The Sweet Rival (Mango Shen and Nathaniel Ye)

Mango knew that there were a lot of things on Nathaniel's mind when he did not reply. Then, she sighed softly and said, "To be honest, I'm really fine so don't worry about me anymore. I told you that we'd grow old together and we must fulfill it. Right now, what you need to do is just focus on the construction site incident, okay? I'll be here waiting for you."

"Okay."

Nathaniel nodded.

In fact, he did not know what else could he say about this since he could not refute back to his wife. Furthermore, it was pointless to say anything else and the only thing he could do was solve this issue quickly so he could bring Mango home.

"Right, I'll hang up now and call you back tomorrow."

After all, this was not Mango's personal phone and it would be rude to use someone else's phone for too long.

After Mango hung up the phone, she was rather disappointed.

This was the first time that she had parted ways with Nathaniel voluntarily.

After she had been rescued by Nathaniel from the Fallen Paradise, she thought that she would never be separated from him again for the rest of her life. However, it only took the span of a few days for them to be separated again.

Why was it so difficult for Mango to be able to spend the rest of her life with Nathaniel?

Abyss' stubborn persistence in love made Mango speechless. However, she was still wary of Abyss' dirty tactics.

Mango had no idea if her insomnia was due to her short nap earlier or the fact that she had too many thoughts running through her head.

She sat on the sofa with the quilt over her. In truth, she felt that the decor of this house helped with soothing her own emotions.

Now that she had nothing to do, she took out some drawing paper and a pen. Then, some ideas emerged in her mind and she began to draw on the tea table.

After some time, Mango started to feel sleepy as she sat on the floor. Next, she laid down on the coffee table and she promptly fell asleep.

After Queena got up in the morning, she was somewhat surprised to see Mango was sleeping on the tea table.

Even the long hair covered Mango's face, but it could not hide her beauty.

Queena walked over to her only to find that Mango's paintings were all car design drafts.

There were all kinds of cars, such as sports cars, sedans, and off-road vehicles, but they shared some similarities between their designs. So, it seemed that Mango wanted to design a series of vehicles instead. Moreover, Mango's strokes were very delicate but there was also a hint of masculinity in them. Thus, it was difficult to tell that the designs were from a woman.

Queena picked up the drawings to take a closer look at them, most likely because she was an artist too.

In fact, Mango's painting skills were excellent and it was obvious to Queena that Mango had been trained professionally when she was younger. So, it was no wonder that she could perceive the sadness and despair in Queena's painting.

Queena's lips quirked up into a satisfied smile.

After that, she covered Mango with a blanket and she put the drawings aside. Then, she went into the kitchen.

When Queena was asleep, Mango had cleaned up the kitchen.

So, it seemed that Mango was a neat person.

Honestly, Mango was much better than Queena's daughter, Andrea, in this aspect.

Queena had renewed admiration for Mango.

Afterward, she opened the refrigerator and cooked some food before she brought it to the dining table.

Soon, Mango was awakened by the aroma of food. "Hmm...That smells good!"

The words fell from Mango's lips involuntarily. When she turned around, Queena was smiling at Mango while she gestured at the food on the table. "Remember to wash your hands before eating, yeah? Oh, why did you fall asleep in the living room?"

Mango scratched the nape of her neck in embarrassment as she said, "I'm not sure, maybe I was just too sleepy."

Next, she ran her finger through her long hair before she hurriedly went to the bathroom.

"There's a new set of toiletries in the cabinet. I've bought them recently and no one's used them yet. So, you may feel free to use them."

Queena's words made Mango pause for a moment.

It was only then that she realized that she had brought nothing with her, but fortunately, Queena was prepared for it.

"Thank you, Aunt Xiao."

Mango just went ahead and used the toiletries after she took them out of the cabinet.

Soon after she finished washing her face, Mango walked out and she found that Queena had brought out her cosmetic products.

"Here, you can use mine if you don't mind that I've used them before."

"I don't mind it at all."

At this time, it would be very rude of Mango to be fussy.

Then, she looked at the cosmetics that Queena used. It was not a famous brand and it seemed to be manufactured in the country instead of the United States. "Aunt Xiao, are you using cosmetic products from your homeland?"

"What's wrong? Is that not what you're using?"

At first, Queena assumed that Mango was not accustomed to using these products. After all, Andrea constantly despised her for using these cosmetics. Moreover, she insisted on Queena using famous brands since she was in America, but Queena just did not like them.

Mango quickly shook her head and she said, "Not at all. I'm just a little surprised. Judging from your status and appearance, you're sure from the upper class. It is rare to have someone like you using domestic brand products though."

"Sometimes, I think vintage things are the best."

Mango readily agreed to what Queena just said.

"Yes, our country's cosmetics are actually quite good. I'm not really used to foreign products."

Mango began to dab at her face as she spoke.

The cosmetic products were light and fragrant.

Mango looked especially focused as she patted her face without the slightest of dissatisfaction.

Queena smiled when she saw that Mango truly enjoyed using the products.

"Are you a tourist here in the United States?"

"Yeah, but I lost my ID so I can't go anywhere now. So... I'm hoping that I could stay with you for a few days, is that okay?"

