"How did you know about my childhood dream?" Cecilia Gu stared at him in disbelief.
It seems, that saying really makes sense.
Sophie Mo looked at Cecilia Gu with curiosity. "Cici, what's wrong? What are you looking at?"
Sophie followed Cici's gaze, but there was no one there.
Cici shook her head and replied, "It's nothing. We've almost finished shopping, so we should head back. Since we have our own kitchen now, let's cook lunch ourselves!"
"Great!" Rona Muir responded happily. "I love cooking my own food too!"
Cici saw Jane Gu and Leon Mai discussing lunch plans. Watching their harmony, she smiled softly.
She was determined to bring those two together.
"My adorable little beauty, I'm looking forward to seeing what you do." His lips finally touched down, pressing a gentle kiss to Cecilia Gu's forehead. "Goodbye."
Sean Kerr stood off to the side, quietly watching Rona, saying nothing.
Cici noticed Sean Kerr and gently nudged Rona, signaling her to look over.
Rona followed Cici's gaze.
In that instant, her smile faded.
Sean felt a sharp pain in his chest.
She could smile so brightly at others, but to him, she was so cold and distant.
Rona Muir, how could you treat me like this?
Sean stared at Rona, but she quickly looked away and kept chatting and laughing with those around her.
Cecilia, you're going crazy!
Rona Muir, you really are ruthless...
When Cici and Jane Gu signed up, they were already the tenth family, so their assigned kitchen was number ten.
Cecilia could only sigh and turn back toward the Hong Kong Bistro.
Rona Muir and Sophie Mo both responded at once, taking two assistants to carry out the orders.
Leon Mai saw the four girls struggling with heavy loads and couldn't bear to let them do all the lifting. He volunteered to help, carrying a pile of food back to his room and stuffing it all into the fridge.
Soon, only Cici and Jane Gu were left at the kitchen counter.
"Mom, tell me honestly, are you really satisfied with Uncle Leon?" Cici asked with a smile.
Jane Gu blushed a little, but still nodded.
"Mom, as long as you're happy, I have no objections at all! Don't worry—I'll take care of your wedding!" Cici reached out to gently hug Jane's shoulders, pressing her cheek against Jane's, snuggling up just like when she was little. "Mom, I just want you to be happy."
Jane's eyes grew moist. She patted Cici's hand and said, "Me too. I don't care if you're rich or not, I just want you to live without worries. Cici, you haven't said anything since you came back, but I know you have something on your mind. No matter how stormy it gets out there, you'll always have a safe harbor with me."
"Mom..." Hearing Jane's words, Cici couldn't hold back her tears, and they spilled from her eyes.
"Don't worry about the Yun Family. No matter what, you carry their blood—they won't make things difficult for you." Jane continued, "Whether you stay with the Yin Family or get divorced, don't be afraid. We've gotten through worse—what's a little storm compared to that?"
"Mm." Cici nodded gloomily, knowing Jane was trying to comfort her.
But right now, this was exactly the comfort she needed.
With Mom around, nothing was a problem.
"Oh come on, why are you all staring at me? Go wash your hands and help with dinner!" Cecilia quickly tried to change the subject. "Look, other families have already started at their cooking stations! Everybody's getting ready for tomorrow's contest!"
Cici felt like she didn't have any big ambitions in life.
As long as Jane and she could live peacefully, she'd be content.
But she wondered if fate would let her have this simple wish.
Cici quietly wiped away her tears and helped Jane wash the vegetables.
After more than twenty years of working together, mother and daughter had perfect teamwork.
As Cici washed the vegetables, she suddenly saw a masked face flash by outside the window.
Was it him?
Cici quickly turned off the faucet, dried her hands, and said to Jane, "Mom, I'm going out for a bit!"
Jane answered, "Be careful, you're pregnant."
"Got it." Cici took off her apron and hurried out.
Cici chased out into the corridor, but there wasn't a single trace of anyone.
So strange, he was just here a moment ago...
Where could he have gone in such a short time?
Cici searched for a long time but couldn't find that mysterious Captain, so she could only turn back, feeling defeated.
But just as Cici turned around, she saw the familiar Captain's uniform appear before her eyes.
Cici quickly looked up at him, and the half-smile in his eyes made her feel dizzy.
"Were you looking for me?" the Captain asked softly.
Cici couldn't help but blush.
