"Don't worry too much. My dad has been searching for renowned doctors all these years to help mom recover. After so much care, her condition isn't as bad as you think," Cherry Miller comforted Cecilia, "You really care, thank you."
Cherry smiled and said nothing more.
Getting through this time was pure luck.
She reminded herself not to slip up before they left.
The mess with her dad was hers to handle.
Looks like she'll need to spend more money to track her dad's movements.
This time, she had to wait for the perfect chance and crush her dad for good!
That evening, Cherry carried a mug of warm milk and knocked on Cecilia Gu's door. "Madam, it's time for your milk."
"Come in, Cherry." Cecilia's voice came from inside the room.
Cherry entered and saw Cecilia had just finished her bath, with someone helping to dry her hair.
Cherry set the milk aside, took the hair dryer, and started drying Cecilia's hair.
"Even something as simple as bringing milk, you insist on doing it yourself," Cecilia pretended to scold. "You've been busy all day—get some rest early!"
"I'm not tired." Cherry grinned. "Besides, I love chatting with you, Madam. Everything at the manor is running smoothly now, everyone knows their job, and managing things isn't so exhausting. I even learned a lot from my mom—she taught me so much."
Once Cecilia's hair was dry, Cherry put away the hair dryer and handed her the milk.
Cecilia took a couple sips, holding the cup. "It's good you came by. I have something to tell you."
"Yes, Madam. I'm listening." Cherry replied softly.
"You heard at lunch: Charles is planning a banquet here, inviting some of the province's elite. The main reason is to let the kids meet each other ahead of time." Cecilia glanced at Cherry, seeing no reaction, and continued, "About you and Ethan—I really do regret it. When you were kids, you got along so well, and there were feelings between you. How did you just drift apart over time?"
"Madam, it was my fault," Cherry said, eyes lowered.
"You've always been a good kid. It's never just one person's fault in these things. I'm sure Ethan has his own shortcomings too," Cecilia said.
Cherry's eyes grew hot with emotion.
How could Madam be so kind?
It was clearly her own fault, yet she said it was Ethan's.
With such a wonderful Madam, how did she deserve to follow her for a lifetime?
"Ethan is twenty-five now, just the right age for marriage. Cherry, aren't you worried about other women showing up around him?" Cecilia asked.
Cherry didn't know how to answer.
Was she afraid?
If another woman appeared by Ethan's side, she'd probably feel heartbroken.
But there was no turning back for her now.
Even if her heart ached, all she could do was wish him well.
"Madam, I'll stick to my place," Cherry said quietly.
Cecilia sighed. "Ziyue and the others are still young, just in their early twenties, so there's no rush for them. But in this circle, everything is planned ahead. A few years of dating and then marriage is pretty normal. Recently, a lot of society ladies have been asking me about Ethan and the others' marriages. So, this banquet is a chance for everyone to meet and get to know each other—a bit of preparation for the future. Cherry, you need to be ready, and don't lose your composure."
"Yes, Madam," Cherry replied immediately. "I'll strengthen security and make sure the place is spotless. No one attending will be in any danger."
"I trust you," Cecilia said, patting Cherry's hand. "Do you remember Sherry Yuan?"
"I do," Cherry nodded. "She's always been at Mr. Hans's base, hasn't she?"
"Yes," Cecilia replied. "From now on, she'll be by Yina's side as her personal protector."
Cherry immediately understood and said, "I'll make sure everything is arranged for her."
Sherry Yuan was another child Cecilia had rescued.
She was a little older than Miles Gu.
A few years ago, she was trained to be Yina's bodyguard.
Now that the missions outside are done, she's probably coming back to resume her role as bodyguard.
Cherry understood how Sherry Yuan felt—they were really the same, after all.
"Alright, I don't need anyone to look after me now. Go get some rest," Cecilia said with a smile. "Don't carry too much in your heart, okay?"
"Okay, I understand," Cherry nodded. "I'll head back now. You get some rest too."
"Alright." Cecilia nodded, smiling.
As the housekeeper, Cherry lived in the same villa as the owners.
This was a privilege reserved for the head housekeeper.
Other servants and workers could only stay in the annex next door.
Cherry's room was on the third floor. As she climbed the stairs, she saw Ethan leaning against the railing, staring at her.
Cherry's heart skipped a beat.
What was Ethan doing, waiting for her so late at night?
