Chapter 254
Really, it's not necessary.
Alexander Laurent paused.
I already have someone I like.
What?!
David Sullivan's eyes instantly lit up.
Really? Did you confess? Why aren't you together yet?
The rapid-fire questions.
Alexander fell silent.
He regretted answering.
The four parted ways at their doorsteps.
Alexander turned left.
He opened his door and went inside.
The family of three turned right.
Isabella smiled and thanked him.
"You spent too much today, Alexander."
"You're too kind, Auntie."
"I got your signed book today."
"I'm the one who benefited."
His words made Isabella beam with delight.
Sophia went to take a shower.
As usual, she gathered her hair.
She put on a shower cap.
To keep her hair from getting wet.
Her hand reached behind her.
She only felt the claw clip.
She belatedly realized her hair was already up.
She looked at herself in the mirror.
She shook her head vigorously.
The clip didn't budge.
Ouch—
That technique is impressive.
But why can't I do it myself?
It doesn't make sense.
It's not scientific.
So annoying!
Isabella and David finished washing up.
They had already gone back to their room and lay down.
The couple talked with the light on.
A message from Stone Macmillan arrived then.
"Professor Isabella, congratulations!"
"'Seven Days Talk' broke sales records again today."
"Several production companies contacted me."
"They want to buy the film and TV adaptation rights."
"I got a call from the publisher thirty minutes ago."
"The first print run is already sold out."
"The factory is working overnight on a second print."
"Your second royalty payment has also arrived."
"I'll transfer it to you shortly."
"I wanted to call."
"But you might be resting at this hour."
"Texting seemed better."
"We can also talk tomorrow."
"But I'm just too excited hhhhh."
Isabella finished reading.
She happily hugged her husband.
David was stunned.
Happiness came too suddenly.
His phone dinged.
A bank transfer notification.
Isabella opened it.
This time it was over three hundred thousand!
How long has it been since the last payment?
And already another several hundred thousand?
This is just the physical book sales royalty.
From what Stone said.
There will be copyright fees later.
"Honey, we have money now!"
It's not that I have money.
But that we have money.
At that moment.
David's eyes and nose stung.
"I'm sorry, Isabella, I…"
"What do you want to say?"
Isabella's smile faded.
"At such a happy time."
"You're not going to get sentimental, are you?"
"Say something useless like 'I'm sorry'?"
David shook his head frantically.
"Of course not! Am I that kind of person?"
"Then why did you say you're sorry?"
"I meant to say."
"Sorry."
"I'll be living off you from now on."
"So happy! Hehe!"
"If Old Xie finds out."
"He'll be green with envy."
"Haha—"
Professor Xie, far away in another city, sneezed repeatedly.
"Caught a cold?"
Isabella laughed.
"That's more like it."
"You absolutely cannot do that."
"Earning less money is no excuse for insecurity or bad temper."
"Only pathetic men get jealous and insecure."
"Normal people would be overjoyed!"
David nodded like a mighty warrior pecking rice.
"Exactly! Exactly!"
"Only fools get jealous."
"If my wife does well."
"Her husband benefits too."
"What is there to be insecure about?"
They had previously said they would thank Julian Winston with a meal.
Now that the book signing was successfully concluded.
Isabella had some free time.
She told Sophia to arrange it quickly.
The location was set at a seafood restaurant.
Near SKP.
It had limited daily supply.
The per-customer price was terrifyingly high.
Sophia only managed to get a reservation two days in advance.
Isabella's original words were.
If you don't know what to eat.
Then choose the most expensive.
Price doesn't represent everything.
But it at least shows sincerity.
Sure enough.
Julian raised an eyebrow when he heard the restaurant's name.
But then he thought about it and it wasn't surprising.
Since it was a thank-you meal.
This dinner naturally had significant weight.
On Friday evening.
Julian arrived ten minutes early.
Sophia's family was even earlier.
They were already waiting in the private room.
Sophia had originally invited Olivia.
But she was too busy with work.
She had been working overtime for two days straight.
She really had no time.
"Really not coming? Julian is here too."
Olivia rolled her eyes.
She snorted proudly.
"So what if he's there?"
"Do I have to go just because he's there?"
"Aren't you two dating?"
"He can take you home after dinner."
"Pfft."
"Who needs him to take me?"
"I have my own car!"
"We're fake dating."
"You know that."
"Stop teasing me…"
Inside the private room.
Julian greeted them with a smile.
"Uncle, Auntie, you're too kind."
"It was a small favor."
"Was a special thank-you dinner really necessary?"
"Of course it was."
David smiled and shook his hand.
"Thanks to you introducing Editor Stone to Sophia."
"We have 'Seven Days Talk' now."
Isabella nodded beside him with a smile.
The couple was younger than Julian had imagined.
David was tall and broad-shouldered.
Yet he possessed a rare scholarly elegance.
His clothing, demeanor, and way of speaking.
All carried a refined literati air.
Isabella was even more remarkable.
She wore a magnolia-colored cheongsam.
Her long hair was elegantly pinned up with a hair stick.
Standing next to David.
She was graceful, composed, and exceptionally distinguished.
At first glance.
One could believe she was in her thirties or forties.
They took their seats.
The food was quickly served.
David had brought a bottle of fine wine.
After filling the glasses.
He offered the first toast to Julian.
"As the saying goes."
"A drop of kindness should be repaid with a spring."
"I'll finish this glass."
"Thank you for your support, Mr. Winston."
"Please don't…"
Julian quickly raised his glass.
His tone was humble.
"I'm the younger generation."
"You calling me 'Mr. Winston' again and again."
"Isn't that too much honor?"
"Just call me Julian."
"Alright, Julian."
"Then I won't argue with you."
"You're of the same generation as Sophia."
"You don't mind calling me Uncle, do you?"
"Uncle, you're too kind."
"I should be toasting you…"
Julian was accustomed to business dinners and social drinking.
His emotional intelligence and etiquette were both impeccable.
David raised his glass again.
He said with emotion.
"Bai Juyi's poem 'Speaking for the Crane' has a line."
"'Touched by your single glance of favor, I came together with you to the paths of Luoyang.'"
"Everyone says Stone was your Auntie's savior."
"But I think the person who made the connection."
"Also deserves immense credit."
"So this second glass."
"Uncle still must toast you…"
The meal was excellent.
The drinks were satisfying.
Julian rarely encountered such a relaxed dinner.
Apart from the first two glasses.
David didn't push any more drinks after that.
He only said to drink in moderation.
While meeting a知己 calls for a thousand cups.
Health comes first.
Stopping after a taste is also wonderful.
Julian was impressed by his ability to quote poetry at will.
And his manner of citing classics with every sentence.
His eyes filled with admiration.
It couldn't be helped.
We admire what we lack.
His Chinese grades had always been poor since childhood.
So he naturally had a filter for cultured people.
After the meal, as they left the restaurant.
Julian took out his car keys.
Sophia guessed what he was about to say.
She waved her phone.
"No need to specially drive us."
"I already called a car."
"It will be here soon."
Julian chuckled.
He watched the family of three leave.
He watched the ride-share car gradually drive away.
Until it disappeared.
He suddenly sighed.
He really didn't understand.
With in-laws like this.
What more was there to pick?