Going cold all over, everyone silently wiped their cold sweat away as the tense atmosphere made their hair stand on end. However, they were reluctant to leave, so they watched the drama before them with great interest, and their eyes were focused especially on Michael, whom Irene had called out.
Michael was terror-stricken, for he knew that Sophia would resent him for whatever he said right now.
Heâd rather play dead all night, but he didnât expect Irene to drag him into the conversation.
He had indeed seen Irene backstage that day, but it was her who came backstage with Joel to meet him.
He swore that he never had any private contact with Irene; all he did was say a few greetings to her in front of Joel and ask her to take a photo of him and Joel using his cell phone!
At this moment, he could only brace himself to speak. âItâs been so many years since then. I have put everything out of my mindââ
Soon after he began his sentence, Sophia suddenly got up. When everyone thought that she was finally about to unleash her killer move, she stuck out her tongue playfully and said with an adorable expression, âHubby, excuse me for going to the restroom.â
Everyone was astounded. How could Sophia leave at this critical moment? Was she making a full-scale retreat because she knew that her enemy was more than her match? But this was so unlike her!
Michael nodded foolishly as he also didnât know what Sophia was up to.
Sophia then said, âYou two havenât seen each other for so many years, so you two must have a lot to say to each other. Chat to your heartsâ content, then.â
After that, she actually lifted the hem of her dress and left.
What move is she making? Not only is she in full-scale retreat, sheâs even surrendering her position to her enemy!
Michael broke out in a cold sweat as he watched Sophia leaving like that. Sh*t, I canât tell what sheâs up to! All I know is that Iâll be done for!
He and Irene were left sitting on the same sofa right now. Those around them stayed away from them as far as possible, and nobody came to bail him out of the situation.
Since he was a Best Actor award winner, he gave nothing away on his face despite the emotional roller-
coaster inside him. He spoke flatly, âThatâs how naughty my wife is. I spoiled her rotten, so she canât rein back her willful disposition. Please donât take it to heart since youâre her sister-in-law.â
At this moment, Irene was in no mood to correct Michael as she merely stared blankly at Sophiaâs receding figure.
Did she make a full-scale retreat? No! She is trying to win against me by retreating!
If she cozied up to Michael on her own initiative right now, not only would she demean herself, sheâd no longer hold such a profound and special place in his heart.
Sheâs pretending to be open-minded right now to put pressure on Michael by making him feel guilty.
Besides, he must be overwhelmed with guilt right now, so he can no longer reminisce with me about the old days even if he wants to.
What a brilliant move this is!
Still, Irene chatted with Michael for a little while. She started by correcting him with a wry laugh. âYou know that I have broken up with Joel, so Iâm no longer your sister-in-law. Just call me Renie.â
With just a word, she instantly evoked Michaelâs memory, reminding him of his carefree childhood days, when everyone was running around in the military compound, calling each other Mikey, Celie, Renie, and Joe, respectively. What a memorable and wonderful time it wasâ¦
Sh*t, now that our chief commander is in full-scale retreat, the enemy has launched her attack by reminding Michael of the past! Weâre going to lose!
Stanley was so jumpy that he nearly called Sophia to summon her back.
Why did she run away at this critical moment? Michael is about to start reminiscing with his ex about the past at any moment; itâd be awful if he loses himself in his wonderful memories of the past!
Is she going to surrender her position to her enemy?
Everyone was seized with a deep concern for Sophia when they suddenly heard Michael speaking.
âWhether or not a relationship can last depends on whether the two people really are well-suited to each other. Take my wife and me, for instance; we get along unusually well despite our huge age difference. If you and your partner are on the same wavelength as my wife and I are, you should never let him go. On the contrary, if you and your partner arenât well-suited, breaking up is better for each other.â
There was a faint but strangely animated glint in Michaelâs eyes when he spoke of Sophia. Anyone could tell that he was extremely fond of the person he was talking about; it was as if he had begun to miss her less than a minute after she left.
Irene was startled; she didnât expect Michael to steer away from the conversation.
She quickly assumed a forlorn look by wearing a charming little frown. âJoel and I had been together for six years, but I always felt like something was missing inside me whenever I was with him, which was why I summoned up the courage to suggest to him that we break up. I think that he and I werenât meant to be together forever after because my feelings for him seemed to lack something.â She stared at Michael with tears glistening in her eyes. âIt seemed that Iâd lost my heart to someone else and couldnât let go of the person, so I couldnât hold Joel back for the rest of his life. Leaving was the best outcome for both him and I.â
Everyone was worried for Sophia again as they looked on.
It was already very obvious what Irene was hinting atâMichael was the one she had lost her heart to!
She was hinting to Michael that she hadnât gotten over him!
Stanley took out his cell phone and was about to call Sophia. Just then, however, he saw Michael responding casually, âSince you two werenât suited for each other, breaking up was the best solution for you two. Oneâs feelings for their lover must come from the bottom of their heart. If you love someone from the bottom of your heart, youâll find that they always stand out the most among the crowd. Take Sophia, for instance. She seems to glow with an uncommon radiance that makes me unable to avert my eyes. All I can see and think about is herâ¦â
As he spoke, his eyes glinted again.
Everyone was dumbfounded at the sight of the scene, for the story was progressing in a direction that they couldnât figure out.
Her heart filled with resentment, Irene raised the topic again. âSome of my lost memories seem to have returned these days. I felt like I saw both of us walking along the bank of a stream outside the city. You were fishing the stream while I sang songs to you by the streamâ¦â
Michael picked up on the topic steadily. âI remember that stream, of course; I even took my wife there this summer. The stream was still so clear, but I was the one singing by the stream this time while she fished in the stream. She was very clumsy, so she accidentally fell into the stream. I was so scared that I hurried down to the water to lift her up, yet she giggled at meâ¦â
Irene pinched her palm hard as a trace of sinister hatred flickered in the depths of her eyes. Still, she continued to unobtrusively reminisce about the rainy and blossom-filled old days with a pleasant and sweet voice. âI think I have recalled the rain that time. I seemed to be sheltering under a tree with someone. I was shivering with cold, so the person took off his clothes to shelter me from the rain, but he caught a cold instead.â
The person she was talking about was Michael, of course.
Michael remained unperturbed. âWhen you fall in love with someone, youâll naturally be willing to sacrifice everything for them. When Sophia and I went to feed pandas last time, she was worried that I would be scratched by the adorable pandas since it would hurt a lot when they scratch people.
Whenever she saw the pandas reaching their paws out toward me, she would help me ward them off.
Her arm bled all over from being scratched, yet she still gave me a silly smile. She said that I was an actor that earned a living with my face, so I mustnât get my face disfigured from being scratched by the pandasâ pawsâ¦â
After that, Michael shook his head and smiled like a foolish man in love.
Everyone was astonished. What a divine move he pulled!