Chapter 471


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    She pushed open the door and stepped out, hesitantly calling out "Cousin?"


    The man turned around, and his eyes lit up with surprise: "Anne?"


    It was indeed Halley Cole, the only son of Maddox Cole and Raven.


    He hadn''t brought an umbre, and his T-shirt was already soaked through, with droplets of water dripping from the tips of his hair.


    Roseanne quickly pulled out some tissues and handed them over, saying, "Here, dry yourself off. Even though it''s summer, walking around with wet hair can still give you a cold."


    "Thanks." He took them, wiping his hair while remarking, "You''re still as thoughtful and caring as when you were a kid."


    The bookstore was connected to the neighboring mall, so since they had bumped into each other and it was still raining outside, they decided they might as well grab lunch together.


    Roseanne called Madge to let her know she wouldn''t being home for lunch today. After a couple of questions, Madge didn''t pry further and hung


    up.


    Inside the bistro, the mellow background music made the dreary rainy day seem a bit brighter. They sat by the window, where the floor-to-ceiling ss kept out the sound of the rain, leaving only the picturesque view.


    At the waiter''s rmendation, Roseanne picked out a few signature dishes. While waiting for their food, she turned to look outside. There were few pedestrians, with cars rushing by.


    When she turned back, her gaze inadvertently met Halley''s. Roseanne was momentarily startled, then offered a shy smile.


    As kids, she and Halley had been close. Since they were only three years apart, it was easy for them to y together. Throughout middle and high school, they kept in touch frequently.


    Every time Halley visited her at


    Horizon Future Middle School, he would bring her some treats. Roseanne vividly remembered moments-sometimes it was


    fruit-filled pastries, other tim ose


    cookies or snacks, and asionally, a pack of spicy strips... Those were the happiest moments amidst the monotony of studying. Content


    It was probably starting from college that she got busy with her studies and rtionships, and Halley with his internships and work, leading to their calls bing less frequent.


    After graduating, Roseanne devoted her entire self to supporting Murray Sherwood through the hardships of starting business, taking care of his daily needs, while Halley, having quit his job, was busyunching a startup with friends, hardly ever resting.  to


    Gradually, they lost contact. asionally thinking of reaching out, they would both hesitate, feeling it odd to suddenly call after such a long time without contact. Both harbored this thought, leading to aplete halt inmunication.


    Some friendships just fade away like that, but fortunately, they were still bound by blood. Seeing each other now, there was no sense of estrangement.


    Halley said, "Anne, you haven''t changed a bit." She was still the sister he remembered, quiet, beautiful, with eyes always shining.


    "Really?” Roseanne was genuinely


    pleased. Those six years had drained her. Looking back, Roseanne even thought she had been cursed. She had gone through the darkest times, thinking she''d rot away, but fortunately, she managed to break free.  to


    Yet, after weathering so many storms, even upon returning, one cannot possibly remain unchanged. But Halley said she hadn''t changed at all! That''s why Roseanne was truly happy.This belongs to N?velDrama.Org: ?.


    "Halley, you''ve changed."


    Halley immediately touched his chin: "Got older, huh?"


    "No, you got taller." In her memory, Halley was only about 170 cm, but now he seemed at least 180 cm tall, with his skin a healthy bronze and a bright smile revealing his white teeth.


    After all these years of struggles, he still possessed the cleanliness and purity of his youth.