When Alex Ye caught sight of Michelle Xia and Brandon Su, he experienced a fleeting moment of uncertainty.Although he knew they were discussing the "Star Path" project, he couldn't help but cast a probing glance their way. Especially towards Brandon, who he knew had intentions of pursuing his new colleague. To Alex, it looked like Brandon was standing a bit too close to Michelle, which irked him.He didn’t want Michelle to recognize him as the decision-maker behind NexRealm Studios, so he quickly averted his gaze.With a neutral tone, Alex asked, "Do you two know each other?"It seemed like he was directing the question at both Michelle and Brandon.Brandon, lost in his thoughts, hadn't even considered the possibility that Michelle might be unaware that Alex Ye was the major shareholder of NexRealm Studios. All he could think was, "Damn, the woman I’m interested in is actually my cousin-in-law," and "Should I really pursue someone already connected to my family?"Hearing Alex's query
Inside the car, only the playful sounds of the two children could be heard. Alex remained silent, and so did Michelle.Amidst the silence, the air seemed to be infused with an element called "gravity."After a lengthy pause, Alex finally uttered a soft "Mmm."He said, "Indeed, one's reputation mirrors their character."Michelle then inquired, "NexRealm Studios has burned quite a bit of money on the 'Star Path' project, hasn't it?"Hearing her question, Alex felt his heart skip half a beat, and a sharp pain throbbed at his temples. He wondered if Michelle was already in the know.After some contemplation, he felt that in the grand scheme of things, this really was a minor issue.So, Alex responded, "It probably isn't that much."Hearing his words, Michelle silently uninstalled an app she had just downloaded.If he wasn't talking, then she wouldn't know anything.Michelle remarked, "I also think it isn't much. Let them keep burning money then."Alex: "..."Alright, he was now certain s
Unaware, Derek Lin let out a sigh identical to Leonard Chen's. "This is the first time I've heard of someone refusing because the price was too high."Alex Ye thought to himself: *It seems like my employees might not be the sharpest tools in the shed.*Could anyone truly believe Michelle Xia's clearly disinterested excuse?Alex glanced at Derek, commenting, "Well, it's a first for me too."Derek let out a sigh, seeming to hold back words. He worried for the future of NexRealm Studios and for Leonard Chen's thinning hair.Noticing Derek hadn’t left by the end of the workday, Alex inquired, "Derek, are you looking to work overtime voluntarily?"Derek promptly made his exit.Alex had somewhat guessed Michelle's intention. He felt it was her way of "compensating" him, and she wasn’t keen on accepting it.Indeed, he did want to "compensate" her, trying to funnel money her way. Yet, she didn't fancy his financial offer.Considering that Michelle had negotiated with Leonard personally, they
From the day Michelle Xia brought Lizzy Xia to the Ye residence, Alex Ye and Eleanor Ye had done thorough research about her. They knew she had dropped out of college after studying for less than two years.So, when Michelle expressed her wish to go back to school, Alex wasn't surprised at all. What did surprise him, however, was the subject she wanted to switch to. "You want to be a screenwriter?" he asked.In reality, becoming a screenwriter wasn't an easy path. For newcomers, without the guidance of a mentor, it was quite challenging to make a mark in the industry. Brandon Su had once considered entering the field but had given it up. He had thought, why not continue being a successful online novelist rather than getting scolded by superiors all day?Michelle pursuing a career in screenwriting was plausible. Eleanor had connections in the film industry and knew many screenwriters. However, veteran screenwriters weren't always keen on mentoring newcomers. Even if they were, building
Aria Cheng was a model contracted under a company managed by Eleanor Ye. Initially, she was prominently active in major fashion shows both domestically and internationally. However, due to Nathan Ye and Sophie Ye, she began participating less in these events, transitioning more to behind-the-scenes roles and even evolving into a posture instructor.Today, representing her company, Aria had a meeting with the organizers of a particular fashion week to discuss potential collaborations. Yet, after waiting for what felt like ages, she spotted Michelle Xia and Brandon Su?Aria mused, *What a coincidence.*She discreetly took out her phone and snapped a quick picture, sending it to Nathan.Aria: Darling, am I seeing this right?Nathan: ???Nathan: Honey, be careful with those pictures. They could lead to complications.Aria had heard from Nathan that Alex Ye and Michelle Xia weren’t married yet. Initially, she assumed Alex might be an irresponsible playboy, feeling sympathetic for Michelle
When Alex Ye heard that Michelle was heading to the gym, he initially thought he had misheard.He asked, "Where did she go?"Nora replied, "The gym."Alex was at a loss for words. Why on earth would Michelle go to the gym? Was she going with Brandon?Of course, he wouldn't pose these questions to Nora, and certainly not to Michelle. He could only keep his thoughts to himself.Since Michelle was planning to hit the gym, she'd left a message for Alex to come home early.Michelle texted: "Mr. Ye, come home early to spend time with Lizzy."Alex was already aware of Michelle's new fitness regimen since Nora had informed him the previous night. But he decided to feign ignorance.Alex replied: "Are you not going to be home?"Michelle: "Yes, starting today, I'll be at the gym every night at 8."Alex: "?"Michelle: "So, I'd appreciate if Mr. Ye could spend the evening with Lizzy. Just watch some cartoons with her."Clearly, Alex's question mark was asking why she was heading to the gym. But M
