No one expected that Sean Kerr, who had left the Kerr Family for so many years, would actually come back!
And he returned with the aura of a king, as if reclaiming his throne.
Mrs. Shang (Matriarch) was stunned when she heard the news.
Her son came back?
Did he really come back?
“Help me outside.” Mrs. Shang’s hands trembled as she reached out, wanting to greet her son before he even entered the house.
Don’t be fooled by her tough words—she’s reached the age where she should be enjoying her twilight years.
She only supported her grandson because her son refused to return.
Now her son was back—wasn’t that more important than anything else?
Mr. Quinn (Personal Assistant) felt bitter and said, “Madam, sir is...”“
“My son is back! He finally came home! It’s good, it’s so good.” Mrs. Shang sobbed as she walked out, tears streaming down her face.
She thought she’d never see him again while she was alive.
She never expected him to come back on his own.
When Sean Kerr returned to the Kerr Family, seeing everything familiar, his heart was filled with mixed emotions.
Back then, when he left the Kerr Family, he was still a young man.
Now, coming home, he was already fifty and had learned the ways of the world.
“Mom!” Sean Kerr spotted Mrs. Shang from afar and immediately quickened his pace, running inside.
“Sean Kerr, my son, you finally came back! You heartless boy! You just left, not giving your mother any way out!” Mrs. Shang threw away her cane, hugged Sean Kerr, and burst into tears. “Do you know, when you left, my heart was empty...”
Sean Kerr couldn’t help but feel guilty.
Back then, he truly did hold resentment.
But now, at his age, and his mother...
Maybe everything from the past has faded away.
“Mom, it’s my fault.” Sean Kerr said softly, “You can hit me or scold me.”
Mrs. Shang (Matriarch) finally stopped crying and said, “This time you’re back...”
Are you going to leave again?
Mrs. Shang didn’t dare to ask, afraid of hearing an answer she didn’t want.
But Sean Kerr immediately replied, “This time, I’m not leaving. My restless heart has finally settled. For the rest of my days, I’ll stay home with you.”
Mrs. Shang’s tears, which had just stopped, started flowing again. “Good, good, it’s good you’re staying.”
Mr. Quinn (Personal Assistant) stood to the side, his expression changing instantly.
If Sean Kerr was back, then his deal with the Cui Family...
“Where’s Sam Shang? Didn’t he go looking for you?” Mrs. Shang suddenly asked, “Where is he?”
Sean Kerr smiled, “What are you talking about, Mom? When did Sam Shang ever come looking for me?”
Mrs. Shang: “...”
Mr. Quinn (Personal Assistant): “...”
Sean Kerr continued, “I came back because Mrs. Si Chen’s daughter-in-law persuaded me. She said the elders are old and the young are still growing. If I don’t come home to keep watch, outsiders might covet our family business.”
After speaking, Sean Kerr glanced meaningfully at Mr. Quinn.
Mr. Quinn shivered.
Mrs. Shang nodded in agreement and said, “Yes, the Kerr Family can’t be given to outsiders. Son, now that you’re back, you should...”“
“Mom, is there anything to eat? I’m hungry.” Sean Kerr interrupted, successfully changing the subject.
“Yes, yes, yes! Mr. Quinn, go prepare!” Mrs. Shang quickly ordered, “Go tell the kitchen to make sir’s favorite dishes.”
Mr. Quinn (Personal Assistant) replied reluctantly and turned to leave.
Meanwhile, after Mi Xiaoying returned, she went to see Yuan Shisan first.
“Thirteen, be honest with me. You and Sam Shang...” Mi Xiaoying sat across from Yuan Shisan and said, “What’s your relationship? Sam Shang confessed to me—he said he likes you. If you like him too, no matter how difficult it is, I’ll support you. If you’re not willing, I’ll turn him down for you.”
A strange expression appeared on Yuan Shisan’s face. “Assistant Mi, I’m six and a half years older than him.”
“That’s right.” Mi Xiaoying nodded, “That really is an obstacle for you two. But where there’s a will, there’s a way. You’re my subordinate, and it’s my responsibility to look out for you. If you’re willing, I’ll help you.”
Yuan Shisan shook her head. “Not willing.”
Mi Xiaoying held her forehead.
Alright then.
Sam Shang really is in a one-sided love.
“Are you sure?” Mi Xiaoying asked.
Yuan Shisan said nothing.
“Alright, anyway, I’ve told you all about Sam Shang’s feelings. If you want to accept him, accept him. If not, just refuse.” Mi Xiaoying said earnestly, “Remember, you’re my subordinate. Don’t let your status or age make you look down on yourself. You deserve happiness. If you change your mind, come find me.”
After saying that, Mi Xiaoying stood up to leave.
“Assistant Mi, is he... okay now?” Yuan Shisan suddenly called out to Mi Xiaoying.
Mi Xiaoying turned back and smiled, “Why don’t you go see for yourself?”
