Chapter 31: Unexpected Encounters

Chapter 31: Unexpected Encounters

Emily tilted her head and gave a brief, sharp laugh, which then turned into a low, amused chuckle as if she had just been poked at her funny bone.

"Sure, you can try," Emily nodded and murmured. She tried to sound curious rather than sarcastic, "Do you think you can catch up?"

Ethan didn't detect any sarcasm. He furrowed his brows, his expression serious as if he were solving a math problem. After calculating the odds, he nodded earnestly, "I believe I can catch up."

Emily: "..."

Here it comes. The Harrison Family's signature overconfidence might be late but never absent.

"Chairman Harrison," Emily glanced at Ethan, "We've just escaped a failed marriage. I really don't want to jump back into another mistake."

She paused, "Do you think marriage could be another 'failure is the mother of success' situation?"

Ethan gave a look of "Well, it's not impossible."

"It was my fault before," the man admitted, his tone and gaze soft. "I misunderstood you, and I didn't fulfill my responsibilities as a husband. In two years of marriage, I didn't take good care of you or understand you well enough—"

Emily interrupted his apology monologue, "And now, two days after our divorce, you understand me? Can you take care of me now?"

She pouted, disdainfully, "You don't even know how to apply a heating pad!"

Ethan: "..."

Ethan awkwardly adjusted his tie, his voice stiff, "I know how to do it now."

He looked down her face, raising an eyebrow as if to test her faith, "Shall I apply one for you?"

Emily reflexively covered her lower abdomen with her hand, "No need!"

She found herself once again feeling that blend of embarrassment and irritation after being teased.

"I don't think there's any possibility for us," Emily said coldly, "Chairman Harrison, it's better for you to maintain some distance from me. If things get worse in the future, we might not even be able to cooperate."

After hearing her words, Ethan fell silent for a few seconds, his eyelids slowly drooping. Shadows deepened around his eyes, concealing their dark color.

"Emily," the man spoke softly, hesitating. He then forced a wry smile, "What could be worse than this?"

His gaze lingered on her face, his voice low and magnetic, "For me, there's nothing worse than losing you."

**

After Ethan's "second pursuit" declaration that night, he vanished as if he had evaporated, not to be seen for several days. He was constantly appearing in the economic summit news the following week.

Emily didn't take his words to heart. She replied to his occasional WeChat messages with indifference, sometimes forgetting to check them when she was busy. The studio officially started operations at the end of the month, and these days, Emily was working non-stop, having no time for other concerns.

After several hectic days, she finally had some free time. One morning, as she was waking up naturally, a delivery arrived.

Emily opened the package and was taken aback. The beautifully crafted box contained a large number of—

Heating pads??

The gift box had no signature, only a long note in strong black ink:

"Drink more hot water."

Emily looked at it for a couple of seconds and smirked, tossing the straightforward note aside.

She rummaged through the box and found that this heating pad gift set was indeed all-encompassing. It included not only her usual type but also ones with herbs, sea salt grains, scented, and various cartoon patterns...

He had bought every type available on the market.

Emily quickly realized the origin and intention of this gift set.

— "I know how to apply it now."

Look! I really do!

Not only that, but he also conducted thorough research : )

She imagined Ethan desperately trying to prove himself, shaking her head in helplessness.

It's not that she always criticizes him, but sometimes Ethan really does act so childishly.

Emily picked up an herbal heating pad and instinctively touched her lower abdomen.

It was about to come soon, probably in the next couple of days...

Just then, Ethan sent a WeChat message:

"I'm back."

Emily glanced at it but didn't reply.

She genuinely didn't know how to respond.

His recent messages were basically "I'm at xx," "I'm having lunch," "I'm resting," "I woke up early"—

Was he treating her like a time clock?

As she was about to close the WeChat app, Olivia's avatar flashed with a red dot.

"Ah, help!"

Emily: "??"

Emily: "Oh, just cancel it then."

Olivia: "Are you speaking human language?"

Olivia: "My dad insists that I go on a blind date, and it's set in Cairns. He wants to have lunch together."

Emily: "Are you asking me what to wear for the date too? I only know how to match evening gowns, not battle gear."

Olivia: "I'm good at casual outfits, okay!"

Olivia: "I want you to come with me [finger pointing emoji]."

Emily: "[Goodbye][Goodbye]"

Olivia: "Don't go! This is my first blind date."

Emily: "It's okay, you're not exactly a novice at life. Look at you now, all lively and kicking."

Olivia: "… You really have a sharp tongue."

Olivia: "Please, just come with me. I've never been on a blind date before and I can't tell good from bad. I'll be more at ease with someone there [pleading emoji]."

