Ryan King, determined to show off his vocal skills, clung to the microphone and howled, drawing all sorts of teasing from the others.
Lucas Mu rushed over to snatch the microphone from him, and the two ended up in a playful scuffle.
Leo and Theo Mo lounged on the sofa, each holding a deluxe edition book, completely absorbed in their reading.
Sam Shang and Yina Yin were still playing billiards.
Cherry Miller kept bringing snacks and drinks to everyone, and then got pulled in to play for a while too.
Eric Chen sat awkwardly in a corner, watching Cherry Miller blend in perfectly with the group. His eyes were filled with nothing but envy.
It was clear these young heirs and heiresses truly didn’t treat Cherry Miller as an outsider.
What Eric Chen envied most was that Cherry herself didn’t act like an outsider either—she played with everyone, fitting right in.
Only now did Eric Chen realize just how broad Cherry Miller’s knowledge was.
No matter what topic the young heirs brought up, Cherry could jump right in—and even offer her own insights.
Maybe she wasn’t an expert, but she’d definitely dabbled in just about everything.
Eric Chen used to think that when these rich kids got together, it was all about drinking, gambling, and chasing women.
Turns out, he’d been totally wrong!
The elite families put all sorts of restrictions on their heirs when it came to grooming them.
From the moment they were born, they started rigorous training.
Those dazzling courses and lessons were things Eric Chen, who thought himself a second-generation rich kid, had never even touched.
After everyone had their fun, Cherry Miller checked the time and urged them to head back to Saint Diana Academy.
As they were leaving, Cherry Miller said to Eric Chen, "Eric, I’m really sorry I didn’t get to take care of you tonight. You saw it yourself—my job is actually super busy and full of little chores. So what I said at lunch wasn’t just an excuse. Next time I have some free time, I’ll treat you to make up for it, okay?"
Normally, most people would get the hint and stop pushing after all this.
Cherry Miller used such a gentle way to tell him they weren’t a good match. Anyone smart would know when to back off.
But there are people in this world who just don't know when to quit, or you could say, they're never satisfied.
And Eric Chen is exactly that kind of person.
If he hadn't known about Cherry Miller's close ties with all these elite heirs and heiresses, maybe he'd let it go. But now that he knows just how tight they are, there's no way he's giving up!
Because marrying Cherry Miller is like marrying into a mountain of gold!
He used to think Cherry was only favored by the Yin Consortium, but now it looks like all the other heirs approve of her too!
In other words, if he starts his own company in the future, having Cherry as a connection means every consortium will see him in a better light, right?
And let's talk about the present.
Right now, he's a floor manager at the Mu Family's mall, and sitting right here is the Mu Family's young master, Lucas Mu!
If the young master just says a word, would his boss, Mr. Fang, even dare to give him attitude?
Thinking about all this, Eric Chen decides he's never letting go of Cherry Miller!
He's determined to win her over!
When Eric hears Cherry say that, he straightens his back and says, "Come on, what are you talking about? Our families have been close forever, and we grew up together. I never doubted anything! If you're busy today, we'll hang out another time. We're both working in the country, so there's plenty of chances! Are you sure you don't need me to give you a ride home?"
Cherry lets out a sigh!
She’s already hinted this much!
Is it still not enough?
Yina Yin comes over and pulls Cherry Miller. "Cherry, let's go!"
The moment Eric Chen sees Yina Yin, his straightened back slumps again and he puts on a fawning, flattering face. "Miss Yin!"
"Yeah. So you're Cherry's friend, huh." Yina glances at Eric, instinctively not liking him. This guy is way too calculating.
Yina Yin has seen too many people like this.
Fawning, flattering types—she's seen more than she can count.
As the eldest daughter of the Yin family, there were far too many people trying to win her favor.
She was honestly getting tired of this identity.
That’s why she spent most of her time with people from her own circle and rarely interacted with outsiders.
Apparently, Lucas Mu, Ryan King, Leo and Theo Mo all felt the same way.
Even Sam Shang, who rarely spoke, was the same.
Sam Shang was the most typical example.
He barely talked to anyone outside their group, only chatting and playing with these few people.
If it weren’t for having friends to hang out with, others might think Sam Shang was just antisocial.
So Yina Yin simply greeted Eric Chen, but her attitude was distant.
But Eric Chen, not knowing when to back off, replied, “Yes, Cherry and I were introduced by our families. I’ve heard Miss Yin has always looked out for Cherry, and I’m truly grateful.”
His words instantly drew glances from the people around them.
If he hadn’t said that, no one would have minded him.
But with those words, he was basically claiming Cherry Miller as his own—like she was already his woman!
Is he kidding?
