Everyone pitched in—some made soup, some stir-fried dishes, some chopped vegetables, and some prepared salads.
In just a short while, they had put together a table full of delicious food.
They pushed two tables together, brought over chairs, and everyone sat down to eat.
Food tastes better with more people around.
Cecilia Gu’s makeshift family had the most people, so naturally, their table was the liveliest.
Other families had at most five people, but Cecilia’s group had seven adults—no kids at all.
That’s why this family drew extra attention.
Jane Gu ladled a bowl of soup for Cecilia and reminded her, “Drink the soup first before eating, it’s better for your stomach.”
Rona Muir pouted and acted cute, saying, “Auntie, you really spoil Cici. I’m so jealous.”
Jane Gu ladled a bowl for Rona too. “You too—drink the soup first, and don’t eat too much.”
Pfft... Everyone burst out laughing.
Rona kept up her act, whining, “Auntie, are you saying I’m fat? I’m only chubby in one spot, okay!”
Sophie Mo laughed so hard she could barely breathe. “Whenever Rona acts cute, I get this uneasy feeling.”
Cecilia nodded. “Same here.”
Rona shot them both a look. “Hmph, you’re just jealous.”
Jane Gu ladled a bowl of soup for Sophie Mo. “Girls who are too skinny will have a hard time having babies later. Drink up and get some nourishment.”
Sophie’s face flushed bright red. “Thank you, Auntie.”
Jane Gu also ladled a bowl for Leon Mai. When she tried to serve the two assistants, they insisted on doing it themselves.
Rona stared at Jane Gu and asked, “Auntie, you want Cici to drink soup for her stomach, me for weight loss, and Sophie for nourishment. So why does Leon have to drink soup?”
Seeing Rona’s mischievous look, Jane Gu’s ears turned red. She couldn’t help sneaking a glance at Leon Mai, stammering, “You little rascal, just drink it. Why ask so many questions?”
"Pfft, pfft, pfft..." Everyone at the table burst out laughing.
The atmosphere couldn’t have been better.
Cecilia happily finished the soup Jane Gu gave her. Having a mom who cares feels wonderful.
As soon as she put down her bowl, Cecilia glanced up and accidentally saw Sean Kerr standing at the dining room door, staring longingly at Rona Muir.
Cecilia nudged Rona Muir with her elbow, signaling her to look toward the door.
Rona looked up, then just shook her head and said, “There’s nothing left to say between us. The moment he chose Sylvia Ran, he should’ve known I was never going to stay by his side.”
“Rona, you don’t have to go this far for me,” Cecilia said uneasily. “I know you like him.”
“It’s not about liking or not liking,” Rona said softly. “It’s about respect. The moment he dragged me off for Sylvia Ran and locked me in the storage room, it was clear—we’re not even living in the same world anymore. I’m not just doing this for you, I’m doing it for myself. I’m not a kid, I know what I want. Sean Kerr’s family sheltered him too much. He always thinks he’s right and never listens to anyone else. That’s why we’re not a good fit.”
Sophie Mo gave Sean Kerr a cool glance and said to Rona, “You really see things clearly.”
“What else could I do?” Rona said with a self-deprecating laugh. “How dumb would I have to be to marry a guy who can’t keep things straight with another woman?”
Cecilia was stunned for a moment.
Yeah, how dumb would I have to be to get together with Charles Yin?
I know Charles Yin and Sylvia Ran have a complicated history. I know Charles would never hurt his mother for me, and I know no matter how hard I try, it’s all pointless.
If I know all this, why am I still hoping for more?
Forget it. I don’t want to think about it anymore.
The more I think, the more my head hurts.
But watching Sean Kerr standing alone at the door, looking so pitiful, Cecilia couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for him.
Even though Sean Kerr was always harsh to her—almost to the point of attacking her with words.
But seeing him gaze at Rona Muir so longingly, she felt he wasn’t all bad.
It’s complicated.
Rona knew Sean Kerr was lingering at the door, making it hard for everyone to enjoy their meal. So she quickly shoveled a few bites of food and said, “I’m full. I’m heading out!”
Rona patted the two assistants on the shoulder. “Keep an eye on Cici.”
The assistants nodded repeatedly.
Rona turned and left.
Sure enough, as soon as Rona left, Sean Kerr quickly followed her.
“Sean Kerr’s in for it now,” Sophie Mo said with a grin. “Serves him right! He never knows what’s what—he deserves a little suffering!”
Cecilia shook her head. “I don’t feel bad for Sean Kerr, but I do feel bad for Rona! Hurting Sean Kerr will probably hurt her too.”
