"It’s not that I’m pessimistic, but if pure love was as common as cabbages and turnips littering the streets, there wouldn’t be so many novels and movies glorifying love, nor would everyone long for it during their growth. It’s precisely because it’s rare that people yearn for and look forward to it."
Carson Flores spoke casually, but his words carried a deep sigh: "These days, most couples are in an AA-style marriage, partnering up to get through life. If things go smoothly, maybe they’ll just get by until they’re old. After being together for so long, they become like family to each other. But if they encounter any bitterness or hardship, isn’t that when they fly apart in the face of disaster?"
Shirley Miller blinked, "That’s quite realistic. What about you, what kind of person are you looking for?"
Carson Flores smiled, "Hard to say."
Shirley Miller smiled, "Come on, tell me. I’m really curious."
After a moment of thought, Carson Flores said, "Well, if I really had to set a standard, where is there a standard? If anything, I would want someone with whom I can feel comfortable and at ease."
Shirley Miller thought for a moment, "Do you mean their personality?"
Carson Flores smiled, "You might also understand it as a kind of feeling. It’s like making friends. When you meet someone, you just feel a deep connection, and even if you just sit together in silence, it feels comfortable. If two people together are always tense and uncomfortable, always finding fault with each other, how can they live together?"
Shirley Miller blinked, visibly hesitant to speak.
Previously, Shirley Miller, worried about dragging Carson Flores down, was reluctant to open up and scared to show her fondness for him. But as situations change, with Carson Flores targeting the Miller Family because of his background, the two became partners, standing side by side against the Miller Family, which subtly shifted Shirley Miller’s feelings.
Can we share wealth and woe together?
Shirley Miller couldn’t fathom Carson Flores’s thoughts, because he had never crossed any lines or shown any desire to take things further in their close interaction, which even led Shirley Miller to start doubting herself.
Am I not pretty enough?
Or was my usual demeanor too cold and distant?
"Um... what about me?"
Shirley Miller mustered the courage to ask, then hastily added, "I’ve never dated. I just want to understand myself from a man’s perspective, to see what kind of person I am in a man’s eyes. We live together, sleep under one roof, and you know me best, so I want to ask you."
Carson Flores smiled, "The truth?"
A sudden wave of nervousness swept through Shirley Miller, "The truth. It’s pointless to lie, right?"
Carson Flores smiled, "Other than being a bit aloof, you’re pretty good. Beautiful, capable, filial, with the right values, strict with yourself, lenient with others..."
His response instinctively reminded him of Samantha Tate’s question about how he compared her to his sister, and he subconsciously compared the two women in his mind again.
In terms of quality and ability, Shirley Miller was evidently more formidable than Samantha Tate, but who was more comfortable to be with?
Carson Flores’s heart answered without hesitation. Being with Samantha Tate didn’t require much thought; she naturally brought joy and could consistently satisfy the pride of a man, making you feel at ease. Moreover, she was brave enough to face life-and-death dangers with you, to share your fate, the type who would help you hide a body if you killed someone.
Thinking of Samantha Tate, Carson Flores’s gaze softened reflexively, and his eyes wandered for a brief moment.
Shirley Miller, staring into Carson Flores’s eyes, sensitively picked up on it. Was Carson Flores thinking of another woman?
Even his gaze softened, and it seemed like his smile grew broader...
Shirley Miller’s mood suddenly dropped.
Although Carson Flores only mentioned it briefly, with more praise following, the fact that he raised the issue meant that it was something he cared about as a man.
Shirley Miller pretended not to care and asked, "Do you have a woman you like?"
Carson Flores jolted back to his senses, smiled, and said, "Well, there is one. We have some mutual feelings, but it’s still early."
Shirley Miller was startled, "Is it someone you knew before, or someone you met in Polgel?"
Carson Flores replied, "Someone I met recently."
A sour feeling arose unbidden in Shirley Miller’s heart, "That’s good. Don’t worry, when the time comes, we’ll handle the formalities. I won’t hold you back."
Carson Flores smiled gently, "No rush."
Shirley Miller, unable to meet Carson Flores’s gaze, turned her head and spotted a restaurant, quickly changing the subject: "How about this place, what do you think?"
While dining, they didn’t discuss matters of the heart again, but instead talked about dealing with the Miller Family, exchanging knowledge about the family.
"Let’s go, back to the hotel."
They took the elevator down to the underground parking garage, and had only walked a few steps when a panicked woman’s voice echoed through the garage.
"Help, is anybody there? Help!"
Carson Flores instinctively quickened his pace, maneuvering past a vehicle that was blocking the view, and saw something up ahead that made his face change.