"Why are you saying such silly things?" Rona Muir glared at Jiro Hirayama.
Jiro Hirayama looked at Rona Muir with grievance: "If I don’t say it, will you never admit I’m your husband?"
Rona Muir picked up her water glass and took a sip to cover her emotions, then said calmly, "How’s your experiment going? In a few days, once the results are out here, I’ll head back first. Right now, only Cici and Morgan are holding down the company, and as president, there’s a lot I can’t handle personally. Cici and Morgan also have to take care of family, so I can’t let them carry everything. If you’re busy, just focus on your work—I can always cooperate with you here, it’s not like a day or two matters. I used to love burying myself in work, and honestly, working hard isn’t a bad thing. When things like this happen, other people might just cry and complain about fate. But for me, it’s all the same. In fact, being alone is pretty good. I can balance family and the company, and if push comes to shove, I have Cici to help! With Cici around, even the naughtiest kid can be tamed!"
After all that, her main point was clear: If you want to play around outside, go ahead. I’m going back to build my career! If you want a divorce, anytime! I’m not putting up with a cheating jerk!
Jiro Hirayama felt a bit dizzy; he sensed Rona Muir’s words had a hidden meaning.
But given his straightforward nature, it was a miracle he understood a third of it.
Anyway, he stuck to one bottom line: no breakup, no divorce. For everything else, he’d just let Rona Muir have her tantrums.
Jiro Hirayama considered for a moment before saying, "I’ll probably need a little over a week to finish the experiment here. The rest can be brought back to China. But right now, these experiments need a big space and the cooperation of that man-eating tree, so I can’t leave yet."
Rona Muir twitched the corner of her mouth.
That tree really was pitiful.
How did I end up running into Jiro Hirayama?
Whenever that tree sees anyone else, it’s all claws and swagger, bullying this one or that one.
But as soon as it sees Jiro Hirayama, its leaves shake off and its branches frantically hide behind itself—desperate not to be seen by him.
There’s nothing it can do.
This guy is toxic!
Seriously, he’s toxic!
Literally toxic—he really is!
Every time he comes over to cut its sap, he sprinkles some kind of terrifying powder on himself.
If even a tiny bit of that powder gets on a branch, the whole thing instantly turns black and carbonized!
Oh my god, this human is terrifying! I don’t want to be here—I want to go back to my primordial forest!
But it had already been transplanted here...
It could never go back.
So every time, all it could do was tremble and let that terrifying human cut its sap for experiments.
Sometimes it even had to cooperate, like swallowing an antelope or a wolf for his experiments.
Wait, is this how its whole tree-life is going to be now?
It instantly fell into despair.
Even more leaves fell off.
Whenever Rona Muir left, she could feel that pitiful tree looking at her, full of hope that she’d take the terrifying human away...
Just thinking about it, Rona Muir couldn’t help but laugh.
No wonder—the tree’s whole vibe was...just too unique.
Jiro Hirayama saw Rona Muir laughing and thought she wasn’t mad anymore, which made him even more determined to return home as soon as the experiment ended.
Their minds were on completely different wavelengths, yet they still managed to have a peaceful lunch together.
After lunch, Rona Muir returned to the hotel with Jiro Hirayama, only to suddenly remember—she’d completely forgotten about Lucas Lin!
Jiro Hirayama, meanwhile, had totally forgotten about Amy. He happily went to his room, pulled out his bottles and jars, and decided to make more reagents for Rona Muir. If needed, he’d even help her finish the rest of the experiments. Amy, who wasn’t involved, was long gone from his mind!
Rona Muir thought it over and decided to check on Lucas Lin’s room first.
After all, last night he’d rather endure the pain just to stay by her side. She couldn’t forget that kind of loyalty.
Lucas Lin had given Rona Muir one of his room key cards.
So Rona Muir easily swiped open his door.
The scene before her instantly made Rona Muir’s heart ache.
She saw Lucas Lin curled up on the small sofa, covered only by a thin blanket, sleeping very restlessly.
On the table, a full lunch was laid out.
