Chapter 360: When You Like Someone, Your Eyes Can’t Hide It
Lucia unconsciously pursed her lips. Still, she didn’t shy away from the call, answering it in front of her whole family, though she intentionally lowered her voice.
"Hello."
"Lucia, Happy Mid-Autumn Festival."
Caleb’s cheerful yet gentle voice came through the phone.
Lucia’s lips curved into a smile, her eyes crinkling with amusement. "Thank you. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival to you too."
"Have you eaten yet?"
"I have. What about you?"
"I’ve eaten too."
"Oh."
They exchanged questions and answers like a pair of schoolchildren.
After a few seconds of silence, Caleb cleared his throat and finally said what he’d been working up the courage to say.
"Lucia, let’s go for a walk by the river. I want to watch the Mid-Autumn moon with you."
Lucia tightened her grip on her phone.
A while ago, Caleb had confessed his feelings to her, wanting to start a serious relationship.
She hadn’t accepted on the spot, but she hadn’t rejected him either.
It wasn’t that Lucia was intentionally stringing Caleb along, but...
The two had grown up together, the very definition of childhood friends. Their families were both prominent and close, which meant they were well-matched in social status and knew each other inside and out.
Lucia had always seen Caleb as her best male friend, her closest buddy. They couldn’t have been more familiar with each other; they knew about every single mischievous or embarrassing thing the other had done growing up.
The seed of their friendship had long ago taken root in her heart, growing into a towering tree. She would go through fire and water for Caleb, but she’d never once imagined being his girlfriend.
It wasn’t that Caleb wasn’t an amazing guy; Lucia just couldn’t wrap her head around the idea. The thought of them dating felt too awkward, and she was at a loss for what to do.
’We’re so close. How could I even make a move?’
And so, Lucia found herself wanting to avoid the situation.
"It’s windy today, and it’ll be too cold by the river. I don’t want to go."
Caleb didn’t find Lucia’s excuse fussy at all. Instead, he blamed himself for not being thoughtful enough and not considering things more carefully.
"Then let’s go somewhere warmer. How about the night market? We can eat, walk around, and look at the moon."
Lucia was stuffed and had no interest in the night market. "I just ate. I’m not hungry."
Caleb didn’t give up. "Then let’s go for a walk in the park. I’ll come pick you up."
"I’m at the old family home."
"I know. I’m just about there."
Lucia was speechless.
Caleb hung up.
Lucia thought he was joking, but to her surprise, he really did show up at the door two minutes later.
The doorbell rang, and a maid hurried over to open the door.
Caleb walked in, his posture ramrod straight. He rarely wore suits, but he was wearing one today—elegant, formal, and especially stylish, making him seem more mature all of a sudden.
Used to seeing him in casual, trendy clothes, Lucia found it a little strange to see him dressed so formally.
...
’But she had to admit one thing: no matter what Caleb wore, he looked handsome enough to debut as a pop idol.’
Caleb held an exquisitely packaged wooden mooncake gift box in one hand, while his other hand hung naturally at his side. Upon entering, he first bowed slightly in greeting.
"Grandma, Uncle, Aunt, Adrian, Wren, Julian, Happy Mid-Autumn Festival."
His voice was clear, his tone modest and polite. His eyes held the unique composure and good breeding of a child from a prominent family, and his manners were impeccable.
The matriarch greeted him warmly, "Caleb, you’re here! Come in, come in. Make yourself at home, have a seat."
The whole family welcomed him with smiles.
Caleb walked into the courtyard and placed the mooncake gift box on the table.
"These are mooncakes my mother made by hand today. Lotus seed, red bean paste, and five kernel—three kinds of fillings. Considering Grandma is getting older and can’t have too much sugar, my mom specially made two batches. One of them is sugar-free, so you can eat it without worry, Grandma."
His words were thoughtful and heartwarming. The Lancaster family was already on excellent terms with the Caldwell family, so they were even more delighted to see Caleb.
"Your mother went to a lot of trouble. Please thank her for me when you go back."
"You’re too kind, Grandma. Between our two families, there’s no need for thanks. My mom said that if you like them, she’ll make more for you, and I’ll be in charge of delivering them."
The matriarch laughed happily, praising Caleb for his sweet words.
Lucia watched Caleb exchange pleasantries with the elders with effortless grace, his tone proper and his demeanor poised. That strange, awkward feeling surfaced in her heart again.
’In her eyes, he was still the same buddy who climbed trees and raided birds’ nests with her, got into trouble with her, and got scolded by their parents with her...’
After a few more pleasantries, Caleb’s gaze naturally fell upon Lucia.
