"Just to be clear, I'm not here to play mediator." Max Mo smiled gently, his smile truly made people feel as if bathed in spring breeze!
Compared to Charles Yin, who was like a walking air conditioner, everyone agreed that being around Mr. Mo was completely stress-free!
Cecilia Gu gave a light smile.
"I'm here to deliver some food!" Max Mo raised his hand to show Cecilia: "I just brought you some snacks. I saw you liked them yesterday, so I made some extra today and brought them over. It's already late morning and you haven't eaten much, right? You didn't seem to care for the party food."
Hearing this, Cecilia Gu realized she was actually a bit hungry.
The two found a quiet corner to rest, sat down on some chairs, and opened the food box, ready to chat while eating.
Cecilia noticed today's pastries were even more exquisite than yesterday's and couldn't help but ask, "Who made these? They're amazing!"
Max Mo just smiled and didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked Cecilia, "Do you like them?"
"Of course they're delicious!" Cecilia ate several in a row, nodding as she chewed. "These pastries are so unique, I've never had anything like them before. Rona said you can't buy these anywhere, so I was really curious! Did your Mo Family hide this recipe away? Why can't I find them outside?"
Max Mo laughed softly. "I'm innocent. It's not that I want to keep the recipe hidden, it's just... it's impossible to replicate!"
"What do you mean?" Cecilia looked at Max Mo, puzzled.
What's so impossible to replicate about making a pastry?
Max Mo smiled and said, "I'm not lying to you! Anyone can learn the steps, but the ingredients aren't something you can find just anywhere. Actually, I shouldn't keep it from you—yesterday's and today's pastries were made by Mrs. Yun herself. All the ingredients were picked fresh from the Yun Family's herbal gardens. That's why I said you can't replicate them outside! The medicinal properties depend a lot on the soil. These pastries are specially made to help with pregnancy; even if you're physically weak, they'll help your baby grow up healthy."
Cecilia's fingers froze for a moment.
"You don't need to feel uneasy. Aunt Yun told me not to say anything, just to tell you the chef at my house made them. But I didn't want to take credit for someone else's hard work, so I decided to be honest. As for what you want to do, I'll stay out of it." Max Mo's gentle smile made everyone feel at ease, and his words were just as comforting.
No wonder Max Mo was always so well-liked.
He knew when to advance and when to retreat, and how to read the situation.
"Originally, the pastries didn't need to be so complicated. Aunt Yun was worried the ingredients might not be good for you and the baby, so she had the family’s old Chinese doctor check every single material. In the end, she came up with this recipe and process. I guess she thinks of you as Nora and worries your body can't handle pregnancy, so she even added a special herb to strengthen your health. After eating these, you'll recover quickly after giving birth."
Cecilia never really cared about the Yun Family before.
But after hearing what Max Mo said, a strange warmth flowed through her heart.
So, even in places she couldn't see, there were people thinking of her.
In this life, apart from her mother, this was the second person who had been so thoughtful and caring toward her...
She gently stroked her belly, and the baby seemed to sense Cecilia's feelings, happily turning over inside.
Suddenly, Cecilia changed her mind about what she’d just thought.
The Yun Family's apology didn't need to be such a big deal.
But she couldn't ignore the kindness Mrs. Yun had shown her.
Her mother had taught her from a young age to always have a conscience.
If someone helps you, you should always say thank you.
Thinking of this, Cecilia said, "Then please let the Yun Family know that I'll visit tomorrow to thank them personally."
When Cecilia answered, Max Mo's blue eyes flickered, as if he'd already guessed she would agree.
He picked up a piece of pastry with a delicate silver tweezer and placed it on Cecilia's plate, smiling. "Alright, I'll let them know. Here, try this one—it's a new recipe. It used to be served only in the royal court, but after the fall of the Qing Dynasty, the recipe was lost. It requires several special herbs, and if the mix isn't right, it won't taste the same. Aunt Yun spent all day studying ancient texts to get the formula right for you. To be extra safe, she even had a pregnant servant try it first before letting me bring it to you."
Cecilia's eyes grew a little misty at his words.
Cecilia slowly finished the pastry.
Savoring it, she could really taste the gentle fragrance of herbs mingled with a soft sweetness.
Sweet but not cloying, easy to digest and absorb.
It was truly made with care.
"Please tell Mrs. Yun I really liked it," Cecilia said, looking up at Max Mo.
After Max Mo left, Cecilia remained seated, lost in thought.
Looking at the exquisite pastries before her, Cecilia could almost picture Mrs. Yun pouring her heart into making them.
It's pretty amazing, isn't it?
Cecilia thought so too.
She didn't know why, but she just felt that way.
Feeling the kindness from others, Cecilia's heart gradually calmed down.
She packed up the remaining pastries, ready to go back to her room and rest.
"Cecilia, so this is where you are! Charles and I have been looking all over for you! Hey, what's this?" A hand suddenly opened the box in front of Cecilia and exclaimed with envy, "Wow, these pastries are gorgeous! They're as pretty as real flowers—and so tasty! Charles, you have to try one..."
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Cecilia just watched as Sylvia Ran snatched her pastries, ate them, and even forced Charles Yin to try one.
Charles usually wouldn't eat food from outside, but seeing it was Cecilia's, he accepted the pastry Sylvia handed him.
Cecilia just calmly watched Sylvia and Charles show off their affection.
Sylvia Ran saw that Charles Yin actually ate the pastry she handed him.
Even though the pastry belonged to Cecilia, it was still given to him by Sylvia.
Sylvia looked at Cecilia with a hint of smugness.
This round, she finally beat Cecilia.
"It really is good." Even Charles, who was famously picky, approved of the pastry, which showed just how delicious it was.
Cecilia lowered her eyes and asked, "Did you need something?"
Her voice was calm and steady, without any emotion.
Charles noticed Cecilia's coldness, his long eyes lifting slightly. "Cecilia, I wanted to formally introduce you two!"
Charles felt he'd made things clear with Sylvia. She was his friend, his childhood companion, so of course he wanted to properly introduce her to his wife.
But to Cecilia, those words sounded like something else entirely.
Was she jealous?
Just thinking about the possibility made Charles's heart leap with joy.
Charles looked at Cecilia, filled with hope.
As long as you say you don't want me to leave, I won't go!
As long as you say you want me to stay with you, I'll stay!
As long as you say you want me, I'll give myself to you completely!
He was still so dazzling... but sadly, there was no room left for her in his world.
"By the way, I wanted to discuss something with you. The next three days will be really busy, but I don't want to be part of the chaos. I’d like to go out for a walk, is that alright?" Cecilia's eyes were clear, her gaze emotionless as she looked at Charles.
Charles looked down at Cecilia, the corners of his long eyes twitching slightly.
That feeling of losing Cecilia crept up on him again.
His fingers tightened unconsciously.
Cecilia let out a muffled groan—her wrist hurt where he gripped it.
Seeing the pain in Cecilia's eyes, Charles suddenly panicked and released his grip.
Did he... hurt her?
Sylvia didn't want Cecilia and Charles to have too much contact, so she quickly chimed in, "Alright, alright, I really don't mind! Charles and I were just worried you hadn't eaten, so we came to check on you. Now that you've got food, we're relieved! You're Charles's wife, but you're still free to do as you like! Charles wouldn't interfere, right? Oh, we've been out for a while—Jo and the others must be looking for us. We should go! Cecilia's pregnant, so we shouldn't disturb her rest!"
Charles didn't look at Sylvia, just lowered his gaze to Cecilia.
He could clearly sense Cecilia was angry.
Who was she angry at?
At him?
Because he was with Sylvia?