"Okay, got it." He finally responded, lifting his hand to gently rub the top of my head, but then said, "Even if I go to find him, it’s for you, not a waste of time or effort." I was taken aback, looking up at him with a warm flow in my heart. His perspective on things is always so unique, and quite convincing. I mumbled, "Still, don’t bother, we should just ignore people like that." "Alright, I’ll listen to you." We gazed at each other, and for a moment neither of us spoke, creating an inexplicably "strange" atmosphere. Looking into his deep, mysterious eyes, and focused gaze, I suddenly realized something, and my heartbeat inexplicably sped up. This atmosphere, this mutual gaze, this unspoken understanding—following the plots in TV dramas, the next step should be two faces slowly drawing closer, then the man slightly tilting his head, leading to an involuntary kiss. But with so many people present, if seen by others, who knows what kind of commotion it would cause. Although I’ve been married, considered experienced, I’m not very familiar with matters of intimacy, let alone such public displays of affection. My mind became increasingly flustered, my breathing more and more rapid. I suddenly turned my face away and whispered, "Well... it’s getting late, I..." As soon as I spoke, Daniel Carter blinked lightly, his mind quickly clearing. I didn’t finish my sentence and lowered my eyes, blushing. "Ahem!" Daniel Carter also cleared his throat, then raised his wrist to check the time. "Mm, it’s almost 1 AM. I’ll take you home. Your leg injury hasn’t fully healed, you shouldn’t stand for too long." Indeed, after standing for several hours tonight, I felt a faint pain in both knees, making movement somewhat stiff. But when I looked around, everyone was drinking, chatting, dancing, playing cards, and gaming, the atmosphere in full swing with no sign of ending. "Leaving now wouldn’t be right, would it?" "No worries, they know I’m not fond of these." Daniel Carter wrapped his arm around me and turned to bid farewell to everyone before preparing to leave. "What about Melissa? Is she going back by herself?" I asked worriedly. Melissa Chandler waved her hand, signaling us to go quickly, "It’s fine, I’m not a child, I can go back on my own." But Daniel Carter instructed, "Wait for me to come back and get you, don’t wander around." "Ugh, you have a girlfriend now, can you stop being on my case all the time!" Melissa protested in annoyance. Daniel Carter left a remark, "I’ll always be your brother!" "..." Melissa grimaced in frustration. After bidding farewell to everyone once more, Daniel Carter and I left. Inside the glass elevator, I looked out. Although it was already past midnight, the Fallhaven Embankment was still crowded with people. I suddenly thought of something and turned back to ask, "How long did you prepare for tonight?" Daniel, who had been looking at his phone, raised his gaze when he heard the question, clearly looking uncomfortable. I smiled slightly, "This is unlike something you’d typically do." He responded with a hum, explaining, "It was Natalie’s idea, but I made some improvements." When saying the last sentence, he raised his eyebrows slightly, showing a bit of pride, clearly satisfied with his "improvements." At this moment, he was nothing like the distinguished and decisive mysterious figure seen by outsiders, but more like a little boy seeking praise. I pressed my lips together, smiling and humorously said to satisfy him, "Using the comic format to clarify for me, that’s your improvement, right?" He smiled and nodded, "You didn’t want me to get involved with online stuff, but you didn’t say I couldn’t express my feelings. Between us, I was the one to act first, so if there’s any moral condemnation to face, it should be on me." I looked at him, my heart warming up, and then couldn’t help but say, "But I don’t want you to face moral condemnation either." After saying that, I turned back to look out the window. Feeling shy, not daring to face him. But he still leaned in, hugging me from behind, whispering in my ear, "Hearing you say that, it’s all worth it." I smiled without saying a word, my heart feeling indescribably wonderful. On the way home, I was still in high spirits. Wennie Lane sent me a lot of WeChat messages. I opened them to find out that the drone show had already gone viral online. As expected, various opinions flooded in. There were those who felt touched, envious, offering blessings, and naturally, there were also those who mocked, slandered, and loathed the rich. But I was in a good mood and didn’t care about the voices outside. I even playfully replied to some of the insulting and defamatory comments, with a sense of "showing off." For those comments saying the man has poor tastes, I was even more ruthless. Daniel Carter saw me