Love Began with the First Meeting
Chapter 821 Dealing With The Aftermath (Part One)

There are sometimes many regrets in our lives that we need to make up for and much wisdom that we need to gain from our own experiences.

*

After hearing Brian's unexpected announcement, Richie glowered at him with his piercing eyes and Brian didn't back down either. The father and son duo were at a stalemate, and their calm, yet ferocious looks didn't falter for even a second.

Eric gritted his teeth. He couldn't let things get any worser and he tried to mediate and make peace, "Uncle Richie--"

"Shut up," Frank interrupted him coldly.

Eric was itching to talk back to his father, but didn't say anything because he knew that it would only make the situation even worse. He glanced at Molly and then at Brian. He sighed silently and waited for the storm to pass.

Molly remained silent too. Considering what had happened earlier in the day, she could guess the reason for Richie's anger. She wanted to clear the misunderstandings, but couldn't utter a word. She looked at Shirley with pleading eyes, seeking her support. "Richie," Shirley said, trying to dissolve the situation. "It's late and I'm really sleepy. Can we leave?"

Richie slowly withdrew his eyes from Brian and threw a glance at his wife. "Don't play tricks now," he said.

Brian didn't say a word, but Eric couldn't take it any longer. He stepped forward and said, "Uncle Richie, what happened today was entirely my fault."

"Do you think that excuse will help you get out of this?" Frank asked, seething with anger. "After the press conference tomorrow, you will go to the Shadow Organization to receive your punishment."

"Yes, Father."

"Frank..." Smart frowned.

Frank scowled at her and she fell back into silence.

She couldn't blame Frank. As the power holder of the Dragon Island, a leader who led a country with a population of a hundred million, Eric had taken such an improper and impulsive decision just for the sake of the person he loved. His reasons might have been noble, but the rules of the island were not to be broken according to his whims.

"Brian, are you two really getting married?" Shirley didn't care for the grave atmosphere in the room. She wasn't bothered about what Richie would say about her selfish question, but as a mother, she naturally chose to ignore everything else.

"Hm," Brian answered sulkily. He had two reasons for announcing the wedding plan as soon as they had entered the house. One was that he wanted to reassure Molly that he was serious about their future and the other reason was that he wanted to make Shirley happy with the good news, hoping that Richie would go easy on them for Shirley's sake. However, Richie had seen through his plan from the very beginning.

"Ha!" Shirley burst into a wide grin. She hurried towards Molly and grasped her hand. "So, my position as your mother-in-law is secure once again!"

Molly blushed. She withdrew her hand from Shirley's grip and gave her a warm hug. "Mom, I have missed you so much."

Shirley's eyes brimmed with happy tears. She replied, "Me too, Little Molly."

After witnessing the emotional exchange between the two ladies, there was no way that Richie and Frank could stay mad any longer, even though they had many reasons to be.

Smart smiled with envy at the sight of the two of them in a tight embrace. She sighed and said, "I wonder when I will be lucky enough to replace a person who would hug me like this. I regret not giving birth to a daughter."

"Very funny, Mom!" Eric said, shaking his head at his mother. "I have work to do. I'm heading back to the Lustrous Hall." He turned around to leave.

"Stop right there!" Frank ordered. "Follow me upstairs. I have some questions for you."

Eric rolled his eyes, grumbling under his breath. He followed Frank upstairs reluctantly. He turned to look back at Brian with a sulky face and silently complained to him. Brian guessed that he was probably saying-this is all your fault, Brian!

"Richie, I need to talk to Uncle Frank," Brian said in a low voice. It was not just because he saw Eric's helpless expression, but he had been wanting to talk to Frank. He looked at Richie and then went upstairs to join Eric and Frank. Richie felt exhausted and annoyed. Finally, he went upstairs too.

With the men out of their way, Shirley pulled Molly towards the sofa. Smart poured some scented tea for them. Out of curiosity, Shirley asked, "Little Molly, I heard that you did a good job during the kidnapping incident in A City."

"I didn't do anything much," Molly said casually, but when she saw the curiosity in Shirley's face, she added, "Well, in order to come back to Brian, I--"

"Aha! I knew it! See, this is exactly what I told you!" Shirley beamed at Smart. "As long as Little Molly loves Brian, she is sure to overcome every obstacle Brian has been worried about. Just the way I am able to protect myself for Richie's sake, she is able to be strong for Brian. Love is a powerful weapon."

Smart wore a faint smile. Her smile was always so lively, yet very noble. She said, "Yes, but it's the weapon which has hurt Eric."

Molly looked at Smart with guilt. "Aunt Smart, I..."

"It's all right, Molly. I was just kidding." Smart smiled. Seeing that Molly was embarrassed by her words, she continued to say, "I share the same opinion as Shirley. Love should be mutual in a relationship. Only a couple who love each other can live their lives together and overcome all difficulties together." As she said that, she stole a glance at Shirley, and Shirley was looking at her too. When their eyes met, the two of them smiled to each other. "If two people are limited to only helping each other in trouble, but cannot love each other truly, then it's better for them to say goodbye to each other and embrace their lives with the person who loves them," Smart said.

Taking Molly's hand in her own, Shirley said, "Eric has misunderstood his father in many ways, and Smart had some misunderstandings too. Frank could never be soft unless it is someone he cares about. And he cares a lot about Smart and Eric." A small smile touched her lips and a wave of relief washed through her. "I'm happy that he has laid down to rest what had happened in the past. And as for you, Little Molly... Love is not just about doing selfless things for each other. You and Brian still have a long way to go. There will be many new territories in the relationship for the two of you to explore, to face and to overcome together."

Molly quietly listened to them both. She understood what their words meant. She knew about the past of the Long Family which Eric still was not happy with. She looked at Smart. Smart nodded to her with a smile. She shifted her gaze towards her mother-in-law. "Mom, I will do my best. After going through so many difficulties together, I believe both Brian and I can get along with each other and spend the rest of our lives happily."

Shirley pulled Molly into her arms and clapped her back softly. In a benign voice, she said, "Both Richie and I can rest easy knowing that Brian has you beside him."

Molly pursed her lips and released herself from the hug. "Mom, Wing..."

As soon as she heard Molly mention Wing's name, Shirley's face turned somewhat solemn, and her eyes filled with grief. "She hasn't woken up yet." She sighed slightly, but a tinge of hope appeared in her eyes. "But I believe in her. She's a strong girl. She'll wake up soon."

"I will take Molly to see her the day after tomorrow."

They heard Brian's voice come from up the stairs. The three women turned their heads in the direction of his voice. They saw him climb down the stairs in steady steps, followed by Eric. 00000000