Before James Jing could answer, Cecilia Gu continued, "Or is it that this feeling is just your own wishful thinking? Has the young lady never once responded to your feelings? If that's the case, what right do you have to ask her to compete with other women for you? If she does care about you and you choose to let her down for the sake of your family, what right do you have to expect her to keep giving and sacrificing for you?"
Cecilia Gu's words grew sharper with each sentence: "Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire. If you truly love each other, you wouldn't need some sort of open audition to pick a wife. If you don't love each other, then saying farewell is the best ending. Maybe, at the next turn, happiness that truly belongs to you is waiting."
"If you don't have enough faith in a relationship, then don't lightly take someone's hand. Once you've made your choice, you must see it through to the end—this is the most basic attitude in love." Cecilia Gu continued, "The reason I'm helping you pick a wife this time is partly because of my own hopes and reasons, but also because I sincerely wish for lovers everywhere to find happiness together. That's why I asked if any of you already have someone you like. So, what were your answers?"
"I've shown you respect—have you respected me in return?" Cecilia's face suddenly darkened. "Or do you think I'm not worthy of your respect?"
Cecilia Gu's words instantly startled Ethan Yin and James Jing, their expressions changed dramatically!
"Big Sister-in-law..."
"Mrs. Yin..."
Cecilia Gu waved her hand and said, "Enough, there's nothing more to say. At this point, there's no room for regret. Ethan, if you're not satisfied with the wife I've chosen for you, just tell me. James, if you don't agree with my decision, then I won't intervene in the King Family's affairs anymore. I'll leave it to your family to handle things as you see fit."
Hearing Cecilia Gu say this, James Jing truly panicked.
Compared to the rest of the King Family, Cecilia Gu was already the most reasonable one.
If she helped pick, she'd at least ask for his opinion.
If it was left entirely to the King Family, then... his miserable future was easy to imagine.
What right does an illegitimate child have to be picky?
Ethan Yin immediately spoke up, "No, I trust Big Sister-in-law."
Only then did Cecilia Gu's expression soften a little. She said, "Alright, that's the end of this matter. The open audition has already started, and there's no turning back now. None of us can retreat."
After saying this, Cecilia Gu stood up. "Do as you please, I'm going to check on my flowers."
Ethan Yin and James Jing quickly stood up to see Cecilia Gu off.
As soon as Cecilia Gu left, Ethan Yin said, "See? Didn't I warn you? You just wouldn't listen. Now you've been scolded, haven't you?"
James Jing let out a defeated sigh. "Wasn't everyone saying she was easy to talk to?"
"Depends on the issue," Ethan Yin shrugged. "With small matters, she's definitely easygoing. But when it comes to right and wrong, she's always crystal clear. She'll never compromise lightly. Otherwise, how could she and Big Brother have made it all the way? They've really sacrificed a lot to be together."
Seeing that James Jing still didn't get it, Ethan Yin said meaningfully, "Because this is Cecilia Gu's sense of morality."
In the greenhouse, Cecilia Gu patiently pruned the flowers. Wendy, standing nearby, couldn't help but ask, "Mrs. Yin, since you scolded them, why didn't you just send them away?"
Cecilia tilted her head and snipped a branch before replying, "I wanted them to really think it through. My words were harsh just now, but I understand James's predicament. As an illegitimate child living with his mother's family, not recognized by his father or accepted by his maternal relatives, it's truly not easy for him to have come this far. Asking him to give up the career he's fought for over twenty years and elope with a girl is a lot to ask."
"The other young masters have the privilege to act on impulse—even if they run off with the girl they like out of spite, the family will eventually forgive them, and they'll come back and do well. But James is different. If he chooses to be with that girl, both the King Family and his mother's family will abandon him. Then he'll truly have nothing. What's more, he can't even be sure that the girl will still love him the same when he's lost everything."
"I understand James's concerns, but understanding doesn't mean I can say things differently. Life itself is a gamble. Not every loss offers a chance to win it all back. Many people only get one shot in life—if they lose, it's over. That's James's reality. So it's normal for him to hesitate and struggle. Honestly, my words earlier were meant to remind him: either lose completely, or become cold-hearted and make it to the end."
"I can only give him advice, not make the decision for him. Wendy, you've followed Charles for years, running around with him. You should see these things more clearly than most." Cecilia smiled. "Looks like the power of love is so strong that even someone as calm as you can't help but get swept up in it."
