[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
Amidst a swirl of emotions, Moe asked, "Have you made up your mind?""Mmhmm." Suzie nodded."I'll drive you there tomorrow. You can stay here tonight," Moe said as he closed her suitcase and set it down.Suzie stopped him. "That wouldn't be appropriate."Moe lowered his gaze, masking his complex emotions behind his cool demeanor. Suzie did not press the matter; she knew he needed some pushing. Earlier, she had not actually called Brandon but just pretended to do so."Then wait here for me. I have some things to attend to. After I'm done, we can talk in detail," Moe finally spoke after careful consideration. He chose to say 'talk in detail' instead of 'send you', knowing Suzie's personality well. If he had said he would come back to send her, she would surely have said she would call a driver to pick her up.Suzie looked puzzled, wondering what could be so important that he had to attend to now.Moe did not offer much explanation. After speaking, he took his car keys and left.
"Cut ties with your girlfriends, commit to Suzie wholeheartedly, and I can help you resolve the issues with your startup company. But if you mistreat Suzie, I have many ways to make your life miserable," Moe said straightforwardly. Brandon became increasingly confused as he listened. He was about to speak when the door suddenly swung open.Suzie rushed inside and wasted no time in confronting Moe. "Is the thing you have to attend to concerning Brandon?" "No," Moe lied again, his domineering aura dissipating instantly."Then why are you here?" Suzie questioned."He asked me to cut ties with my girlfriends and focus solely on you. When did I ever…" Brandon chimed in teasingly."Shut up!" Suzie silenced him sharply.Brandon wanted to protest but restrained himself, especially after seeing Suzie's stern gaze."Now that you've made your intentions clear, let me make mine clear too. From now on, I don't need you to interfere in my life. I hope you won't involve yourself in my affa
"Your little tricks might fool others, but not me," Brandon remarked.Suzie remained silent, pondering Moe's reaction.Seeing her demeanor, Brandon added, "He likes you."Suzie asked, "Why do you say that?"She knew Moe liked her because he did not react negatively when she kissed him. After all, she would have been quite upset if she had been kissed by someone she did not like, even if it was a good friend. However, Moe did not react that way."A man understands another man best. If he didn't like you, he wouldn't come to see me. It's clear he cares about you, but I'm not sure why he didn't accept your confession," Brandon confidently analyzed.Suzie inquired, "Do you have a plan?""I do," Brandon responded assuredly. In such matters, men often know each other's weaknesses and pain better. Based on Moe's recent reactions, he had a sense of how to approach him."Tell me about your relationship with him, and I'll figure out how to help you pursue him. Once it works out, you get
"We're just helping each other; mutual benefits," Suzie replied.Brandon, understanding her point, proceeded to write everything down clearly. Suzie gave him a brief overview of the plan, feeling assured that he would not spill the matter to anyone now that they had a written agreement."That's easy. Tomorrow morning at nine, bring the necessary documents to the Civil Affairs Bureau. I'll have a fake one ready for you," Brandon said confidently after hearing her explanation.Suzie raised an eyebrow. Was it really that serious?"For the next week, don't contact him at all. No matter how many messages he sends, don't respond," Brandon continued. His method was ruthless, even roping himself into the scheme. "I'll have someone spread false rumors to him.""What kind of rumors?" Suzie was not entirely sure of Brandon's plan. "That you're having a miserable time after marrying me, that I badmouth and abuse you, and you can't even control me," Brandon replied. He was well-versed in act