Emily: "…"

Emily: "Fine."

Emily: "But you want me, a freshly divorced woman, to accompany you to such a joyful event. Isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

Olivia: "No one is more suitable than you!"

Olivia: "Divorce isn't uncommon, but a billion-dollar divorcee? You're the only one!"

Olivia: "I want to follow in your footsteps!"

Olivia: "Divorce with a billion dollars starts with a blind date!"

Emily: "…"

Such twisted values.

**

"… If you have any concerns, you can ask the technicians to visit our factories. I guarantee there will be no issues!"

Eric looked at Ethan signing the contract with excitement. "Chairman Harrison, rest assured. Both my father and I have put our utmost effort into this technical improvement. You will surely be satisfied!"

Ethan put down his pen, extending a hand calmly, "Looking forward to the cooperation."

Eric shook his hand, a bit elated. He called the manager to file away the contract and accompanied Ethan out.

"Chairman Harrison, since you've come all this way, I should host you for lunch. It's really unfortunate today—" Eric sighed, "My old man insists I go on a blind date!"

Ethan seemed indifferent to Eric's hosting. He continued walking, asking out of courtesy, "A blind date?"

"Yes, what can I do? At this age, family always does this…" Eric glanced at Ethan's ring hand unintentionally, "You're better off, Chairman Harrison, having resolved your marriage matters early and not having to worry about it anymore."

Ethan awkwardly touched the ring on his left hand and didn't reply.

They reached the panoramic window and waited for the elevator.

Eric still looked hesitant.

Chairman Harrison wasn't easy to meet. Since he was here, he should seize the opportunity to build connections…

Forget it. First, keep him here, and then slip away from the blind date.

"Chairman Harrison, if you don't have any other plans, why don't you stay for a meal?" Eric smiled, "We've just hired a new Australian chef and received some champagne crabs this morning. I wonder if they suit your taste?"

Ethan was about to refuse when his gaze suddenly froze.

He saw a woman getting out of a car, stepping down elegantly, her long hair swaying as she removed her sunglasses—a figure he was unmistakably familiar with.

"Oh, she's here." Eric said suddenly. He had not seen Emily yet, only noticed Olivia adjusting her coat belt and taking small steps.

"That's the person my father set me up with."

Ethan's pupils contracted. He turned around, incredulously looking at Eric.

"You're telling me the person you're set up with is her?"

**

"Hey, wait a minute!" Olivia called as she skipped, waving at Emily. "Why are you more anxious than me about my blind date?"

"Do you have any concept of time?" Emily glanced at her watch and gave Olivia a disapproving look. "Even as a woman, being this late is quite rude."

Olivia pouted, mumbling, "But I need to look good, it's a blind date…"

She lifted her neck, "Do you think this silk scarf is necessary?"

Emily stared at the scarf that had taken ten minutes to decide whether to wear and another half hour to choose which one to wear.

"It's a bit wrinkled. Just take it off and tie it to your bag. It matches your bag."

Olivia obediently untangled the scarf and started wrapping it around her bag strap.

Emily walked ahead, glancing up at the number on the private room. When she reached "608," she stopped.

"This is it?"

Olivia, engrossed in tying her scarf, didn't look up. "Can you check if the person is here?"

Emily raised her arm, slightly opening the door to peek inside.

After just a glance, she held her breath, her eyes widening in shock.

Her arm fell, and she closed the door.

Emily blinked hard

and shook her head.

"Olivia," she tried to adjust her tone, "it seems… the person you're meeting today seems to be someone I know."

"Who?" Olivia, confused, glanced up at Emily's serious expression.

Emily took a deep breath. "You should go in first."

**

Eric froze, then turned to Ethan, both puzzled.

Ethan was also quite surprised.

"Do you think she knows someone here?"

Eric laughed awkwardly. "Not really. It's a private blind date. How could she know anyone?"

Ethan said nothing, only nodded, and began following Eric.

"Chairman Harrison, over here!" Eric shouted and quickly walked to Emily.

Emily glanced at him and then at Ethan, her heart pounding.

"Hi, are you ready for dinner?" Eric asked Emily.

Emily gave a weak smile and nodded. "Hi, Eric. Hi, Ethan."

Eric and Ethan's jaws dropped, their expressions completely frozen.

"Emily, it turns out…" Eric stammered, "We've met before?"

Ethan was about to open his mouth when a hand reached out.

"Good to see you again," Ethan said with a forced smile, "Emily, right?"

Emily's hand shook slightly but maintained a composed smile. "Yes, Chairman Harrison."