Wendy blushed. "Mrs. Yin, you're teasing me again."
"Let us know when you set a date, and Charles and I will prepare a big gift for you." Cecilia smiled. "You've really worked hard all these years."
"Mrs. Yin..." Wendy said coyly, "It's still early for us!"
Seeing Wendy's shy expression, Cecilia burst out laughing. "Henry Shaw should be back soon. Once he's back, you two won't be so young anymore. It's about time to settle down."
As the two were talking, they saw James Jing coming around the corner.
Cecilia Gu squinted at James Jing and said, "Looks like he's figured things out and knows what he truly wants."
Wendy glanced over too and said, "It's really a tough choice."
"It is..." Cecilia nodded, letting out a sigh. "Life is like a play, and the play is like life."
James Jing slowly walked over.
His expression was serious, but resolute.
Cecilia Gu ignored him and continued trimming her flowers.
James Jing stood before Cecilia Gu, bowed deeply, and said, "Mrs. Yin, I understand everything you said! Thank you for your guidance today!"
Cecilia Gu smiled, "As long as you've figured it out yourself. So, what's your final decision?"
"I choose... to give up." James Jing sighed, "You were right. It was all just my own wishful thinking, hurting myself and holding others back."
Cecilia Gu looked at him calmly. "Are you sure about your decision?"
"Yes! I choose... to follow your arrangement!" James Jing said, as if a weight had been lifted. He bowed again and turned to leave. "Goodbye."
Cecilia Gu nodded and didn't try to stop him.
After James Jing left, Ethan Yin slowly walked over. "Sorry, Big Sister-in-law."
Cecilia Gu smiled. "Why are you apologizing to me?"
Ethan Yin quickly looked away, a little embarrassed. "I brought James Jing to visit you without your permission."
"If that's all, there's no need to apologize." Cecilia Gu put down her scissors, took a towel, and wiped her fingers. "You're still here, so you must have something else to say. Come on, there's no one else here now, just the two of us. Say whatever's on your mind."
After saying this, Cecilia looked up at Ethan Yin. "We're all family, no matter what happens, that won't change. Ethan and Miles are brothers—they can support each other in the future. You and Charles are brothers too. Now that Charles has transferred you back to headquarters, that's his way of showing trust. Don't let your brother down. Even if you have different mothers, you're still brothers. He can't help you with everything, but he'll always guide you when you make mistakes."
"I know." Ethan Yin's lips trembled. "Cecilia, thank you."
Cecilia Gu just smiled.
Back in her room, Mrs. Zhang immediately had the maids bring fresh tea and snacks.
Cecilia Gu always ate at set times every day.
Cecilia pointed to the pastries on the table and said, "Try this—my mom made these peach blossom cakes. They're delicious."
Ethan Yin, a little awkward, picked one up and tasted it. His eyes lit up instantly. "Thank you, Big Sister-in-law."
Earlier, he called her by her first name, now he called her Big Sister-in-law.
Ethan Yin switched back and forth quickly.
Cecilia Gu noticed, but pretended not to.
Cecilia wasn't clueless. She could easily sense the admiration in Ethan Yin's eyes, even if he tried to hide it.
But that's just how they got along—one would never admit it, and the other would always pretend not to know.
"I'm sorry about Angela Ma," Ethan Yin said formally. "I tried to talk her out of it, but it didn't work. It's my mom's fault for raising her badly. Angela wasn't always so heartless."
Cecilia Gu nodded. "Environment really can change a person. That's why we should all take it as a warning—never forget your original intention, and you'll reach your goal in the end. I trust you won't let me or your brother down."
"Mm." Ethan Yin nodded firmly.
"About Angela, I'll try to talk to Charles about it. For your sake, he won't make things too hard for her. But knowing Charles, he'll spare her life, but not the consequences. You probably won't see her again, but she'll be able to live a normal life." Cecilia said, "Does that put your mind at ease?"
Ethan Yin lowered his head. "Sometimes I wonder why the person who understands me best isn't my mother, my sister, or anyone else—but you."
Cecilia Gu chuckled softly. "Well, I'm honored."
"If... possible, I hope we can stay like this forever." Ethan Yin couldn't hold back anymore. "Always like this. Is that okay?"
Cecilia Gu smiled sweetly. "We'll always be family! Whether you're married or not, that's a fact that will never change."