Chapter 981 - Tide Of Time (2/2)

”Yes, you should tell us what's up,” Nora also added as she sat up straight. ”Crying won't solve anything but talking might help. Trust me, we are very good at talking.”

”All you do is talk,” Jackie pointed out to his sister.

Nora glared at her brother, ”Can't you for once stand on my side?”

”I've always been standing on your side,” he replied. ”You just never noticed.”

”That sounded very romantic,” said Nora. ”But it doesn't work on me. Save it for your partner.” Then she turned to Ashley and asked, ”Did something happen at work? Did someone bully you? Or your boss screamed at you?” Seeing that she wasn't reacting, Nora added, ”Or did someone break your heart?”

Ashley suddenly stopped crying as she stared at Nora.

”Bingo! It seems I hit the bull's eye,” said Nora.

Xiu looked at Ashley as she said, ”Is it really a heartbreak? Weren't you and your boyfriend going strong just until yesterday? You even told me you want to bring him home to meet Mama and Uncle Han.”

”It's good that I didn't bring him,” said Ashley as she rubbed her eyes to wipe her tears.

Jackie thoughtfully poured her a glass of water which she took and gulped down. She had been crying for a while now. She definitely needed that water. Especially when it was brought to her hands.

”Take it slow,” said Jackie. ”You can take your time explaining. No one is that impatient here.”

”I am,” said Nora.

Jackie put his hand on his sister's mouth, ”No, you aren't.” Then he lowered his voice and whispered, ”Be a little considerate.”

Xiu rubbed Ashley's back to soothe her as she said, ”You can take all the time you need. Are you hungry? Dinner is not ready yet but I have some snacks here.”

”I'd like to eat some,” replied Ashley but she refused to let Xiu move away as she continued to hug her.

”Jackie,” Xiu called out to her brother who instantly took the hint and went over to get the snacks.

Nora looked at how Ashley placed her head on Xiu's shoulder looking like a crybaby. She couldn't help smiling to herself at the thought of how Ashley seemed distant and formal when they first met her. And now, she had found her emotional pillar in Xiu. Time was an amusing thing and more so, the way it changed relationships.

Some relationships are broken apart by the tide of time and some end up becoming stronger by surviving that tide together.