Chapter 216 Long-Distance Relationships Easily Lead to Breakups
Hearing this, Olivia finally understood what had happened.
She asked with some confusion, "Wasn't Mr. White supposed to sleep? How did you end up racing?"
Benjamin had been throwing up for quite a while and drank most of a bottle of water before finally recovering. Hearing Olivia's words, he immediately complained to her about Evelyn's behavior.
"I did want to sleep, but Ms. Thomas said she was bored and wanted to race. I had no choice but to go along with it. Who knew that the whole way, I'd be scared to death. I'm just too weak!"
Olivia found it amusing.
Evelyn indeed had a restless personality, and she was also a racing enthusiast.
While the car was still in the city, she could barely control herself, but once they left the city, she absolutely couldn't hold back.
Benjamin was really in a bad state.
Olivia wasn't just watching the show though. She quickly took out some medicine from her bag and handed it to Benjamin, saying, "Take this, you'll feel better."
Without a word, Benjamin took the medicine and swallowed it in one gulp.
After he finished taking it, Olivia started lecturing Evelyn, "Don't bully people too much. Mr. White specially came out with us today and hasn't rested well. Take good care of him for the rest of the trip to make up for the racing earlier."
"Okay!" Evelyn agreed readily, then looked at Benjamin and asked considerately, "Mr. White, do you still have strength? Do you need me to help you walk?"
Benjamin looked at her with a wronged expression and said, "No strength. My legs are weak now. I need to be carried!"
Hearing this, Evelyn looked at her thin arms and legs, was silent for a few seconds, and honestly said, "I can't do that, but I think I saw over there, there's a team you can hire. They can carry people up the mountain. How about I go hire a few for you?"
Benjamin didn't expect that mountain climbing would have such a service.
Thinking about his about six-foot-tall frame being carried up the mountain by several people.
That image was really unbearable to watch.
He immediately shook his head and refused, "No need, I feel like I've recovered a bit of strength."
Evelyn said with a smile, "Mr. White, you're so considerate. Please, after you."
Benjamin was speechless.
Whatever, he wouldn't argue with a girl.
Their exchange made Olivia laugh. "Looks like today's mountain trip won't be too boring."
Andrew agreed completely.
Soon, everyone got their equipment ready and started climbing.
Before they started, Bianca was put down, and Andrew asked her, "Bianca, can you climb by yourself?"
Bianca clenched her little fists, looking determined as she encouraged herself, "Yes, I'll climb to the top!"
Evelyn and Benjamin found her adorable.
Evelyn immediately said, "Bianca, want to have a race to see who gets to the top first? The winner gets a prize!"
Bianca was very interested and nodded her head excitedly, saying, "Okay! Race! I'll definitely win!"
She was very enthusiastic, and after Evelyn said start, she immediately followed, climbing very actively.
Her little short legs moved quickly.
However, she was after all a not-yet-four-year-old Bianca. How could she really climb to the top?
After the excitement wore off and she had persisted for over an hour, her little face was flushed, her limbs were sore, and she clearly couldn't climb anymore.
But she didn't want to give up easily, so she kept enduring.
She was racing with Evelyn and the others, she couldn't admit defeat!
Bianca gritted her teeth and continued forward.
Andrew saw through it at a glance.
He didn't let her struggle on her own. He stepped forward and picked Bianca up.
Bianca looked at him in surprise, "Daddy?"
Andrew said gently, "I'll carry you up. During the race earlier, they didn't specify that you had to climb by yourself. Adults carrying you is also allowed."
"Really?" Bianca looked at him hesitantly.
Andrew nodded and said, "Of course. If you don't believe me, you can ask them."
He looked meaningfully at the two people ahead.
Benjamin and Evelyn immediately responded, "Yes, it's allowed!"
Hearing this, Bianca immediately felt relieved and became happy, "Okay then, Daddy will race for me!"
Bianca also cared about Andrew and said considerately, "But carrying me is tiring, so it's okay if we don't get first place."
The soft, sweet voice made Andrew's heart melt.
He smiled and said, "It's okay. If you want first place, then we'll get first place. You're so good, you can have whatever you want!"
This indulgent and doting tone made Olivia, who was beside them, couldn't help but look at him.
This was the first time she'd heard someone coax Bianca like this.
Even she had never told her daughter that she could have whatever she wanted.
At this moment, not only Bianca, but even Olivia's heart was touched.
She watched as Andrew held Bianca and began to pick up the pace, as if he really wanted to win first place for her.
Seeing this, Benjamin immediately quickened his pace to catch up.
