My Fiancé's Scandals Never End, So I Married His Brother Instead

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

Celia Sterling was slightly embarrassed. "About the hundred-day banquet... I really don’t remember it."

She didn’t remember.

But Silas Norwood did.

When the eldest daughter of the Sterling Family was born, they threw a lavish hundred-day banquet. At the time, Old Master Norwood was on good terms with Kian Sterling’s father and brought him along. The tiny infant was pale, her cries weak. Old Master Norwood had told him privately:

"She has a congenital condition. They’ve sought out many famous doctors, but they all say she won’t last more than a few years. They’re holding such a grand banquet in the hopes of bringing her some good luck."

A few years later, he heard that the Sterling father and son had turned against each other. Later still, the family was torn apart. Of the great Sterling Family’s direct line, only Kian and his young sister were left, relying on each other to survive.

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

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

Celia was confused.

She had no idea about the flood of memories in Silas’s mind, or how the topic had jumped from the banquet to Kian Sterling.

But she agreed wholeheartedly. Her tone was especially 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."

In the darkness, a light seemed to gleam in Silas Norwood’s eyes.

He gave a reserved nod. "Thank you."

Following the navigation, the big lizard sped 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 dazzling, decadent nightlife outside the window.

Half an hour later, the big lizard arrived at the gates of Jade Orchid Manor.

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

Celia’s face flushed slightly. "No, thanks. My brother won’t let me."

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

The big lizard made a sleek turn and disappeared back into the night.

A few minutes later, another car pulled up. Theo Chambers got out of a Guster and respectfully handed Silas a beautifully packaged takeout container:

"Boss, your malatang."

Silas took it. "Large size?"

Theo Chambers nodded. "Large. Extra, extra spicy."

Carrying the takeout, Silas returned to his villa with his usual elegance.

「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 cold glint in his eyes. The wall sconce illuminated his dangerously handsome face, as well as the purple-and-gold snake-bone necklace around his neck.

"Kade," Celia greeted him.

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

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

"Less of a hassle than when you were with Declan Nash."

’When she was with Declan Nash, that guy would have loved to keep her out until one or two in the morning every day—playing video games, mobile games, visiting amusement centers, going shopping, watching movies... Aside from not being able to trick her into staying the night, he came up with an endless variety of other activities.’

’But someone as cool, aloof, and seemingly above it all as Silas... besides eating, drinking tea, and chatting, Celia couldn’t imagine what else they could do together. She recalled what Theo Chambers had said about Silas’s hobbies. Surely she wouldn’t have to accompany him on sea fishing trips, play golf, or even join him for a few rounds of mahjong?’

Celia felt a little antsy.

Kian stubbed out the cigarette he’d only taken one puff of and tossed it into the ashtray. "What did you have for dinner?"

Celia listed a few dishes.

"What kind of crap is that?" Kian frowned. "You don’t even touch that stuff. Did you eat enough?"

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

Kian shot her an exasperated look and instructed the butler, "Didn’t we just get some Wagyu beef in tonight? Pan-sear a steak for Cece, and add a few skewers of barbecue."

Celia cooed and hugged Kian’s waist, her voice full of affection. "Kade is the best."

Kian’s expression softened. He gently patted her hands away. "How old are you? Stop messing around..."

The barbecue skewers and steak were served quickly.

Torn between her figure and the delicious food, Celia ate with restraint until she was about eighty percent full. Still wanting more, she pushed the rest to Kian.

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, "Kade, what are your thoughts?"

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

"’Handle it by the book’? What does that mean?"

"If she has the ability, sign her. If not, find someone else."

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

"Not really," Kian said dismissively, his voice extremely indifferent. "She’s the daughter of an old acquaintance. I’ll still protect her as I should. But if she wants more than that, I won’t give it."

Celia understood what he meant.

After washing up, Celia called Director Churchill in the marketing department directly.

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

Director Churchill tried to tactfully fish for gossip. "What does the Chairman mean by this?"

Celia paused for a moment. "Don’t get involved in gossip that even I’m not privy to."

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 under the covers and sent Silas a perfectly proper goodnight message.

There was no reply for a long time.

Celia casually opened Silas Norwood’s WeChat Moments.

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 almost nothing about his personal life. It was all serious and businesslike.

She then opened his Weibo page.

Besides the flood of comments from netizens worshipping the God of Wealth in creative ways, his profile was empty—even cleaner than his chiseled, ice-king face.

’Serious, conservative, and an appetite smaller than a cat’s...’

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

A certain WeChat group suddenly buzzed with activity.

Someone tossed a screenshot into the chat and tagged everyone:

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

All sorts of replies followed:

[Where’d you find that pic, OP? 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 SH*T, it’s *that* big shot! Anything related to him is something I have to try, no matter what. I’m going to Metropia this weekend, who wants to team up?]

[Malatang? What the hell...]

...

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

It was a new WeChat Moments post from a certain "big shot" in the group. The picture showed an empty bowl of malatang next to an opened can of herbal tea. The malatang container was exquisite, printed with the logo of that famous Sichuan private kitchen in Metropia.

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