Sophie nodded. “True enough.”
At this moment, Leon Mai, who rarely spoke, suddenly said, “Love is about two people wanting the same thing. If there are too many impurities mixed in, it’s hard to make it work. Unless both people are determined to clear those impurities together, they’ll eventually affect the relationship—and even trust.”
Cecilia nodded. Yeah, how do you keep going when love gets so messy?
As soon as Rona stepped into the hallway, Sean Kerr blocked her just like she expected.
Rona immediately put some distance between them.
Sean Kerr had been holding back for a long time, but he couldn’t take it anymore. He stepped forward, trapping Rona in his arms, and tried to force a kiss.
Without hesitating, Rona raised her hand and slapped Sean Kerr hard across the face.
Smack—a loud slap echoed.
“Rona Muir, I will have you!” Sean Kerr glared at her fiercely.
“Oh yeah? How do you plan to tell your mentor you want his daughter?” Rona looked at him coldly, her eyes full of sarcasm and icy rejection.
“Rona, you know how I feel about you…” Sean Kerr looked at her in pain. “Why do you have to hurt me like this? I don’t believe you don’t care about me.”
“Sean Kerr, I’ve made myself clear. It’s either me or Sylvia Ran—you can only choose one.” Rona stayed cold. “You can’t have both. If she’s around, I’m gone. If I’m here, she’s not. Speaking of Sylvia Ran, why isn’t she clinging to you today? Where’d you hide her?”
“Rona, what are you talking about? I didn’t hide anyone! I’m looking for her too. I keep calling her but she never picks up.” Sean Kerr said excitedly, “Didn’t I make it clear? She’s just a friend, someone I grew up with—she’s like a sister to me! The one I love has always been you!”
“Enough. I’ve seen enough of this brother-sister act.” Rona sneered. “All those old men I deal with call me ‘little sister’ too. But how many of them have bad intentions? You know better than anyone! Sean Kerr, stop fooling yourself. The person you really care about is Sylvia Ran, isn’t it? Why else would you go all out to protect her? Just like you protect Sylvia Ran, I’ll do whatever it takes to protect Cecilia.”
“We’re just too different. You want to protect Sylvia Ran? Fine. You want to go against me? Fine! But please don’t show up in front of me and say all this nonsense. I don’t want to hear it, and I won’t.” Rona’s eyes grew colder. “You’re my dad’s student, you’ve looked out for me for years, and Odyssey Corporation paid me well, so I’ll give you one more piece of advice: Sean Kerr, I hate men who can’t make up their minds—and you’re exactly that kind of man!”
Rona’s words stabbed into Sean Kerr’s heart like a knife.
“Since you insist on making me spell it out, I’ll just say it all now. I absolutely hate men who can’t let go of their exes. Charles Yin is one, and so are you. That’s why I’ll keep a close eye on every man around Cici.” Rona said seriously, “I hope my friends and I can stay far away from jerks.”
“Why are you always siding with Cecilia? Did she say something to you? Has she been badmouthing me, is that why…” Sean Kerr tried to defend himself, his eyes full of resentment.
“You’re wrong!” Rona cut him off.
“Cici has never said a single bad word about you. No, Cici would never badmouth anyone. She’s not that petty. She may not be from a rich family, but she was raised right. The one who’s always gossiping is probably Sylvia Ran, not Cici.” Rona continued, “Why do I help Cici? Good question. When I was attacked on the street, where were you? It was Cici who saved me! She dragged her pregnant body to rescue me! When I was lost and depressed, where were you? It was Cici who comforted me! To cheer me up, she came on this cruise with me, even though she’s pregnant.”
“When I was in pain, where were you? It was still Cici who stayed with me! Just to make me happy, she pretended she didn’t have a care in the world and joined me in some boring contest! Sean Kerr, you still want to know why? I could give you ten thousand reasons, all different! Bottom line, Sean Kerr, you’re too selfish! You only love yourself! But Cici isn’t like that—she’ll do anything for the people she cares about. Her mom, her friends, her child—she’ll fight for them with everything she’s got. What about you? Can you do that? No, you’d only go all out for Sylvia Ran. That’s the difference!”
Rona finished her speech in one breath, not even pausing for air.
Sure enough, Sean Kerr was left speechless by everything Rona said.
“Sean Kerr, stop fooling yourself. Since you’ve chosen to protect Sylvia Ran, you’ve given up on me. There’s no point in you putting on this act in front of me anymore.” Rona said, “There’s no future for us.”