The Apple of My Eye
Chapter 271 We Are Family

"Stop sitting there. Come here and join us." Abby said to Arthur. Today, Arthur was also a little different. He was quieter than usual. He stared at Emily with caring eyes, and secretly glanced at Autumn from time to time.

Abby sensed it and was worried that the serious atmosphere would make Autumn feel uncomfortable, so she called them to the table to eat. "Aunt Emily, here, let me help you up."

She came to Emily's side. Although the departure of Emily and Bowen wasn't that big an impression for her, she knew that Emily was the most reliable person to her eldest brother. Now as it turned out, she was the closest person to Autumn as well. Therefore, she had great respect for Emily.

Hearing the voice of Abby, Emily held out her hands, asking, "Are you Miss Abby?"

"Yes, I am, Aunt Emily." Abby took Emily's hands and replied, "It's me, Abby."

"Oh dear! You were about five or six years old when I left. And now you have grown up. How time really flies!" That's how it is with elder people. When faced with those who they haven't seen in a long time, they tend to recall the past affairs easily in their familiar surroundings. It's as if time was on pause and it had just started running again.

Very much so with Emily.

Abby helped Emily to sit at the table and said with a bright smile on her face, "I knew that you were coming to visit today, so I especially prepared your favorite dish, sweet and sour spareribs. I remember that you liked it before, but now I have no idea whether it still suits your taste. You can have a try shortly."

"Great. Great. Great." Emily said "Great" three times in a row. She was really having the time of her life, getting this chance to come and see the Zhao family before she died. They have always regarded her as a member of their family, not a servant who should keep herself at a distance.

"Autumn, please come and sit as well." After Abby helped Emily to the table, she also called Autumn over. Amy looked quite sentimental today. She went out to wipe her tears several times and Abby noticed. Abby knew that she was happy to have Emily come today.

Abby and Autumn sat at either side of Emily. Emily was in such a good mood that she ate heartily.

Seeing more smiles on her grandma's face than usual, Autumn was happy to have made a good decision to come today.

"Aunt Emily, here, have a taste of this." Abby kept putting food on Emily's plate. She really took good care of Emily that night. Cindy was also well-behaved that she could eat up a bowl of rice by herself without anyone else's help.

Autumn felt like crying all of a sudden, but she managed to hold back her tears.

"Emily, these are all your favorite dishes. Tell me what you think. Are my cooking skills still good?" Amy was caring for Emily, too. Although Emily hadn't been in the Zhao family house for a long time, everyone regarded her as part of the family. She was even regarded as the benefactor to the Zhao family.

"Mrs. Zhao, your cooking skills are as superb as before. You haven't let your skills decline." Emily replied with a smile.

Autumn really felt the love and care of this family for her grandma Emily. And that night, no one brought up the issue of her identity. Instead, they looked after Emily and entertained her well. Emily was the most important person to her and this made her happy. As the saying goes, 'love me, love my dog.'

Emily was all smiles the whole night. After dinner, all of them gathered in the living room to catch up. Abby sliced some fruits and put them on a plate. She passed the plate to Autumn, saying, "Autumn, here you go. Have some fruit."

"Thanks a lot." Autumn replied as she took the plate. Everyone's face was lit with laughter and Autumn started to enjoy every minute of it.

"Aunt Emily is very delighted today." Abby spoke to Autumn as she sat next to her. Autumn nodded her head slightly, and answered, "Grandma hasn't been so happy like this in a long time."

"You can bring her here as often as you'd like." Abby smiled and said, "My mom and dad have a lot to talk about with her. she could live here and my father could observe her and check on her condition all the time. And aunt Emily herself would also love it here. A bright and joyful atmosphere can be beneficial to her health. Don't you think so?"

Autumn pondered on what Abby said. Abby was right. It would be good for Emily to live in the Zhao family house. Nonetheless, it seemed a bit inappropriate.

"I know why you are hesitant." Abby easily understood what Autumn was worried about. She continued to explain to her, "I'm just thinking of what's best for Aunt Emily. Both you and Charles are busy with your rising business. Apparently, there is no one in your home who's always available to take care of her. If she lived here, my parents could help attend to her. You can come to visit her at any time, every day." Abby shortly paused and went on, "Autumn, you need to understand that I never force you to make any decision. You are married now, so no one will complain if you forget to come."

"I see." Autumn sighed and told Abby her feelings, "I just think that it will...... It will be too much of a burden for you and your parents."

"How can it be a burden?" Abby said to Autumn in a calm voice, "Emily is our family. And we are all more than willing to look after her. How can it be a burden?"

"Autumn." Andy interrupted the two ladies before Autumn could say a word. "The proposal has been passed. There is another company similar and comparable to Cloud Advertising Company. To be fair, the company decided to reschedule the proposal after high-level discussions and will only allow Cloud Advertising Company and that counterpart to take part. And during this period, ....... I'm afraid that you will have to work hard."

"That's to be expected. It's part of my job." Autumn answered politely. Autumn had heard of something of that sort from Isla before, so she had made full preparations for it. Having lost Light House Company last time, she had to win the proposal this time.

Hearing the exchange between Autumn and Andy, Amy seized the chance to give some advise, "Look, Autumn is so busy with her work. Emily, why not live here with us? With the help of Arthur, your illness will be well under control, and Autumn can focus on her work instead of worrying about you all the time. What do you think?" Amy put forward the same suggestion as Abby's. For one thing, Emily's illness can be cured. For another, Autumn could devote herself to her work without any worries at the back of her mind.

"I think there is no such a need. It will bother you too much." Autumn rejected it instantly. Although it was the most proper thing for Emily at present, Autumn still didn't want to bring trouble to the Zhao family. After all, ...... There still was some estrangement between her and the Zhao family.

"It won't be troublesome at all, Autumn." Amy looked at Autumn with tenderness in her eyes. She said to Autumn, "My dear, we are family, will you consider taking care of your family as trouble?" Knowing her grandchild as a sensible girl, Amy had mixed feelings.

It was the hard life that she used to live that made her such a thoughtful girl. She had taken on duties that other women of her age didn't bother to even think about.

Amy was pleased to see that Autumn had grown to be a sensible and thoughtful girl. But at the same time, she felt compassion for what Autumn had experienced. "But......" Autumn slightly grimaced. Before she could say a word, Emily called her, "Autumn, you come here.'