Michelle Xia was uncertain about what an appropriate gift would be for a male friend. In the end, she settled on something that she believed was a safe choice and unlikely to be misconstrued—tea leaves.She wasn't sure if Alex Ye enjoyed tea, but she knew Eleanor Ye did. If Alex was exclusively a coffee drinker, then he could always pass the tea along to Eleanor.She had chosen black tea, which was known for being gentle on the stomach. She had done her homework before making the purchase, opting for a high-end variety, confident that it wouldn't be looked down upon.However...This was her first time gifting something to a man who wasn't a family member, and she was undeniably nervous.Especially given the nuanced relationship between them.Michelle tried to maintain her composure, her smile graceful and poised, genuine in her gratitude towards Alex.When she handed over the gift box with both hands, Alex glanced up at her.He offered a subtle smile, accepting her gift with a slightl
Michelle wasn't sure if it was Lizzy's innocent remark that had gotten to her, but she felt that Alex Ye had been... particularly attentive towards her lately.For instance, in the mornings when Alex would drop the kids off at kindergarten, he would casually ask if she wanted to join them. He'd also inquire if she was heading to the gym and at what time. Alex even mentioned knowing a very reliable personal trainer, asking if she would like an introduction.Michelle politely declined, "My current trainer is quite good."Alex responded with equal tact, "The trainer I mentioned is quite experienced."Understanding dawned on Michelle. "Ah, a female trainer. I see."It was well known that gyms could be breeding grounds for flings and affairs.Lifting her eyes to meet Alex's gaze, she admired his refined and handsome features. His gentle and compassionate eyes evoked a protective fondness in her. Offering a perfect, graceful smile, Michelle's voice was soft and gentle as she reassured, "Yes
Alex Ye had once imagined that their baby might be like Lizzy: soft, sweet, and utterly adorable, like a heart-melting marshmallow. However, their baby and Lizzy, the marshmallow, were nothing alike.Ella was not the type of baby who craved affection. Even before she could talk or walk, she rarely smiled or showed interest when adults tried to play with her. If Michelle tried to engage her, she'd give a minimal reaction. But if it was Alex or Lizzy, she'd simply close her eyes and pretend to sleep.In front of a baby, not everyone is treated equally.Thus, both Alex and Lizzy felt a bit defeated.Eleanor Ye, however, was quite surprised by Ella's demeanor. She remarked to Alex, "You were just like this as a baby. When your dad and I tried to play with you, you wouldn't even look at us."So, Alex realized that the baby's temperament was inherited from him; he was the root cause of it all.Even though Ella wasn't particularly sociable, it didn't stop Alex and Lizzy from showering her wi
Lizzy Xia was deeply troubled by the birth of her younger sister. She had often heard adults say that younger sisters were delicate, needing constant pampering, love, and affection. They shouldn't be scolded or disciplined. So, with a little sister in tow, what was she supposed to do?This dilemma haunted Lizzy daily, distracting her so much that she even forgot her routine of seeking affection from her mom.One day, after returning from kindergarten, Lizzy's first instinct was to check on her baby sister, bypassing her usual routine of seeking affection from Michelle. It had been quite some time since she had shown her mother her typical, childlike affection, and Michelle couldn't help but feel puzzled.She asked her husband, "Do you think Lizzy doesn't like me anymore? Why doesn't she come to me for cuddles anymore?"Alex, taken aback by the change in Lizzy's behavior, hadn't expected Lizzy's affection for her sister to surpass her love for Michelle. He had previously assumed that
Lizzy Xia suddenly didn't like her "little brother" that much, because he was bullying her mommy!Her naughty "brother", even though he was still in her mommy's tummy, already knew how to kick!He's such a little rascal!Since the mischievous "brother" was still in her mommy's belly, Lizzy dared not voice these complaints in front of her mother. She was afraid that the naughty “brother” would hear and continue to tease her mother.Thus, Lizzy decided to confide in her father.She scurried with her short little legs into the study to find Mr. Ye, who was once again working overtime.She pouted, looking quite upset, and told him, “Daddy! Little brother is being naughty. He keeps bullying mommy!”Hearing the slightly aggrieved childish tone, Mr. Ye couldn't help but set aside his work and sighed.Alex Ye lifted his daughter onto his lap, his voice gentle, “What did the little brother do?”In reality, they didn't know whether Michelle Xia was expecting a boy or a girl. But, in Lizzy's min
