My Fiancé's Scandals Never End, So I Married His Uncle Instead-Chapter 20: If You Want More, I Won’t Give It

Chapter 20: Chapter 20: If You Want More, I Won’t Give It

Celia Sterling was slightly embarrassed. "My hundred-day banquet... I really don’t remember it at all."

She didn’t remember.

But Silas Norwood did.

The Sterling Family’s eldest daughter was born, and they threw a lavish hundred-day banquet for her. Back then, Old Master Norwood was on good terms with Kian Sterling’s father, so he brought a young Silas along. The tiny infant was pale, her cries fragile. Old Master Norwood had told him privately:

"She was born with a congenital condition. They’ve seen many famous doctors, but they all say she won’t last more than a few years. They’re throwing such a huge banquet to try and bring her some good fortune."

A few years later, word got out that the Sterling father and son had turned against each other. Not long after, the family was torn apart. Of the once-great main branch of the Sterling Family, only Kian Sterling and his young sister were left, depending on each other for survival.

In the private dining room, Silas recalled the frail infant. Looking at how healthy and vibrant Celia Sterling was now, he knew without a doubt that it was all thanks to Kian Sterling’s meticulous care.

"Cece has a good brother," Silas sighed softly.

Celia was baffled.

She had no idea what a whirlwind of thoughts was going through Silas’s mind, or how the topic had jumped from her banquet to Kian Sterling.

But she agreed wholeheartedly, her tone exceptionally earnest. "My brother is the most important person in the world to me."

As evening fell, the two finally finished their dinner and walked out of the restaurant together.

Celia dangled her car keys. "Silas, I’ll drive you home."

Silas’s eyes seemed to shimmer in the darkness.

He gave a reserved nod. "I’d appreciate that."

The ’Big Lizard’ followed the navigation system toward Jade Orchid Manor.

Celia was a skilled driver. Silas sat in the passenger seat, quietly observing the delicate profile of the girl beside him. But whenever she glanced his way, he would smoothly shift his gaze to the vibrant nightlife outside the window.

Half an hour later, the ’Big Lizard’ arrived at the gates of Jade Orchid Manor.

"Do you want to go in and get used to the place ahead of time?" Silas asked.

Celia’s face flushed slightly. "No, it’s okay. My brother wouldn’t allow it."

Silas was silent for a few seconds. "Then text me when you get home, Cece."

The ’Big Lizard’ made a graceful turn and melted back into the night.

Several minutes later, the sound of another car parking was heard. Theo Chambers got out of a Guster and respectfully handed Silas Norwood a beautifully packaged takeout box from a certain brand:

"Boss, your malatang."

Silas took it. "Large size?"

Theo Chambers nodded. "Large size, extra-extra spicy."

Carrying the takeout, Silas elegantly returned to his villa.

「Sterling Villa.」

When Celia Sterling got home, Kian Sterling was sitting on the sofa, smoking.

As he lowered his head to light his cigarette, his bangs fell, hiding the sharp glint in his eyes. The wall sconce illuminated his dangerously handsome face and the amethyst-gold snake bone necklace around his neck.

"Brother," Celia greeted him.

With the cigarette between his lips, Kian Sterling looked her up and down, raising an eyebrow. "Date’s over this early?"

Celia bent down to change into her house slippers, then walked over to the sofa and sat down next to him. "We just came back after dinner."

"Less trouble than when you were with Declan Norwood, at least."

When she was with Declan Norwood, that man would have loved to keep her out until one or two in the morning every day. They’d play arcade games, mobile games, go to entertainment complexes, shop, see movies... Aside from not being able to take her home for the night, he came up with an endless variety of things to do.

But with someone as cool, distant, and aloof as Silas Norwood, Celia couldn’t imagine them doing anything besides eating, drinking tea, and talking. She recalled what Theo Chambers had said about Silas’s hobbies. ’Well... I can’t possibly be expected to go deep-sea fishing with him, play golf, or even join him for a few rounds of mahjong, can I?’

Celia felt a little restless.

Kian Sterling stubbed out the cigarette he had only taken one drag from and tossed it into the ashtray. "What did you eat tonight?"

Celia listed a few dishes.

"What kind of stuff is that?" Kian Sterling frowned. "You don’t even touch that kind of food. Are you full?"

Celia pointed to her stomach. "It’s been rumbling."

Kian Sterling shot her an exasperated look and instructed the butler, "Didn’t some Wagyu beef just arrive tonight? Grill a steak for Cece, and add a few skewers of barbecue."

Celia let out a playful whine and threw her arms around Kian Sterling’s waist, her tone coquettish. "Brother, you’re the best."

Kian Sterling’s expression softened slightly as he gently pushed her hands away. "How old are you? Stop being so childish..."

The barbecue skewers and steak were served quickly.

Torn between her figure and the delicious food, Celia restrained herself, eating until she was about eighty percent full. Still wanting more, she pushed the leftovers toward Kian Sterling.

Then she remembered she had business to discuss.

In a low voice, she told him about the perfume endorsement, making sure to mention Summer Sutton. Then she asked, "Brother, what’s your take on it?"

Kian Sterling poured a glass of red wine, his expression nonchalant. "Handle it by the book."

"By the book? What does that mean?"

"If she’s capable enough, sign her. If she isn’t, find someone else."

Celia probed, "Does this mean... you two had a falling out?"

"Not really." Kian Sterling sounded unconcerned, his voice exceptionally indifferent. "She’s the daughter of an old acquaintance. I’ll protect her as I should. But if she wants more, I won’t give it."

Celia understood what he meant.

After freshening up, Celia called Director Churchill from the marketing department directly.

"Arrange the negotiations. If a deal can be reached, sign her. If not, sign one of the other candidates."

Director Churchill fished for gossip tactfully, "What is the Chairman’s take on this?"

Celia paused. "That’s gossip even I’m not privy to. Don’t get involved."

Director Churchill cleared his throat. "In that case, President Sterling, I’ll arrange for someone to negotiate with Miss Summer Sutton tomorrow. I’ll inform you of the result as soon as it’s available."

After hanging up, Celia snuggled into her bed and sent Silas Norwood a conventional good-night message.

There was no reply for a long time.

Celia casually opened Silas Norwood’s social media feed.

Just like him, it was cool and clean. Aside from reposting a major announcement from the Norwood Conglomerate’s official account every month or two, there was practically nothing about his personal life. It was all proper and business-like.

She then opened his Weibo page.

Other than the various creative comments from netizens praying to the God of Wealth, his main page was even cleaner than his chiseled, ice-sculpture-like face.

’Proper, conservative, and eats less than a cat...’

Celia silently pulled the covers over her head, not daring to imagine how staid and boring her future married life would be.

Suddenly, a certain WeChat group chat started buzzing with activity.

Someone dropped a screenshot in the chat and tagged everyone:

[Anyone in Metropia? Go check out this place for me.]

All sorts of replies followed:

[Where’d you get that pic? It’s photoshopped, right? I’m in Metropia, and that restaurant is the Hermès of Sichuan cuisine here. It’s ridiculously expensive, and they absolutely do not do takeout!]

[Holy crap, it’s *that* big shot! Anything related to him is something I’ve gotta try. I’m going to Metropia this weekend, who wants to team up?]

[Malatang? What the heck...]

...

Curious, Celia tapped on the screenshot that had caused the commotion.

It was the latest social media post from one of the "big shots" in the group. The picture showed an empty bowl of malatang next to an opened can of herbal tea. The malatang’s packaging was exquisite, printed with the brand logo of a famous private Sichuan restaurant in Metropia.

The caption read: [Not as tasty as my girlfriend’s lipstick. Bad review.]