He then turned back to the Lancaster elders, his tone respectful and sincere.
"Grandma, Uncle, Aunt, I’d like to take Lucia out for a walk. We won’t go far, just to a nearby park, and we won’t be long. I’ll bring her right back. Is that okay?"
He sought the elders’ opinion, showing respect and consideration. He handled himself perfectly, leaving the Lancasters with nothing to find fault with.
Everyone deferred the decision to Claire Sterling.
After all, when a boy asks a daughter out, it’s the mother who should give her consent.
Claire Sterling genuinely liked Caleb. She had watched him grow up, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say she saw him as a godson.
She had complete trust in his character, and she could also tell that he liked Lucia.
Her daughter was in her twenties. While there was no rush to get married, a normal relationship was perfectly fine.
Claire didn’t object and agreed with a smile.
"Go ahead. It’s good for young people to get out more. Just be safe."
Caleb nodded seriously. "Don’t worry, Aunt Claire. I’ll definitely take good care of Lucia."
Then, he turned to Lucia, a tenderness reserved just for her coloring his gaze.
"Lucia, let’s go."
Lucia looked at her family’s knowing expressions and felt both shy and mortified. But she was too embarrassed to refuse and make Caleb lose face in front of everyone.
She slowly got up and shuffled over to Caleb’s side, muttering under her breath, "Seriously? Speak of the devil and he appears."
Caleb’s eyes were full of adoration as he nodded and replied, "You’re so smart. You guessed right."
Watching the two of them leave side-by-side, a gentle, gratified smile appeared on Wren’s lips.
Before dinner tonight, Lucia had been chatting with her, telling her a lot about Caleb and even revealing that he had confessed his feelings to her.
Wren had long since noticed that Caleb liked Lucia. When you like someone, even if you don’t say it, your eyes can’t hide it.
Although she also approved of Caleb, feelings had to be mutual.
So, Wren had asked Lucia, "Do you like Caleb?"
Lucia thought for a moment before answering very seriously, "The way I like Caleb isn’t romantic love. It’s the bond we have from growing up together."
"I’m just too familiar with him. Being boyfriend and girlfriend would be really awkward."
"But, to be honest, it’s not like I dislike him."
Adrian saw the smile on Wren’s lips and gently pulled her into his arms.
"What are you thinking about? You look so happy."
Of course, Wren wasn’t about to tell Adrian the secrets from her private chat with Lucia.
"Nothing. The moon is beautiful tonight, the osmanthus smells lovely, and I’m just in a good mood."
Adrian hugged Wren from behind, his warm breath tickling her ear.
"You’re very beautiful today, too."
After a pause, he asked, "Are we going back home tonight?"
They had their own bedroom at the old family home, fully equipped with everything they needed, so staying the night was an option.
In the past, Adrian would never have asked for Wren’s opinion. If he said they were staying, they stayed. If he said they were leaving, they left.
Now, he had learned to respect her and cared about her feelings.
Wren glanced at the time. Considering Owen and Nina had trouble sleeping in unfamiliar beds, the children wouldn’t sleep well in a different place, which would mean the adults wouldn’t sleep well either.
"Let’s go back."
Adrian respected her decision. "Okay. We’ll head back in half an hour."
...
「Half an hour later.」
Adrian left the old family home with Wren and their two children.
The driver drove smoothly.
The back seat was spacious. Adrian sat on the right, Wren on the left, and Owen and Nina were settled in the child safety seats between them.
The two little ones had been playing all day and were getting tired. They were drowsily blinking their eyes, looking absolutely adorable.
It was quiet in the car, and soon, the sound of the children’s sleeping breaths filled the silence.
Wren’s gaze was gentle and full of love. She took two small, thin blankets from the diaper bag and gently draped them over the children, unable to look away.
Adrian could see that she was also a little tired and gently patted the back of her hand.
"I’ll watch the kids. You lean back and rest for a bit. I’ll wake you when we get home."
Wren appreciated the kind gesture. "I’m okay, not that tired. I can make it home."
Adrian didn’t insist. The two of them watched over their children together, chatting idly from time to time.
After a while, the car slowly approached an intersection. They were only three to five minutes away from home.
The traffic light turned green, and the car proceeded forward as normal.
In an instant, a pair of blinding high beams flashed from the right. The intense light pierced the darkness, shining directly on Adrian’s car.
A heavy-duty truck, like a wild horse that had broken its reins, let out a ferocious roar from its engine. It blew through the red light at a speed far exceeding the limit, and without a hint of slowing down, it hurtled violently toward them...