How did this end up involving Joe Qi again?
Charles Yin instantly understood: "Did Joe Qi give you this idea?"
Julian King nodded. "Yeah, after you guys left that day, the two of us had a drink together. I complained to him about my situation with Susie, and he said it's actually easy to clear up. Just invite your ex-girlfriend to meet your current one, make a statement, and it's all settled! I thought it made sense, so I invited them both! If I'm inviting one, might as well invite them all and get it over with in one go!"
Cecilia Gu turned to look at Charles Yin, her eyes saying: Didn't you say Julian King was a genius? Why is he being so dumb?
Charles Yin looked innocent: In family battles, he's definitely clever and talented, and he's got a knack for business too! How was I supposed to know a playboy could be this dumb sometimes?
Cecilia Gu glared at Julian King: "Under what circumstances did you make those calls? Were you drinking?"
Julian King scratched his head awkwardly and said, "I really did have a bit too much to drink that day!"
Cecilia Gu was instantly speechless.
"So what are you planning to do?" Cecilia Gu raised her chin toward the crowd of beautiful women in the room. "Are you going to parade them in front of Susie to show off?"
"Why would you think that? It's not to show off! It's to make Susie see that I have nothing to do with any of them anymore!" Julian King answered confidently.
Charles Yin sighed and patted Julian King's shoulder. "Julian, I'm not trying to criticize you, but if you put even a fraction of your talent for family power struggles and business into your love life, you wouldn't be failing so badly! Now I finally understand why Miss Mo has disliked you all these years!"
Julian King was still dazed. "Huh?"
Cecilia Gu shook her head and said, "Forget it. Let Charles give you a proper lesson. I'm going to find Sophie and have a chat! I won't be coming home tonight!"
With those words, Cecilia turned and left without hesitation.
Watching Cecilia's retreating figure, Julian finally snapped out of it. "Did I mess up again?"
All Charles could do was shake his head—he really didn't know what else to say...
Cecilia found Sophie, who was in the middle of a yoga session.
Cecilia sat down beside her and waited until Sophie finished her routine before handing her a towel. "I'm sleeping over with you tonight."
A smile finally appeared on Sophie's face. She grabbed Cecilia's finger. "You always know how to take care of me."
The two women exchanged a smile and left together.
After Sophie showered and changed, it was time for dinner.
Cecilia ordered a ton of takeout, then drove Sophie to a park in K City. They spread out a mat, put the food down, cracked open two cans of beer, and started enjoying the view.
By now, people in workout clothes were jogging in the park, groups of seniors practicing tai chi, and energetic ladies dancing in the square, all full of life.
The park was noisy, but for once, Sophie felt at peace.
The two of them sat side by side, sipping cheap beer. Even without saying a word, it felt peaceful.
"Ordinary life is actually pretty appealing," Sophie sighed. "Cecilia, did you used to live like this?"
Cecilia nodded. "Yeah. Before I met you guys, before I met Charles, this was my daily life. Every morning I had to clock in at the office, buy breakfast, coffee, milk tea, snacks for everyone, and do all the jobs nobody wanted—data entry, copywriting, accounting, translation, you name it. So I'd get off work around this time, walk alone through a busy park, go back to a quiet rental, eat something simple, and crash."
Sophie listened quietly.
"Day after day, year after year. That's how I spent more than two years. Honestly, it wasn't so bad. I just never expected so much would happen later." Cecilia laughed softly. "Looking back, it feels like a dream. But I never thought those days were bitter. On the contrary, I earned a high salary and had a job people envied. I could make money so my mom wouldn't get scolded, so she could stand tall in front of my grandma. That was happiness for me."
"But somehow, I ended up where I am now. I still feel like the same person I was three years ago, but when I look at myself, I know I've changed." Cecilia sighed. "On the surface, we look like our old selves, but time has quietly changed us. Not just our faces, but our hearts."