The Captain's lips curled into a perfect smile—the ultimate flirt.
"Why were you looking for me?" The Captain suddenly stepped forward, closing the distance between them.
Cici panicked and stepped back, her back pressing against the wall.
The Captain stepped closer, trapping Cici between himself and the wall.
He lowered his gaze, staring at Cici, his smile growing wider. "What? Afraid to say it? Or can't say it?"
"I..." Cici's eyes darted around. With them standing so close, maybe she could reach for his mask while he wasn't paying attention?
If she thought it, she had to do it!
Suddenly, Cici stood on tiptoe and reached for the Captain's mask.
But before her hand could touch his mask, he caught her fingers, locking their hands together and pressing them against the wall.
(This chapter isn't over yet ^.^, please click next page to continue reading!)
Cici quickly tried to push him away, hoping to create some distance.
But his body was so firm that her little bit of strength was no match for him.
The Captain's smile only grew, and he leaned in closer, shrinking the space between them.
"What is it? Do you want to kiss me?" the Captain teased, his voice full of mischief right by Cici's ear.
Cici gently closed her eyes.
Ah... I failed...
Why is he so alert?
"Of course not!" Cici replied angrily.
"Really? What a shame." The Captain's breath tickled Cici's ear, sending a familiar shiver down her spine.
It's getting stranger, isn't it?
Why does her body react so naturally to his touch?
It feels... like this is how it should be.
It feels... like a long time ago, she responded to him just like this.
It feels... like she and he were always meant to be one.
But... how could that be?
The Captain smiled gently. "I'm looking forward to seeing how you do tomorrow."
Cici gathered her courage and asked, "Why did you organize this contest?"
"Because you always wanted to join a contest with your mom! Wasn't that your childhood dream? It's a little late, but at least it's finally come true, right?" the Captain answered gently.
"How did you know about my childhood dream?" Cecilia Gu stared at him in disbelief.
"Because I like you!" The Captain replied with a soft chuckle. His tone was so casual, yet somehow, she could sense his sincerity.
He actually arranged this contest on the ship just for her childhood dream?
Isn't that a little ridiculous?
It all felt like a dream, and yet it was so real.
"Who are you, really?" Cecilia asked directly. "You always feel so familiar to me, but I can't be sure."
"If you can't be sure, then don't try to be." His long fingers brushed the edge of Cecilia's lips, gently lifting her chin to make her look at him. "I like how you look today. You're beautiful."
Cecilia's cheeks flushed again, betraying her.
"My adorable little beauty, I'm looking forward to seeing what you do." His lips finally touched down, pressing a gentle kiss to Cecilia's forehead. "Goodbye."
With those words, The Captain let go of Cecilia and turned, leaving gracefully.
Cecilia stood frozen, her hand unconsciously touching her forehead.
Damn it, that kiss... felt even more familiar.
But that's impossible! Absolutely impossible!
He can't possibly be Charles Yin!
Charles Yin would never flirt like that!
He's always so cold and proud, so distant and decisive. How could he ever do something like this?
But why did that kiss feel so familiar?
Cecilia Gu, you're going crazy!
What the hell is going on here?
By the time Cecilia snapped out of it, The Captain had already walked away.
Cecilia could only sigh and turn back toward the dining room.
As soon as she walked in, Cecilia saw the whole family staring at her.
"Why are you all looking at me like that?" Cecilia nervously touched her forehead. Did he leave a mark when he kissed her just now?
No, there's nothing there.
"Cecilia, why is your face so red? Are you feeling hot?" Leon Mai asked.
Red?
Cecilia immediately covered her face. Oh, right, it's burning up!
It's all because of The Captain!
Why did he have to get so close for no reason?
Not only did he make her so nervous, now her face was all red too.
"N-nothing!" Cecilia stammered. "Maybe I'm just a little hot, haha. You know, pregnant women are always afraid of getting overheated."
Cecilia explained, trying to sound casual.
Everyone else just looked at Cecilia, each with their own expression.
"Oh come on, why are you all staring at me? Go wash your hands and help with dinner!" Cecilia quickly tried to change the subject. "Look, other families have already started cooking! Everybody's getting ready for tomorrow's contest!"
Everyone responded with a burst of activity.
But Cecilia couldn't stop thinking about what he said earlier: Isn't this your childhood dream?
How did he know this was her childhood dream?