Blair smiled bitterly without uttering a word. The kind mother's comforting words couldn't chase away the sadness in her heart.

Hearing no response from the girl, Cecelia advised worriedly, “Trust me. It's not to make me happy. Don't believe me? Try this: Say he Liked a girl, and I didn't. If he liked her, and I wouldn't allow them to marry, ask him what he'd do. If he says he wouldn't marry her, or he'd listen to me, or he'd think it over, then you know it's bull. He'll do whatever he wants to do. He always has."

Blair was lost for words after hearing her advice.

At Lunchtime, she thought so much about what Cecelia said that she just nibbled at her lunch. Garnet was seated right next to Wesley. It was

Lauren who made the seating arrangements. And Blair sat beside Niles.

Blair wasn't happy with it. But she could say nothing since Wesley didn't seem to care who sat next to him. So she just lowered her head and focused on her food.

There was a lot of laughter, affection, and teasing. The usual.

Everyone seemed fairly happy. After Lunch, the Hughes family took off.

When they saw off the Hughes family at the gate, Blair happened to make eye contact with Garnet. Both of them looked away at once. Blair noticed the thoughtful look in Garnet's eyes.

Nonetheless, her mind was still occupied by Cecelia's advice. When she and Wesley were finally alone, she sprang the question on him.

“Let me ask you something.” She caught up to the man who was headed upstairs.

Wesley stopped in his tracks.

"What?"

“What if...and I mean IF...you like a girl and want to marry her, but your mom doesn't agree, what would you do?"

He replied curtly, "There are no such 'ifs.'"

“Hypothetically. Just answer me!" she said impatiently.

Wesley never had any interest in answering questions Like that. But she seemed anxious for an answer. So, casting a sidelong glance at her, he answered coolly, “I'll marry who I want. Mom doesn't get a say.”

“Cecelia likes Blair, so there's no problem, ' he thought to himself instinctively.

Finally, his answer chased her sadness away. She stood rooted to the spot and smiled goofily.

"So he just used his mom as an excuse. He lied about his true feelings.

I'll have to read between the Lines from now on, ‘ she thought.

Wesley continued climbing the staircase. Hearing no footsteps behind him, he turned around and found the woman with a goofy smile, still standing where he left her.

The night before Blair and Wesley went back home, Cecelia gave Blair a red envelope, according to the custom of New Year. It was a thick one.

You could imagine how much money was in it. Blair refused, “Aunt

Cecelia, I'm a grown-up. I have a job. I don't need this."