Although Mango felt that Queena's behavior was a little eccentric, she seemed to be a good person. Queena nodded and she said, "It is up to you. Usually, I'm alone here as no one comes by, but I hope you won't find me too boring."

"Not at all."

Mango smiled faintly as she finished dabbing at her face with the cosmetic products.

Next, she returned Queena's cosmetics back to their rightful positions before they sat down together to eat.

Queena had made a relatively ordinary Chinese breakfast, with a bowl of porridge as well as a plate of cold cuts with a few spring rolls next to it.

As she looked at the food in front of her, Mango felt as if she was back with her parents in her homeland.

It was hard to imagine that she could still have such a traditional breakfast in the United States.

"Aunt Xiao, you must miss your homeland very much, don't you?"

Mango's words made Queena pause for a moment before she asked, "What do you mean?"

"Everyone who comes to America gets assimilated gradually regardless of how long they've been here. I'm sure that very few people would insist on having such a traditional breakfast. However, I'm not disregarding the possibility that Aunt Xiao made this breakfast just for me."

"Pfft, you're not that important for me to make a breakfast just to cater to your tastes."

Queena chuckled at her. However, Mango did not really mind the teasing.

In fact, she felt very comfortable around Queena. There was none of the usual restraint that came with their age gap. Instead, there was a sense of peaceful intimacy between them.

"Aunt Xiao, does Andrea like these things as well?"

"No, she doesn't."

Queena sighed slightly.

"Andrea's a daredevil and she loves going after new things. So, obviously, she loves everything about the United States. Sometimes I wonder if she's really my child."

When it came to Andrea, Queena sounded rather resigned, but it was clear that Queena loved her daughter very much.

Thus, Mango could not help but think of her own mother.

"You remind me of my own mother. Unfortunately, I have no idea whether or not she managed to back home safely."

Mango sighed.

She had been so determined when she sent her parents and children away from the United States. Now, Mango had no idea if they had even returned or whether Terrance was capable of taking care of them. Now that her phone was gone, so there was no way to contact them, and this caused Mango to be really worried.

"Aunt Xiao, can I make a phone call? Unfortunately, it's an international call and I don't really have the money to pay for that at the moment."

Mango said this in a very serious tone.

However, Queena just laughed at her.

"Oh dear, that little bit of money means nothing to me. Just go ahead."

Queena took out a cordless phone from the cabinet behind her and she handed it to Mango.

"Thank you, Aunt Xiao."

Mango quickly took it from her.

However, Mango did not call her parents, nor did she call Madam Ye. If they were still on the boat and they had yet to arrive safely, her call may put them in danger.

Hence, Mango quickly dialed Terrance's number.

The moment the line was connected, Terrance's voice sounded from the other side.

"Hello?"

Obviously, he was a little confused. This was a foreign phone number, so who could it be?

For a moment, Mango did not know what to say to Terrance. After she cleared her throat, she said, "Mr. Hans, It's me, Mango."

"Mango? Didn't you return home with your parents and children?"

In fact, Terrance thought she would come back home along with the children.

Mango shook her head and she said, "Unfortunately, there's been some issues here so I have to stay for the time being. But Mr. Hans, have my parents arrived at your house?"

"Not yet, but I've already received a call from Nathaniel. Don't worry, I'll take good care of them. How are you doing over there? I heard Nathaniel is in a bit of trouble, so does he need my help?1

"Ha, you sounded as if the Hans family is omnipotent. Do you think you can solve our problems in the United States from Ocean City? Mr. Hans, please do me a favor and take care of my family. After I'm back with Nathaniel, we will show you our gratitude and repay your favor."

Mango smiled at Terrance's words.

On the other hand, Queena's hand trembled and her chopsticks fell onto the table with a loud noise.

"Aunt Xiao, what's wrong? Am I disturbing you?"

"No, no...I'm fine."

However, Queena's face was pale and it was clear that she was a little flustered.

Then, she hurriedly tried to pick up some food with her fork. Unfortunately, she failed at her task.

As she saw this, Mango said sheepishly, "Mr. Hans, I have something to attend to, so I'll talk to you later. Please assist to watch over my family, thank you."

"You're most welcome. I'll call you later."

"Let's talk again soon."

Then, Mango hung up the phone. When she saw Queena, who was in a daze, she remembered the photo she took from Dennis' gallery before she asked Queena. "Aunt Xiao, do you know Dennis Hans?" This sentence immediately made Queena's expression to change.

"How do you know Dennis?"

The way she gazed at Mango was fear-inducing.

Mango was very nervous and she felt like she'd made a mistake. Nevertheless, she had already asked the question, so she might as well have an answer.

Then, she said hesitantly, "I know Terrance, he is Dennis's younger brother. I went to the Hans family's residence not long ago and I saw a photo of a woman that looked very much like you in Dennis's art gallery. Is she related to you?"

Mango did not dare to ask if the woman in the picture was Queena herself. After all, Queena had become older after so many years had passed, but the similarity was uncanny. Moreover, Mango looked very much like the woman in the photo before her plastic surgery, so naturally, she was curious about it.

As she heard Mango's words, Queena's eyes became wistful. Then, she whispered, "So, you' re asking about Dennis? Oh my, all of that happened so long ago and might as well have been a past life."