Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Did he figure something out?

“Ryan, you’re looking a lot better,” Ethan said with a genuine smile, not faking it at all. He truly hoped Ryan was feeling healthier.

They were at a critical moment in their mission, and if Ryan kicked the bucket too soon, all Ethan’s efforts would be for nothing.

“Cough, cough.” Ryan, feeling the sincerity in Ethan’s gaze, coughed lightly to hide his embarrassment, his eyes darting away, unable to meet Ethan’s gaze directly.

His mom falling for his best friend’s sister—what was that all about?

He was indeed feeling a lot better, especially knowing that his mom wasn’t being mistreated by some sleazy doctor or worse. He had actually managed to get some good sleep last night.

“Ethan, I read those two comics you gave me,” he said, pointing to one of the yuri manga Ethan had brought him last time.

“Two girls together, doesn’t that seem a bit odd?”

Ryan wanted to prepare Ethan mentally, so when the day came, he wouldn’t be too shocked. He was testing the waters with Ethan’s attitude.

“Hmm, isn’t it pretty normal these days for two women to be together?” Ethan replied, pulling his gaze back, knowing what Ryan was getting at.

He was worried Ethan wouldn’t be able to accept it.

This guy is really a good person

“What’s most important,” Ethan continued, “is that when two people are together, they should feel ‘happy.’ Gender doesn’t really matter.”

Ethan was also anxious, glancing at the mission panel.

“Wish name: Hope Mom is Happy.”

“Mission description: Hope Mom can find someone to rely on, so I can leave with peace of mind. Mission reward points: 1000. Random skill +1.”

He needed to convince Ryan that Aunt Sofia and Blair could be happy together.

“Besides,” Ethan tried to look as sincere as possible, “whether it’s the same sex or opposite sex, once you fall for someone, it’s hard to pull yourself away, no matter how much you try to convince yourself otherwise.”

After saying all this, he didn’t get a mission completion notification.

Instead, he saw Ryan’s expression slowly change, even shifting his body back a bit unconsciously.

“?” A question mark popped above Ethan’s head.

“Heh…hehe, I feel the same way,” Ryan said, subtly scooting back a bit more. He listened to Ethan’s sincere words and saw the understanding in his eyes about same-sex relationships.

Thinking about Ethan’s unconditional kindness towards him all this time.

A terrifying thought began to rise in his mind.

This guy… couldn’t be into him…

Ryan thought about his sister and his mom, and swallowed hard.

“?” Ethan noticed Ryan’s sudden change, wondering what was going on.

Their conversation started to get weird from there.

Ethan kept trying to explain that same-sex relationships could be trustworthy and happy.

Ryan kept agreeing, but his expression became more and more guarded.

Until Aunt Sofia came and pushed him back into the hospital room.

“Thanks.” Sofia had her long hair tied back today, draped over her shoulders, wearing a sharp women’s blazer that made her look both professional and dignified.

Her voice was filled with sincerity.

Despite the rocky journey, this boy had kept his promise,Ryan had been sleeping normally these past few days, fully regaining his spirits.

“No need, I just don’t want Ryan to suffer because of me,” Ethan replied earnestly.

“Well… I should get going.” Sofia’s gaze shifted as she set him back on the bed and started to leave. Her pace wasn’t quick,she hesitated at the door of the hospital room before finally stepping out.

She stood in the hallway, raising her hand as if to fan her face.

“I’m such a despicable woman.”

Ethan lay back against his pillow, staring out the window with a heavy heart. Everything had gone according to his plan.

But at the last step, Ryan had shown a strong wariness towards lesbian relationships.

“Ah, was I too naive?” Ethan covered his forehead with his hand. In his plan, given Aunt Sofia’s age, finding a decent man would make Ryan suspect a con artist.

Choosing an average man might not convince Ryan that he could make his mom happy.

After all, trust takes time to build.

Compared to that, Blair and Sofia should have been the most convincing option for Ryan.

“Where did it go wrong?” Ethan murmured, still covering his forehead.

Footsteps approached from behind.

Blair entered, carrying an elegant insulated lunch box: “Something on your mind?”

“Is it that time already?” Ethan snapped out of his thoughts, his smile returning. Blair had come back after finishing her afternoon classes.

“Yeah, this is for you.” Blair handed him the lunch box. “Emily sent this over. She’s been busy preparing for Yale Law School’s Early Decision Program and hasn’t had time to visit.”

“Wow, that girl wants to go into law?” Ethan’s mouth twitched.

Emily’s appearance was deceiving.

Prim, pretty, mature, and well-behaved.

But Ethan knew better,her mind was filled with bizarre and risqué fantasies. If one were to date her, the private shenanigans would be unimaginable.

“She’s always been top three in her class,” Blair said as she pulled up a chair.

“Life really isn’t fair,” Ethan sighed as he opened the lunch box to find perfectly fried shrimp and beautifully presented food.

“This guy’s cooking is surprisingly good.”

“Do you need me to do anything?” Blair suddenly asked.

“It’s nothing.” Ethan glanced at Blair, knowing she was referring to his preoccupied look when she entered. “I’m just worried the lady next door might actually fall for you.”

Blair’s hair brushed her ears, her androgynous beauty more popular with the girls at school than the boys.

She had received plenty of love letters and confessions.

Though most were just youthful crushes, not necessarily lesbian.

But if Blair got too involved…

It would be hilarious if Sofia actually turned.

He had been avoiding that scenario from the start.

“Okay.” Blair nodded, then lay down on the neighboring bed. “Mom’s teacher certification exam is next Tuesday.”

“Hope she passes on the first try.” Ethan genuinely wished, knowing that if Aunt Scarlett passed the teaching exam, with her years of experience at the school, she could immediately switch to teaching.

The thought of Aunt Scarlett in a teacher’s uniform was even more thrilling.

But with Scarlett’s exam next Tuesday…

He didn’t have much time left.

Determination flashed in Ethan’s eyes,he had to complete his mission before Aunt Sofia arrived.

Otherwise, if he confessed to Aunt Scarlett and then got involved with the lady next door, his chances with Aunt Scarlett would be completely ruined.

The next day, Ethan went upstairs to chat with Ryan as usual. Throughout the conversation, he could clearly sense Ryan’s distraction and growing wariness towards him.

“Did he figure something out?”

He had no answers.

After ending the conversation, he returned to the hospital room.

Ethan grabbed Sofia’s arm: “Aunt Sofia, if we leave without doing anything, Ryan will get suspicious, won’t he?”