Cecilia Gu sighed, "Maybe this so-called weakling actually has pretty good aim."
"What's the use of good aim? Haven't you heard? A real man is noble and elegant even if he's just cleaning up after a pet, but a sissy is just scooping poop, even if he's playing golf!" Sophie Mo made it clear she had zero respect for Julian King.
Cecilia Gu could barely listen to this anymore.
She'd met Julian King before—he wasn't as bad as Sophie made him sound, right?
Sure, he was a bit too meticulous, maybe even fussier than most women, but his face was definitely easy on the eyes!
Sophie Mo kept complaining, "Seriously, what's up with my family? Why do they keep forcing me to marry Julian King? Cici, you can see it—we're totally wrong for each other!"
Cecilia Gu nodded, "Yeah, the Mo Family hasn't needed political marriages to survive for ages."
Sophie Mo wanted to hug Cici and shout, 'Soulmate!' With teary eyes, she said, "Exactly! That's the problem, Cici. Why does my family want me with Julian King so badly?"
Cecilia Gu thought for a moment and said, "Are you planning to ask when we visit your family? That's actually a good idea—I'm curious myself why the Mo Family is so set on you two being together."
Sophie Mo clasped her hands together in a pleading gesture. "Honestly, Cici, if you can convince Grandpa to drop this ridiculous idea, when you marry Charles Yin, I'll give you a huge, super-sized red envelope as thanks!"
Cecilia Gu laughed, "Alright, I'll ask for you."
Cecilia Gu and Charles Yin sent their formal visiting cards ahead of time and arrived at the Mo Family's doorstep right on schedule, officially paying their respects to Grandpa Mo.
The Mo Family was already prepared to welcome them, so even before they reached the gate, someone was waiting for them outside.
As soon as Cecilia Gu and Charles Yin arrived, they were ushered inside and taken directly to Grandpa Mo's courtyard.
Eastshire Province has a mild and comfortable climate, so the Mo Family's courtyard was filled with lush greenery and flowers.
But because the Mo Family has been in the military for generations, the house was built with practicality in mind—no extra decorations, just the imposing feel of a military camp.
The ground was paved with clean blue bricks, swept spotless without a trace of dust.
Even the servants followed strict orders, lining up in threes with the bearing of soldiers.
Charles Yin whispered to Cecilia Gu, "Just stepping in here makes me feel strangely tense."
Cecilia Gu chuckled softly, "Wow, that's rare. There aren't many things that make you, the great Mr. Yin, nervous."
Charles Yin didn't mind Cici's teasing at all. He squeezed her palm and said, "Yeah, I only get nervous about things that concern you."
Cici felt a rush of sweetness in her heart.
Together, they walked toward Grandpa Mo's courtyard. As soon as they entered, they saw several soldiers standing guard at the door.
The soldiers saw Cici and Charles Yin and immediately stood at attention and saluted. "Please wait here for a moment."
Cici and Charles Yin stopped and nodded.
After a moment, a young soldier ran inside to report, then came back out and let them in.
Grandpa Mo's voice came from inside the room, "Come on in, there's no outsiders here at home."
Cici and Charles Yin walked in hand-in-hand and saw Grandpa Mo in his army-green uniform, sitting beside a red sandalwood tea table, pouring tea.
"Grandpa," Cici said sweetly. Charles Yin followed her lead, "Grandpa, we're here."
"Sit down and have some tea," Grandpa Mo invited them to take a seat across from him. "This tea was sent by Cici's mother. All year round, the Mo Family drinks tea from the Grant Family. Looks like I won't have that privilege much longer."
Cici blushed, "If you want tea, Grandpa, I’ll bring it to you for the rest of your life."
"Ha! You little rascal," Grandpa Mo laughed, tapping Cici’s nose. "You just know how to make Grandpa happy."
Cici smiled awkwardly.
Charles Yin looked at Grandpa Mo, a little nervous. "Grandpa, what kind of test do you want us to take?"
"So impatient? Don’t you want to relax and enjoy yourselves for a few days first? This might be the last time you get to spend together." Grandpa Mo lowered his gaze. Though he looked old, the sharpness in his eyes was undeniable.
"Grandpa!..." Cici couldn't help but protest.