Evelyn didn't rush forward, but instead quietly moved next to Olivia and whispered to her, "Mr. Hamilton is doing pretty well in his role as a father. I almost thought Bianca was his biological daughter just now. Only with one's own daughter would someone be so indulgent and doting, right?"
Looking at Michael, that jerk, he couldn't even compare to Benjamin!
Mentioning that scumbag made Evelyn angry again.
"Shut up!" Olivia quickly covered her mouth, "Don't talk nonsense. Hurry and catch up with them. I see Mr. White hasn't recovered yet, you need to see it through!"
Hearing her mention Benjamin, Evelyn couldn't help but say, "If he hasn't recovered, it's definitely because he doesn't exercise enough normally. For a grown man to be this weak!"
Olivia found it amusing, "You have the nerve to talk about others when you're the one who made him throw up!"
The two chatted while quickening their pace, trying hard to keep up with the people ahead.
The mountain they came to climb wasn't too high, but it wasn't low either. To really reach the top would take a whole morning.
Because they started late today, by lunchtime, they still hadn't reached the top.
Several hours of exercise was about Olivia's limit.
By now, she was also a bit tired and couldn't climb much more. Her speed visibly slowed down.
Evelyn was also out of breath, supporting each other with Olivia as they walked.
On the other hand, Benjamin, who had been shaky at the start, seemed to have been injected with energy by now and was full of life.
He obviously still remembered this morning's grudge and deliberately came over to provoke Evelyn, "Ms. Thomas, you don't seem to be doing too well either. How about it? Can you still walk? If you can't move, I'll find someone to carry you up? After all, you took such good care of me along the way, I should take care of you too!"
That teasing expression looked so annoying no matter how she looked at it.
Yet he himself seemed completely unaware.
"No need, thank you!" Evelyn really wanted to hit him.
She gritted her back teeth, knowing for the first time what it meant to shoot yourself in the foot, "I have strength, I can still climb!"
"Ah, then my good intentions are wasted. Since you're still okay, keep climbing. I'll cheer you on!"
Evelyn was speechless.
She really wanted to throw this person down the mountain.
Olivia watched the two bicker and found it very funny.
Usually they were both quite mature people, so why did they act like children when together?
Seeing her friend's expression that said she wanted to hit someone, she quickly called them over to eat. "Let's rest for a bit, then continue climbing later."
This mountain usually had quite a bit of foot traffic. Halfway up, there were some rest areas, as well as several restaurants, juice stands, snack stands, and some cool places for people to rest.
Evelyn and Benjamin temporarily ceased fire and sat down to rest.
After everyone ate lunch together, Olivia and Evelyn took Bianca to buy juice.
Benjamin took the opportunity to come over and ask Andrew, "Andrew, your grandfather sent Aurelia over, clearly trying every way to get you back to Harmony City. With Bianca's situation now, what do you plan to do?"
Andrew looked at the figures, one big and one small, in the distance and replied calmly, "Nothing special. If I need to go back, I'll go back naturally. Before that, I won't change my decision because of anyone. As for Bianca's condition, it needs time to treat before it can recover."
Benjamin listened to his words and then probed, "So you're going to cure her before leaving?"
Andrew pressed his lips together and didn't answer this question.
Benjamin gathered his courage and continued, "If you go back to Harmony City, then you basically won't have any more connection with people here. Harmony City's social circle is different from here after all. By that time, whether it's Dr. Garcia or Bianca, they'll all be far from you. Andrew, what are your feelings toward Dr. Garcia now? If you don't like her, then these things don't need to be considered. But if you have other thoughts, are you going to maintain a long-distance relationship?"
At this point, Benjamin earnestly advised, "Forgive me for being blunt, but long-distance is the factor with the highest breakup rate among couples. For a relationship to last, I don't recommend this."
Unexpectedly, after listening, Andrew didn't say anything, but unconsciously asked, "Why does long-distance have the highest breakup rate?"
Benjamin said, "Why else? Of course it's because you can't see each other for long periods, can't give care at the first moment, and when something happens, you can't take care of them right away. Like when they're sick, or being bullied... Often these times are also when it's easiest for others to take advantage. Think about it, your girlfriend has a problem, you're not by her side, but there's another man by her side who can help her when she needs it. If time goes on, isn't it normal for her to develop feelings for that person?"
At this point, Benjamin looked at Olivia in the distance and continued, "Just a friendly reminder, there are quite a few bad people around Ms. Garcia who always target and bully her! Oh, and there's also Daniel by her side! I heard these two have a pretty close relationship. Daniel is currently single too, and the Wilson family is very anxious about his marriage. If he wants to settle down himself, the whole Wilson family would definitely be very happy."
The implication was clear without him saying more. Benjamin believed Andrew could understand what he meant.