Mrs. Yun and Mr. Yun, who had been keeping stern faces, could no longer hold it in.
Each of them held a child, happily responding, "Hey hey, careful, careful, don't bump yourself!"
Ethan Yin snuggled up to Mrs. Yun and acted cute: "Grandma, you don't miss me at all! I'm already three years old, and you still haven't come to see me!"
After saying that, Ethan Yin planted a kiss on Mrs. Yun's cheek. "But Ethan always misses Grandma!"
Compared to Ethan Yin's cuteness, Miles Gu was like a little scholar, gazing at Mr. Yun with admiration. "Grandpa, today our kindergarten teacher taught us to recite the Three Character Classic. Can I recite it for you?"
"Sure, sure!" Mr. Yun's face lit up with joy. He loved kids who enjoyed learning!
The more Mr. Yun looked at Miles Gu, the more he liked him!
Soon, the room was filled with the children's voices. Mr. Yun and Mrs. Yun were so amused, they'd forgotten all about giving their son-in-law a hard time or asking their daughter for advice.
Cecilia Gu tugged on Charles Yin's arm. "You did this on purpose, didn't you?"
Charles Yin raised his eyebrows, took Cecilia's hand, and kissed it twice, proudly showing off: "So? Do you like it?"
Cecilia couldn't help but break into laughter, her eyes lifting to meet Charles's gaze. The look in his eyes grew intense and predatory, filled with a teasing, wolfish hunger—sparks flew between them, charged with chemistry and unspoken desire.
If it weren't for his in-laws and the two boys being right there, Charles would have pulled Cecilia into his arms and kissed her senseless—he could barely contain his passion.
All six gathered around the dining table, laughter and chatter filling the air. They shared a warm, bustling meal, the kind only a close family could enjoy.
After dinner, Mrs. Yun gently took Cecilia by the hand and led her to the study, wanting to have an honest, heartfelt conversation—just mother and daughter.
Mr. Yun invited Charles to play chess with him, using the game as an excuse to quietly test his son-in-law's character and intentions.
Meanwhile, the two children played together in the guest room, their laughter and innocent voices echoing through the house, bringing a sense of peace to the evening.
Cecilia followed Mrs. Yun into the room, her voice trembling with vulnerability as she spoke: "Mom... I'm sorry. I..."
"Enough, don't say another word," Mrs. Yun said, pulling Cecilia down to sit beside her. She cut straight to the heart of the matter. "Tell me honestly, is there really no chance for you and the Mo family's young master?"
Cecilia bit her lip, her eyes shimmering with resignation, and nodded silently.
Love just isn't there. No matter what anyone says, you can't force it.
Even if he's perfect, even if he's wonderful, I just don't love him.
She didn't deny Mo Zixin's strengths or his charm—he was an exceptional man.
But from the very beginning, things between them were never right. Their relationship was built on a mistaken foundation.
She couldn't bring herself to lie to her own heart, no matter how hard she tried.
Mrs. Yun let out a sigh, her voice tinged with gratitude and worry. "What are we supposed to do? Mrs. Mo just invited me to the capital, but I couldn't bring myself to go. Over the years, the Mo Family has helped us so much, in big and small ways."
Cecilia bit her lip, concern flickering in her eyes. "Mom, is there any way we can make it up to the Mo Family?"
"Make it up to them? With what? The Mo Family has everything except a daughter-in-law. Mo Zixin is stubborn—he's waited and waited, first for Yun Nuo, now for you. I've tried to introduce him to other girls, but he only wants you." Mrs. Yun sighed, heavy with emotion. "The Mo Family has done so much for us. This engagement was set by our elders—it's not something we can just break. They shed blood to protect us... I can't bear to break that promise."
"I know," Cecilia whispered, her gaze falling, frustration and helplessness flooding her heart.
"Unless the Mo Family themselves say they don't want you, our Yun Family can't be the one to break off the engagement. You understand?" Mrs. Yun said, her tone serious. "We have to have a conscience! We've let the Mo Family down so many times, and they've never complained. They've always treated you well. So, Cecilia, you can't remarry Charles yet, do you understand?"
Cecilia nodded solemnly, her heart heavy as she accepted the reality.
She'd known all along that this would be the outcome.
The road ahead was long and uncertain, with fate stretching out endlessly before her.
She couldn't see where her own future lay, lost and uncertain.
But no matter what, she couldn't bear to let go of Charles—or the children. Her heart was tied to them.
Her worries were tangled and heavy, threads of anxiety weaving tightly around her heart.
Her engagement and Miles's birth—these were the two biggest problems looming over her, demanding a solution.
Yet, faced with both, she felt powerless—helpless to change anything.
If the Mo Family insisted she fulfill the engagement, she wouldn't have any argument left. She'd have to accept it, no matter how she felt.
If the Phil Family demanded Miles back, she still couldn't stop them—her hands were tied, her heart aching with helplessness.
Even if Charles said he'd spent three years for a promise from Mo Zixin, that was just Mo Zixin's word—not the Mo Family's. The difference weighed heavily on her.