chuckling to myself and curiously asked what I was laughing about. I said, "Chatting with netizens, it’s quite interesting." I turned my phone over to show him. He understood and chuckled, "Why bother with this?" "Humph, they can say what they want about me, but speaking ill of you is not fine with me, I have to fight back." Daniel Carter’s tone was warm and amused, "You’re pretty protective." I have always been very clear about gratitude and grievances. For those good to me, I repay their kindness many times over. For those who treat me poorly, I make sure to settle the score. The drastic changes in life over these months have made me fully understand the true essence of life: value life lightly, and if you don’t agree, just go for it! Live according to your own desires, live the life you want, and let no one wear you down! So, I was arguing with the "anti-fans" along the way. Especially those who went to my homepage, leaving nasty comments under my daytime "little speech," I didn’t let any of them go unchecked. When the car arrived at the bottom of my building, Daniel Carter turned to look at me. I snapped back, smiled at him, "We’re here? I’m heading up, you hurry and pick Melissa back." I pushed open the car door and left. Daniel Carter followed me out of the car, "Is that all?" I was still holding my phone, eager to go back home and continue arguing, paused for a moment, "Then what should I do?" He pressed his lips together, his handsome face under the streetlight looking somewhat dissatisfied, yet somewhat helpless. I suddenly understood. Having just confirmed our relationship, I was only focused on playing with my phone along the way, ignoring him. Now that I was home, I got out of the car and left just like that. It was indeed a bit too much. My face turned shy, I looked around, finding no one in the middle of the night, so I walked back, tiptoed, and pecked him on the chin like a dragonfly skimming the water, "Good night, thank you for taking me home." Daniel Carter smiled, "Rest early, let’s have lunch together tomorrow." I didn’t ask why we would meet for lunch, only waved at him and turned to go upstairs. At home, I directly went online on my computer, capturing screenshots of the slander targeting Daniel Carter, preparing to have a lawyer deal with it the next day. I busied myself online all night until the sky turned pale gray, then yawned and fell into bed. I slept until late the next morning. The phone rang for an unknown amount of time when I suddenly woke up from sleep. "Hello... you’re up early..." I said groggily, my voice muffled. Daniel Carter chuckled and replied, "It’s eleven o’clock, still early?" I was startled, frowned, and opened my eyes, trying hard to check the time on my phone. His tone was gentle, with a hint of laughter, "I saw you were arguing with people online all night, didn’t dare call you earlier; now it’s noon, didn’t we agree to have lunch together last night?" I had completely forgotten about it, but my mind sharp, caught onto his previous sentence, and asked curiously, "How do you know I was arguing with people all night?" "You’re famous now, how could I not know?" Daniel explained with a laugh, "A marketing account posted screenshots online of your argument with the keyboard warriors. It went viral, and many netizens expressed a desire to hire your mouth." I forced myself to sit up, "No way, who could be that bored?" "Don’t be nervous, it’s also a good thing, at least now no one dares to insult you, they’re afraid you might climb through the network cable and curse them into self-isolation." He joked, but I felt particularly annoyed. I tried hard to recall the words I used last night in my argument with the haters, among them were some extremely malicious words. I thought Daniel Carter couldn’t possibly have time to pay attention to such online spats, considering how busy he is every day, dealing with serious, secretive matters. What would he think of me? Will he discover that I am just a pretty face, looking like a dignified lady, but in reality, rude and uncultured, spewing "filth"? I held my phone, hating myself for being too reckless last night. Daniel Carter, seemingly able to sense my embarrassment across the phone, continued to laugh and comfort me, "Really, it’s okay. They deserved it." I laughed awkwardly, "Do you not think I am a shrew?" "Why would I think that? They insulted you repeatedly, isn’t it natural for you to fight back? I just love your fiery and straightforward nature, it has a vibrant and spirited feel to it." His words made my blood boil, suddenly feeling like I was a heroine. He really knows how to provide emotional support. "Second Master Carter, you have quite a unique taste." Most men prefer quiet, elegant, and dignified ladies, but he’s an exception, liking the fierce "shrew". Daniel