Although the family party did not have too many people, the confined space still made one uncomfortable. Julian followed Ethan step by step outside; only when they reached the garden did he feel a bit at ease.
Julian detested these kinds of parties. Perhaps because he had attended too many in his previous life, always having to plaster a fake smile on his face. If not discussing business, he was being toasted with wine, unable to refuse. That suffocating, exhausting life made him loathe it immensely.
Reaching the door, Julian hurriedly took a deep breath, trying to feel the freshness of the quiet night. Ethan saw him like this and said nothing, just standing silently to the side watching him.
That intense gaze made it impossible for Julian to ignore. He turned his head, blinking his eyes at Ethan.
"Do you know who I am?" Ethan looked at the youth before him and suddenly asked.
"Ethan?" Julian tilted his head to answer him, then thought for a moment before finally mumbling a few words: "Um... future husband?"
Hearing him say that, Ethan chuckled, his laughter very deep. In truth, Ethan usually looked quite stern; perhaps due to maturity, or maybe because he had rolled in the business world for too long, the imposing aura of a president was evident on his face: cold, decisive, and solemn.
But when Ethan smiled, it was different; he looked much gentler. Julian looked curiously at Ethan for a long while, suddenly feeling that the man was not like him. In terms of status and identity, his position in his previous life was likely similar to Ethan's now. But there was something completely overwhelming about Ethan; perhaps when not smiling, when pressuring others, the two of them looked very similar.
But... Ethan smiled more comfortably than him. A genuine smile, not forced like his.
How strange, it turned out that wealthy families could still raise someone with humanity.
"What is the matter?" Ethan asked when he saw him say nothing.
Julian did not look at him anymore but turned away; he shook his head, indicating he had nothing to say. The atmosphere around the two began to quiet down significantly.
After a long while, Julian heard Ethan's voice.
"I know, perhaps you cannot accept the fact that we are getting married. I also know the reason why you were hospitalized the other day."
"I will not force you. If you do not like it, we just need to finish the wedding to set Grandpa's mind at rest. After that, you can do whatever you want; I will not force you to fulfill your duties."
"I also will not mess around outside, guaranteeing to preserve enough face for you."
"If you want, I can help you reclaim what belongs to you."
"Then can I freely choose what I want?" Julian turned around, his glistening eyes staring at him: "For instance... I do not want to study economics, I want to study painting."
That was a dream from very long ago for Julian. It was just a pity, as the sole heir of the Sterling Group, how could he possibly pursue art?
Ethan looked at him for a long time, then reached out to rub his head: "Alright. Wait until you marry into the Caldwell family, and everything will be decided by you."
Hearing that, Julian smiled until his eyes crinkled, saying sweetly: "Thank you."
Ethan opened his mouth for a moment, ultimately not knowing what to say. Both of them tacitly agreed not to mention the marriage alliance anymore.
Perhaps this matter was already set in stone, and no one could change it. Or perhaps this first meeting made both of them very satisfied.
Ethan followed Julian for a walk around the flower garden; it was not until the party ended that the youth followed him back to the main hall.
Before Ethan took Grandpa Arthur home, he said a sentence to Julian: "Tomorrow is the weekend, shall I come to pick you up to go out?"
Julian glanced at Richard, and seeing that he had no reaction, he nodded softly.