Rona Muir heard Sean Kerr's words, and her heart felt even heavier. She clung to Sean, sobbing bitterly, as if all her grievances poured out in waves.
After this round of crying, Rona Muir didn't seem to dislike Sean Kerr as much anymore.
At the very least, it was Sean Kerr who gave her a hug when she was at her most helpless.
The next day was the day to report to university.
Rona Muir remembered her lesson and kept her distance from all the boys.
After the eighth day of the lunar new year (which marks the traditional return to work in China), most office workers embark on their journey for the new year.
And after the Lantern Festival (the fifteenth day of the lunar new year), everyone puts away their playful mood and gets ready to face another year of hard work.
After Sean Kerr showed up at the campus gate in his car a few times—sometimes intentionally, sometimes not—rumors quickly spread that Rona Muir was dating a rich heir.
Rona Muir was truly miserable, her heart weighed down by endless troubles.
Once the Lantern Festival was over, it was time to officially launch the free trial distribution phase.
Rona Muir looked up and saw herself in the mirror.
The face in the mirror was no longer pure and youthful—after all, she was almost thirty now.
She let out a gentle sigh, gathered her scattered emotions, and rose to answer the phone.
The call was from Jiro Hirayama: "I might be home late tonight. Looks like we need to increase the distribution for this trial batch..."
Listening to Jiro Hirayama's voice on the phone, Rona Muir felt a wave of nostalgia. Once, he was an arrogant, dramatic youth; now, he had become a husband she could lean on.
He used to embody the classic Shonen Jump manga style—youthful, dramatic, and a bit over-the-top. Now, he spoke Mandarin more fluently than she did, and even cared about distribution issues.
It turns out, time really can't defeat reality.
Rona Muir said softly, "If you can't handle it, just let someone else do it. You're a researcher—leave the sales to others."
So, after the Lantern Festival, once things at home were settled, Cecilia Gu, the general manager, officially took charge.
She instantly understood—Jiro Hirayama was hinting at something bigger: he was about to become a father. The realization warmed her heart, filling her with quiet joy.
She was very satisfied with their current life.
Although Jiro Hirayama had his flaws, he was always trying to be a good husband and father.
That was enough.
"When you're done, come home early," Rona Muir said softly. "I'll be waiting for you."
After hanging up, Rona Muir looked at herself in the mirror again, sealing away those memories once more.
After the eighth day of the lunar new year, most office workers embark on their journey for the new year.
And after the fifteenth day, everyone puts away their playful mood and gets ready to face another year of hard work.
Bosses are busy making money, employees are sweating for their salaries, and students are buried in their books, hoping for top marks.
Danni Cosmetics was no exception.
Cecilia Gu already understood—Sean Kerr was deliberately stalling with the Shine Mall issue. It was obvious: he just wanted to see Rona Muir!
During this phase, every competing company would launch a series of products, distribute them to each mall or storefront, and give them out for free to those who had applied for trial samples. The recipients would then fill out a trial report.
After the trial period ended, it was time for the first day of official sales.
That day was crucial.
Whoever came out on top would be decided on that day.
So, the more thoroughly the trial activities were prepared, the better the first day's sales would be.
As long as the company could afford it, they would distribute as many samples as possible.
Previously, when Cecilia Gu was pregnant and needed to rest, Rona Muir took charge of everything.
Now that Rona Muir was pregnant and needed a break, Cecilia Gu stepped up to take over.
So, after the fifteenth day of the lunar new year, once things at home were settled, Cecilia Gu, the general manager, officially took charge.
On the day Cecilia Gu entered the office, her secretary followed closely behind and said, "General Manager, a mall that had agreed to sign a contract and set up a dedicated counter with us suddenly backed out!"
"Backed out?" Cecilia Gu was taken aback. "Which mall?"
"Shine Mall," the secretary sighed. "Shine Mall focuses on youth, and the consumers there have strong purchasing power. If Shine Mall refuses to let us set up a counter and distribute products, we'll lose a lot of foot traffic."
"Shine Mall?" Cecilia Gu raised her eyebrows. "Who's the owner again?"
"It's... the Kerr Family," the secretary hesitated, then added, "That's why I didn't report this to Vice President Muir. She's pregnant, and I didn't want to worry her."
"You did the right thing," Cecilia Gu nodded with a smile. "Alright, I know about it now. I'll handle it."
The secretary breathed a sigh of relief and left.
Cecilia Gu immediately called Sean Kerr: "Do you have time for a meal?"
Sean Kerr laughed, "The holiday's over and you still want to meet up?"
"Don't play dumb. I'll be waiting for you at the Italian restaurant downstairs," Cecilia said with a smile. "Let's handle this before Rona finds out, or else it'll be chaos."
"Alright," Sean Kerr agreed with a smile.
Sean Kerr arrived quickly, just as expected.