understood the meaning of my words and laughed, "That’s right, I am always unique." I held the phone, laughing softly. For some reason, I feel like he’s become slightly liberated after we confirmed our relationship. But this kind of liberation is quite good. Although he was excellent enough before, bright enough, I always felt the burden of responsibility on his shoulders was too great, the family’s mission too heavy, making life somewhat suffocating and dull. He’s like the "other people’s kid" in the eyes of all parents, with extremely high standards and extreme self-discipline. Over time, those stereotypes became a "burden," restricting his life to be square and proper. He forgot that life can be carefree, indulgent, can occasionally be liberated. I suddenly felt pity for him. No wonder he thought my argument with the netizens was pretty good, perhaps because his identity, upbringing, and status determined he could never be so reckless, so arrogant. So after seeing me do it, he seemed to experience it vicariously. I sighed softly in my heart, life... no matter how much you own, there’s always some regret. Behind the noble and distinguished, power and influence, there are responsibilities, missions, obligations that ordinary people cannot experience, countless rules, principles, and accompanying pressures for a lifetime. After agreeing on a lunch venue with Daniel Carter, I got up to tidy and freshen up. Also went online to check, my glorious battle achievements are being widely used by marketing accounts. Didn’t know until I saw it, was surprised when I did. I even doubted whether those retorts to the trolls were really from my hand. Or maybe last night I went berserk, completely lost my mind? A troll insulted me for looking like a vixen, surely skilled in charm tactics. I countered: Are you envious? Is your appearance so ugly you don’t dare look in the mirror, afraid of nightmares at midnight? A troll said I just divorced and found a man again, certainly couldn’t stay idle for a day. I scolded: You must be very pitiful, men see you and avoid you, really lonely, buy some toys, don’t neglect yourself. A troll said my mouth was so vicious, the man who liked me must be unlucky. I replied: How could I curse degenerates if my mouth wasn’t vicious? The man who likes me has the best judgment. Examples like these abound. Wennie Lane even waved the flag for me on WeChat, saying my newfound love is like being reborn, battle power suddenly exploded. Even more amazing, because I went all out to curse, I unexpectedly gained a wave of fans, gaining tens of thousands overnight on my personal platform. This world is so wild, turns out everyone loves to see scripts of strong female protagonists. Seems like I’ve suddenly grasped the secret of gaining traffic, pondering while brushing my teeth whether I should take advantage of this wave of heat and start a livestream or something to endorse my brand, making a big profit at the end of the year. Arrived at the restaurant, Daniel Carter was already waiting. I saw him and approached lightly. "Why are you sitting here? Aren’t you afraid of being recognized?" The spot was near the window, had a great view, but was in the middle of the restaurant, where customers passing by could notice. Daniel poured tea for me, saying indifferently, "So what if I’m recognized, I’m having a meal openly with my girlfriend." As he finished speaking, someone approached us, already reaching out in respect from afar, "Chairman Carter, hello, what a coincidence meeting you here!" The person was a middle-aged man, accompanied by a woman of similar age, both dressed meticulously, presumably people of status. Daniel stood up and shook hands with them, "Mr. Grant, Mrs. Grant, hello to you both." Read complete version only at Nove1Fire.net "Chairman, I’ve prepared the proposal, thank you for this opportunity. There’s no better time than now, since we’ve run into each other, how about I host, you and this—" Mr. Grant spoke politely while looking at me, with eyes full of hesitance and inquiry. Daniel immediately introduced, "This is my girlfriend, Lily Miller." "Oh! I’ve heard, Miss Miller, nice to meet you!" Mr. Grant appeared to have an epiphany, nodding and bowing to me quickly. But the lady beside him looked at me differently. Perhaps thinking: Not so special, why is she worth such a fuss from Daniel Carter? "Please Chairman, give me a chance to host." Mr. Grant’s desire to curry favor was too obvious. Yet Daniel Carter outright refused, "Mr. Grant, today is inconvenient." Their expressions immediately shifted, stepping back a bit, "Understood, then we won’t disturb your meal with Miss Miller." They turned and left, I breathed a sigh of relief, "Actually, you didn’t need to introduce me that way." "You are my girlfriend, how else should I introduce you?"