None of the food had been touched.
Had he been waiting for her to come eat?
Why is this kid so silly?
Rona Muir sighed, walked over, and picked up the blanket to cover Lucas Lin.
The moment the blanket was draped over him, Lucas Lin woke up.
When he saw who it was, he didn’t complain at all. Instead, he looked worried and said, "You’ve been busy until now? Come on, wash up and eat something. No matter how busy you are, you have to take care of yourself."
With that, Lucas Lin hopped on one leg to the bathroom, then opened each box for Rona Muir, handed her a fork, and apologized: "I forgot the chopsticks, so you’ll have to make do with a fork for now. When we’re back home, I’ll make you a proper meal."
Seeing how carefully Lucas Lin took care of her, Rona Muir felt even more guilty.
"Alright, stop fussing." Rona Muir grabbed Lucas Lin’s wrist, pulled him to sit beside her, and apologized, "Sorry, I already ate. I forgot about our plan."
"No, it’s fine," Lucas Lin tried his best to act nonchalant, which only made Rona Muir feel even more guilty. "You’re not used to eating with me, that’s normal. Really, I’m not hungry—I ate a lot this morning and didn’t do much, so I’m totally fine. Want to try some? This is a local specialty. I spent ages finding the number to order delivery."
Seeing Lucas Lin force a smile, Rona Muir couldn’t bring herself to refuse. "Alright, I’ll try some."
Lucas Lin finally smiled, picked up a piece of food with a fork, and fed it to Rona Muir, watching her eat.
Rona Muir opened her mouth and ate the food Lucas Lin fed her.
"Lucas Lin," Rona Muir asked, "when do you plan to go home?"
"After my foot heals," Lucas Lin lowered his eyes. "Rona, do you think I’m getting in the way of your work here?"
"No, that’s not what I meant." Rona Muir hesitated for a long time before saying, "It’s like this. I think your image is great and I’d like you to endorse one of our Danni Cosmetics products and shoot a commercial. The price is negotiable—it’ll match your status."
"Is this compensation for waiting to eat lunch with you?" Lucas Lin was sharp, instantly guessing her intention. He shook his head, "Rona, I really want to be friends with you. I never thought about those things. Please don’t offer me compensation—it makes me feel like I’m not worthy of your friendship."
"No, that’s not it, Lucas Lin, don’t overthink it." Rona Muir panicked and grabbed Lucas Lin’s slender wrist. The youthful softness made her hold on tighter. "I really think you’re perfect for our product. Honestly, I had this idea yesterday and wanted to ask you to shoot a commercial. It’s not about compensation at all—you said it yourself, we’re friends, and friends don’t need compensation! In fact, I want your help. Our Danni Cosmetics has lots of products, but internationally, we’re still not that competitive. Big-name stars cost too much for ads, and I’m not satisfied with small celebrities. You’re popular, you have great traffic, and you fit our product, so I hope you’ll help us shoot a commercial and open up the market."
Lucas Lin glanced at his wrist, seeing it held in Rona Muir’s palm, and felt a strange sweetness inside. He immediately dropped his sad expression and smiled brightly. "If it’s to help you, then I’m all in!"
"Then I’ll leave it to you," Rona Muir breathed a sigh of relief.
Kids these days are really hard to please!
Every single one is so sharp.
"I’ll prove it to you," Lucas Lin looked seriously at Rona Muir. "I’m going to be the best fit for you—the one who stands by your side. I’ll fully support your career! I’ll work hard to become a top actor and a star influencer, and help Danni Cosmetics sell! As soon as I’m back, I’ll take those two drama roles. I’ll do everything to prove myself!"
Rona Muir burst out laughing. "Alright, I’ll be waiting for your answer."
Rona Muir checked the time and said, "I have to get back to work. See you later—I’ll come by tonight to put your medicine on."
"Okay." Lucas Lin’s eyes sparkled as he looked at her.
Rona Muir left quickly.
Lucas Lin ignored the pain in his ankle and spun around happily on the spot.
He was closer to Rona Muir than ever!