Chapter 9

At the bedside of William's gravely ill grandfather, they had simply agreed to marry. Brian was still very quiet, but he was no longer the gloomy child he used to be. His silence was now commanding, not allowing anyone to ignore him. When the voices of their parents grew louder, a soft cough from him would immediately bring tranquility. Everyone would glance at him before speaking. His silence was more like composure, his gloominess had turned into a dignified pride.

He was a bit thin, probably due to stomach issues. His long, phoenix-like eyes paired well with his features, making him quite attractive. His lips were a bit thin and quite pale. He looked strict in a suit. Even in casual clothes, he didn't seem approachable. He would lower his eyes and fiddle with his phone, sitting on the sofa in a seemingly relaxed posture, but his back was always straight.

Their wedding day was particularly calm. The ceremony was grand, meant to bring joy to their ailing grandfather. Many friends and associates came, and William got drunk and fell asleep. The next morning, he left. They didn't see each other for three years.

William frowned, only remembering Brian in his pajamas, chasing him out of the house, grabbing the car window, looking at him worriedly, and saying, "Come back safely."

Now, they were sitting here discussing divorce.

William pretended to be obedient, reflecting deeply on his mistakes. Yet, he subtly moved closer to Brian, pretending to walk his two fingers over to Brian's hand resting on the sofa. He subtly moved his hand closer to Brian's, hoping to discreetly brush his fingers against Brian's hand.

Brian noticed the two fingers approaching from the corner of his eye, while William continued to listen to their parents' admonishments like a guilty man.

A child's way of seeking reconciliation.

Brian withdrew his hand and placed it on his knee, refusing this friendly gesture.

The attempt to please him had failed.

"We've discussed it, you two can't divorce."

William breathed a sigh of relief. His parents and mother-in-law seemed to be on his side.

Brian wasn't surprised, nor was he angry. He just gave a faint smile.

William's father, Jay, spoke on behalf of both sets of parents.

"Practically speaking, your uncle and I are not cut out for business. I'm getting old and close to retirement, I can't understand contracts or make decisions. Your uncle cares even less about this. Our family's business needs someone to manage it. William is now with the National Security Bureau, he can't take over the company either. If you two divorce, who will manage our company?"

"There's a management team now. As long as they're paid well each year, there will be a good team to manage it. You don't have to worry about anything. This problem is easy to solve." Brian finally spoke, refuting this point.

Old Jay looked at Brian, somewhat pleading.

"When your grandfather-in-law passed away, he handed the company to you. How can we explain to him if we hand it over to a team?"

Brian sighed and rubbed his temples.

"Also, the Liu family's company. After you divorce, Your father will hand the company over to someone else, right? His illegitimate son is not much younger than you, he's been eyeing it. If you divorce, are you willing to hand over the business to him? You've been managing it for years. Once the companies merge, you can get rid of your father's mistresses and illegitimate children."

"Aren't you a professor of ancient literature, uncle? How do you know so much about corporate politics? Why don't you take over the company?"

"Call me dad. Until the papers are signed, I'm still your father-in-law."

"Alright, dad, if we divorce and lose the support of the your family, my mom and I can leave, stop fighting with them, find a place to start a company, and settle my mom down. We'll live a more comfortable life."

Brian felt that there was no reasoning with his father-in-law. He was particularly helpless.

"No, that won't do. We can't just hand over our money. As long as you two don't divorce, nothing changes. In a few years, you can merge your family's company here. My younger brother and I won't interfere, and William won't participate either. Then it will all be yours. The assets will be twice as large as they are now. Why would you want to start over?" Jay said.

"We don't have feelings for each other."

"That's easy to solve. Just because you don't have feelings now doesn't mean you won't in the future. William, you should love Brian. From today on, give all your love to Brian."

Brian laughed. These naive parents, they were all nodding in agreement, fully endorsing this decision.

"Dad, and both moms, feelings aren't like money in a pocket, you can't just take it all out when you say so. Feelings require both parties. He doesn't have feelings for me, and I don't have feelings for him. How can we love? Let's leave the decision about us to us."

Brian stood up and looked at William.

"I will love you. Really." William was quick to declare, promising to love him very, very, very much. He was determined to love him.