Even if Charles did everything to keep the Phil Family from succeeding, the pressure never let up—the struggle never ended.
Miles really was Earl Phil's son. Was she being selfish, keeping him away from his father? Could she really live with that guilt?
But to give up any of them—Charles, Miles, Ethan—she just couldn't. Her heart refused to choose.
"Your father and I came to N City to help you. Even though we lean toward Mo Zixin, after today, it seems Charles treats you well too, and that eases our worries a bit. When we arrived, your adoptive mother asked me to pass on a message: 'Life is long and short—don't do things you'll regret.'" Mrs. Yun gently brushed Cecilia's stray hair away. "Just like Aunt Jane said, you're our daughter, our only daughter. No matter the hardships, we want you to be happy and carefree. If you need us, we'll always be here for you."
"Your father's academic work is world-renowned. I may not be as accomplished, but when it comes to noble etiquette, I'm a qualified teacher. Now you're the chairwoman of the school board—this is your career, and a crucial step in reviving the Yun Family. Your father and I will support you wholeheartedly." Mrs. Yun smiled, patting Cecilia's hand. "Aunt Jane said she wishes she could help more—if she could, she'd be here too."
"Mom..." Cecilia's eyes brimmed with tears. She blinked hard, fighting to keep them from falling.
"I've always felt I let you down," Mrs. Yun said, dabbing her eyes. "You were sent away at birth, and I thought you were gone. I never gave you enough motherly love. The fact you don't blame me means more than I can say. The burden of the Yun Family fell on you, and that's my fault."
"Mom..." Cecilia couldn't hold back anymore. Tears streamed down her cheeks. "Please don't say that. I never blamed you."
"Your birthday is in less than two months. Think carefully about what you'll say and do." Mrs. Yun helped wipe away Cecilia's tears. "We Yun Family members never forget kindness. If you want the Mo Family to release you from this engagement, then show them the gratitude they deserve."
"Mom, what should I do?" Cecilia asked desperately. "I don't have a clue!"
"After this cultural exchange event, take a trip back to Y Province," Mrs. Yun advised. "No matter what happens with the Mo Family, you should visit them. It's the right thing to do."
Cecilia nodded gravely, a spark of determination flickering in her eyes.
Meanwhile, in the other room...
Mr. Yun placed his chess piece on the board, and Charles immediately responded with his own move. The air was thick with quiet tension and mutual respect.
Mr. Yun raised an eyebrow, teasing, "You're quite bold, Charles!"
Charles replied humbly, "Please, just call me Charles. My chess skills aren't as good as yours, but when it comes to courage, I have plenty. I understand your concerns, and I know my promises might sound empty right now. Actions matter more than words. I'll do everything I can to help Cecilia and support the Yun Family's revival. I apologize for what I did in the past—it was wrong. Honestly, I wasn't trying to hurt your family, I was just... being stubborn with Cecilia. I've realized my mistake and I want to make things right. I'll cover all the expenses for the Yun Family's revival."
Mr. Yun snorted, unimpressed and not so easily won over.
Charles quickly added, "As for the Yun-Mo Family connection, I'll find a way to resolve it. There's no such thing as love or hate without reason, and the same goes for ties and separation. The Mo Family paid a heavy price for the Yun Family, so it's not our place to break off the engagement. I promise, I won't rush into proposing to Cecilia or put her in a difficult spot until this is truly resolved."
"Good, you understand," Mr. Yun said, his expression softening ever so slightly.
Charles continued, "Cecilia has always been recognized as the Yin Family's daughter-in-law. No matter the time or place, she's one of us. When my grandmother turned eighty, Cecilia went to the ancestral hall to pay her respects. That's our family's stance—it won't change. I have the confidence and patience to untangle this knot. I won't harm the relationship between the Yun and Mo families, nor make things difficult for you or Cecilia. I just need a little time to prove myself to the Mo Family."
Mr. Yun gently nudged a chess piece forward. "The Mo Family has always considered Cecilia their future daughter-in-law and treated her well. Even if we don't become in-laws, I hope we won't become enemies."
"I understand," Charles said quickly. "And you see how much Ethan and Miles need their mother. These three years, they've been more anxious than I have. When we went to Paris, they found Cecilia before I did. As their father, it hurts me too. You're a father yourself—you know how I feel, don't you?"
Mr. Yun's expression finally softened completely, the tension in his face melting away.
Yes, all fathers share the same worries and hopes for their children...
Ha! This rascal really knows how to play the emotional card!
"You've met your grandsons now. Don't you like them?" Charles asked cautiously. "If you don't let Cecilia see Ethan and Miles, you won't get to see them either!"
Mr. Yun's eyebrows twitched; he almost wanted to smack Charles for being so cheeky!
This brat—how dare he threaten me!
Still, Mr. Yun was starting to like these two kids more and more.
Ethan reminded Mr. Yun of Cecilia, and he'd always regretted not being part of her childhood—missing out on watching her grow up.
But maybe, if he could raise Ethan and watch his grandson grow, he could make up for that regret, at least a little.