Cecilia Gu was momentarily stunned: "Who told you to come here to propose marriage?"
"Of course it was Jiro," Mr. Hirayama replied, frowning. "Is that not right? Jiro said everything was already agreed upon and we just needed to come for the formal proposal. He also said he consulted Mr. Yun, who confirmed that the more grand the proposal, the more it shows respect for the bride. So my wife and I came together to show our sincerity."
Cecilia was at a complete loss for words.
Well, they weren't wrong!
But the order was completely off!
"So you're here to propose marriage?" Cecilia sighed. "This is a huge misunderstanding, and I bear some responsibility. Jiro probably saw the scene when I proposed to Sicheng, and thought that's how it's supposed to be. While it's not exactly wrong, if the timing isn't right, then it is wrong."
Cecilia quickly explained the situation to Mr. and Mrs. Hirayama.
Fortunately, Cecilia's Japanese was fluent and fast, so her explanation only took about ten minutes.
Mr. Hirayama's expression changed dramatically after hearing Cecilia's explanation.
What now?
What a huge mix-up.
But they've already come all the way here!
And now everyone in the Yamaguchi-gumi knows about it!
If this proposal fails, the Hirayama Family's reputation in Japan...
Cecilia said, "Please, don't panic. Let me explain things to the bride's family. Honestly, they're even more shocked than you are. If you hadn't brought gifts and come for a proposal, they'd probably think you were here to pick a fight."
After she finished, Cecilia couldn't help but add, "My suggestion is that you leave here for now and stay somewhere else. Even for a proposal, the day has to be carefully chosen. Let me talk to the bride's family first, so they can be mentally prepared."
Cecilia's status and position gave weight to her words.
If anyone else had made that suggestion, Mr. Hirayama might have ignored it.
But since it was Cecilia who said it, Mr. Hirayama had no choice but to take her seriously.
Charles Yin and Cecilia's wedding was inevitable, and offending Charles was not an option.
Offending Cecilia was the same as offending Charles.
So after weighing his options, Mr. Hirayama nodded and said, "Alright, we'll wait for good news from Mrs. Yin."
Cecilia nodded, briefly told Professor Muir that they were leaving, and the whole Muir family, still confused, saw the Hirayamas out.
However, Mr. Hirayama didn't take back the gifts they'd brought, nor his unreliable son. He just left with his entourage in a hurry.
Once they'd left, Professor Muir asked Cecilia, "My dear, tell me honestly, what on earth just happened?"
Cecilia glanced at Rona, who was still playing ostrich, and at Jiro Hirayama, who looked utterly lost and hadn't recovered from the shock.
She waved her hand and said, "You two go talk somewhere else. Let me handle this!"
Hearing this, Rona very unheroically dragged Jiro off to settle accounts.
Cecilia turned to Professor Muir and said, "Here's what happened. Some time ago, I went to Japan with Charles... and while we were there, I met Jiro Hirayama. Jiro is the second son of Mr. Hirayama, who's part of the Yamaguchi-gumi. But Jiro himself isn't a member—he's more like a special associate. His profession is a scientist."
Of course, Cecilia didn't dare mention that Jiro was actually a biochemical expert!
"Later, Jiro and I found we shared some interests in chess, so he came back to China with me. Mr. Hirayama entrusted Jiro to me, asking me to look after him. I really felt responsible! While we were in the capital, Rona got drunk, so I asked Jiro to help take care of her, but she ended up tricking him into bed... Only afterward did we learn that Jiro had always been devoted to science, had never dated, and his private life was spotless. Who would've thought he'd lose his innocence in the capital..."
Professor Muir's face across from her was absolutely priceless!
So after all that, it was his daughter who slept with their son?
"Then, in the South Pacific, something else happened..." Cecilia didn't mention Hans, but said the ship ran into trouble, and Jiro risked his life on the island to save Rona.
Cecilia glossed over the details, painting Jiro as a devoted, focused, and upright man who was passionate about research, leaving out his more eccentric side.
There was no other way—if she didn't handle it this way, things would get really messy.
