Chapter 118

In fact, Edmond did hear it and did think of that car accident. He didn't respond because he didn't know how to explain it to her. There were too many things involved, the most important being something he had yet to find a complete solution for.

---

The task Lily asked Edmond to help with was photographing a pair of yellow diamond earrings. She originally planned to go herself, but Edmond happened to be going on a business trip and was able to take care of it.

Before he left, Lily handed him an exquisite velvet box. "A Mid-Autumn Festival gift."

Actually, it was a birthday gift. Today was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and Edmond's birthday was tomorrow. She found out his birthday from their marriage certificate. Before, she had focused only on Royce and hadn't paid much attention to Edmond, not even knowing how he usually celebrated his birthday. A month ago, she secretly asked Alistair.

Alistair said, "He doesn't really like celebrating his birthday. Every year he just eats and drinks with a few friends and plays cards all night. It's pretty boring. He's always been a bit dull."

Lily suggested she help him prepare for his birthday and give him a surprise, but Alistair advised against it. "No need. I asked him about it and suggested throwing him a big party this year, but he didn't appreciate the idea. He told me to keep it low-key in the future, saying birthdays just remind him he's getting older, which is annoying. So, don't ask him about it. Let him be happy."

Lily told this to Aria, who analyzed the situation and came to a conclusion related to her. "Although Edmond's previous birthdays were dull, he still celebrated them. I think he might have stopped because of you. Maybe he's not celebrating this year because you didn't celebrate yours."

Lily didn't want to be vain and ask Edmond if it was because of her. She didn't ask, but she bought the gift anyway. Giving it to him on the actual day would arouse suspicion, so giving it during the Mid-Autumn Festival made sense.

---

Edmond took the velvet box she handed over and opened it. Inside was a pair of rare and valuable yellow diamond cufflinks, rich in vintage charm, elegant, and noble, perfectly matching his black shirt.

Edmond looked up at her, his voice elongated. "A Mid-Autumn Festival gift?"

Lily nodded without a change in expression. "Yes. Do you like them? When I saw them, I thought they suited you perfectly."

This was true. She thought ordinary things didn't match Edmond's aura, so she went to an auction. Near the end of the event, she saw these cufflinks. At first glance, they seemed made for Edmond.

Noble and untouchable.

Edmond apologized for not preparing a Mid-Autumn Festival gift for her. Lily pointed to her earrings. "You did. These earrings you helped me get count as your gift to me."

She touched her earrings, then pointed to the cufflinks in his hand, complaining a little. "Haven't you noticed? They're a matching set. I picked them specially."

Skillfully changing the topic.

Edmond pulled her closer, his gaze softening as he looked down at her. "I noticed long ago."

Their outfits today also matched well. He was in a black shirt and trousers, while she sported an elegant Hepburn style. From her dress to her earrings, they looked like they were specially coordinated.

Edmond's breath brushed against her earlobe, his sexy voice making her itch all over. "Last night was my fault. Next time, just say so. I'll let you have your way."

Lily: "..."

Men's words are deceitful.

Edmond knew in his heart that this probably wasn't a Mid-Autumn Festival gift. When she called Alistair about his birthday, Alistair turned around and called him.

"I think you're overthinking it. Lily brought it up herself, so she clearly isn't upset about missing one birthday. You're being too cautious."

Edmond sometimes felt he was being overly cautious too. Before marrying her, he had never tried to woo or please anyone, let alone put in so much effort for someone. Lacking experience, in the early days of their marriage, he tried everything, from Octavian's suggestion of filling a room with roses to Alistair's recommendation of using drones, which he hadn't yet had the chance to try out.

He found that Lily's response to his meticulously planned romantic gestures was often just mild appreciation, without a deeper emotional connection. So he decided that grand romantic gestures weren't right for their current situation and saved them for a more passionate phase in their relationship.

Afterward, he followed Franklin's advice to some extent and then relied on his own exploration. If it were his birthday, he believed Lily would happily celebrate it, but he just didn't want to. Since she didn't celebrate her birthday, he wouldn't either, a case of mutual consent. He thought birthdays were no big deal anyway.

One year older with each celebration, he thought, who wants to be reminded of that?

---

This year's Mid-Autumn Festival was the most comfortable one Lily had spent at the Zhou family mansion. For one, everyone who came for dinner was part of the "Loving Family" WeChat group. They had all seen her scolding messages and Edmond's supportive stance, so no one caused trouble. The smart ones tried to curry favor with her, giving her mooncakes, while the less savvy ones stayed far away.

Secondly, the troublemakers were absent. Royce had been temporarily banished to a remote location by Edmond, and Nadia was in the hospital. Malika, upon learning that her son was sent away on a business trip during the Mid-Autumn Festival, angrily wanted to confront Edmond but was stopped by her husband Nelson. After venting her anger, she went back to her parents' home in a huff.

The old man didn't say much about the absentees. The happiest person that night was Karina. With the second house's people almost all absent and Malika gone, she became the hostess of the mansion for the evening. She supervised the preparation of the banquet, earning herself a good reputation.

The meal was eaten in a peaceful atmosphere. After dinner, the old man called his sons and grandsons to the study. While waiting for Edmond, Lily was invited to a room by Nayla.

After some casual chatting, Nayla brought up her son.

"Franklin wasn't very diligent in school and used to hang around in bars. But now he's finally starting to look decent."

She wiped away tears and expressed her gratitude to Lily. "I know Franklin got into Jingshi Group because of you. Lily, thank you so much."

Lily spoke up for Franklin. "Franklin is very talented. There's nothing he can't do once he sets his mind to it. You should have faith in him; he will only get better."

Among the men Lily knew, the top three most impressive ones were Edmond, her cousin, and Franklin. In her mind, ranked by intelligence, Edmond was first, Franklin second, and her cousin third.

Everyone thought Franklin had been a wastrel abroad, but he wasn't. He was very capable. He had been managing the rent of Changhuai Street properties for her, helping with finances and investments, and the money had multiplied many times over.

Franklin was an investment genius. Edmond hiring him was like discovering a treasure.

Hearing Lily praise her son, Nayla was filled with gratitude, saying Edmond had married a good wife. Lily felt a bit embarrassed when Nayla suddenly mentioned Edmond's mother.

"If Guan Ling were still here, she would have adored you as her daughter-in-law."

Lily was taken aback, about to say something when Nayla stopped herself, seemingly realizing she had brought up a sensitive topic, her expression awkward.

She asked Lily to wait a moment, then returned with a thermos. "Tonight's soup was ordered by Karina from a restaurant, which might not suit your taste. I noticed you didn't drink much, so I made some fresh soup. Take it with you."

Lily knew Nayla was great at making soup. Franklin had brought some to her when she was younger, and she remembered it fondly. She didn't refuse and accepted the thermos. "Thank you, Fifth Sister-in-law."

---

By the time they left, it was almost eleven o'clock. The driver had just pulled the car out of the courtyard when he saw Franklin running fast in the rearview mirror, so he turned to ask for instructions.

"Stop the car."

The car stopped by the roadside. Just as Edmond was about to lower the window, his phone rang. It was a call from Octavian. Thinking it must be important, Lily got out of the car.