Chapter 8 Meeting Colton Armstrong

• ... I wish I wouldn't understand in a split second, but I inevitably do.
• Amelia sneers, making her commentary, “Just average.”
• “ I look at her in astonishment, using my eyes to question: “Slept together once, terrible experience.”
• Amelia viciously criticizes, not concealing anything even in the presence of Henry.
• Henry angrily protests, “It was my first time, what do you know!”
• “Stop, stop, stop; I can't bear this responsibility.
• Don't you as a Casanova talk to me about your ‘first time,’ even if you're unskilled, your first time should have gone to it or it.”
• Amelia interrupts, pointing at his left and right hands.
• I gaze at the always frivolous Henry, turning red at Amelia's words, finally understanding their relationship.
• One-night stand. Henry must be pursuing Amelia.
• Amelia no longer pays attention to Henry, leading me towards the private room, "An upperclassman returned to the country.
• Henry and his group arranged a gathering, and invited me to join the fun."
• "Which upperclassman?"
• I quietly ask.
• "You should know him, he is..."
• Amelia said as she pushed open the door to the private room.
• Inside the private room sat several men.
• Alongside a few familiar faces was an impressively elegant man.
• The man was tall, with long legs, wearing a white shirt with the cuffs casually rolled up.
• A delicate, pale wrist bone was bound by a red string strung with white jade beads.
• This red string contradicted his personality and seemed out of place.
• However, it was apparent that the owner treasured it.
• Almost simultaneously, he looked up at me. His face broke into a smile when our gazes met.
• He rose from his seat and said, "Long time no see." "Brother Colton!" I joyfully shouted, "Indeed, it's been a long time.
• Your departure overseas was rather sudden."
• These scoundrels, relations of Richard, were all childhood friends, and like me and Amelia, were schoolmates.
• I met Henry and the others after marrying Richard.
• Among them, only Colton was my senior in the same major.
• We were quite familiar since university. Henry teased without restraint, "Exactly, we don't even know which woman broke our Colton's heart.
• He left without a word, even missing your wedding with Brother Richard."
• Colton, touched his nose softly and laughed, "Don't mind him, let's sit."
• "Yes, let's sit quickly." Amelia pushed me towards the couch alongside Colton, signifying me to sit next to him.
• "You and Colton are old friends.
• You certainly have a lot to chat about."
• Once she had arranged this, she immersed herself in the lively conversation with Henry and the others.
• Colton, started to say, "Would you like some juice?"
• "Sure, thank you." I responded with a smile, "Even though you haven't been here for some years, I've heard a lot about you.
• You must have a pile of trophies by now, right?"
• "Have you been following my news?" He looked surprised and amused, his amber eyes full of laughter.
• "Not exactly." Embarrassed, I smiled, "It's my assistant.
• She's a huge fan of yours. Maybe I can introduce you sometime."
• "Sure."
• His mood mellowed a bit, and his gaze softened, "It seems like you and Richard are very happy, right?
• Online, everyone talks about his pampering you excessively." Upon hearing this, I paused.
• I don't know why, but Richard always likes to create the impression to the public that he cherishes me a lot.
• I found it intoxicating before, and I couldn't pull myself away from it.
• I tried to brush it off, saying, "People online always exaggerate."
• "But are you happy?" Colton's voice was gentle and he asked earnestly.
• Aside from Amelia, he's the first one to care about this.
• I lowered my eyelashes, and replied with a light smile, "I'm not sure."
• "Let's not talk about it anymore."
• He didn't press further, and smiled gently.
• Before, I always felt that Colton and Richard were quite similar--both gentle, introverted, and calm.
• But now, I've come to realize they are completely different.
• Colton's gentleness and introverted nature come natural to him, but Richard's surface appearance and inner self don't match.
• Just like now, Colton stopped questioning because his upbringing doesn't allow him to intrude into others' privacy.
• If Richard doesn't interrogate, it's probably because he doesn't care at all.
• Richard has no heart.
• The drinking session lasted until early morning, and Henry was still clamoring for another round.
• Amelia, noticing that I, being pregnant, shouldn't stay up late, offered to send me home.
• Henry suggested, "Let Colton send her, he doesn't like staying up late either."
• Amelia agreed. But I was worried about her and wanted to refuse.
• "Just get in the car." Having seen through my concerns, Amelia pushed me into Colton's car and reassured me: "Don't worry, I can take care of myself."
• "A man's heart is as mysterious as the sea floor, I'm not interested in fishing for a needle, I want the whole sea!" She proclaimed boldly. "I pinched her delicate and bright face, "Alright, call me if you need anything."
• Colton, also got on the car. I felt a little embarrassed, "Senior, I lived at , Street 6 Road, is it on your way? If it's not, I can take a taxi."
• "Are we getting so formal now?" Colton joked, and then handed me his phone, "Help me set the navigation.
• I haven't been back for a few years, and I'm not familiar with the roads."
• "Okay." I took his phone.
• There is no night in California, at this moment, the city center is still brightly lit.
• At first, I was worried that it would be awkward on the way as we haven't seen each other for a long time, but Colton always manages to bring up topics that I'm interested in.
• Being with him always feels like a breath of spring breeze.
• Perhaps his emotional core is too stable, which made me couldn't help asking, "Senior, what would you do when faced with a hurdle that seems too hard to overcome?"
• His brow furrowed slightly, stopped at the traffic lights, looked at me and said,
• "Then, I would forge a path through the mountains and build a bridge over the water."
• With his calm yet determined tone, the anxiety that I had carried for the entire night suddenly relaxed.
• Approximately twenty minutes later, the car slowly stopped at the villa's gate.
• He accompanied me out of the car and handed me a gift bag, "A small gift, I hope you'll like it."
• "Thank you, senior!" I feel much better, and I accept with a smile.
• "When you have time, I'll treat you to a meal."
• "It's a deal."
• He smiles faintly, and then can't help but advise me again.
• "You need to eat well.
• I feel you've lost quite a bit of weight, don't let yourself become malnourished."
• I didn't think much about it.
• "Okay, I got it."
• I planned to enter the yard after he left, but he spoke up first.
• "Go in.
• I want to make sure you're safe at home.
• "Alright! Take care, then."
• I turned and went home after saying this.
• By this time, Aunt Sandra has already gone to bed, leaving the entrance light on for me.
• The whole house is eerily quiet.
• After taking a shower, I lie in my bed and glance at my phone.
• There are many messages, but none of them are from Richard.
• I thought the worst would be a husband that didn't return home all night.
• I didn't expect there to be an even bigger "surprise." With so much on my mind, it was hard to fall asleep. I didn't wake up until nearly noon.
• Feeling hungry, I head downstairs, only to notice a stray suitcase in the living room and faintly hear other voices aside from Aunt Sandra in the house.
• Very familiar.
• I frowned and looked around, my gaze finally falling on Richard, who was wearing an apron and cooking in the kitchen.
• And also, Bianca, standing next to him, assisting him.
• As soon as he reached out his hand, Bianca knew to hand over the salt.
• In his next reach, Bianca passed him a piece of kitchen paper.
• Their coordination was seamless.