The three of them were heading towards the entrance when a boy came running up to them.
He was about 6'2", with a straight posture, short hair, thick eyebrows, and bright eyes.
He was super handsome, the kind of guy who'd turn heads at any school.
Laura didn't have time to be impressed before Gerald spoke up, "Uly, come here."
Ulysses frowned, "Dad, I told you, don't call me Uly!"
Gerald gave him a look, "Where are your manners? Don't you know how to greet people?"
But Ulysses was already staring at Josephine in disbelief, "She, she..."
Gerald knocked his hand down as he pointed at Josephine, "Why are you pointing at people?"
"No, Dad," Ulysses could hardly believe his eyes, "She looks just like Great-Grandma in the photo!"
Gerald laughed, "Call her Aunt Josephine."
"Aunt Josephine?" Ulysses looked at Gerald in shock, "Dad, are you sure?"
"Of course," Gerald said, "We've done the tests. This is my biological sister, your Aunt Josephine."
Since he was a little tyke, Ulysses had been aware of a missing aunt who vanished in her youth. Throughout the years, numerous young women had shown up, asserting they were his lost aunt. Many of them shared some family resemblance.
Once, a girl even went as far as to get plastic surgery to look almost like a female version of Gerald.
After so many years, Ulysses had become numb to such things. He looked at Josephine again. He had to admit, Josephine was truly beautiful, with delicate features and an elegant demeanor. Judging solely by looks, she bore the closest resemblance to their family and carried a similar demeanor.
But having been disappointed so many times, Ulysses couldn't believe it, "You've done the DNA test? Is it true?"
Laura couldn't help but interject, "Why are you still doubting? I say, Ulysses, if you talk like that, you'll make Josephine sad."
Josephine held Laura back, shook her head, and then spoke to Ulysses, "Let's get to know each other. My name is Josephine."
lysses promptly straightened up and reached out his hand like a grown-up. "I'm Ulysses."
He already thought Josephine was beautiful, and this made his first impression of her even better. Despite admiring her greatly, he couldn't quite bring himself to address her as "Aunt" since that title held a special place in his heart. Nevertheless, his fondness for Josephine remained strong.
Gerald didn't expect Ulysses to doubt his words. He said, "I told you, this is your aunt. Why would I lie to you? How could something like this be fake?"
Ulysses scratched the back of his head, feeling a bit embarrassed.
Josephine quickly interjected, "Gerald, let's go inside first. We just met; don't scare Ulysses."
"He's all grown up now," Gerald remarked, "The older he gets, the more mischief he causes!"
"No matter how old he gets, he's still a child," Josephine laughed, "Just drop it."
Gerald said, "Alright, I'll stop."
Standing nearby, Ulysses braced himself for a scolding. To his surprise, with just a single word from Josephine, Gerald fell silent.
He looked at Josephine in surprise, wondering if this meant that if Josephine really was his aunt, he would have someone to rely on in the future?
Originally three people, now there were four. As they continued walking, Josephine asked Ulysses about his studies.
Ulysses answered honestly.
Laura, standing nearby, said, "Josephine was really good at studying back in the day! If you have any questions, you can ask her!"
Josephine said, "It's been so long, I don't remember those problems anymore."
"Why are you being so modest? You were the star of our school's physics and chemistry competitions. The best universities wanted you early, but you insisted on taking the exams yourself."
Gerald chimed in, "Josephine is really amazing!"
"Yeah, really amazing!" Ulysses echoed. His grades were good, but not good enough for early admission.
Josephine said, "Back then, I had nothing else to do, so I put all my effort into studying."
In reality, she thought that if she were more outstanding, maybe her parents would like her a bit more. But the truth was, no matter how outstanding she was, Todd and Esther didn't like her.
As they walked further in, there wasn't much time to chat, but in that short distance, Ulysses had already taken a liking to Josephine. He occasionally sneaked glances at her.
Gerald noticed and was pleased, but when he saw Ulysses about to walk into a tree while sneaking a glance, he quickly pulled him back.
Ulysses smiled sheepishly. "I'm going to find Grandma!"
"Don't go telling your grandma nonsense!"
"I know!"
Nicole was in the resort's picking area, looking at fruits and vegetables.
As they got closer, Josephine felt more nervous.
Standing outside the door, Gerald said, "Don't be afraid."
"I'm not afraid," Josephine's emotions surged, "I just..."
Gerald suddenly reached out and hugged her. He patted her back, "Josephine, your background, schooling, or looks don't mean a thing to us. What counts is that you're my sis, our mom's kid, and Ulysses' aunt. That's all that matters.."
Josephine nodded vigorously.
Gerald let go of her and asked, "Shall I lead you in?"
Josephine didn't speak, just extended her hand.
Gerald's hand was large, like him, giving a strong sense of security. He held her hand, completely enveloping her small hand.
He led her, just like when he used to hold his little sister's hand when she was learning to walk.
Ulysses excitedly spoke to Nicole as they chatted, "Grandma, I saw someone who looks just like Great-Grandma!"
Nicole smiled at him, "Really? Then she must be very beautiful."
In the past, when she met someone who looked like a family member, Nicole would be eager to know if the person was her lost daughter. But now, after so many disappointments, she no longer had any expectations.
"She looks exactly like her!" Ulysses said, "Dad is bringing her over, you'll see her soon."
"Your dad is bringing her over?" Nicole was puzzled, "Why?"
"You'll know when you see her!"
Nicole tapped him, "Not telling me?"
Ulysses laughed, "But Grandma, you'll definitely like her."
"Really?" Nicole said, "There are so many people in the world who look alike." She didn't finish her sentence before she froze.
Ulysses was puzzled and followed her gaze, only to see Josephine and the others approaching.
Gerald was holding Josephine's hand, with Laura following beside them.
But Nicole couldn't see anyone else. Her eyes were fixed on Josephine.
When she gave birth to her daughter, the baby was so small, just over three kilograms, soft and fragile, she didn't dare to hold her. She had imagined what her daughter would look like when she grew up. Would she look like her mother or her father?
But later, she stopped imagining. It wasn't that she didn't wish to continue, but rather she didn't have the courage. Every time it crossed her mind, tears welled up uncontrollably.