"Alright, alright, I’ll stop teasing you," Grandpa Mo said, taking a sip of tea. "I called you here partly to test you, but also because I wanted to spend more time with you youngsters. I’ve given my whole life to the military—now that I’m old, I realize I’ve missed a lot along the way."
After a moment of reflection, Grandpa Mo asked, "Did Sophie come to see you?"
Cici was surprised. "You already knew?"
Grandpa Mo just laughed.
A sense of dread flashed through Cici’s mind.
Could I really have guessed it?
What am I supposed to do now?
If it’s for me, does that mean Sophie has to sacrifice her own happiness?
But if I can’t help them get together, I’ll have to be separated from Charles.
What should I do?
Charles Yin seemed to have figured it out, too. His eyes widened instantly. "Grandpa, you want us to play matchmaker for Julian King and Miss Mo?"
Grandpa Mo nodded bluntly, admitting it.
Charles Yin wasn’t nearly as shocked as Cici. In fact, he’d already had a hunch.
That’s why, back in London, he’d already started laying the groundwork. He’d kept it secret from everyone—even Cici didn’t know.
Cici had no idea that, back when she hadn’t regained her memory and was still in London, Charles Yin had already found Julian King, agreed to some of his terms, and offered him help.
It was exactly because Cici didn’t know that she felt even more conflicted.
(This chapter isn’t over yet~ Please click next page to continue reading!)
Grandpa Mo saw the struggle on Cici’s face and burst out laughing.
Struggling is good!
Either way, I’ll end up with a grandson-in-law or a granddaughter-in-law. I’m too old to end up with nothing!
"Grandpa, I’ve always wondered—why do you insist on Sophie and Julian King being together?" Cici couldn’t help but ask.
She wanted to know, and so did Sophie Mo.
Grandpa Mo chuckled softly, "How would you describe Julian King and Sophie Mo as people?"
Cici frowned, "I haven’t met Julian King much, and I don’t really know him. But I do know Sophie. She looks soft and gentle on the outside, but she’s actually very opinionated and proud. She’s not a pushover like Lin Daiyu or someone who’ll obey her family like Xue Baochai. She’s just herself. She won’t go along with other people’s arrangements."
Grandpa Mo nodded and turned to Charles Yin. "What do you think?"
"I’m the opposite of Cici. I haven’t spent much time with Miss Mo, but I have met the King Family." Charles answered calmly, "Both the King Family and the Yin Family are European aristocrats. I’ve met the previous head of the King Family a few times. The reason the King Family has a foothold in England is because they have something no one else does—a unique uranium mine. The associated uranium reserves are incredibly rich, and because of its special nature, the King Family protects it very closely. That’s why Britain values the King Family and gives them privileges, helping them establish themselves there."
Grandpa Mo nodded in approval.
"The King Family has many descendants, and with such a huge legacy, choosing an heir is a real challenge. Julian King is one of the candidates, but not the only one. His position in the King Family is awkward—he’s not the son of the original wife, but of a secondary wife. But that means he gets powerful support from his maternal family, who control resources in the Northwest. This strong backing also brings trouble—his older brothers don’t want him to succeed."
Grandpa Mo was very satisfied.
Charles Yin’s insight proved he had strong intelligence and connections.
"Julian King has faced all sorts of tests and assassination attempts since he was a child. To survive, he had to act like a playboy, living a life of luxury and excess. Of course, the King Family could afford his lifestyle, so he became the most notorious spendthrift among British nobles. Rumor has it he once spent over a million pounds on a single meal, shocking high society." Charles smiled. "But that’s all for show. Underneath it, he’s been quietly building his own power. I’ve worked with him before, so I know Julian King is far from simple."
Cici was so shocked by Charles’s words, her jaw practically hit the floor!
How is that possible?
Julian King isn’t just a playboy?
He’s actually a hidden mastermind?
Sophie, do you even know what kind of guy your fiancé really is?
"Since you understand all this, you must know why I want to pair them together, right?" Grandpa Mo looked seriously at Charles Yin. "You’re a smart kid—you’ve probably figured out what I’m thinking."
Charles Yin replied calmly, "If I’m right, Grandpa, you want to tie the King Family to the nation’s cause. And you’ve noticed that Julian King is a rare talent—when the time comes, he’ll rise to greatness. You believe only a man like him can truly protect your granddaughter."
Cici’s mouth dropped open.
How is this so completely different from what I thought I knew?