Cecilia Gu waved, and when Sean Kerr saw her, he smiled and sat down, asking, "Why the sudden urge to treat me to a meal?"
"We're all on the same side, so let's cut to the chase," Cecilia said with a smile. "Do you know about Shine Mall refusing to let Danni Cosmetics set up a counter?"
Sean Kerr nodded.
"Alright, what's your condition?" Cecilia sighed. "You know that Danni Cosmetics setting up a counter is a win-win in the long run. Blocking us now might get you a small advantage during the free trial phase, but in the long term, it's shortsighted! As the Kerr Family heir, I didn't think you'd be so narrow-minded."
"You're right, I'm not that shortsighted," Sean Kerr replied with a smile, elegantly eating his meal.
"So, what do you want?" Cecilia looked up at him.
"You should know what I want," Sean Kerr sighed. "Cici, Charles Yin isn't the only one who's devoted in this world. When I set my heart on someone, I don't change easily!"
But what were you doing all that time?" Cecilia couldn't help but retort. "Rona waited for you so long! It's not like she didn't give you a chance! Now she's married and about to be a mother!"
"So what? Back then, Mo Zixin didn't mind you getting married and having kids, so why should I care?" Sean Kerr laughed at himself. "Even if she has Jiro Hirayama's child, so what? I'd treat it like my own!"
Cecilia rubbed her forehead. "Do you really think you can convince your family? As far as I know, Mrs. Kerr only let you come back because Rona got married."
"That's right. I don't deny there's still resistance at home, but I'm not the same person I used to be! Rona's words that day woke me up. I was really a mess before, always hurting her." Sean Kerr didn't shy away from the topic. "So this time, I've come back determined to succeed, no matter what."
"You want to beat Danni Cosmetics?" Cecilia raised an eyebrow at him.
"No, I want to beat Jiro Hirayama!" Sean Kerr emphasized. "I'll prove to Rona that I'm better for her than he is!"
Cecilia just shook her head in disbelief.
"Alright, I won't get involved in your love life. Let's get back to business. Can Danni Cosmetics set up a counter at Shine Mall or not? Just give me a straight answer. If you're dead set against it, there's nothing I can do, right?"
"You can have the counter," Sean Kerr smiled, "but I want Rona to negotiate with me personally."
"Alright, I get it," Cecilia sighed. "Let's drop it and eat."
Cecilia already understood that Sean was deliberately stalling with the Shine Mall issue—he just wanted to see Rona!
But Rona Muir finally found her own happiness—how could Cecilia let anything ruin that for her?
So be it—losing one counter is just a loss.
At worst, they could make up for it somewhere else.
Rona's happiness was her true north, always the most important thing.
Money could be earned slowly.
But happiness is precious—it must never be compromised.
With her mind made up, Cecilia only chatted with Sean Kerr about overseas matters and avoided any further business talk.
Cecilia thought Rona Muir would never find out about this, but unexpectedly, Rona's secretary let it slip during a work report.
As soon as Rona Muir learned that Sean Kerr was using the counter as an excuse to force a meeting, her temper erupted like a sudden storm.
Rona Muir drove straight to the headquarters of Odyssey Corporation.
Since Rona Muir used to be Vice President at Odyssey Corporation, even after she resigned, some of the old employees still recognized her.
When she appeared, the receptionist forgot to stop her.
It wasn't until Rona Muir entered the executive elevator that the receptionist remembered—Ms. Muir had already resigned!
The receptionist quickly called President Kerr to report the situation.
Sean Kerr just smiled and told everyone not to stop Rona Muir, welcoming her with open doors.
"Vice President Muir?" Several senior executives greeted Rona Muir when they saw her. "You're back?"
Rona Muir nodded to them awkwardly. "I'm just here to see President Kerr about something. Please carry on with your work."
After saying this, Rona Muir went straight to knock on Sean Kerr's office door.
"Come in," Sean Kerr's voice called from inside, and Rona Muir entered.
Sean Kerr's office was just as it had always been.
This was the office Rona Muir had decorated for him.
It hadn't changed at all.
"You're here? Want something to drink?" Sean Kerr was calm and composed, as if Rona Muir were still Vice President, all business as usual.
Rona Muir dragged a chair over, sat down across from Sean Kerr, and said, "Didn't you insist on negotiating with me in person? Well, I'm here. Let's have a real conversation."
Sean Kerr chuckled, "I thought Danni Cosmetics had already given up on Shine Mall."
"Cici gave up—I didn't," Rona Muir raised an eyebrow. "After all, I'm the Chairman!"
"Oh?" Sean Kerr smiled. "So, what do you want to talk about?"
"Shouldn't I be asking you what you want?" Rona Muir folded her arms, her gaze unwavering on Sean Kerr. "Can you stop acting like such a child?"