After that, Mi Xiaoying told Yuan Shisan where Sam Shang was hiding.
Sam Shang had come back too, hiding at Yulan International.
Yuan Shisan held the address Mi Xiaoying gave her, standing there in a daze, unable to react for a moment.
Sam Shang likes her?
How is that even possible?
Isn’t that just ridiculous?
But then again, Sam Shang really does treat her differently from everyone else.
What’s really going on here?
After much hesitation, Yuan Shisan still went to Yulan International and found Sam Shang.
“Thirteen? How did you get here? Did Sister Xiaoying tell you?” Sam Shang was surprised to see Yuan Shisan, then looked around warily, pulled her into the courtyard, and whispered, “Did my family find out? I snuck back.”
Yuan Shisan stood in the courtyard, silently looking at Sam Shang, not knowing how to start.
Should she tell him not to waste his time on her?
Or tell him she doesn’t have feelings?
Sam Shang didn’t notice Yuan Shisan’s silence and nervousness at all. He just said, “My dad came back. He came back for me. As long as my father inherits the Kerr Family, my grandmother won’t be able to interfere in my marriage. When that happens, I’ll...”
Sam Shang looked up and met Yuan Shisan’s hesitant gaze.
“Young Master Shang.” Yuan Shisan finally spoke.
“Thirteen, you...”“
“I heard you like me?” Yuan Shisan asked very directly.
Sam Shang blushed.
Such a blunt question—how was he supposed to answer?
Sam Shang bit his lip and said, “Yes, I like you. I mean it.”
Yuan Shisan pointed at him, then at herself. “I’m more than six years older than you.”
“I know. I don’t care.”
“I come from a poor family.”
“I know. I don’t care.”
"I don’t have feelings."
"I know, but... I’ll make you fall for me! Thirteen, I know you think I’m childish, but I’ll grow up." Sam Shang gritted his teeth, "Trust me, give me time!"
Yuan Shisan crossed her arms and said, "Do you only like me to rebel against your family?"
"No!"
Yuan Shisan lowered her eyes and said, "I’m not planning to date anyone right now."
"It’s fine, I like you. As long as you don’t reject me." Sam Shang gathered his courage and reached for Yuan Shisan’s arm. "Thirteen, I mean it. None of these things are real problems—I’ll solve them all."
Yuan Shisan quietly replied, "I think they’re all problems."
Then Yuan Shisan frowned and said, "I don’t want to climb the social ladder. If I became your girlfriend, I couldn’t be Miss Yin’s bodyguard anymore. So, I refuse."
Sam Shang was stunned.
He never expected Yuan Shisan to reject him so bluntly.
"The Yin Family has been good to me, and I want to repay them." Yuan Shisan finished, nodded to Sam Shang, "That’s all."
After that, Yuan Shisan turned and left.
Sam Shang was completely stunned.
He’d been rejected!
He’d been dumped.
Mi Xiaoying told Yin Yuhan about everything between Yuan Shisan and Sam Shang. In the end, she said, "Sam really is something—quiet until he makes a splash. I never thought he’d really fall for Thirteen. Do you think Thirteen will say yes?"
Yin Yuhan handed Yuan Shisan a glass of juice and smiled, "For now, it looks like she won’t. Thirteen is determined to repay the Yin Family, and she won’t easily give up her principles. Unless..."
"Unless Sam matures enough to control the Kerr Family, unless they go through life-and-death together." Mi Xiaoying finished Yin Yuhan’s sentence. The two exchanged sly smiles, perfectly in sync.
"Uncle Shang coming home might be a turning point." Yin Yuhan said, "Sam still has a chance."
Mi Xiaoying grinned, "But this test... it could be big or small. Yuhan, I have an idea."
"What a coincidence, I have one too." Yin Yuhan sat beside Mi Xiaoying, hugged her, and together they said in unison, "Strike at the root!"
Mi Xiaoying clapped her hands. "You go first."
"Mrs. Shang is just too comfortable, so she thinks she can control Sam’s life. But if Sam did something she couldn’t control—like, what if Sam actually liked men instead of women?" Yin Yuhan grinned mischievously. "Do you think she’d settle for just any woman, regardless of age or status?"
Mi Xiaoying burst out laughing. "I was thinking the same thing. I was just wondering if I should arrange someone to test Thirteen. She’s always training at the base, only interacting with a few people. After coming back, she’s been running around with me on missions, so she hasn’t had time to figure out her feelings. Maybe we should try and see if she really doesn’t care about Sam. If she truly doesn’t, then we’ll cut our losses. But if she does, as her boss, I’ll definitely play matchmaker."
After that, the couple exchanged another smile.
That kind of tacit understanding felt amazing.
"Then let’s go at it from both sides." Yin Yuhan grinned. "Uncle Shang will fight for the Kerr Family, and we’ll test their feelings. And we’ll give Mrs. Shang a little shock while we’re at it!"