On this day, Cecilia Gu was signing company reports when suddenly someone burst in, crying as soon as she entered: "Madam, you have to help me!"
Cecilia Gu looked up and saw that Violet Wei was crying so hard she was drenched in tears.
"What happened to you?" Cecilia quickly put down her pen and asked, "Isn't Ethan Yin back from inspecting the branch offices? Why aren't you preparing for the wedding with him? Why are you crying like this?"
"What wedding? Ethan Yin has another woman outside!" Violet Wei sobbed so hard she could barely breathe. "Madam, what should I do?"
Cecilia's eyes widened instantly.
Ethan Yin has another woman?
Impossible! Absolutely impossible!
If he wanted to fool around, he would have done it long ago. Why wait until now?
Seeing Cecilia didn't believe her, Violet Wei quickly pulled a stack of photos from her bag and handed them to Cecilia: "Madam, I bought these from the paparazzi. These photos haven't been leaked yet. They gave me a price and I bought them all."
Cecilia reached out and took them, looking through each one.
For some reason, as she looked at these photos, Cecilia felt something strange.
In the photos, Ethan Yin was dining, strolling, watching the sunset, and cycling across the city with a young, beautiful girl.
If they were just friends, their relationship was definitely very close.
But if there was something more between them, it was hard to say.
After all, there were no photos of them entering or leaving a hotel or a villa together.
You could only say their relationship was really, really good.
But as the second young master of the Yin Family, Ethan Yin was always surrounded by beautiful women in his social circles.
Of course, it's not like Ethan Yin was this close to every female friend.
But being this close now, and Violet Wei not knowing anything about it, was honestly a bit much.
For the past three years, Ethan Yin had spent most of his time traveling all over the world, staying at each branch for a while, visiting every single one. It took him a full three years.
Cecilia had even prepared to arrange Ethan Yin and Violet Wei's wedding as soon as Ethan came back.
After all, they're really not that young anymore.
But before Cecilia could even discuss the wedding with Ethan Yin, this happened.
Cecilia herself couldn't even comfort Violet Wei. She could only say, "Don't get upset yet. I'll call him over and ask what's going on. I haven't seen him in ages, and if there's some misunderstanding, getting this angry and sad now would be for nothing, right?"
Violet Wei finally wiped her tears and said quietly, "Madam, I'll leave it all to you."
Cecilia nodded, comforted Violet Wei and saw her out, then asked someone to call Ethan Yin.
Ethan Yin received Cecilia's call and came over quickly.
After three years apart, Ethan Yin looked even more mature and handsome.
His features and demeanor were becoming more and more like Charles Yin.
Looking at Ethan Yin now, Cecilia couldn't help but marvel at the powerful Yin family genes.
It seemed like the entire Yin family specialized in producing handsome men.
Even her own daughter, Yina, with her short hair, looked so cool that a bunch of girls were totally smitten.
From a distance, Ethan Yin spotted Cecilia, his eyes flashed quickly, and he sped up his pace.
For some reason, seeing Cecilia made his steps feel so much lighter.
Almost instinctively, he wanted to run straight to her.
"Sister-in-law," Ethan Yin said with a gentle smile, "It's been a long time."
Cecilia smiled back, "Yeah, it's been a while. Sit down and try the new tea your brother just sent over."
Ethan Yin sat properly in front of Cecilia, watching her pour the tea slowly and gracefully. His gaze lowered. "Did you need something, Sister-in-law?"
After pouring a cup of tea for Ethan Yin, Cecilia finally asked, "Ethan, tell me honestly, did you choose Violet Wei just because I liked her?"
"Why would you suddenly ask that, Sister-in-law?" Ethan Yin's fingers paused, then he smiled nonchalantly. "Did someone say something to you?"
Cecilia glanced up at Ethan Yin.
He really was sharp.
She had only asked one question, and his reaction was so quick.
"If someone did say something to you, Sister-in-law, do you believe it?" Ethan Yin looked up and met Cecilia's gaze. "Do you trust me?"
Cecilia sighed, "Of course I'd rather believe you. But, a lot of things don't just come out of nowhere. If I've heard about it, it means it's been going on for a while out there."
Ethan Yin nodded, not denying anything.
"Of course, I'd rather hear your answer directly," Cecilia continued. "What other people say is just speculation. It's better to ask you straight."
Ethan Yin smiled softly, "Thank you for trusting me, Sister-in-law."
Cecilia picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said, "If you really don't want to marry Violet Wei, I'll step in and mediate."
