Cecilia Gu's body suddenly stiffened.
Didn't she say I was a child she found, and she didn't know where I came from?
"Mom, that's enough, okay? Haven't I told you before? I don't care about my real identity at all. Having you as my mom is all I need! Ever since I was little, you've worked so hard to raise me all by yourself. I don't need anyone else to protect me, I just want you to be happy." Cecilia interrupted Jane Gu, saying, "All these years, we've lived a simple life and it's been fine! I'm really content."
Jane Gu gave a bitter smile. "I really don't know who your biological parents are. When I found you, you were just a newborn, abandoned on the roadside grass, still wrapped in your placenta and covered in blood. It was obvious you'd just been born. But I've always kept the little blanket you were wrapped in. Maybe that's the clue to finding your real family!"
Cecilia Gu trembled.
Sensing Cecilia's resistance, Jane stopped talking. "Alright, if you don't want to hear it, I won't say anymore. You're right, as long as you're happy, that's what matters."
Cecilia didn't answer. She lowered her head, hiding her eyes.
Of course, she'd thought about her origins before.
But it's something she didn't dare to dwell on.
No matter what her true identity was, it would only bring more trouble and burdens.
She'd already made her plan: after giving birth to this child, she'd take her mom and leave far away, putting an end to everything here.
She was just so tired.
Twenty-three years of living, and every step felt like a nightmare.
Even the only friendship and first love she'd ever had were easily destroyed.
What was left for her to miss or look forward to?
She just wanted to escape from everything here.
Let those nightmarish memories fade away and be buried deep.
As for her origins, she didn't want to investigate anymore.
It's been twenty-three years—so what if her real parents were to show up now?
She no longer had any ties to this place.
She really didn't want to get sucked into another mess she couldn't cut herself free from.
Cecilia and Jane Gu both fell silent, and for a moment, the room felt awkward.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside, followed by a knock from Alex. "Young Madam, Mrs. Gu, the CEO is here."
Cecilia and Jane snapped back to reality together. "Come in," they said.
Cecilia's motion to wipe away her tears didn't escape Charles Yin's notice.
Charles raised his eyebrows slightly. What had they been talking about to make Cecilia so upset?
"Mom, sorry I'm late." Charles said to Jane Gu as soon as he walked in. "Are you alright? If you want, you could stay here in N City for a while. Cecilia's pregnancy is getting harder, and our house has plenty of space. Why not stay a few days?"
Jane Gu smiled and waved her hand. "No need. I know you have plenty of staff here, and I'd just get in the way. I'm fine, just a little shaken up. You two talk, I'll go get some air."
Jane could tell Charles had something to say to Cecilia, so she chose to leave.
Charles sat down beside her, his right hand freshly bandaged.
Cecilia's sharp eyes immediately noticed the bandage on Charles's hand looked different from last time. She reached out and grabbed his hand. "Your hand..."
"Oh, it's nothing. When I fired the gun earlier, I moved a little too hard and the wound reopened. It's fine, I just had it re-bandaged," Charles replied casually.
Cecilia was stunned, as if struck by lightning.
Charles had done this for her... he actually...
Seeing Cecilia's shock, Charles suddenly felt the injury was worth it.
At least it moved her, didn't it?
Charles let Cecilia hold his fingers, feeling her emotions.
This mysterious feeling was something he'd never experienced before.
Right now, Charles loved this feeling.
"Does it hurt?" Cecilia gently unwrapped the bandage on his hand and asked softly.
Cecilia asked Alex to bring the first aid kit again and carefully re-bandaged Charles's hand.
For some reason, Cecilia felt a sharp pang of sympathy in her heart.
"Yeah," Charles replied quietly.
Honestly, this kind of pain was nothing to him. Compared to boxing practice, this was barely a scratch.
But he loved seeing Cecilia care about him, so he played along and told a little lie.
Cecilia asked A to bring the first aid kit again and carefully re-bandaged Charles's hand.
Charles never took his eyes off Cecilia, watching her work so carefully and seriously. His gaze softened, full of tender affection.
"I'm sorry, I messed everything up," Cecilia bit her lip and said. "How are they?"
Charles smirked. "Oh? You actually care about them?"
"No," Cecilia kept biting her lip, her anger showing clearly. Her reaction made Charles even more amused.
