Seeing Ruby Bluen back at work for the Bluen Family consortium, those uninformed naturally thought of currying favor with the Horne Family's new madam. They tried hard to invite Ruby Bluen and Glades Horne to various events. Given Glades Horne's distinguished status, those people didn't dare to disturb him directly. Instead, they thought they could make a breakthrough with Ruby Bluen. Everyone had heard that Glades Horne was very fond of the Bluen sisters, spoiling them immensely. They figured as long as Ruby Bluen was willing to participate, Glades Horne, being so affectionate towards his wife, would naturally join as well.

Marcel Horne gripped his phone tighter.

He would make Ruby the new madam of the Horne Family, and also someone everyone else was eager to please. Even though he didn't hold as much power as Glades, he was the Horne Family's second-youngest master. Moreover, his father was a Chief of Staff with many acquaintances in the political field. Naturally, many would seek to ingratiate themselves with him as well.

"My family hasn't troubled you again, have they?" Marcel shifted the topic, swearing silently to himself.

"No, as long as Glades forgives me, your family naturally won't trouble me anymore. It's just..." Ruby hesitated, her concern was that Marcel's parents wouldn't accept her.

Perhaps it was a kind of telepathy, but Marcel immediately knew what she was worried about. His expression serious—even though Ruby couldn't see his earnestness—his tone firm, "Don't think about anything else. Just wait obediently for me to return. No matter what obstacles we face in the future, I won't push you away again. I will face everything with you. I'll be there for you through it all."

Having tried once to hurt her and, in the process, himself, he wouldn't be foolish enough to try that again. That agonizing pain, the tidal waves of regret—he did not wish to experience them a second time in his life.

"Mhm," Ruby responded.

The two of them talked for a long time, until Marcel's phone ran out of battery. His phone was dead; he hadn't been able to say goodnight to her, let alone the three words he routinely said at the end of their calls these days.

He hurriedly searched all over for his charger and plugged it in the moment he found it.

As soon as he plugged in the charger, he called her back. Ruby picked up quickly.

"My phone died. It's getting late; you should rest early. Goodnight, I love you!"

POP!

The sound of a kiss came through the phone.

Ruby's voice suddenly became shy, "Goodnight, I love you more."

Pedestrian Street was the smallest street in T City. It was a branch of Main Central Street and was also considered T City's Central Street.

That street was very small; you could see its end from the beginning. A straight, three-meter-wide concrete path lay flat, flanked on both sides by commercial buildings of consistent height, though their decorations and goods varied.

Anything there casually cost over a thousand yuan.

People who shopped on this street were from the Upper Class Society. The average working-class individual very rarely frequented it. Even if they did, they just looked around, not daring to purchase anything.

Glades Horne took Julia Bluen for a drive around the city district before they headed to Pedestrian Street.

The night was deep; it was already close to ten o'clock.

In other streets, the number of pedestrians would gradually decrease after ten. On Pedestrian Street, however, business had just begun.

The back seat of the car was piled with snacks of all shapes and sizes that Glades had bought for Julia, afraid she would get bored sitting in the car. While he was parking, Julia was still in the passenger seat munching on sunflower seeds. She loved eating sunflower seeds the most in winter. In front of her was a white plastic bag for the shells.

Occasionally, she would pop two seeds into Glades's mouth.

Only when Glades had finished parking the car did she stop munching.

"Sometimes, I doubt you've grown up," Glades said, chuckling as he saw the bag filled with shells. He had seen many young ladies from wealthy families and women from the white-collar class. Apart from her, the others either didn't care for snacks or, if they did, wouldn't eat such common ones in front of him. Perhaps it was this natural, unconcerned demeanor—her indifference to others' opinions—that made him dote on her so much, striving to preserve this quality in her. Of course, he also took care not to let her eat too many heat-inducing snacks. Their southern throats seemed especially delicate; consuming too much of such food would make them feel uncomfortably fiery. This was unlike Northerners, who could eat chili every day without issue.

"Have you ever seen a kid as tall as me?" Julia retorted, leaping out of the car. She straightened her 170 cm frame and gave him a sideways glance. "A mouth is made for eating and talking—those are its two main functions. Naturally, I intend to make full use of them!"

Glades laughed softly and, in one swift movement, scooped her into his arms. Then, holding her close, he walked towards Pedestrian Street.

Julia had two great loves when shopping: first, scouring the world for the tastiest snacks, and second, going into every single shop. Whether she bought anything or not, she loved to look around.

Glades, understanding her preferences well, naturally indulged her.

Glades rarely shopped, or to be precise, had never strolled so leisurely. All his necessities were on a list he would give to Secretary Yang, who would then order everything and have it delivered to the Horne family residence.

Given the high-end status of Pedestrian Street, the shop owners knew Glades's identity. Many of them had some connection with him, and the Valence Group even had several flagship stores there.

Hand in hand, the couple wandered through Pedestrian Street.

It seemed even the heavens favored this blessed couple. Just as they reached Pedestrian Street, the drizzle stopped. Although a cold wind still blew, it didn't diminish their enthusiasm in the slightest.

The night passed quietly.

「The next day.」

Julia Bluen got up at seven in the morning.