This time, it was Mrs. Miller's soup spoon that fell.
"Are you serious?" Mrs. Miller asked.
Back then, Mrs. Miller had personally spoken with Ethan Yin, which was why she allowed her daughter to aim so high.
But she never expected that, years later, it would be her own daughter who would take the initiative to give up.
"Is it because Ethan did something? Or did you do something to let him down?" Mrs. Miller's eyes were sharp as she looked at Cherry.
"Let's just say I'm the one who let him down," Cherry replied quietly.
Mrs. Miller knew her daughter well; Cherry was never one to cross boundaries.
If Cherry was willing to give up on her own, there must be a real reason for it.
"Cherry, is there something you can't tell your mom?" Mrs. Miller asked.
Cherry shook her head. "Mom, I'm already twenty-three. I'm not a kid anymore. Some things, I need to handle myself. I'm calm, and I know what consequences come with this choice. As for Madam, please help me explain. It's not that Ethan's not good enough—it's that I'm not good enough."
"Alright." Mrs. Miller nodded quietly. "You're not a child anymore—you're about to turn twenty-four. As long as you know your limits. But remember, no matter what happens, you must never harm the Yin family or Madam! That's the bottom line!"
"I understand, Mom. I swear I won't!" Cherry vowed, "Even if I have to wrong myself, I won't let Madam suffer—not even a little!"
Mrs. Miller finally nodded. "Alright, let's eat."
Meanwhile, Ethan Yin flopped onto the sofa, stretched his long legs out over the chair, and asked his chief assistant, Kuisheng, "Kuisheng, tell me—if a woman used to get along with you just fine, but suddenly turns cold, neither close nor distant, what does that mean?"
Kuisheng adjusted his glasses calmly and replied, "Normally, it means either she has someone new, or she's tired of the old one."
"Someone new? No way." Ethan shook his head. "Old? Well, we've known each other for years, so I guess I am pretty old to her."
Kuisheng had grown up with Ethan, so he wasn't afraid to speak frankly. He asked directly, "Are you talking about Assistant Miller?"
"You brat... You've been in two relationships, so help me analyze this: what does Cherry's attitude mean?" Ethan sat up straight. "When we were abroad, she always said she was busy and wouldn't reply to my messages or see me. But now we're both back, and she's still avoiding me. Has she changed her mind?"
Kuisheng lowered his head and thought like Conan for a moment, then answered, "I've worked with Assistant Miller for years. From what I know, she's very career-driven. Romance barely registers in her life."
"So tell me, what matters most to her?" Ethan asked.
"Madam, and Miss Yina," Quentin Sheng replied. "Back then, Butler Miller was rescued from France by Madam herself, and Cherry Miller was born in the Yin family—Madam practically watched her grow up. That's why both Butler Miller and Cherry Miller deeply respect Madam. To them, Madam is the most important person! Aside from Madam, it’s probably Miss Yina. Otherwise, Madam wouldn’t have appointed Cherry Miller as Miss Yina’s chief executive assistant so early on."
"That’s true," Ethan Yin nodded. That little girl used to follow behind Mom everywhere, her tiny legs running after her, calling out 'little lady' every chance she got—just like a little shadow.
Thinking about how adorable and playful Cherry Miller was as a kid, Ethan Yin couldn’t help but laugh.
Who would've thought?
She’s not as much fun now that she’s grown up.
Quentin Sheng glanced at his young master and continued, "So, it’s not likely that Assistant Miller’s feelings have changed. More likely, she’s realized that dating takes up too much time. She’d rather focus on work and dedicate herself to Madam and Miss Yina."
Ethan Yin felt a wave of disappointment wash over him.
"These past few years, I’ve worked with Assistant Miller quite a bit. Her focus and dedication on the job is unmatched. I’ve never seen her get close to any other guy. So, Young Master Yin…" Quentin gave Ethan a sympathetic look. "Your real rival might be Assistant Miller’s work—meaning Madam and Miss Yina."
"Oh, come on! What nonsense are you spouting?" Ethan Yin frowned and waved his hand. "Go do your thing, I’ll think about this myself."
"Yes, Young Master Yin." Quentin turned and left, not the least bit worried that his words might have upset his boss.
A while later, Miles Gu walked in from outside and saw Ethan Yin deep in thought, sitting on the sofa in his office, looking like he was contemplating life.
"Hey, you big shot, finally back?" Ethan Yin saw Miles Gu and snapped out of his thoughts, answering lazily.
"Don’t even mention it. I’ve got a mountain of work dumped on me." Miles Gu rubbed his forehead with a sigh. "Just found a major leech in the company—almost led to a huge loss. Luckily, I intercepted his intel just in time and rooted him out. One thing led to another, and I ended up firing over a dozen people. I’ve been busy sorting all this out, and now I have to fill those positions fast. I’ve already interviewed several candidates for executive president."
