Cherry Miller barely remembered Eric Chen anymore.
After all, they were four or five years apart, and he had gone abroad for school since middle school.
Cherry only vaguely recalled the Eric Chen from her childhood.
He was always chubby and smiling.
Eric Chen was basically a copy of Uncle Chen.
Uncle Chen worked as the chef at Yin Manor, and because he was so hardworking, the Yin Family even gave him his own apartment.
That apartment let Uncle Chen straighten his back and brag to his relatives for ages.
Getting an apartment from the Yin Family was something everyone envied.
Don't forget, in N City, every bit of land is worth its weight in gold!
Living for free in such a fancy apartment, Uncle Chen used his savings to send Eric abroad for school. He couldn't be prouder.
Every time he went back home, he'd bring loads of gifts and come back with a look of pure pride.
Cherry admitted that Uncle Chen really did treat her well and took good care of her.
She always thought Uncle Chen was nice to her because he had other motives.
He was actually interested in her mom!
After all, Uncle Chen had been single for years.
But she never expected that he was actually thinking of her!
If he really wanted to set her up with Eric Chen, it would be hard for her to refuse.
What should she do? What should she do?
Cherry made an excuse to go shopping, driving aimlessly around the city, her mind in chaos.
Just then, Yina Yin sent her a selfie.
Cherry Miller slammed on the brakes and pulled over to the side of the road.
Her fingers brushed across Ethan Yin's selfie, zooming in and out, over and over. No matter the angle, he was impossibly handsome.
Years of military training had made him far more mature and resolute than other boys his age.
More importantly, he radiated the unique aura of power and nobility that belonged to the Yin Family.
Every little gesture, every smile—he was impossibly captivating.
Cherry tossed her phone onto the passenger seat and leaned back, a wave of frustration washing over her.
How was she supposed to explain things to him?
Should she say she wasn't good enough for him?
Should she admit she wasn’t qualified to be the Yin Family’s young mistress?
Should she say... that she never really liked him from the start?
Should she say... that while he was gone, her heart had wandered and she’d fallen for someone else?
Why was it so hard to say these things out loud?
Mom was right—she was just too greedy.
How could she ever dream of becoming the Yin Family’s young mistress?
Cherry stepped on the gas again and kept driving. As she drove, she silently resolved: I’ll just quietly disappear from his life, bit by bit.
Three days later, during PE class, Yina Yin jogged over to Cherry, drenched in sweat. After grabbing the towel and water from Cherry’s hands, she asked, “Cherry, what have you been up to these days? My brother’s asked me about you several times!”
Cherry’s expression froze. “Nothing, really.”
“Then why aren’t you replying to my brother’s messages? Did he bully you? Should I fly to England and beat him up for you?” Yina Yin grinned at Cherry.
“Of course not. Ethan would never bully me,” Cherry replied, trying to sound calm.
“Wait, why are you calling him Ethan again? Didn’t we agree you’d just use his name? You’re supposed to be my future sister-in-law!” Yina Yin teased, slinging an arm around Cherry’s shoulders.
Cherry’s expression grew even more rigid, her gaze dimming. “Miss, don’t joke about that!”
Yina Yin froze mid-sip, turning to Cherry in disbelief. “Cherry, you..."
“Ethan and I are worlds apart, Miss. I’m just not good enough for him.” Cherry hung her head, unable to meet Yina Yin’s eyes.
She was afraid to see the hurt in Yina Yin’s eyes.
Sure enough, a few seconds later, Yina Yin’s voice sounded above her head: “Cherry, you know our whole family has never treated you like a servant or anything less. You always took care of me, protected me. Even though I’m stronger, you’ve always watched out for me. I’ve always thought of you as my own sister. Now you’re saying this—Cherry, did I do something wrong? Is that why you’re pushing us away?”
Cherry looked up suddenly and, unsurprisingly, saw tears in Yina Yin’s eyes.
Cherry panicked. “Miss, that’s not what I meant. I didn’t! I really didn’t!”
Yina Yin stared at Cherry. “Cherry, did I really do something wrong? Did I make you angry? Just tell me, I’ll change! I’m a Yin, but I’m not spoiled. If I did something wrong, I’ll fix it!”
Cherry bit her lip. “No. It’s me. It’s my fault.”
Yina Yin tossed her water onto the seat and grabbed Cherry’s shoulders. “Did something happen? Tell me, I’ll handle it!”
“No! It’s me! I’ve changed!” Cherry gritted her teeth and said, “I—I realized I don’t actually like Ethan. The person I’ve liked since I was little is someone else—a big brother I’ve known since childhood. He’s four or five years older, always looked after me, cared about me! I barely saw Ethan growing up, just a few times. So how could I fall in love so quickly? Please, Miss, don’t ask me anymore, okay?”
