CHAPTER 124: CHAPTER 124: ONLY LIKE ONE PERSON

By evening, the snow had stopped, but the cold intensified.

Erin Bishop drove to the studio to pick up Shannon Quinn. As soon as she got in the car, Shannon sensed Erin wasn’t in a good mood and asked, "What’s up? Tough day at work?"

Erin started the car, turned around, and merged onto the road before answering, "My mom called today. She said someone came to propose a marriage match and wants me to go home tomorrow."

"So what? It’s just a blind date. Isn’t that your specialty?"

"This one’s different?"

Shannon asked, puzzled, "How’s it different?"

"I know the guy well. Our families were neighbors for many years before I was with Zane Rhodes. I’ve known him since childhood. We used to play together and he contacted me recently. I think he’s interested in me, but I..."

"How is he as a person?"

"He’s nice... not extraordinarily handsome, but not ugly either. He’s quite tall and I used to bully him a lot as a kid, but he always let me have my way."

"What do you think?"

"I just haven’t decided yet."

At the restaurant, after ordering food, Erin called for two bottles of liquor, white spirits.

Knowing she was troubled, Shannon didn’t stop her from drinking.

"My mom says I’m not young anymore, our families know each other well, so I should just get married and live a stable life."

"Do you want to get married?"

Erin poured some liquor, raised her glass, took a sip, and replied, "I’m really conflicted right now. I know I should move on from the past, but it seems I can’t jump into another relationship so quickly. It feels like I don’t like anyone right now, yet also like I only like one person."

Shannon sighed lightly, picked up some cooked meat with her chopsticks, and placed it in Erin’s bowl. "I think if he’s nice, you could give it a try first."

She’d never been in a relationship herself, but she believed that starting a new one is the best way to forget the previous one.

She wasn’t sure if Zane was truly a jerk, but since they couldn’t be together anymore, she didn’t want to see Erin stuck in the same rut.

Saying you’ve forgotten, moved on, but those memories still leap forth from time to time.

She thought being loved was better than loving someone who doesn’t love you.

"I’m actually a bit scared, scared that I might impulsively get married and then regret it. Just like when I asked Ronan to pretend to be a couple with me, I felt quite foolish."

"Don’t rush into marriage. Spend some time getting to know each other first. Even with familiar people, there can be personality clashes."

As Shannon spoke, she suddenly noticed Erin’s gaze fixed on a certain spot.

Curiously, she turned her head in that direction and saw Ronan Rhodes entering the restaurant, talking on the phone, accompanied by Zane Rhodes.

It was just the two brothers, no one else.

Ronan walked straight in another direction while still on the phone. Zane glanced towards their table, and it was obvious he saw Erin. Their eyes met, but he indifferently looked away first, as if he’d only seen a complete stranger.

Shannon glanced at Erin, and neither of them spoke.

Erin drank her liquor even faster.

Outside, the snow was gently falling again. Inside, the warmth fogged up the window, creating a blurry scene, barely revealing the colorful lights outside.

A bottle and a half of spirits later, Erin was completely inebriated and unconscious.

Shannon went to settle the bill and was about to help Erin home when she suddenly received a call from Catherine Yardley.

She hesitated for a moment before answering, only to hear Catherine’s anxious voice, "Shannon... Elaine is missing. I didn’t want to trouble you, but Little Rui went on a business trip out of town. I’m worried something happened to her, can you help me find her?"

It was evident Catherine was very worried, her speech somewhat incoherent, and she seemed very cautious, like she feared Shannon would refuse her.

Shannon furrowed her brows and asked, "What happened? Can’t you reach her on the phone?"

"I’ve been calling all night, but it’s always turned off..."

"...Wait a bit, I’ll go to the hospital to find you first."

Shannon hung up the phone and turned to look at Erin, who was slumped unconscious on the table. She couldn’t leave either side.

Just then, Ronan also arrived at the checkout counter.

"Miss Quinn? You’re eating here too?"

Shannon smiled and nodded, glancing at Zane standing behind Ronan. She pursed her lips, contemplating whether to ask Ronan for help or if she should talk to Zane.

Ronan pulled out his wallet to pay while asking her, "Are you here alone? Erin didn’t join you?"

Shannon pointed in Erin’s direction with her chin. Ronan glanced over. "Drunk?"

"Yes."

After asking, Ronan instinctively turned to see Zane’s reaction. He noticed Zane also looking in that direction but didn’t show any emotion in his eyes.

"Could you help me take her home? I have something urgent to attend to."

Ronan turned to Zane, as if seeking his opinion, then remembered that Erin was now his girlfriend and promptly nodded, saying, "No problem."

Ronan walked over and lifted Erin from the stool. Erin hiccuped, grunting uncomfortably as she was moved.

Once they reached the roadside, Erin gagged a couple of times. Before Ronan could react, she vomited all over him.

Ronan stood there, stunned. Zane frowned as he looked at Erin leaning against Ronan, worry and reproach in his eyes, but he didn’t move to help.

Shannon hurriedly took some tissues from her bag, wiped Erin’s face, and handed them to Ronan to clean his clothes.

Though Ronan was evidently troubled, he casually wiped a couple of times. "Bro, hold her for a moment, I’ll go get the car."

Before Zane could react, Ronan had already placed Erin beside him. To prevent her from falling, Zane immediately put an arm around her.

Only he knew how fast his heart was beating when he held her in his arms again.

Erin was restless, constantly moving, as if trying to walk on her own, but she didn’t have the strength.

She dizzily looked up at Zane, unclear if she recognized him, and gave him a silly smile. She then seemed to settle down, snuggled against him, mumbling something he couldn’t catch.

Ronan soon drove up. Zane helped Erin into the car, observing her drunken state sprawled in the backseat. He appeared somewhat uneasy, but ultimately closed the door and watched Ronan drive away.

After Ronan left, Shannon and Zane each retrieved their cars, heading in different directions.