"I just never want to see them again!" Cecilia's eyebrows shot up, her voice full of anger. "I don't even know what I did to make them hate me so much! If they want to target me, fine, but my mom is completely innocent!"
"Don't worry, you'll never have to see them again. I've already sent them far away, somewhere you'll never run into them," Charles replied calmly.
A place like the high seas—he'd never let Cecilia set foot there in her life.
That kind of place...
Once someone goes there to sell themselves, they can forget about ever coming back.
So, they'll never be seen again.
Cecilia thought Charles had simply sent them to another city, and she felt relieved.
That's fine, too—may they never cross paths again for the rest of their lives.
Her old friendships and first love were buried for good. But she really couldn't bring herself to take their lives!
Charles Yin gently stroked Cecilia's hair with his left hand and pulled her into his embrace.
Cecilia didn't resist, letting Charles hold her.
Cecilia was stunned.
Why would he make such a promise to her...?
Could it be that he...
Cecilia suddenly didn't dare to think any further.
Yes. His feelings were so obvious—what was she supposed to do?
Accept? Or reject?
If she accepted, could she ever leave the Yin family?
If she rejected him, could she really be cold enough to pretend nothing was happening, just enjoying his kindness without giving him any hope?
It's so hard. No matter what she chose, it was a tough decision.
A place like the High Seas—he'd never let Cecilia set foot there in her life.
Cecilia didn't know why she felt this way. It was just a gut feeling.
A gut feeling with no logic behind it.
What should she do?
Since accepting or rejecting was equally hard, maybe she should give her heart a chance.
Let time and her feelings make the decision.
Once she figured that out, Cecilia seemed to relax a little.
Sensing Cecilia relax, Charles Yin smiled with satisfaction.
Charles lowered his head and kissed Cecilia's forehead. He almost felt grateful for Lin Xiaoya's botched kidnapping.
If it hadn't happened, maybe Cecilia would still be keeping him at arm's length.
Now, even if she hadn't fully accepted him, at least she wasn't rejecting her own feelings anymore.
Good, Cecilia. I'll make sure you understand my heart.
Just then, the director walked in.
Cecilia tried to wriggle out of Charles's arms, but he held her tight, not giving her any chance to escape.
She had no choice but to stay put, head down, not daring to look at the director.
How embarrassing.
The director said, "Mr. Yin, the chairman just called. She said since everything's fine now, there's no need to report back at home. She'd like you to give her a private update instead."
"Got it," Charles nodded.
He understood what Grandma meant.
Even though Jane Gu had been kidnapped to N City, as her son-in-law, he still had to show his best side.
There must be something going on with Mrs. Yin, so she couldn't meet Jane right now. That's why she asked Charles to take care of the hospitality.
As the most outstanding member of the Yin family, Charles immediately understood what to do.
After the director left, Charles said to Cecilia, "Since everyone's fine, let's get discharged. It's your mom's first time in N City—she should stay a few days! Let her spend time with you, go wherever you want, as long as you're safe. Got it?"
Cecilia's eyes lit up and she nodded happily.
She'd wished for this for a long time.
After all the time she'd spent studying and working in N City, she'd always wanted her mom to see it too.
Even though her mom's visit was sudden, now that she was here, how could Cecilia let her leave so soon?
Her mom always used to say she couldn't leave home—she had to take care of Grandma, Dad, and the farm.
Now, finally free from all that, she could enjoy her own time!
Cecilia was determined to show her mom every corner of this city!
Seeing Cecilia so happy, Charles felt his own heart brighten too.
A walked in and handed Cecilia a stack of cards.
"What's this?" Cecilia asked curiously.
A smiled and explained, "These are membership cards for every major chain store in N City. They're all loaded with money, so you and Mrs. Jane can have fun without worrying about costs."
Cecilia turned to Charles in shock.
There must be something going on with Mrs. Yin, so she couldn't meet Jane right now. That's why she asked Charles to take care of the hospitality.
She couldn't deny it—her heart instantly felt warm.
Holding that big stack of cards, Cecilia didn't know what to say. She could only smile at Charles, her eyes shining, and say, "Thank you!"
"Silly girl!" Charles tapped Cecilia's forehead. "Why are you thanking me?"
Alex walked in and handed Cecilia a stack of cards.
Alex smiled and explained, "These are VIP Membership Cards for every major chain store in Newport City. They're all loaded with money, so you and Mrs. Jane can have fun without worrying about costs."