"I just didn't expect him to be so crazy, coming to our home to cause trouble," Lilah said, leaning tiredly against the headboard, her complexion seemingly a bit better.

"It's over now. There won't be any more problems," Gerard said, a guilty expression crossing his face. "It seems that being with me hasn't made your life any easier."

Lilah was taken aback; it was the first time she had heard him speak like this.

"Who says things haven't gotten much better?" She clung to his arm tightly. “Have you forgotten everything? Do you need me to remind you of all we've been through?"

Gerard's deep, penetrating gaze quietly observed her, as if he wanted to etch her face into his memory.

The two of them had indeed weathered many storms together, and neither of them was the same person they used to be.

But that didn't matter; their love remained as strong as ever, which was the best outcome they could hope for.

For the following week, Lilah was ordered to stay at home—no, to stay in bed and rest.

This was a direct order from Gerard, whose word was law in the house. Even Miranda and Brenda couldn't help her out of this one.

Lilah was going stir-crazy, but fortunately, her eldest son kept her company.

One morning, as mother and son were playing video games in the room, there was a knock on the door. It was Livia outside.

Lilah gestured for her son to open the door and let her in.

It was clear Livia had something to say.

"What's up? Just say it," Lilah signaled with her eyes for Livia to sit down and speak slowly.

Livia's face was visibly conflicted. She had been holding onto this for two or three days, unsure of what to do, and finally came to Lilah for advice.

"Sis, Zhou Yuechuan asked me to be his girlfriend," Livia finally confessed after much hesitation.

Lilah was in the middle of taking a sip of water and nearly spat it out at the revelation. Jerrold, ever the quick thinker, handed his mom a tissue to wipe her mouth.

"Thanks, my dear son," Lilah said, pointing to the adjoining room, suggesting Jerrold go read there.

But he refused.

"Mom, I want to help Aunt Livia figure this out too," Jerrold said earnestly.

"I've told you so many times, call her Aunt Livia," Lilah sighed.

"So, Zhou Yuechuan wants you to be his girlfriend. He's obviously into you, but why the rush? Then again, he's over thirty now. I heard from Brenda that this Mr. Zhou is quite the aloof gentleman, and with his mother not in the best health lately, maybe he's got other considerations for expressing his feelings so soon?"

Lilah pondered aloud.

Livia added, "He said something similar to what you just mentioned. He feels he's not getting any younger, and his family is urging him. Plus, his family seems to like me, so they hope we can quickly move towards marriage."