Julia Yu changed into her pajamas, ready for bed, but the shadow outside her door kept pacing back and forth, making it impossible for her to pretend not to notice.
Julia Yu simply opened the door: "Is there something else?"
Stephen Song was startled, then smiled a little awkwardly, "Did I disturb your rest?"
"Want to come in and talk?" Julia Yu chuckled. "Is there anything you can't say?"
"It's like this." Stephen Song wasn't one to beat around the bush. He said directly, "My mom just called and wants to invite you over to our house. Even though we just made our relationship official, I'm serious about this. I know it's a bit soon to say these things, but I..."
Julia Yu hadn't expected Stephen Song to make such a request.
Julia Yu thought for a moment, then said, "Let me think about it. I'll give you an answer tomorrow morning, okay?"
"Alright." Stephen Song finally relaxed. "Then get some rest. Good night!"
"Good night!" Julia Yu smiled and closed the door again.
Stephen Song stood at the door for a while, then shook his head with a self-deprecating smile.
He really was acting more and more like a kid these days.
He actually felt as insecure as a teenage boy.
Julia Yu lay on her bed, hands behind her head, thinking that everything that had happened these days was completely unexpected.
Stephen Song was the person she picked out for Lisa Li's blind date, but in the end, he became her boyfriend.
It all felt so unreal, like she was watching someone else's story.
Julia Yu pulled out her phone, wanting to talk to someone, but after scrolling through her contacts, she realized there weren't many people she could really talk to.
Cecilia Gu was probably with Charles Yin right now, so she didn't want to be the annoying third wheel.
Hmm, Coco Shen probably wasn't asleep yet, right?
Julia Yu messaged Coco Shen: "Are you asleep?"
Coco Shen replied quickly: "Not yet. The young madam will be back in a few days, so I've been directing the housekeepers to clean up all day. We just finished. What's up? Chief Assistant Yu, are you in trouble again?"
Julia Yu smiled silently at Coco Shen's teasing: "Let me ask you something. Have you ever thought about what kind of boyfriend you'd want in this lifetime?"
Coco Shen sent a laughing emoji: "You really think I'll ever have a boyfriend? Don't kid me. I saw with my own eyes how my mom was driven mad by my dad. There aren't many good men like our CEO left in this world. I'm not lucky enough to meet one. Most men are jerks, just like my dad. Jerks aren't scary, what's scary is when they want to eat my food, drink my drinks, use my stuff, and then cheat on me! Why would I let myself be so miserable? I'm not the village chief of Sheep Village!"
Julia Yu couldn't help but twitch her lips, "You get so fired up every time we talk about this."
"It's not fired up, it's just the truth. What, are you having relationship problems and need to vent to me? If so, you've picked the wrong person. Wendy is way better at this than me, and Mia Dou... just forget it, she's as clueless as I am." Coco Shen hugged her phone and patiently chatted with Julia Yu.
Julia Yu sent a message: "Can we do voice?"
Coco Shen immediately called her: "Go ahead, what's got you so tangled up? If it's enough to make Julia Yu tangled, it must be serious."
"Coco, I'm in a relationship," Julia Yu said, then quickly covered her ears.
Sure enough, the next second, Coco Shen's groundhog scream came through the phone!
"Aaaaah! Julia Yu! We agreed to be single together, and now you secretly started dating behind my back! Weren't we supposed to be besties forever?" Coco Shen accused her, "You didn't even tell me you were dating! Tell me, did you only tell me now because you've already boarded the ship?"
Julia Yu tried not to laugh, "What ship? You're too wicked!"
"Hmph! I'm seriously mad right now, even ten lipsticks couldn't cheer me up." Coco Shen acted all pouty on the phone.
Julia Yu switched away from the voice interface and transferred five thousand yuan to Coco Shen: "How about eleven lipsticks, would that cheer you up?"
Coco Shen happily accepted the transfer and said, "That's more like it. Fine, for the sake of the lipsticks, I'll forgive you for now!"
Julia Yu said, "Honestly, I just made things official with him yesterday. But just now, he suddenly invited me to his house."
Coco Shen perked up immediately, "Let me ask questions, you answer."
"Okay," Julia Yu replied.
"Did you know him before, or did you just meet recently?"
"We only met recently, about two months ago."
"What do you like about him?"
"His calm elegance, and his smiling eyes. When I look into his eyes, it's like seeing starlight. I see the whole night sky in them."
"Okay, are you serious about him or is this just for fun?"
"I'm aiming for marriage."
"Do you know his parents? What about his family background?"
"I know all about it."
