Chapter 265 Sweet to the Heart
So, this topic was quickly brushed aside.
Since she needed to take Rodolfo to Harmony City, Olivia had to make arrangements in advance for the next few days.
She did her best to hand over all her work to others, and gave all the instructions and reminders that needed to be given.
On the eve of their departure for Harmony City, she received a message from Andrew.
He told Olivia: [I'm back in Harmony City.]
Just a few short words, but they made Olivia feel very reassured.
She replied: [Is everything going smoothly?]
Andrew: [Yeah, pretty smoothly. This trip took a bit longer, but I should be able to stay for a while now.]
Olivia: [Good.]
Seeing this, Olivia also recalled her last experience visiting Harmony City.
After thinking about it, she decided to tell him in advance: [By the way, I'm going to Harmony City in the next couple of days, mainly to take my teacher there. Will you have time then? Would it be convenient to meet up?
Bianca is coming along too, so we can check on her condition.]
Andrew looked at her message, his eyes softening a bit.
Andrew: [Sure.]
Of course he wouldn't refuse to meet her, and he quickly replied: [Once you've settled Mr. McCoy in, I'll take you both out to eat.]
Olivia: [Okay.]
And so it was settled.
Looking at their chat history, Olivia felt completely at ease.
The flight was scheduled for the next morning.
Early that day, Olivia set off with Rodolfo and Bianca, heading to Harmony City.
The journey went smoothly.
When they arrived, the research institute had already sent someone to pick them up.
The person in charge first took Olivia and Bianca to settle into their hotel, then took them out to eat.
After a satisfying meal, they went to settle Rodolfo in.
The project Rodolfo was researching required confidentiality.
So the work location was also heavily guarded and closed off.
Even his living quarters had dedicated security personnel protecting it around the clock, very strict.
Olivia only had the chance to visit because of a special application.
The research institute had arranged good living conditions for Rodolfo.
It was a traditional-style courtyard, somewhat similar to his villa courtyard.
Inside, flowers, grass, and trees—everything was there, and the landscape was specially designed.
Upon entering, they'd first pass through a corridor, and beyond the corridor was a pond full of colorful koi fish.
Crossing a stone bridge, the interior layout followed traditional garden architecture.
Such a large courtyard naturally also had servants arranged to take care of Rodolfo.
However, Rodolfo was used to having Simon by his side, so Simon moved in with him too.
After touring the courtyard, Olivia felt relieved about Rodolfo's future days there.
That afternoon, Rodolfo couldn't wait to visit the interior of the research institute.
This time, Olivia couldn't go in with him.
The person in charge said to her somewhat apologetically, "Sorry, Ms. Smith, there are too many research secrets inside. No one except internal research institute personnel is allowed to enter."
Olivia wasn't disappointed, and told them, "It's fine, I have plans to meet someone anyway."
She told Rodolfo, "After I meet my friend, I'll stay one more night and head back to Emerald City tomorrow morning."
Rodolfo wanted to go meet this person with her too.
But this opportunity didn't allow it. He had no choice but to let her go. "Then go ahead, have Simon drive you."
The research institute had provided Rodolfo with a car that could be used.
Olivia didn't refuse Rodolfo's kindness and agreed right away.
Then she sent Andrew a message to arrange a meeting.
As soon as the message was sent, Andrew's call came through.
The man's magnetic voice carried a hint of warmth as he asked, "Where are you? I'll come pick you up."
"I'm at the research institute. You don't need to make a special trip—Simon can drive us. We can come to you."
"Alright." Andrew didn't insist, and quickly gave her the address of a café.
Olivia didn't delay and headed to the appointment with Bianca.
When Olivia brought Bianca into the café, Andrew was already waiting for them in a private room.
As soon as Bianca saw him, her whole being radiated happiness. Like a little cannonball, she rushed over and threw herself into Andrew's arms, her sweet little voice calling out loudly, "Daddy!"
Andrew looked at Bianca in his arms, a warm smile on his face. He ruffled Bianca's head and asked, "Bianca, have you been good lately?"
Bianca was especially happy. Hearing his question, she quickly nodded her little head and replied, "Yes! I've been really good, and I listened to you—I didn't cause trouble for Mommy!"
Then, hugging Andrew's leg and acting cute, she said, "Daddy, I missed you so much! You've been so busy, you haven't come to see me in so long!"
Her sweet little voice carried a hint of grievance that melted hearts.
Andrew picked her up and said, "Yes, that's my fault. Work has been too busy, and I neglected you. But I've realized my mistake, so I picked out a gift to make it up to you. Let's see if you like it."
As he spoke, he gestured to David to bring over the box he'd prepared in advance.
When it opened, Bianca saw a pile of pink fox-related merchandise, plushies, and little charms.
Her eyes immediately lit up. "Wow!"
Bianca hugged the little plushies, overjoyed, nuzzling her little head against Andrew in his arms. "Thank you, Daddy! I love them! I forgive you now!"