What’s their relationship with Cherry Miller?
Do they really need his gratitude?
Introduced by the families?
Does he think just because they met through matchmaking, she’s his now?
Cherry Miller just stood there, looking helpless.
Everyone kept quiet for her sake, but their eyes had turned much colder.
Cherry Miller could only say, “Eric, you should hurry home. It’s really late. We need to get back to Saint Diana Academy too. I’ll be super busy lately, there’s a lot going on at school. I’ll call you when I have time, okay?”
After saying that, Cherry followed the others out of the room.
Of course Eric Chen could tell Cherry was turning him down.
But he just couldn’t give up!
He refused to quit!
This was his best shot at climbing the social ladder!
Even if Cherry Miller didn’t want him now, he was determined to win her over!
Women?
Once you marry them, you can teach them how to behave!
In India, women are supposed to obey.
Eric Chen’s lips curled into a confident smile as he watched them leave.
Back in the car, Yina Yin suddenly hugged Cherry Miller’s face. “Babe, I need to talk to you seriously.”
Everyone else nodded in agreement.
Cherry Miller sighed. “Miss, let’s talk when we get back.”
“No way, I can’t wait!” Yina Yin refused, then continued, “If you’re turning down my brother just for this guy, I’m not on board! Cherry, seriously, this man isn’t right for you! He’s way too calculating, and—he doesn’t know boundaries or how to respect women.”
“I know.” Cherry Miller bit her lip. “My mom still thinks highly of him, so I...
“Oh my god! How could Auntie Mi...” Lucas Mu couldn’t help but exclaim, “I’ll go talk to Auntie Mi.”
Cherry Miller quickly said, “No need! I’ll handle it myself!”
“Just thinking about my brother losing to a guy like that feels unfair.” Yina Yin continued seriously, “Even if the guy’s not impressive, even if he’s ordinary, his character has to be good! He has to respect you! From what you all said, he even questioned your job and what you do? What a joke! As my chief assistant, who is he to doubt you?”
Yina Yin was genuinely upset for Cherry Miller. “How many times have you met him? And he’s already acting like you’re his? Did he even ask me how I feel about you two being together?”
Seeing Yina Yin was genuinely angry, Cherry Miller quickly said, “Miss, don’t be mad. I haven’t agreed to anything!”
“Good! That’s exactly what I want to hear!” Yina Yin emphasized. “If you had agreed, then I’d be mad!”
“Alright, alright, Cherry wouldn’t do anything rash. Let’s head back.” Theo Mo tried to smooth things over. “If we’re late, the academy will hold Cherry accountable. She was the one who vouched for us this time.”
The others finally nodded in agreement.
Cherry Miller let out a sigh of relief.
Eric Chen really was hopeless!
He got rejected by everyone the first time they met!
But maybe that was for the best—maybe she’d misjudged him from the start.
Once they got back to Saint Diana Academy, Cherry Miller didn’t even have time to freshen up before Eric Chen sent her a message: “Cherry, did I mess up tonight? Do those young heirs and heiresses not like me?”
Cherry saw the message and smiled wryly. Maybe he was a little self-aware after all?
But his next message quickly wiped away her smile.
“Could you put in a good word for me? Lucas Mu is the Mu family’s eldest son, and I work at his family's mall now. Just one word from him could save me ten years of effort! Cherry, we’re close, right? You wouldn’t refuse to help me, would you? If I rise in status, we can support each other.”
Cherry Miller stared at her phone, feeling a headache coming on.
Maybe because Cherry didn’t reply, Eric Chen sent another message: “Cherry, did I say something wrong? Let me apologize first! I’m serious about marrying you, not just sweet-talking like other men. I want to work hard for our future so you won’t be ashamed of me. My dad’s just a chef, so I have to rely on myself. That’s why I said those things. I’m thinking about our future. Do you understand?”
Understand? No way! She totally didn’t get it!
Since Cherry still hadn’t replied, Eric Chen sent yet another message: “Alright, maybe I said too much tonight. Get some rest. When you’re free, I’ll take you somewhere scenic to relax.”
Seeing he’d finally quieted down, Cherry Miller breathed a sigh of relief.
She silently took a screenshot and sent it to her mom.
Her mom replied with a string of exclamation marks, then sent a comforting emoji.
Seeing her mom’s reply, Cherry Miller finally smiled.
Looks like she’d already cleared things up with her mom.
Now, the only hurdle left was Charles Yin.
Judging by their conversation tonight, it sounded like Charles Yin and Miles Gu, the two young masters, would be back in a few days.
When that time comes, how will she explain things and face them?
Will Charles Yin even listen to her side of the story?
Can Eric Chen handle Charles Yin’s fighting spirit?