"Does he support your dreams and career?"
"He supports me."
"Does he love you?"
"He loves me."
"Is he willing to accept your past?"
"He is."
"Do you love him?"
"...I think I do."
"Do I know him?"
"Not yet, but I plan to introduce you."
"How does he compare to President Mo?"
"Not as good as President Mo, but he's second only to him."
"Alright, I get it now." Coco Shen said, "Looks like you're really falling for him! Wow, is this like an old house catching fire—totally out of control? Okay, here's my advice."
"Go ahead," Julia Yu listened attentively.
"You're not the type to get blinded by love. The fact that you called me means you've thought this through and just want someone to agree with your judgment. Based on these questions, this guy seems fine. There's no harm in visiting his family. If there really is a problem, it's better to find out early rather than break up after you're in too deep. Much better that way." Coco Shen said.
"Thank you, Coco," Julia Yu said with a smile.
"What are you talking about?" Coco Shen said. "Tell him to get his wallet ready—when the young madam comes back, he needs to treat us to a meal!"
"Okay, I'll definitely pass that on!" Julia Yu laughed. "When is Cici coming back?"
"Probably another three days," Coco Shen said. "She's been gone so long, but she's finally coming back. Oh, and Wendy keeps saying every day how much she wants to come home, and that when she does, she absolutely has to have a proper meal. She's totally sick of eating out!"
Julia Yu couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, I'll book a place in advance. When Wendy comes back, we'll all go out to eat together."
"Great, it's settled then!" Coco Shen said. "Alright, big lawyer, go to bed! Only with enough sleep will you have the energy for romance!"
"Okay, you should get some rest too. Good night!" Julia Yu said with a smile.
"Good night." Coco Shen hung up quickly, just like her usual style.
A good night's sleep.
In the morning, Julia Yu saw Stephen Song up early watering the flowers. She figured he probably hadn't slept well last night.
Julia Yu walked out, greeted him in the sunlight, "Hey, morning!"
"Morning." Stephen Song looked steadily at Julia Yu, with that look of wanting to say something but holding back—absolutely irresistible.
Julia Yu coughed lightly and pretended to be serious: "I thought carefully about your proposal last night."
Stephen Song's eyes lit up instantly, gazing at Julia Yu with anticipation.
Julia Yu tried not to laugh and said, "I think I can go."
Hearing this, Stephen Song didn't know what to do with his watering can. He paced back and forth a few times, then suddenly turned and hugged Julia Yu, exclaiming excitedly, "Thank you, Julia, thank you!"
Julia Yu hugged Stephen Song back, thinking he was absolutely adorable like this.
"Julia, I'm so happy, really, I'm incredibly happy," Stephen Song rambled. "My parents are really nice, they're really, really nice, and they'll love you. I love you too, and I'm so happy you can be part of my family. I'm just so glad you're willing."
Listening to Stephen Song ramble, Julia Yu said softly, "I'm happy too, to become part of your family."
Mrs. Song, after getting confirmation from her son, was overjoyed. She kept directing the housekeepers to tidy up the house, getting ready to welcome her soon-to-be daughter-in-law.
Mr. Song watched his wife bustling about and said, "Take a break! Let someone else do the work."
"What do you know! This is the first time our son has brought a girlfriend home." Mrs. Song was so excited her eyes turned red. "I thought I'd never get to be a mother-in-law in this life!"
Mr. Song just shook his head speechlessly.
Men usually aren't that sensitive.
Still, he was quite pleased that his son took the initiative to bring a girlfriend home.
After all, Stephen Song is the next president of the Song family, and will inherit the family business.
If he doesn't have children, it won't be good for the family's stability.
But now that he has a girlfriend, that last weakness is fixed.
He's looking forward to being a grandpa!
Mrs. Song sighed, "I wonder what kind of person Stephen's girlfriend is, and if she'll like our family. It's a shame, though—Assistant Yu is such a wonderful girl, but she and our family just weren't fated."
Mr. Song said, "You've repeated that eight hundred times! As long as our son likes her, it's fine. He's not living with us, anyway."
"I know, can't I just nag a little?" Mrs. Song rolled her eyes at her husband. "I just like Assistant Yu. She's so sweet and pretty, and such a good talker. I wonder which lucky guy will get to marry her!"
Mr. Song just shook his head, ignoring her.
"Hey, hey, put away that vase and bring out the double-handled celadon from the Song dynasty that Mr. Song just brought back from England. Careful, don't break it." Mrs. Song couldn't be bothered with her husband and kept directing the housekeepers to rearrange the house.