Love Began with the First Meeting

A hint of mockery flashed through Eric's eyes. He thought, 'She's either pretending to be calm or doing it intentionally to catch my attention. It's such a pity, though.' The grin on his face widened.

In contrast to the bustle in the office room, the atmosphere was quiet and peaceful in the garden at the top floor of the Smile Hotel. Under a beach umbrella, two couples chatted away happily. Richie, Shirley, Frank and Smart sat around in a circle, talking to each other merrily.

"Smart, why don't you come see Mark with me?" suggested Shirley, her eyes glittering with excitement.

Every time Smart met Shirley after being away for a while, she found that there was always a brighter light shining in her eyes. It looked like her yearning for the beauty in this world would never diminish despite her growing age. Smart replied while smiling, "Even you are restricted to meet him secretly now. How could I dare come along? I'm afraid that Brian would blame it on us if he failed to capture Molly's heart."

Shirley burst out laughing. Shaking her hand, she looked towards Frank and said without any qualms, "If your son stops messing around between them, my son will surely be able to capture Little Molly's heart."

Frank was dumbfounded by her words. Shedding the usual serious look on his face, he complained to Richie just like he used to do during their younger days, "Richie, is Shirley indirectly saying that my son is better than yours?"

"Hmm..." Richie's gaze deepened as he said slowly, "I won't argue about who is more outstanding between them. However, in this case, only Molly's decision will give us the result, no matter what the boys are capable of."

Shirley and Smart both pondered over Richie's words. A frown appeared on Frank's face, but it quickly turned into a charming smile as he said, "Hey, I was only kidding and you had to go ahead and destroy my joke."

They all burst out laughing, and then Shirley changed the topic.

She asked, "Why don't you stay here for a few more days? You may get the opportunity to see Mark soon."

to M Country tomorrow. We were just passing by here today, and decided to drop by to see you. You and Richie,

"After all, we haven't seen you in almost three years. And you haven't returned to Dragon

understand, but Eric is in A City too. You should drop

should solve their own matters themselves. Smart and I don't want to get involved in their personal

are right," said Shirley in

passed by slowly. Many years had passed by in the same way, with many different stories buried in the river of

*

the sea surface as it rose from the horizon. Soon, the bright rays radiated in every direction

stood in the open balcony of her room. Unlike that of A City, the air here smelled humid and serene,

in the morning. She already knew that he had something important to deal

back in time for lunch. She decided to get the food ready anyway and returned to her room to

one out of her bag. She rifled through them again, yet there was still no sign of her purse. She tried to think back to when she had last seen it, and her eyes opened wide in

bed, she sat down on the corner

rang as she was wondering what to do. She grabbed it and glanced at the screen-- Brian. Her eyes lit up in joy and she answered it immediately. Before Brian could say a word, she grumbled, "Bri, I forgot to bring my purse from A city. I don't have money to buy lunch. Could you ask Tony to send

other end of the call remained silent. After a while, Brian replied shortly,

she asked, "Will you

occupied with some work here," said Brian, "I've booked

delighted, although she couldn't figure out