Riley Hawthorne also handed Caden Hawthorne two sparklers. In the past, Caden would have rejected them without hesitation. In his understanding, he never played with fireworks meant for children, only deeming them "childish". But this time, Caden broke his own rule; he actually accepted them and joined in playing with Vivian Lynch, the two of them romping joyfully in the yard. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⚫𝙣𝙚𝙩 Because of Vivian, everything seemed to become beautiful. Seeing the sweet display between the two, Riley was filled with longing. It turns out that love can truly change a person. Thinking of how her own love was yet to come, Riley felt downhearted, wondering when she could find her own happiness. Suddenly, Zachary Sutton came to her mind, and she couldn’t help but take out her phone and open WeChat. Perhaps she should send him a New Year wish? Having decided, Riley opened the camera and couldn’t help but take a few photos. Photos of fireworks and happy scenes of Caden and Vivian playing with sparklers, which she sent to Zachary Sutton. At that moment, Zachary was still having the New Year’s Eve dinner with his family. Mrs. Sutton couldn’t help but comment, "Zachary, you’re almost thirty, why haven’t you brought a daughter-in-law home for me this year?" Zachary stuck out his tongue, "Mom, I’m only twenty-five, not thirty!" "So what if you’re twenty-five? Look at Caden, he even has a child. I’m telling you, you better hurry!" Zachary opened his mouth to speak, when his phone on the table suddenly beeped. Zachary picked up the phone and saw the message from Riley. He opened the pictures and, looking at the splendid fireworks and the happy Caden and Vivian, his lips curled into a small smile. Mrs. Sutton saw the change in Zachary’s expression and curiously asked, "Who sent you a message that made you smile so happily?" Zachary quickly put away his phone, saying, "No one, just a friend." Mrs. Sutton looked at him unbelievingly, "A friend? What kind of friend makes you so happy? Is it a girl?" Zachary said helplessly, "Mom, don’t guess randomly. It’s really just an ordinary friend." But Mrs. Sutton wouldn’t relent, "An ordinary friend sends you a message during New Year? Be honest with mom, do you have a girl you like?" Zachary felt a bit frustrated and stood up, saying, "Mom, please don’t meddle in my business. I’m full, I’m going back to my room now." Saying that, he took his phone and left the dining room. Back in his room, Zachary opened Riley’s photos again. After thinking it over, he decided to reply to Riley, sending a message: "Happy New Year, the fireworks are beautiful." Seeing Zachary’s reply, Riley was instantly overjoyed and quickly replied, "Happy New Year, Zachary bro!" Zachary added another message, "Looks like Master Hawthorne is deeply in love, even playing fireworks with his little wifey!" "That’s right! My brother and sister-in-law have such a good relationship, it’s really enviable." Riley replied with a message. Seeing Riley’s reply, Zachary felt a slight stir in his heart. He could almost picture Riley’s expression as she said those words—definitely full of longing and envy. "You’ll find your own happiness too," Zachary typed out unconsciously and sent it. Riley was touched upon reading this, yearning to say, "Zachary bro, my happiness can only come from you." But when it came to actually sending those words, she couldn’t bring herself to do it and simply said, "Thank you." And thus, their conversation ended there. Just then, Zachary’s room door was knocked upon. Upon opening it, Zachary saw it was Mrs. Sutton, and he looked helplessly, "Mom, what is it?" "Mom just remembered something. Last time your cousin mentioned that you guys encountered a girl claiming to be your girlfriend at the mall, and she’s Caden’s sister, Riley." Upon hearing this, Mrs. Sutton’s expression turned serious, "Son, you aren’t dating Riley, are you?" Zachary immediately denied it upon hearing, "Mom, Riley was just joking with my cousin. How could I be dating her? I always see her as a sister." Mrs. Sutton sighed in relief upon hearing this, "That’s good. Though Riley is a nice girl, you two aren’t suitable." Zachary frowned slightly and asked, "Why aren’t we suitable?" Mrs. Sutton answered seriously, "Look, our family and the Hawthorne Family have good relations, but ultimately we’re from different backgrounds. Plus, you should find a girl who’s more mature and steady, Riley is still too young and lively, not right for you." Zachary felt uncomfortable but didn’t argue. He simply said calmly, "I understand, Mom, don’t worry about my matters anymore." Mrs. Sutton looked at her son profoundly, "Son, it’s all for your own good. You need to find a woman who can help you in your career and take care of you in life, that way your future will be happier." After a moment of silence, Zachary said, "Mom, I’ll manage my happiness myself, please don’t interfere." Having said this, he closed his room door. "You haven’t let me finish, child..." Outside the room, Mrs. Sutton’s displeasure persisted, yet Zachary no longer paid any attention. He sat on his bed, feelings mixed. He recalled Riley’s lively and adorable manner in front of him, her shyness, making his heart waver. Did he truly only see her as a sister? The question swirled relentlessly in his mind, drawing him into contemplation. Subsequently, Zachary maintained clarity, patting his face self-consciously, muttering to himself, "Zachary Sutton, you can’t continue . Riley is a good girl, you mustn’t lead her on." To prevent Riley from falling deeper, and to keep him from overthinking. Zachary felt it was time for Riley to let go of any hopes regarding him. Zachary took a deep breath, attempting to calm his emotions. He started to think about how to let Riley give up on him without hurting her too much. He knew Riley was a kind and pure girl, her feelings sincere and passionate, and he didn’t want his uncertainty to cause her more harm. Caden Hawthorne embraced Vivian beside him, both standing in the yard, gazing at the fireworks blossoming in the night sky. Vivian nodded with a smile, "It’s fun, the fireworks are really beautiful." "From now on, every year, I’ll celebrate with you, is that alright?" Caden held Vivian’s hand, gazing lovingly into her eyes. Vivian smiled and nodded, "Alright..." The next moment, Caden leaned down and kissed her lips. And at that moment, the New Year countdown began, "10, 9, 8, 7..." Until the last second, fireworks blossomed in the distance again, and everyone shouted together, "Happy New Year!"