As Cherry spoke, tears streamed down her face. “If you and Ethan really mind, then I’ll ask for a transfer and go somewhere else.”
“Nonsense! I don’t agree! You’re my chief assistant! No one but me can transfer you!” Yina Yin immediately protested, wiping Cherry’s tears away. “Alright, alright, it’s my fault! I shouldn’t have asked. Sure, my brother’s ridiculously handsome, but so what? Is every woman in the world supposed to like him? If you’re not into him, what’s he gonna do? Cherry, don’t cry! If my brother ever gives you trouble, I’ll beat him up for you! Don’t talk about leaving me! I won’t allow it—absolutely not!”
“Miss, it’s not that...” Cherry felt even more guilty. “You’re so good to me, the Yin Family’s so good to me. How could I...”
“Alright, Cherry! My sister! Let’s just forget about all this today! If you really don’t like my brother, I’ll explain it for you. Okay? Give your big sis a smile?” Yina Yin lifted Cherry’s chin, trying to cheer her up.
Sure enough, the next second Cherry broke into a smile through her tears. “Miss! You’re the Yin Family’s princess! You have to act like it!”
“Well, aren’t I the most handsome princess in the world?” Yina Yin grinned mischievously. “Cherry, maybe you should consider falling for me instead?”
Cherry was truly exasperated. “Miss!”
“Hahaha, alright, I’ll stop teasing you. Come on, class is over!” Yina Yin grabbed Cherry’s hand and led her off the field.
Cherry watched Yina Yin’s retreating figure, her feelings a complicated mix.
Mom was right.
The Yin Family really has treated her so well.
It’s not just Mrs. Yin and Mr. Yin—even Yina is so good to her.
How could she be so selfish and make things hard for Mrs. Yin and Mr. Yin?
Ethan has everything—he’s way out of her league. He deserves someone truly exceptional to walk beside him, someone who can go far with him.
No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t change her humble background or reality.
Maybe letting go is the best way to protect the Yin Family.
Ethan’s interest in her was just curiosity—nothing more than a fleeting crush.
It’s only been a few days—how could there really be any feelings?
Before those feelings even sprout, she should nip them in the bud.
It’s better for him. It’s better for her, too.
In the end, the world still cares about matching backgrounds.
Any unrealistic fantasy only hurts everyone involved.
She couldn’t keep lying to herself anymore.
So that’s that.
In a blink, it was the weekend again.
It was the day she and her mom were supposed to visit Uncle Chen’s house.
Cherry took the day off early, put together a simple but elegant look, and headed out with her mom, gifts in hand, to Uncle Chen’s house.
They arrived at the door, rang the bell, and didn’t have to wait long before someone came to open it.
When the door opened, a young man of average build and plain looks stood inside.
Cherry looked at him and could just make out the features from his childhood.
After all these years, everyone had changed so much.
The moment Eric Chen saw Cherry, his eyes lit up!
He clearly hadn’t expected Cherry to be so beautiful!
“Mrs. Miller, you’re finally here! My dad’s been preparing for ages. And this must be Cherry, right? I can’t believe how much you’ve grown—so beautiful now.” Eric Chen greeted Mrs. Miller and Cherry enthusiastically.
“Eric, you’ve come back with your degree, and now your dad can finally relax!” Mrs. Miller looked at Eric Chen, growing more and more pleased.
“Mrs. Miller, Cherry, come in! Oh, you shouldn’t have brought gifts—you’re making us feel like strangers!” Eric Chen warmly invited them inside.
“Thank you.” Cherry handed the gift to Eric Chen and quietly followed behind her mother, keeping her distance from Eric.
Just then, Uncle Chen came out of the kitchen with a dish in hand. Seeing Mrs. Miller and Cherry, he grinned happily. “Just one more dish and we’ll be all set!”
Mrs. Miller laughed, “Old Chen, we’re really lucky! This kind of treatment is usually reserved for the Yin Family’s mansion!”
“Oh, what are you talking about? I’m a chef—cooking is what I do! Eric, go look after Mrs. Miller and Cherry. Cherry’s a girl, and she’s younger than you, so take extra care of her!” Uncle Chen saw Cherry standing gracefully to the side and grew more and more pleased.
Cherry had always been a sensible child.
She was steady and generous.
She was the perfect candidate for a wife.
Everyone in the Yin Family had their eyes on this girl, all wishing they could marry her into their family.
If it weren’t for his close friendship with Mrs. Miller, Uncle Chen would never have had the chance to invite Cherry over.
Now, seeing the two kids standing together, they really did look like a perfect match!
Just imagining Cherry marrying into the Chen family made Uncle Chen smile so wide his eyes nearly disappeared.