"Jiro saw my engagement to Charles and decided to copy the whole thing, thinking it was the best way to show respect to the bride. So he took matters into his own hands and invited his parents here for a formal proposal. But don't worry, I've already spoken to Mr. Hirayama. He doesn't mind Jiro becoming a Chinese citizen and marrying into your family. Wherever they want to settle, it's fine—even if Jiro becomes your live-in son-in-law." Cecilia quickly tried to boost Jiro's reputation, afraid Professor Muir would reject him outright.
"Even though people don't care much about chastity these days, Jiro is still part of the Hirayama Family, and he's a world-renowned scientist. If you really don't mind that he's Japanese, they're actually a good match. I know you like Shank, and want him to be your son-in-law. But feelings are complicated. When Shank got engaged to Miss Gong, Rona and I were both there, and I could feel Rona's sadness and despair. If it hadn't been for that, she wouldn't have gotten so upset, gone drinking, and accidentally... well, you know."
"It's all my fault. If I'd stopped Rona, maybe Jiro wouldn't have lost his innocence... I feel terrible, letting my best friend take away their son's chastity!" Cecilia looked heartbroken, leaving Professor Muir and Mrs. Muir completely stunned, not knowing what to say.
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After explaining everything to Professor Muir, Cecilia turned around to smooth things over with Mr. Hirayama.
Mr. Hirayama and his wife had rented out an entire floor of a nearby hotel, and Cecilia was immediately welcomed into the most luxurious suite.
As soon as she walked in, Cecilia sighed and said helplessly, "Mr. Hirayama, I really let you down! Who would've thought that the eccentric Jiro would figure things out on his own and, while my best friend was drunk, make his move..."
Mr. Hirayama looked embarrassed.
Was she apologizing or accusing him?
"Although Rona and Jiro are indeed a couple now, they're not at the stage for a formal proposal yet. Today was supposed to be Rona's first time bringing her boyfriend home, to officially tell her family about their relationship and plans. But Jiro took it upon himself to invite both of you! Of course, the families should meet, but this really can't be rushed," Cecilia continued. "Especially now, especially today."
Mrs. Hirayama was the classic elegant lady, not the one in charge.
Hearing Cecilia say this, she immediately got anxious: "But when we left Japan, we told everyone we were coming to propose marriage for our future daughter-in-law. Now that there's been such a big mistake, what are we supposed to do?"
Mr. Hirayama frowned and said, "Mrs. Yin, do you have any good suggestions? We really can't just go back empty-handed—the Hirayama Family can't bear this kind of humiliation. Even if it's because of Jiro. We're sincere, and we're willing to let our son live in China."
Cecilia spread her hands and said, "Exactly, that's the problem. I've explained everything, so now both sides need to come up with a compromise."
While Cecilia was busy explaining things to both sides, Rona finally dragged Jiro outside to settle things.
Rona was just about to scold Jiro for acting on his own and bringing Mr. and Mrs. Hirayama all the way from Japan.
But suddenly, Jiro's pupils contracted sharply. He grabbed Rona and spun her around on the spot.
The next second, a huge crash sounded right in front of Rona!
Screech—! The sound of tires skidding was deafening, almost bursting Rona's eardrums.
Jiro suddenly shouted, "Run! They're after me!"
As soon as he finished, Jiro suddenly shoved Rona aside and dashed madly across the street.
The next moment, Rona saw someone jump out of a car and start shooting in Jiro's direction.
Bang bang bang—three shots in a row, all hitting the curb, sending shards of stone flying everywhere.
Rona froze for just a second, then immediately snapped out of it and bolted in the opposite direction!
The gunshots instantly caught everyone's attention. Cecilia's face changed: "What's going on? Why are there gunshots outside? Go check it out!"
The bodyguards immediately split up and rushed out. As soon as they got downstairs, they saw Rona sprinting toward them in a panic.
Rona shouted as she ran, "Someone's trying to kill Jiro! Help him! They're armed!"
The bodyguards quickly relayed the news and took off after her.
Professor Muir turned pale, and Mrs. Muir nearly fainted from fright.
Cecilia quickly reassured them: "Don't worry, don't panic! My bodyguards are already on it! They're specially trained, and whoever's attacking is after someone else—Rona will be fine."
Cecilia immediately stood up and walked over to the window.
Looking down, she saw Rona trembling as she fumbled for her keys, about to drive after them.
Cecilia thought, This is bad!
Jiro is in danger!