Love Began with the First Meeting

Leaning against the chair with arms folded upon his chest, Brian said in a slow tone, "I predicate, a joint rehearsal would be coming soon!"

After finishing his bath, Charlie came out of the bathroom, with dripping wet hair. Molly held a towel ready to dry him off, but Charlie nimbly avoided her and threw himself into Brian's arms instead. Charlie was a good and modest boy who never competed against his sister for his parents' love and affection. When Evelyn was awake, he seldom behaved in a spoiled manner. However, he was just a kid after all, so when Evelyn wasn't around, he would try to get some affection from his parents. Molly raised her hands in the air out of frustration. Because of Charlie, the topic of conversation between Brian and Molly had been interrupted. Brian looked down at his dripping wet son. Even though Charlie had wet his expensive suit, Brian didn't mind. Instead, he reached for the towel from Molly, and with a smile, he began to dry his son's hair.

"Dad!" Charlie called out with a dissatisfied tone because Brian's action was not as gentle as Molly's. "Ouch, you're so rough! How can Evelyn tolerate you?" he complained.

Brian stopped rubbing his hair and narrowed his eyes at him. It seemed that the little boy standing before him was his enemy rather than his son.

Molly's eyes gleamed, and she had a pleased look on her face when she saw how Brian reacted to Charlie's comment. "See, our son chose to go to you only to save Evelyn from your rough treatment. That was the real reason why he went and not because he prefers you over me." Brian read her underlying meaning from her expression and watched as Molly went into the bathroom to tidy herself up.

When she left, Charlie looked up at his dad and said glumly, "Dad, if you want to flatter your wife next time, don't involve me please." Then his little face made an expression of disappointment.

Brian couldn't help but let out a chuckle. "Now, tell me about your homework," he asked, changing the subject. He put the towel aside and removed the damp bathrobe from Charlie. Then Brian wiped his little body down and helped him put his pajama's on. "What do you think Daniel and Edgar's real intentions are?"

"Uncle Daniel wants to improve the strength of Falcon Commando," Charlie answered seriously with a maturity far beyond his age. He then thought for a moment with a slight frown on his little face and then continued. "However, Uncle Edgar's intention appears the same on the surface as Uncle Daniel's, but his real objective is to resist Uncle Eric while strengthening Falcon Commando."

Brian nodded with satisfaction and asked, "Do you think I will agree or not?"

Charlie looked at Brian with disdain. He stayed silent for a little while, and then in a low voice, he mumbled, "Dad, your thoughts are too complicated for someone to guess correctly." His voice was too soft to be heard clearly. Then he answered in a stern tone, "I think you'll ask for Uncle Eric's opinion." He rolled his eyes and added, "And judging by the way you talked, I think you have agreed on Uncle Daniel's request."

Brian was impressed with Charlie's answer, but he didn't show it. He also didn't tell Charlie whether his answer was right or not but just commanded him, "All right, it's time to go to bed."

Charlie nodded obediently and turned to go to his bedroom, but then he stopped for a brief moment and turned back to face his father. He stared up at Brian, eyes gleaming with confidence. "Dad, I guessed right, didn't I?" he asked.

Brian didn't say anything. Instead, he just gave his son a light affectionate smile. When Charlie saw his reaction, he couldn't help but jump for joy, and then he ran off happily to bed. Brian's heart melted when he saw the delight on his son's face.

'Among the three children, Mark has become mild after spending so much time with Spark and Mol. Although it seems to be a good characteristic for a child, I worry that it would cause trouble for him in the future when he's an adult and becomes a member of the National Congress. After all, many people are jealous of the power and wealth of the Long Family.

As for the twins, Charlie and Evelyn, Evelyn is an innocent little girl and has two brothers who will protect her. As a female child, she doesn't have to concern herself with too much and has the luxury of growing up carefree. Also, when she grows into a young lady, she will easily find a suitable man who will love and cherish her, and he will take over the responsibility from her brothers of protecting her. While Charlie, on the other hand...' Brian's lips twisted into a smile when he thought about him.

'Charlie has inherited both Mol's kindness and my wisdom. With the characteristics that Charlie has, his future will be limitless.'

Every parent hoped that their children would have a promising future. Foreseeing his children's bright and happy future, Brian felt delighted, and a broad smile was on his face.

"What are you thinking about?" Molly came to Brian and sat down beside him. She leaned her head against his shoulder while embracing his arm.

Brian gazed contently into her eyes and put his other arm around her waist. Then he answered in a soft tone, "I was wondering whether we will feel lonely when our children grow up and begin living their own lives."

Overthrowing the cold and detached expression he always tried to keep, he suddenly became a little sentimental. He paused for a while and said, "Wing used to stay with Shirley and Richie, but I liked to stay with her..." He let out a sigh and continued, "I remember that Shirley always complained to Richie that I didn't want to be friends with her and always kept my distance from her."

Snuggling into Brian, Molly kissed his cheek and said in a comforting tone, "Bri, our parents won't blame us for that... Because they know that we would become parents too, then we would understand their feelings as parents." She suddenly found Brian was looking at her with loving eyes, so she smirked and said, "Dad and Mom are the best parents in the world. No matter how much power they have, they always put their children first and love them with all of their hearts. We will be just the same as them. We won't change the love for our children even though our stature has changed. Because loving one's children unconditionally is the natural thing for parents to do."

Brian looked at her with sparkling eyes, which expressed his desire for her. "When did you become so thoughtful and reasonable? Your words have convinced me," he said with a grin. Then he kissed her forehead and said in a husky voice, "I'm so lucky to have you." Meanwhile, in A City, Cora was standing on the balcony of a hotel, with a glass of wine in her hand.

She looked out at the bustling night scene with a grim face.

"Sometimes we have to let something go," her father, God of Gamblers, said abruptly. He was playing a deck of cards in his hands expertly. Then he said with a smile while cutting the cards quickly with a finger, "The reason why Richie and I allowed you to come here is to help you understand that Brian didn't do anything to you and he won't do anything to you in the future either."

Cora unconsciously squeezed the glass tighter in her hand and then relaxed. After sipping the wine, she tilted her head and said to God of Gamblers, "Dad, do you still remember for what purpose I went to the XK Intelligence Agency? And for what I worked so hard all these years?"