Everyone turned to look at who it was. Joe appeared, wearing a blue shirt, neatly pressed black trousers, a watch on his wrist, and a slight furrow on his brow. Joe always greeted people with a smile, but now he had a furrowed brow, indicating that he was indeed worried.He glanced at Summer, and their eyes met. Summer, who had just stood up, suddenly sat back down.She asked, "How did you get in here? Didn't the guard stop you? Or did you use some other way?"Joe did not answer. He just walked straight toward her. Summer looked around, trying to find a place to hide. After searching around, she could only hide behind Gale.Gale symbolically shielded her and looked at Joe. "What do you want?""What can I do?""She doesn't really want to see you right now. Give her some time," Gale said, her voice gentle and calm.It sounded like Gale was on Summer's side. In fact, what Summer could not see was Gale winking at Joe while she spoke.Gale also felt it was quite tricky being caught
"Are Uncle Joe and Aunt Summer getting married?""Not yet, but they can now, since they have. When the time comes, we'll definitely be walking down the aisle with them," Joshua said.Nicole nodded. "So only married boys and girls can kiss.""Yes. You need to remember this, so you don't let other boys take advantage of you!"Cough, cough! Shawn lightly coughed twice. "It's past eight, you guys should go wash up and get ready for bed."Nicole looked innocent. "Dad, I haven't finished watching this episode of the cartoon yet."Only Nicole was actually watching TV."Watch it tomorrow. Let's go, Daddy will take you upstairs," Shawn said, standing up.He took his daughter's hand.Joshua could go by himself.Why was Joe able to come in? It must have been Joshua's doing.Joshua thought he had slipped out unnoticed, but Shawn had seen him all along. He just did not want to expose him.After all, they did need Joshua's help.Seeing this, Gale also got up. "Right, it's getting late,
"I didn't trick you; it was you who willingly made the bet. I didn't force you.""Then, from the moment we made the bet, it was the start of your malicious intent toward me! Joe, you had planned it all along! You were... you were..."Joe smiled faintly. "I was doing what? Go on."He had planned it out from there onward. Joe's affection had already surfaced at that time. It was just that Summer was too dense, thinking he only wanted to win, thinking he did not know how to cherish a woman.In fact, he was expressing his love and interest.Every man pursues a woman differently, but the core idea is the same, which is to create opportunities for intimacy.Summer stared at Joe for a few seconds, then suddenly turned her head away, afraid of his sincere gaze, unable to look into his eyes anymore. Women are most afraid of a man's sincerity. They fear that he truly means it when he says he loves you. When he says he does not love you, he truly does not.Men's love always comes fast and
Summer felt even more confused. Women tend to overthink, keeping things to themselves, and men cannot guess what is going on. Joe and Summer just stared at each other from afar, neither taking a step forward. After watching for a while, Gale finally could not help but turn to Shawn. "What do you think? How long will they stay like this tonight?""How would I know?"It was not like he was the one chasing after a woman.Gale muttered, "What is Joe doing? After so many years with no action or progress, suddenly confessing and pursuing all in one night, Summer would be scared to death by him. He either does nothing at all, or moves too fast. Who can adapt to that?"If she were Summer, she would panic too. How could a longtime friend and boss suddenly become someone who had been secretly in love with her for a long time?"Is it still fast? I thought he would have won Summer over when they left the country," Shawn said.Gale gave him a scornful look. "Do you think every man is like you
She felt torn. What should she do? If she agreed, she feared being too hasty and impulsive could lead to a bad outcome for their relationship."Actually, how did it end up being known by the whole Wood family?" Summer said."You came here, so I had to follow," Joe replied.Summer glared at him. "Why did you have to follow? If you follow, everyone will know what's going on!"She had nowhere else to go. She could only confide in Gale.Joe, feeling helpless, could only comply. "Yes, my fault, I didn't handle it well."He would not have bowed down so quickly before. He would have argued with her a few more times. Now, he suddenly started taking responsibility, which Summer found quite unusual!Did they not love bickering? Would he be more docile if they were together?"It's not your fault," Summer's tone softened. "Can this be kept a secret? I think everyone has figured it out; I just thought I was hiding it well.""Yes, Summer, many people have figured out that I like you. Only y
Was Joe serious, or was it just a fleeting infatuation, or worse, a desire to possess her?Summer's question was what most women had in their hearts. They always wondered what he truly loved about me? What specific qualities do I possess that he loved? How deep was his love? Would it last? Would he leave?Men seemed to treat emotions more casually, withdrawing when they pleased, diving in when they wished. Women were different. Once they loved, it was with all their hearts and souls.Joe gazed into her eyes, silent. His silence undoubtedly made Summer's heart flutter even more.Could he not answer? Did he not want to address her worries?Gale's heart clenched. "Speak up, Joe! Isn't this what you've been waiting for? Show some sincerity, why are you suddenly mute?""Goodness me! I'm anxious!""Say what's on your mind!"The living room remained eerily quiet.Gale glanced at Shawn again.Shawn looked back with a wronged expression. How many times had he endured Gale's silent rep
Perhaps it was because, in front of Summer, he could not utter those beautiful words; he only wanted to express the most genuine and sincere emotions with the most plain words."Summer, actually, I could say a lot of sweet words, a lot of romantic words, but I feel like they're all just playing to the crowd," he said. His flowery words were for show. However, he just wanted to be genuine.Despite feeling that way, she still questioned his sincerity. Joe felt a bit disheartened. Was he really so incompetent that he could not win over the woman he wanted?"Alright."Suddenly, Summer spoke a single word.Joe's eyes, which had just lowered, shot back up, staring at her without blinking."I understand. But I feel like I need some time to calm down and think. Can you give me some time?""How long do you need?""Three days."Joe did not hesitate. "Okay. I'll wait for your answer in three days."Summer suddenly felt the weight in her heart lift. She breathed a sigh of relief.He was
Summer glanced at the staircase.Shawn and Gale had said they were taking the kids to wash up and sleep, but they had not returned for quite a while now, and there was no sign of them anywhere.She figured that they would not show up as long as she and Joe did not leave. Those who knew, knew. This was their way of giving space to her and Joe, letting them sort things out on their own!At this point, even best friends were not entirely reliable anymore."Gale already has two kids, and you're still single. Need some encouragement? Hm?" Joe leaned in close to her ear, whispering.Usually, Summer would have shot him a fierce glare and snapped back at him. However, she was quiet and docile.She even could not help but wonder if having children and a family would make her gentler.Suddenly, she was startled by her thoughts. She snapped out of it. What was she thinking?Seeing her being so obedient melted Joe's heart.The usually fierce and bold little wildcat had suddenly turned into