"What kind of protest?" Cecilia Gu asked curiously.
"I called his family and told them to keep their son in check and stop sending me things," Mu Ruona replied leisurely.
Cecilia Gu:
Why do I suddenly feel like I understand Jiro Hirayama a little?
"So you really don’t have any feelings for Shang Ke anymore?" Cecilia Gu pressed on. "Otherwise, you’re burning your bridges here!"
Mu Ruona scratched her head in frustration. "There was never a chance for us. Even if we both have those feelings deep down, it’s impossible. The Shang family is wealthy, my family is ordinary. That’s a barrier we’ll never cross. At lunch, I said I’d stand on equal footing with him someday, but that was just empty talk. It’s like telling you to earn as much money as Charles Yin in a few years—do you think that’s possible?"
Cecilia Gu was momentarily speechless.
"As long as I don’t have enough money or status, the Shang family will never accept me! That’s the harsh reality," Mu Ruona said meaningfully. "So, knowing how it ends, why keep running into the wall?"
"The Shang family has always looked down on others, and Shang Ke isn’t as powerful or influential as Charles Yin. Even if Shang Ke has taken charge of his family, if he can’t change their impression of me, there’s still no hope for us." Mu Ruona concluded, "See? Now the Shang family is giving me another slap in the face—they’re arranging Shang Ke’s engagement and even inviting me to watch. How could I possibly disappoint them?"
Cecilia Gu was speechless again.
That Shang family really is unreliable!
Should I help Mu Ruona find a decent guy?
Then Cecilia Gu seriously thought about it and mentally went through all the men she knew.
Forget it, you really can’t force these things!
Better let her handle it herself.
To save energy and strength, Cecilia Gu and Mu Ruona didn’t wander around. They went back to their little nest to recharge and prepare for the official start of the meeting the next day.
It’s called a cultural exchange, after all!
Naturally, it’s all about knowledge and adaptability.
It’s like a debate tournament.
Everyone shows off their latest and strongest research, then goes head-to-head in debate. Winning means out-arguing the other side.
Jiro Hirayama smiled even wider: "I told you, he doesn’t care about gender at all. He thinks making a person is too much hassle and takes too long, so he refused."
Refused…
Cici Grant wailed in her heart.
So, does this mean I really have to go talk to Miles Gu first?
Just then, there was another knock at the door, and the door was pushed open.
"Cici, tomorrow is Sean Kerr’s engagement to the director’s daughter. Come with me…" Rona Muir said as she walked in, ignoring Jiro Hirayama as if he were air. "We can’t lose face. I can’t back down."
Cici Grant perked up, sat up on the sofa, and looked at Rona Muir: "So what’s your plan for fighting back?"
Rona Muir looked Cici Grant up and down: "You’re thinking of finding me a date to annoy Mrs. Kerr?"
Rona Muir used to attend events with Sean Kerr, so she never ended up with a date of her own.
How tragic.
Rona Muir frowned: "But my social circle is so small. Everyone I know, they know too. Who can I bring?"
Yeah, just grabbing anyone won’t hold up in this crowd!
While Rona Muir was racking her brain for a date, Cici Grant’s gaze quietly landed on Jiro Hirayama, who looked completely innocent.
Rona Muir followed her gaze and immediately objected: "No way, he’s way too skinny!"
Jiro Hirayama had been acting aloof, but when he heard Rona Muir reject him, he jumped up: "I just give blood a little more often, but I’m not any worse than you!"
Rona Muir puffed out her chest: "Then prove it!"
Jiro Hirayama puffed out his chest too: "No way, I’m still a virgin!"
Pfft… Cici Grant couldn’t help but burst out laughing!
For a Japanese guy, being a virgin isn’t exactly something to brag about, right?
Cici Grant said quietly, "Jiro Hirayama may be unreliable, but he’s still Mr. Hirayama’s second son. Rona, his background won’t embarrass you."
Jiro Hirayama protested: "How am I unreliable? I just love doing research!"
Rona Muir walked right up to Jiro Hirayama and stared at him.
Jiro Hirayama was 1.8 meters tall, but with Rona Muir in high heels at 178 cm, they were almost eye to eye.
And with Rona’s queenly aura, it really looked like a big sister bullying her little brother.
She might not be much to look at, but at least he’ll do." Rona Muir said after sizing up Jiro Hirayama.
Cici Grant nodded in agreement.
Jiro Hirayama was deeply wounded, pointing at his face: "I’m just average looking? I may not be as striking as Charles Yin, but in Japan, I’m considered handsome!"
Tch." Rona Muir and Cici Grant both dismissed him at the same time.
Fine, just wait—I’ll go change! Jiro Hirayama completely forgot about the Field Family and ran off to get changed.
Seeing Jiro Hirayama acting more and more normal, Cici Grant was really pleased!
Finally living up to Mr. Hirayama’s expectations!
These past few days, Mr. Hirayama would call Cici Grant on video whenever he had a spare moment, just to express his gratitude.
If he’d known his second son could be straightened out, he would have sent him to Cici Grant ages ago!
Sure enough, the indignant Jiro Hirayama changed his clothes and reappeared before Rona Muir and Cici Grant.
When Cici Grant looked up, Jiro Hirayama was dressed in a silver-gray tailored suit, his slightly wavy short hair framing eyes that shone brightly.
Wow, you have to admit, once Jiro Hirayama shed the hoodie, he actually looked pretty presentable!
Rona Muir was a bit taken aback too.
Jiro Hirayama was skinny, but his proportions were actually pretty good.
His slim waist had a certain sickly beauty to it.
Jiro Hirayama lifted his head proudly, looking at Cici Grant and Rona Muir: "Well? Didn’t I tell you?"
Cici Grant deliberately teased him: "So what if you look good? Can you be a proper date? This is an important official’s daughter’s birthday, a very formal occasion. Are you sure you can handle it?"
Jiro Hirayama had always been rebellious in Japan, never giving anyone face and always doing his own thing.
Jiro Hirayama scoffed at Cici Grant: "Reverse psychology won’t work on me. My IQ is higher than yours."
Oops, got caught.
"There are lots of things I just don’t like doing, but that doesn’t mean I can’t!" Jiro Hirayama said proudly. "As a son of the Hirayama family, how could I not know how to do anything?"
Cici Grant and Rona Muir exchanged a look—maybe he’s the one?
Anyway, can’t let Mrs. Kerr get away with slapping us in the face so easily!
Jiro Hirayama might be Japanese, and his father might be with the Yamaguchi-gumi, but he’s not involved himself!
Plus, in the field of biochemistry, he’s truly world-class.
Any one of his identities would be impressive enough!