Eugene Warren was momentarily stunned.
Lily Evans continued, "Not many people know what happened to Belle, but you are one of them. That girl has suffered such trauma—her thoughts are different from other young women. She's extra sensitive and guarded around men. From what she’s said, it sounds like she never wants to marry, just stay at the Evans home and help me. So when it comes to matters between men and women, I have to be especially careful for her sake."
"Eugene Jr., I asked you here because I want to be honest with you about this. I’ve noticed how close you are with Belle. I want to know—do you feel sympathy for her, or is it something more? If it’s just sympathy, that’s unnecessary. Belle is such a resilient girl—pitying her would be underestimating her character. But if it’s affection... you need to think carefully. As a man, can you truly accept her and her past?" Lily’s gaze was clear and penetrating as she looked at Eugene Warren. "If you can’t, then don’t get involved with her. People have feelings, and I don’t want you to make Belle fall for you, only for her to find out you can’t be with her. It would be too cruel to let her care for you and then watch you marry someone else and have children. Do you understand?"
She rarely spoke so plainly, especially about relationships—a delicate topic in ancient times. But for Belle’s sake, Lily Evans decided she needed to have this conversation with Eugene Warren.
Lily Evans’s words left Eugene Warren completely shocked. He paused, trying to sort out his tangled thoughts, then said earnestly to Lily, "Since you’re being so direct, Miss Lily, I won’t hide it either. I like Belle! From the moment I first met her, she caught my attention. She’s so straightforward, capable, cheerful, and ambitious—not like those delicate, demure girls I met back in Jiangnan. I can’t explain why I’m drawn to such a plain but fiery girl, but I just am. After what happened to her... my heart ached so much... Miss Lily, you have no idea how sad and guilty I’ve felt."
"I never thought Belle was tainted by what happened. I know it wasn’t her fault—it was all Ernie Lee, that scum! Belle is a good girl; she shouldn’t have to suffer for someone else’s crime. I only blame myself for not protecting her. If I’d watched over her every day, kept her safe, none of this would’ve happened..." As Eugene spoke, two tears slipped from his eyes, his grief and regret overwhelming. "All I feel is more guilt, and an even stronger desire to treat her well and protect her."
Eugene Warren clenched his fists and slammed them hard on the table. "Belle is still the same Belle—in my heart, she’s exactly as she was when I first met her, not changed a bit! No, she has changed—she’s become even more outstanding, even more capable, and now she manages everything on her own! Miss Lily, let me be clear: I like Belle. I want to pursue her, and I want to marry her! Please, Miss Lily, let me have your blessing!" Lily Evans looked at Eugene Warren, utterly shocked.
She hadn’t expected that in this ancient, feudal society—where a woman’s chastity was considered more important than her life—there could be a man as open-minded as Eugene Warren.
But Lily Evans wasn’t swept away by Eugene Warren’s passionate declaration, nor did she rush to agree to his pursuit of Belle.
Lily Evans considered things thoroughly and carefully. She tapped her fingers lightly on the table and said to Eugene Warren, "Eugene Jr., I understand your feelings. But even if you don’t mind, what about your parents? Would they accept Belle as their daughter-in-law?"