Chapter 160: Your Hand Is Cold
Elaine sometimes would ask her international students from China, but they couldn't help her all the time, people every day. Later, she took the books back and studied them herself.
Having an unsmiling teacher mother at home, Cathryn was brought up being required to read and recite traditional Chinese prose. She could roughly understand the old printing, this was a narration of anecdote talk between a few literati at a home party, like an eastern version of " Gustave Flaubert's Sunday." It was almost like what they were doing and talking about here today.
Cathryn had read a few pages when Elaine saw her and rushed over for her opinions. She brought her notes about where she could or couldn't understand. Cathryn gave Elaine an explanation, and the latter was full of joy and turned to her old friend to praise this new girl in town.
"What a surprise you have brought me here, my dear Helen! Miss Riley is amazing."
Helen smiled with her agreement. As everyone got up and walked to the kitchen, Helen spoke to Cathryn's ears, "What did I tell you? See, you are as great as all of them."
Cathryn didn't reply, her eyes searched for Ada and soon recalled as she saw her. Ada was walking with Elaine as the hostess was remarking on today's lunch.
It was a regular German meal. No beer was served in the early afternoon, but there were a few small cups of liquor pudding. The staple foods are meat sausage, crispy Schweinshaxe, beef stew, and some cheese sandwiches.
The food was well cooked, accompanied by soft sour cabbage, but it wasn't Cathryn would enjoy most, as she preferred plain dishes with vegetables. But fortunately, the sandwiches were fresh and beautiful, and the taste was not strong at all.
After lunch, Cathryn inquired and went to use the bathroom. She found Ada at the washing sink as she came out, who was washing her fingers carefully and apparently waiting. But Ada still showed a bit of surprise.
Cathryn knew that she had something to say to her, and she didn't have to worry about it. She secretly smiled and began to wash her hands at the next brass tap.
She noticed that Ada was looking at her casually. And when Cathryn dried her hand, Ada finally smiled and reached out her right hand to her.
"We haven't been introduced yet. Hello, Ada Clinton here, I was Keith's schoolmate in university."
Cathryn glanced and made a semi-smile. Her heart sneered, and her face was quiet. She wasn't the best actress, but her profession was not only useful when filming.
Reaching out hers, Cathryn and Ada slightly shook each other's hands. Both of them have a cool palm and a loose grip.
"Your hand is cold," Ada smiled and seemed to recall something. "But well, Keith's hand is hot and can warm you up."
She finished and stopped her thoughts. She made an awkward expression as if she had said something wrong and tried to explain.
"I was a classmate with Keith, so we used to shake hands a lot...so I know his hands are hot."
If Ada were in the show business, she would be at most called pretentious or thoughtful, but no one would call her a bad actor. She was so good at playing soft while hurting in secret.
"Ah, no worries. They all know that his hands are hot, Catherine, Anna, Lily, Anne..." Cathryn said with a forgiving smile.
Ada couldn't understand what she meant by that but couldn't help asking because all the names mentioned were the women's names. She managed to laugh cheerfully, "And who are they?"
Cathryn chuckled and said, "They are our maids."
Ada's face froze immediately.
Under the soft and innocent countenance, Cathryn was not a bully's victim.
Ada was so shocked that she didn't know for a long while how to answer that.
Outside Helen was chatting and joking with all her friends and called Cathryn's name in her cheerful voice. Cathryn politely nodded and left Ada at the washer.
In the living room, Elaine took out some vintage cards to have everyone gather around.
"I hope some of you may know how to play American bridge? Here is a set of cards from the Jazz Age in the 1920s."
Cathryn had just sat down and heard the jingling of Ada's bracelet. After freshening up in the bathroom, she was smiling as brightly as she ever was, the awkwardness just a minute ago was nowhere to be seen.
Since it is an old American game, Cathryn was surprised that so many actually knew how to play. As Ada was introducing the rules to a few first-timers, Helen had Cathryn sit next to her. And as the cards were being dealt, she announced to the room, "I'm not playing, my daughter will play for me."
Everyone laughed and joked that Helen couldn't afford to lose, and Helen didn't argue but said to Cathryn, "Win more."
Cathryn laughed too. The brightness and relaxed countenance made people feel that she and Ada looked less alike.
Since it was Ada's suggestion, she was definitely playing, but Elaine wanted to try too, so she sat next to Ada and asked for her help.
Cathryn wasn't the best bridge player. She would definitely panic if she was to play with Jeremy and the girls and Keith weren't there to help. But after a few rounds, seeing the way they draw and inquiring about the rules, she suddenly realized that she's an experienced player here.
After winning three games in a round, Cathryn won a small pile of coins, there wasn't a lot of money, but such victory was always a pleasure. Helen asked for the rules, and Cathryn began to assist her in playing while explaining patiently. Helen never begrudged her appraisals, and Cathryn was overwhelmed after she had won again.
"Cathryn's on fire!"
Hearing Helen's proud compliments, Elaine, who had been losing, was happy about the game and didn't want to stop. She congratulated Cathryn with her genuine smile and asked, "Is it still a popular game in America, even among young people like you?"