Sutton return a couple of days ago?"

"...Yeah, how did you know?" Hearing "Sutton", Shannon immediately wanted to sit up from the sofa, and strained an injury, painfully lying back down.

Catherine changed her shoes while entering the room, saying: "He just called me, said he’s here, asked me for the address where Leo attends hobby classes, he’ll pick Leo up soon."

Shannon, surprised, asked: "He’s coming here?"

"He helped a lot last time; treating him to a meal is the least we can do." Catherine said and deliberately teased Shannon, "If you don’t want him to come, I’ll call him and let him know."

"No need." Shannon stopped her and explained, "We should thank him... if he’s coming, let him."

Catherine smiled, "Then I’ll get things ready first; do you know what he likes to eat?"

"Don’t know, just cook something, no need to overly cater to him." Shannon said and suddenly realized something, she asked Catherine: "Mom, how come he has your number?"

"When you were in the hospital, I left it for convenience in contacting."

"...Oh."

After speaking, Shannon glanced at the clock on the wall; about half an hour until Leo finishes his class.

She looked down at her pajamas, contemplating if her appearance seemed a bit sloppy.

Propping herself up, she went to her room, picked a velvet dress from her wardrobe, feeling unsatisfied once she put it on, looking at the reflection in the mirror.

Wearing such a dress at home seemed awkward.

Thinking she should dress more casually at home, she quickly put on her favorite white European-style gown, unless it was inconvenient, she’d even wash her hair.

As Shannon walked out of her room, Catherine noticed and joked with her: "Changing clothes again?"

"Spilled water on my clothes just now."

"You should switch to something thicker too; isn’t it cold, wearing something this thin?"

"With the heater on, it’s not cold." Shannon said, lying back on the sofa, pulling the blanket over herself.

Catherine chuckled, walked over, picked up the remote control, and silently turned the temperature up higher.

During this less-than-an-hour period, Shannon lost count of how many times she checked the clock on the wall.

When she heard activity at the door, she felt as if she’d been waiting for this moment for eternity.

Clearly waiting for this moment all along, yet still trying to appear indifferent.

It’s a fingerprint lock, Leo knows how to open the door, by the time Catherine came out of the kitchen to welcome, the door was already opened from outside.

Shannon glanced towards the door, Leo, the little host, politely led Landon Sutton indoors, his face couldn’t conceal the excitement.

One could imagine how happy this kid was when he saw Landon Sutton was there to pick him up after class.

"Uncle, you can wear these slippers." Leo opened the shoe cabinet, taking out a pair of men’s slippers.

Catherine then said, "Here’s a new pair, bought them while out this afternoon, not sure if the size fits, you try them on first."

To his future mother-in-law, Landon was naturally polite and courteous beyond measure, took the new slippers with both hands and put them on, "Thank you Aunt, they fit perfectly."

"Mom, see who’s here?!" Leo clamored, pulling Landon Sutton along excitedly towards Shannon.

Seeing the father-son duo holding hands, Shannon was somewhat lost in thought, until hearing Leo call her back to reality, she glanced at Landon Sutton, pretending to be composed.

"Sutton, sit anywhere, what fruit do you want? Aunt will wash them for you."

"No need to be polite, Aunt, I’ll do it myself."

"Grandma, I want grapes."

Landon took off his coat, rolled up his sleeves, saying: "I’ll go wash them."

Catherine hurriedly stopped him: "No, no, I have nothing else to do, you just sit, help watch Leo and chat with Shannon is enough."

Shannon immediately retorted: "I don’t need company."

"Checking your phone all morning, still pretending otherwise!"

"Mom, what do you want to eat? Uncle bought some desserts; do you want some?"

Shannon glanced at the little box Landon put on the table earlier, unsure if Leo took him there; from the packaging, it’s from her favorite dessert shop.

"Mom also wants to eat grapes."

"Then I’ll wash them!" Leo happily dashed towards the kitchen, followed by Catherine for reassurance.

Only they two were left in the living room, Shannon took a look at him then turned her gaze to the TV.

"Feeling better now?" Landon sat beside her, asked.