She really didn't want to disturb Madam.
Just as Cherry was racking her brain for what to say, Ethan turned and walked away.
Cherry had almost blurted out a greeting but swallowed the words.
What was that about?
He wasn't sleeping, just standing at the stairs to look at her?
But since Ethan said nothing, Cherry relaxed and hurried back to her room.
After a shower, she lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
Thinking about the banquet Madam mentioned, and the things left unsaid, Cherry caught the meaning between the lines.
Although the banquet was supposedly for finding a match for Shang Xiaojin in advance, wasn't it really about picking a suitable wife for Ethan too?
Just thinking about it made Cherry's chest tight, like she couldn't breathe.
But she had no right to be jealous anymore.
No matter how stifled she felt, what could she do?
Cherry gave a self-deprecating smile.
She was just too selfish and dramatic.
She was the one who suggested breaking up, the one who gave up on their love. Now, she felt miserable just because Ethan was about to meet someone else.
So selfish.
She shouldn't be like this.
Cherry kept scolding herself until the pressure in her chest eased up a bit.
Lost in her tangled thoughts, Cherry eventually drifted off to sleep.
Next door, in Ethan's room.
Miles Gu sat on the sofa and asked, "This banquet—Mom and Dad are probably trying to set you up. Are you really ready for that?"
Ethan took a sip of water and said quietly, "It's not something I can just decide and be done with."
"You still can't give up on Cherry?" Miles asked.
"Would you give up on Yina if I told you to?" Ethan retorted.
"Of course not!" Miles shot back.
Ethan shrugged.
"So, what are you going to do?" Miles frowned. "Don't do anything stupid."
"Relax, I'm not that reckless," Ethan said with a smile. "Cherry obviously has feelings for me. She's just pretending she doesn't. I'm going to make her admit it. This banquet is the perfect chance. It's time to push her a little."
"Don't mess it up," Miles warned. "Otherwise, if Mom gets mad, I can't help you!"
"Ha! Got it," Ethan laughed. "I've got it under control."
Miles finally stood up and said, "Since you know what you're doing, I won't say any more. I'm heading back."
Ethan nodded, watching Miles leave.
The next morning, as dawn broke.
Cherry got up early, dressed in her housekeeper's uniform, and directed the servants and workers to prepare a lavish breakfast.
She matched different nutritious meals to everyone's tastes.
Once that was done, Cherry started preparing for the upcoming banquet.
This banquet was the family's grand debut on the marriage market—there was no room for mistakes.
Cherry came up with several plans and chose one, keeping the others as backups.
With that, Cherry became even busier.
Besides her usual duties, she was so busy her feet barely touched the ground.
With all this going on, both Yina and Ethan had far fewer chances to see Cherry.
The invitations went out, and almost all had replied.
There would be nearly fifty or sixty socialites and heirs attending the banquet.
Cherry immediately arranged accommodations and parking based on the guest list, determined to satisfy every guest.
She had her assistants confirm the number of people and dietary restrictions with each VIP, to make food prep easier.
Order after order was issued in perfect order.
Everything was organized down to the last detail.
Cecilia saw all this and felt both proud of Cherry's capability and frustrated by her selflessness.
Such a good girl—why doesn't she know how to be jealous?
Sigh.
Time flew by, and soon the day of the banquet arrived.
From morning onward, luxury cars began arriving one after another.
Under the security guards' direction, they parked in the estate's lot.
Today's guests were all socialites and heirs between eighteen and twenty-five years old.
Each car was more impressive and eye-catching than the last.
Every guest had orders from home: make sure Ethan and Cecilia like you! Win over the Yin family's heirs!
Everyone knew exactly what this banquet was for—to help Ethan, the Yin heir, find a suitable wife.
So every young lady was dressed to impress, determined to show off her most beautiful side.
Never mind the Yin family's wealth and status—even Ethan's looks made every girl at the banquet swoon!
He was the perfect blend of Yin Sicheng and Cecilia Gu's genes—a real dream guy!
One smile from him could make anyone lose their mind!
To marry him would be a dream come true!
The young men at the banquet were all determined to get on Ethan and Miles Gu's good side.
And if they could win over Yun Shuang, even better!
Yun Shuang was both the eldest daughter of the Jiang family and the Yun family's astrologer!
That identity, that status, that aura!
Talk about impressive!