"Now, I don't have to take blame or beatings to protect someone, or do a job just to hold my head high while coworkers boss me around, or save up money to get my mom out of that awful place. I've done all that now. But I still feel like I'm the same old Cecilia. Sophie, do you think I've changed?" Cecilia asked softly.
Sophie gently shook her head.
"Yeah, close friends never think we've changed! We're still the same people! But look at the people in this park—they wouldn't agree. They'd think the girl who used to rush home on the subway every night is now a Maybach-driving society lady. See? Different positions, different perspectives." Cecilia smiled.
"Cecilia, what are you trying to tell me?" Sophie sighed. "We've been friends for so many years, you don't have to beat around the bush with me."
This chapter isn't finished yet~.~ Click next page to keep reading!
"No, I wouldn't do that. I just wanted you to see how I've changed." Cecilia smiled. "Because I believe you have to stay true to yourself to find happiness. Opinions don't matter—what matters is your heart. Sophie, what's your true heart's desire?"
Sophie's caught off guard by the question. She takes a sip of beer, then says slowly, "I guess my wish has always been for my family to be safe and happy. I never had big ambitions, because I knew I'd always have what I needed. My childhood was much happier than yours—my status meant people always tried to please me. I might not understand your struggles, but I get what you're saying. You want me to look at things from a different angle."
Cecilia grinned wide, just as she expected.
"Honestly, when Julian brought all those women in front of me today, I was really mad." Sophie laughed at herself. "But then I thought, why should I be angry? Didn't I say I didn't care about him? If I don't care, he can bring whoever he wants!"
Cecilia nodded but didn't say anything.
"Cecilia, are you wondering if I really like Julian?" Sophie was always sharp—she understood Cecilia's meaning even if she hadn't said it.
Cecilia didn't deny it.
"Remember what I told you? The man I like has to be upright and dependable." Sophie gave a bitter laugh. "All the men in my family are serious—no scandals, ever. My grandpa, my dad, my brother, three generations, all famous, but never any gossip. But look at Julian—so many ex-girlfriends."
Sophie looked straight at Cecilia. "Cecilia, do you think I should be with him? Is he worthy?"
Cecilia didn't answer.
Sophie continued, "I know what Grandpa asked you all to do, and I appreciate you being on my side. I admit, Julian made a better impression this time. But it's just a good impression—it's not love."
Cecilia nodded. "I understand."
"But it's not like I'm totally against it." Sophie put her arm around Cecilia's shoulder and rested her head on her. "Cecilia, thank you for being here for me."
Cecilia smiled. "Mm-hmm."
"Thank you... for being healthy and alive." Sophie's eyes turned red.
"...Mm-hmm." Cecilia was stunned for a moment, then kept smiling.
While Cecilia and Sophie were having their heart-to-heart, Charles Yin was lecturing Julian King. "If you're going to take advice, at least pick something reliable! Do you know what kind of guy Joe Qi is? A real playboy! You're just pretending to be one, but Joe's the genuine article! He's had five times as many girlfriends as you. Of course, that's because he's never seriously wanted a long-term relationship, so he just plays around. That's probably how he'll be for life."
"And you? Are you planning to be like him?" Charles sounded exasperated. "If you're looking for a role model, at least look at me!"
Julian hesitated, but didn't contradict Charles.
He knew Charles had gone all out to win his wife back!
Well, if going all out could win his wife back, maybe that was worth it!
"To help you turn things around, I'll come up with a plan," Charles sighed. "First, get rid of all your ex-girlfriends. Then prepare a case of good wine. Don't tell me you don't have any—otherwise, I'm not helping!"
Julian gritted his teeth. "Deal!"
It took a lot of effort to invite all those ex-girlfriends, but sending them off was pretty easy.
Just give each of them a bit of money!
After all, Julian's loaded!
Charles didn't want to stay on the floor where those women had been, so he went straight to the top floor with Julian. They sat by the window, drinking and looking out at the city lights. Charles said slowly, "If you want to build a relationship, you have to go through things together. Whether it's happiness, pain, or fear, only when your lives really intertwine will feelings explode!"