While Alex Ye pondered how he might explain the situation to his little girl, Lizzy Xia interjected with visible concern, “Mommy is sick. We need to take her to the doctor!”“Not only that, she’ll need shots and medicine! Last time I was sick, I had to get shots and take medicine. So Mommy will need the same!”Hearing the urgency in Lizzy’s voice, Alex paused before reassuring her, “Don’t worry, Lizzy. Mommy isn't sick.”Relieved, Lizzy thought to herself, "Good, as long as Mommy isn’t sick." However, with her round, inquisitive eyes fixed on Alex, she pressed, “Then why is Mommy always sleeping?”She recalled that, in the past, whenever she returned from kindergarten, her mother, Michelle Xia, would be hard at work writing, always available for a cuddle. Now, it seemed all Michelle did was sleep, depriving Lizzy of her cherished snuggles.Pondering her question, Alex seemed momentarily at a loss. “I honestly don’t know,” he finally admitted.Disappointed in her father’s response, Li
That same night, Michelle Xia was sleeping alongside Lizzy Xia. Lizzy was a well-behaved child when she slept, barely moving when nestled in Michelle's arms, which made it quite a comfortable experience for Michelle. Of course, sleeping next to Mr. Ye was also comfortable, but it could sometimes be exhausting. Moreover, Mr. Ye always woke up early and would occasionally playfully disturb her sleep.Michelle strongly believed that part of her recent fatigue was because she was waking up too early in the morning. She had hoped that by sleeping with Lizzy, she could catch a few more moments of sleep since Lizzy wasn’t an early riser like Alex Ye.However, the next morning, a blaring alarm startled Michelle from her sleep. The sudden loud noise made her heart jump, thinking for a moment she might be having a heart attack.Lizzy, still groggy from sleep, slowly climbed out of bed. She found the source of the noise and turned off the alarm. As she did, realization dawned on her. She had hi
Shortly after the birth of her baby brother, whom they affectionately called "Liam", Lizzy Xia would frequently pester Michelle Xia to let her visit him. It was evident that Lizzy adored her little brother immensely.One day, Michelle curiously asked her daughter whether she would prefer a younger brother or sister. Without hesitation, Lizzy solemnly replied, "I don't want Mommy to be in pain. I don't need a brother or a sister." Michelle was momentarily stunned by the child's sincere expression, then laughed softly, ruffling Lizzy's hair. How could her child be so endearingly considerate at such a young age, empathizing with her mother's discomfort?Michelle had a vague intuition that something might be amiss when she realized her menstrual cycle was off. Recalling the past, it dawned upon her that it had been a while since her last period. Upon mentioning her suspicion to Alex Ye, he looked at her with an "I thought you'd never notice" expression. Alex commented, "I was expecting y
Michelle Xia woke up to find something warm and soft tucked into her embrace, providing an added comfort. Without a second thought, she knew it was her sticky little daughter, Lizzy, who must have sneaked into her bed for some shared slumber. Even though she was now awake, Michelle was in no hurry to rise, especially with a snuggly little one in her arms. The desire to stay in bed was even stronger. Lizzy, despite being an early riser unlike her mother, was half-awake. Sensing Michelle's alertness, Lizzy too came to full consciousness.Lizzy Xia's voice was soft and sweet as she cooed to Michelle Xia, wanting kisses, cuddles, and to nuzzle against her cheek. Yet, she carefully avoided mentioning why she was on her mother's bed.Michelle playfully asked the little one, "Lizzy, how did you end up on mommy's bed?"With wide innocent eyes, Lizzy feigned innocence, saying, "Because mommy wanted Lizzy to sleep with her, so Lizzy appeared on mommy's bed!"Michelle tried to stifle her laugh
Recently, Michelle Xia's temperament and personality had shifted. According to her, it was because of the pressure of writing. In addition to that, some of her previous employers would incessantly chat with her, hindering her progress and adding to her agitation.However, when facing Lizzy Xia, Michelle was as gentle and patient as ever.Even when Lizzy became overly clingy or seemed bothersome, Michelle did her best to maintain a calm demeanor. In reality, Michelle was never a fan of children. But when confronted with the sweet softness of Lizzy, it was nearly impossible for her to stay mad. Especially since Lizzy resembled her so much and had an irresistible charm. Every pout or plea from Lizzy rendered Michelle helpless.One Saturday, after Lizzy and Sophie Ye had finished their painting class at a graffiti museum, Lizzy rushed home to show Michelle her creation. Lizzy was genuinely gifted in drawing, and with time, she had learned to convey her thoughts through lines and colors. A
Lizzy Xia promised to give her unicorn toy to Liam, and when she made promises, especially to kids, she kept them. Though parting with her toy was painful for her, the thought of little Liam, who was afraid of the dark and would cry when awakened by nightmares, tugged at her heart. She couldn't bear the idea of him being scared. The next day after kindergarten, Lizzy hurried home. Clutching her unicorn toy, she entered Michelle Xia's room. Approaching Michelle's computer desk, Lizzy gently tugged at the hem of her mother's skirt. Lizzy noticed that her mom had been wearing skirts a lot lately. Before, Michelle had always favored long pants, especially those unattractive blue-gray jeans. Lizzy caressed the skirt's fabric, thinking about how pretty it looked. Michelle had been engrossed in her writing. An old employer had reached out, and she'd been chatting with him. But now, this little clingy bundle of joy had caught her attention. After sending a message to her former boss, Michel