"Well, what if I happen to like you? Would you consider becoming my dad's son-in-law?" Suzie's clear eyes sparkled with mischief, and her tone was light and playful.Moe was taken aback, seemingly lost in thought.Seeing his reaction, Suzie did not press further. Instead, she quickly lightened the mood, saying, "Just kidding… Look at your face!""Suzie," Moe called out to her.Suzie, playing with her phone in the passenger seat, casually responded, "Hmm?""While many people get married because they're pressured by age or their families. I hope you marry because you genuinely want to.""Why?" Suzie asked, curious."You should be happy," Moe replied sincerely. He had not asked for much in life. In fact, Moe simply wanted Cynthia and her family to be happy and well, and he hoped that Suzie would find the man she loved and have a blissful life. Suzie, always speaking her mind, said in her usual casual tone. "You should be worried for yourself. You're in your thirties and haven'
Suzie continued, "That's why…"Moe had not expected her to have feelings for Yoel, especially since their past interactions had always been purely friendly. Then, he asked, "So, what's your plan next?"Suzie replied simply, "Just taking it one step at a time. How about you?""What do you mean?""If someone were to confess their feelings to you, but you didn't feel the same way, what would you do?""I would thank them for their feelings and politely decline.""Would you avoid them?""Why would I need to avoid them?"Suzie was surprised by his response. "Aren't you afraid they might persistently pursue you and invade your life?"Moe responded in his usual direct manner, "Why should I? I've already turned them down and won't give them any encouragement. If they continue to pursue me, they're the ones who will get hurt."Suzie probed further, "Couldn't you give them a chance to get to know you? What if you discover their good qualities and develop feelings for them?"Moe was res
Moe wore a light beige round-neck knit sweater paired with casual light-colored pants, giving him a slightly less aloof and more youthful appearance. This version of Moe had a subtle resemblance to his teenage self."From now on, you should dress like this when you're not at work," Suzie suggested. She found Moe's new look quite appealing, reminding her of his younger self. "Don't dress in suits and ties all the time."Moe admitted, "I'm not used to it." He did have casual clothes, but they were mostly dark in color. His outerwear was predominantly black, while his underwear was usually white.Suzie teased, "Don't you like the clothes I got you?""It's not that.""So, will you wear them in the future?"Moe initially wanted to say no, but when he saw Suzie's clear and slightly playful gaze, he gave in, saying, "Yes.""That's better." Suzie chuckled. Over the next two days, Moe did not go to work. Suzie initially considered asking him why, but when she saw that he truly had free
"The company isn't mine; I'm just an employee. He's not capable enough to join Arch International Group. By the way, don't make promises to anyone so casually," Moe stated directly, choosing not to disclose his shares."Moe!" Eddie was getting angry.Moe remained silent.Eddie took a deep breath, visibly displeased. "Do you still consider me your father?"Moe's grip on the phone tightened, and a hint of emotion flickered in his typically cool eyes."I don't care if your cousin is qualified or not to join your company; you need to get him in for me," Eddie insisted bluntly.Moe remained cold. "It's not my concern. If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."Eddie raised his voice. "I dare you… I've raised you all these years, and you won't even help me."Moe remained silent. After some time, he finally uttered, "Did you really raise me?"Since that cold night when he was five years old, Moe had not been cared for by anyone. If it were not for Cynthia, he might not even exist."F
[Cynthia: He's a workaholic. Even if I ask him not to work, he'll still sneak in some work. But now, he's willingly setting aside work to spend time with you.]Based on her intuition and knowledge, Cynthia believed that Moe liked Suzie. It was just that he might be emotionally dense and had not realized it yet.Hearing Cynthia's assessment, Suzie's heart fluttered. [Suzie: So, should I confess my feelings to him?][Cynthia: Why not give it a try?][Suzie: I'll think about it.]Moe was also done preparing their dinner as Suzie ended her conversation with Cynthia.In just ten minutes, Suzie had finished her meal, eager to have a serious talk with Moe."Do you not like today's dinner?" Moe was surprised to see her eat so quickly and asked."I liked it. You go ahead and eat. I need to talk to you afterward," Suzie replied, her mind preoccupied. Moe, noting that she was serious, focused on his meal. Once he finished, Suzie called him into the study. The atmosphere was tense, and
Nonetheless, Suzie was not a quitter; she had another trick up her sleeve."Why don't you like me?" Suzie asked.Moe uttered, "No connection, no spark.""Are you sure?""Mmhmm..."In truth, Moe was not entirely sure. However, he knew one thing for sure—Suzie deserves someone better.Suzie was hurt, but she pinned him against the wall and, under his cool and composed gaze, kissed him. Moe's body tensed, and his heart raced at an unusually high rate."Still no spark?" Suzie asked.Moe pressed his lips together, remaining silent. The two of them stood there in a standoff for quite some time.Eventually, Suzie retreated to her previous position, her expression a mix of disappointment and self-mockery. "Was the kiss just now repulsive to you?"Moe still did not speak, having not fully recovered from the sudden kiss.Suzie sighed, her voice low and hoarse. "Sorry… Forcing a kiss on you like that was probably gross.""No!" Moe quickly spoke up, his voice slightly raised.Suzi
"What are you doing?" Suzie looked puzzled as Moe dodged her.Moe avoided her gaze and casually replied, "Men and women shouldn't get too close.""Quit pretending. You didn't seem to mind when I kissed you just now. Why didn't you mention that then?" Suzie called, moving closer to him again.Moe remained silent.Suzie continued, "And another thing...""What?" Moe's mind was jumbled up, and he could not think straight."If I'm not mistaken, you enjoyed that kiss. So, it means you like me," Suzie boldly said, locking eyes with him."No," Moe quickly denied. Suzie could not understand. "Why won't you admit it?"Moe fidgeted with his hands, pursed his lips, and finally said, "I don't like you.""If you truly didn't like me, you would've pushed me away quickly or shown some sign of disgust when I kissed you just now. Didn't you say that only Cynthia and I are exceptions in your life?" Suzie concluded and pressed on. Moe looked at her.Suzie asked, "If Cynthia were single now a
Moe looked at Suzie as if questioning why she had dragged him into this.Suzie could not quite grasp what he meant and asked, "Are you still sticking to what you said earlier?""I don't like you. All of my reactions just now were because I promised to be your boyfriend," Moe repeated, delivering the hurtful words and secretly apologizing."Could you be more sincere?" Suzie could not understand why he was saying this."This is how I truly feel," Moe replied matter-of-factly."So you're saying that if I don't ask you to pretend to be my boyfriend, you won't let me kiss you, right?""Yes.""Fine, I don't need you to pretend anymore.""Okay."Throughout the entire process, Moe remained surprisingly composed, his eyes devoid of any emotion. Suzie, feeling a mixture of anger and frustration, stood on tiptoe and attempted to kiss him. This time, Moe stopped her. "It's not appropriate.""Moe!" Suzie was getting angry.Moe remained unyielding, standing there to stop her like an emo