Miles Gu poured himself a glass of water, downed it in one gulp, and continued, "My dad just got the business sorted out, so he can’t hand it off yet—I have to keep an eye on things myself. Now this mess pops up, and I’m stretched way too thin! Ethan, since you’re back, help me out for a bit."
"I’ve got my own company to run!" Ethan Yin yelled, "Dad! He totally set me up! He and Mom went off on vacation again! The whole group’s dumped on me! Seriously, all the presidents of our branches and subsidiaries come to me! So, you sort your own mess out!"
Miles Gu’s red eyes sparkled with amusement. "We’re both in the same boat! By the way, how’s Yina doing lately?"
"She’s great—just won the gold belt and is feeling pretty smug. My mom said if she goes out and causes trouble again, she’ll make her learn embroidery. That’s the only reason Yina came home quietly. Go see her when you’re free—she is, after all, your fiancée. If you don’t keep an eye on her, who knows what kind of chaos she’ll stir up next." Ethan Yin said to Miles Gu.
"Alright, once I finish up here, I’ll have some time." Miles Gu nodded with a smile. "She’s already 21 this year—finally old enough to get married."
Hearing Miles Gu mention marriage, Ethan Yin felt another wave of disappointment.
He’s 25 now—he should be getting married too!
But Cherry Miller keeps avoiding him.
Could Quentin be right? Are his real rivals his own mom and his little sister?
"Did Dad really dump everything on you?" Miles Gu asked.
"All of it!" Ethan Yin replied helplessly. "Not a single thing left! They hardly ever stay at the old house anymore—most of the time they’re at the villa. Looks like they’re planning to retire for good! We just finished our training and they’re already making us take on all the responsibility! Isn’t that a bit cruel? I want kids too! I want to hand down the family business, go on vacation with my wife!"
Miles Gu couldn’t help but laugh. "Then why don’t you propose to Assistant Miller?"
"Don’t even bring it up. Cherry seems to be avoiding me." Ethan Yin looked even more frustrated.
"What happened?" Miles Gu asked curiously. "Didn’t she already agree to you back in high school?"
"Yeah, I’d like to know what happened too," Ethan Yin said. "Luckily, everyone’s finally back together this time. I’ve got plenty of patience—I’ll win her heart again."
Miles Gu tossed an invitation to Ethan Yin. "Don’t rush into romance—handle some real business first."
"What’s this?" Ethan Yin asked, curious.
"Now that we’re back, Moyu and Mo said they’re throwing a welcome party to celebrate our reunion. Apparently, they’ve invited the new generation of heirs from both N City and S City. Basically, our era is about to begin!" Miles Gu explained. "Our younger brothers are doing everything they can to introduce us to their networks."
Ethan Yin smiled. "Good thing I’ve always spoiled them. Alright, if Moyu and Mo are hosting, I’ll definitely go. Can’t let their enthusiasm go to waste."
"Remember, it’s tomorrow at five-thirty in the evening!" Miles Gu reminded him. "Don’t be late."
"Got it, got it." Ethan Yin grabbed the invitation and headed out. "Come stay at home when you’re not busy—living out there is way too lonely."
"Will do." Miles Gu smiled as he watched Ethan Yin leave, then turned back to his work.
The next day, Cherry Miller had just entered Yina Yin’s room and saw Yina sprawled out, fast asleep.
"Wake up." Cherry Miller pinched Yina’s nose. "Who was it that said yesterday you’d be at Moyu and Mo’s party today? If you don’t get up, you’ll be late!"
As soon as Yina heard the word "party," she shot up, grabbed her watch, and shrieked, hugging Cherry Miller. "Ahhh! You lied to me—it’s only eight in the morning! The party isn’t until five-thirty in the afternoon!"
Cherry Miller’s hair was a mess thanks to Yina, and she could only sigh helplessly.
Who told Yina to be taller and stronger than her?
She couldn’t fight back at all!
"My lady, don’t you want a spa, a new hairstyle, or to try on your dress? This is the first party for Young Master Ethan and Young Master Miles since they returned!" Cherry Miller said patiently.
"Oh, right!" Yina finally let go of Cherry Miller and grinned. "Cherry, my brother’s back—shouldn’t you and my brother get engaged? When you do, I’ll throw you the biggest engagement party ever! How about it?"
Cherry Miller lowered her head and spoke softly, "Miss Yina."
"Call me Yina! Don’t call me ‘Miss’—I don’t want you to be so formal with me!" Yina pinched Cherry Miller’s cheeks, declaring, "Soon, I’ll be calling you ‘sister-in-law!’"
"Alright, Yina. The jokes I made with Young Master Ethan when we were kids—those were just for fun, nothing serious." Cherry Miller said quietly. "We’re all grown up now, so let’s leave the past in the past."