Ethan Yin shook his head and said, "No, I've never thought that way."
Ethan Yin said softly, "And it's not just because you like Violet Wei that I chose her. Honestly, she really is suitable for me."
"Just suitable?" Cecilia caught the word instantly.
This time, Ethan Yin didn't deny it and nodded gently.
Cecilia seemed to understand a little.
"Do you have someone you like?" Cecilia asked directly.
Ethan Yin didn't deny it, he just smiled.
"Then why..." Cecilia looked at him, puzzled.
"Because it's impossible," Ethan Yin answered decisively. "And I wouldn't be with her anyway, because she's very happy now."
Cecilia thought Ethan Yin was talking about the girl in the photos, so she sighed and said, "If she's happy, why would you want to disturb her happiness?"
Ethan Yin was stunned. Disturb her happiness?
He didn't...
Wait, is there some kind of misunderstanding?
Ethan Yin looked steadily at Cecilia and asked, "Sister-in-law, who are you talking about?"
Cecilia handed the face-down photos on the table to Ethan Yin. "Someone gave these to me. If you really like this girl, and if you both like each other, I can help mediate. After all, I was the one who chose Violet Wei for you. If something went wrong, it's my responsibility."
When Ethan Yin saw the photos, his eyes darkened instantly and he asked reflexively, "Who gave you these photos?"
Seeing Ethan Yin so nervous, Cecilia was even more convinced he liked the girl in the photos. She said, "Don't ask about that. Do you really like her?"
Ethan Yin replied immediately, "No, that's not true. It's a misunderstanding!"
Cecilia raised her eyebrows at him.
Ethan Yin gave a helpless smile and explained, "Alright, I'll be honest. I knew this girl even before I met Violet Wei."
"You just knew her?" Cecilia pressed.
"Well... I supported her," Ethan Yin finally admitted. "Back then, I sponsored several college students, and she was one of them."
"Just supported?" Cecilia continued to ask.
As the second young master of the Yin Family, having girlfriends was pretty normal.
Yeah, totally normal.
But bringing someone home? That was rare—actually, never happened.
"Really, I just supported her, Sister-in-law. I never touched her." Ethan Yin almost wanted to swear to the heavens. "I'm not that casual. I just saw they were having a hard time, so I helped out, had them keep me company when I was bored, talk, eat, that's it. Sister-in-law, you have to believe me, I really didn't..."
Cecilia smiled.
"Sister-in-law, I've never thought about breaking up with Violet Wei," Ethan Yin said seriously. "Love and marriage are different. They say your first love teaches you how to love, but that person is just there to give you a lesson. She has her own responsibilities and dreams. So, for the person who taught me about love, I'd choose to bless and protect her. But marriage is about being the right fit. Obviously, Violet Wei is perfect for me. She's steady, low-key, and knows when to advance and retreat."
Cecilia nodded.
In these three years, I've never thought about being with another woman. Never. I still keep in touch with that girl, but we're just friends. There's no way, absolutely no way, anything could happen between us.
Ethan Yin sighed, "Sister-in-law, I don't know who gave you these photos. But I'm glad you're willing to listen to my explanation. Everything I said today is the truth. I would never lie to you in this lifetime."
Cecilia couldn't help but look up at Ethan Yin; those words were heavy.
"I trust you," Cecilia said seriously. "But my trust isn't what's important. What's important is that Violet Wei trusts you."
"No, it's very important! I don't want you to doubt me." Ethan Yin explained earnestly. "It's even more important than anyone else."
After saying that, Ethan Yin added, "An elder sister-in-law is like a mother. I don't want the person I respect most to not trust me!"
Cecilia smiled gently. "Do you need me to explain things to Violet Wei?"
"No need, I'll handle it myself." Ethan Yin smiled. "You're so busy already, I can't trouble you more. I happen to have some free time today, so I'll take her out and explain everything."
Cecilia nodded, "That's fine, then I won't keep you for dinner. But Grandma hasn't been well these years, so try to come home for meals often."
"I know." Ethan Yin picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said goodbye to Cecilia as he left the house.
Cecilia asked someone to see Ethan Yin out. She picked up the photos on the table again, feeling they looked familiar.
Xiao Wang had just returned to work after maternity leave. She quickly helped tidy up. Seeing the photos in Cecilia's hand, she couldn't help but say, "Hey? This girl's eyes look a lot like yours, Young Madam!"
Cecilia compared her own eyes, "Do they really look like mine?"
Xiao Wang smiled, "They just look similar in shape, not in spirit."