Watching Bianca being so affectionate, Olivia found it both amusing and amazing.
How did she seem like a different person around Andrew?
She said helplessly, "Why did you buy so many? When we were in Emerald City, Mr. McCoy bought her these every day. These plushie products already fill an entire room, and we probably have more styles than what's sold outside. You really spent too much."
Andrew looked at Bianca with gentle eyes and said, "If Bianca likes them, it's not too much."
His indulgent tone left Olivia momentarily speechless.
It was only because of Bianca's special situation that she wouldn't be spoiled.
Otherwise, with so many people doting on her, who knows what she'd become.
After Andrew finished doting on Bianca, he finally turned his gaze to Olivia.
When their eyes met, Olivia felt something like an electric current pass through her heart, making it flutter slightly.
During this time, they'd only seen each other once or twice on video calls.
She hadn't felt anything particular then.
But at this moment, Olivia inexplicably felt a sense of groundedness from seeing him in person.
She couldn't help but be a bit dazed.
Why did she feel this way?
Andrew's eyes were deep, with some captivating emotion surging in them.
He looked Olivia over, his voice as pleasant as always and carrying some concern, "You seem to have lost weight..."
This one sentence brought Olivia back to her senses. She asked somewhat surprised, "Really?"
Andrew nodded. "Your chin is a bit more pointed than before."
Olivia looked at herself in the mirror every day and hadn't really noticed. "Maybe it's because I was busy dealing with Mr. McCoy's situation recently, plus there was too much going on at the research institute, so I lost a little weight."
Seeing the man's disapproving look, she suddenly remembered the last time she hadn't been eating properly, and this man had brought Bianca to deliver food to her door.
To avoid another lecture, she quickly said, "I'll gain it back! Now that Mr. McCoy has recovered and entered the research institute, I eat on time every day!"
Hearing her anxious explanation, Andrew seemed to remember something too. His chest vibrated slightly as a soft laugh escaped his throat.
Fortunately, it wasn't very obvious—he suppressed it. He asked, "After Mr. McCoy arrived in Harmony City, has everything been smooth?"
Olivia didn't seem to notice. She nodded and said, "Very smooth."
Andrew nodded. "That's good. If you need anything, just let me know."
As they chatted, a server brought in coffee and desserts.
Andrew placed a small cake in front of Bianca and said to Olivia, "Go ahead and eat. I ordered these especially for you. Don't worry, yours isn't too sweet."
"Okay, thank you." Olivia looked at the exquisite dessert in front of her, picked up her fork, and began to taste it. The cream had a silky, smooth texture that wasn't cloying at all.
The subtle sweetness seemed to sweeten her heart.
Bianca ate with bright, sparkling eyes. Taking advantage of this time, Andrew specifically tested some aspects of Bianca's autism.
By the time Bianca finished her dessert, Andrew's assessment results were ready.
He confirmed that the second phase of treatment had progressed smoothly in the early stages. Although it had been somewhat suspended in the later stages because he'd returned to Harmony City, Bianca's psychological state was no longer as fragile as before. The main reason was that the people around her now loved and cared for her, giving her great tolerance and making her feel secure.
She could feel these emotions, so even if something unhappy happened, it wouldn't make her condition deteriorate badly.
Moreover, Bianca's perception of various things was now quite rich. She knew how to care about people, worry about people, and her emotions were quite stable.
Currently, the most noticeable issue was that when facing something, her attention would still be quite absorbed.
However, this could be gradually improved!
After this assessment, Andrew determined that Bianca's second phase of treatment could end.
He told Olivia, "Going forward, she'll just need timely guidance, and she'll be fine."
Receiving this answer, Olivia breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Then she asked Andrew, "So that means Bianca is basically cured?"
Andrew nodded. "If nothing unexpected happens, as long as she's well cared for going forward, she'll definitely recover completely and be just like a normal child."
Olivia had been hoping for this day for a very long time.
Now that this day had truly arrived, she was so happy that tears welled up in her eyes. She excitedly hugged Bianca tightly. "This is wonderful!"
Bianca's attention had just been on the little cake.
Now being held by Olivia, although she didn't know what was happening, she still affectionately nuzzled against Olivia in her arms.
Like a little kitten responding to her affection.
Olivia felt her heart melting.
After releasing Bianca, in her excitement, she also grasped Andrew's hand and said to him sincerely, "No words can express my gratitude to you. Thank you so much!
Andrew, Bianca's recovery is largely thanks to you.
Really! Without you, I'd probably still be at a loss with Bianca right now!"
Her tone was very earnest, especially when she recalled how heartless Michael had been toward them, and how terrible Bianca's condition had been.
That kind of despair had almost affected her too.
It was this man before her who had pulled them both up, dragging them out of the abyss.
The more Olivia thought about it, the more her emotions overflowed, and her eyes began to redden.