Chapter 2Not Just Friends

After Julian started dating, my contact with him decreased.

But there were some historical issues.

Before Julian met Bella, our chat history and interactions on social media weren't exactly platonic.

After he started dating, his girlfriend naturally had the right to check his phone.

They fought about this a few times. Once, when Julian apologized to me, I learned that Bella had taken his phone and deleted my contact info.

At that time, I hadn't contacted him for a while, so I didn't even notice.

Bella wanted to enter Julian's circle, so she inevitably heard about me. These rich kids who grew up together were somewhat exclusive, and someone must have told her something.

I understood the situation and stayed away from Julian.

For his birthday, I originally planned to drop off the gift and leave. But as soon as I entered, my gaze swept over a figure in the corner. I froze for a second, then my phone lit up.

After reading the message, I silently found a seat and sat down.

"Elara, you came?" Julian looked a bit surprised. "I heard you've been interning with your dad recently. I thought you wouldn't have time."

I smiled and handed him the birthday gift: "Happy birthday."

"Elara," Bella's voice rang out, "Long time no see. Why the mature style recently? You look like you're pushing thirty."

Bella was wearing a custom pink evening gown worth tens of thousands, her hair curled, looking exceptionally playful.

She certainly didn't lack emotional intelligence; she was doing this on purpose.

I looked down at the women's suit I was wearing and chuckled lightly: "Right? That means I look like a female entrepreneur."

Julian smoothed things over: "Elara, Bella is just joking. Don't take it to heart."

Of course I didn't take it to heart.

Not everyone deserves a place in my heart.

I sat a bit far from them, but my vision and hearing were good enough.

Bella probably saw a new trend on TikTok and suddenly asked Julian:

"Julian, you're a year older than me. Why didn't you come see me when I was born? Do you not love me?"

After this sentence, not only Julian laughed, but the people next to him also laughed and teased:

"Yeah, Julian, why didn't you bring baby formula to see your future wife back then?"

This teasing was well-intentioned.

Bella was pretty, the innocent kind of pretty. Her personality wasn't bad either. Having dated Julian for two years, she had some friendship with some of the people here.

So her emotional intelligence wasn't low.

Julian replied casually: "I was busy getting spanked by my mom for not drinking my milk properly back then."

Laughter erupted again.

Julian turned around and saw his uncle, who had unexpectedly said he would come to celebrate, was still there. He asked playfully: "Uncle Adrian, if it were you, how would you answer?"

Julian's uncle, Adrian Sterling. Five years older than us. A late child of the Sterling grandparents.

He was the "other people's child" since he was little.

Although only a few years older, his seniority was there. Plus, Adrian's resume was simply too outstanding. The rich second generation in the circle were quite afraid of him.

I used to call him Uncle Adrian too.

Julian probably just wanted to see what kind of brain circuit his steady and slightly old-fashioned uncle would have.

Someone laughed: "Julian, don't make it hard for Uncle Adrian. He's busy with a myriad of affairs every day, where would he find time to date?"

The next second, Adrian spoke: "I did go see her."

"Huh?"

The man who usually didn't smile much added softly: "Not only did I see her, I even held her when she was a baby."

Unnoticed by others, his gaze landed straight on me.

"..."

The others thought he was joking: "Hahahaha Uncle Adrian, didn't expect you to be so good at playing along."

No one took it seriously.

Except me.

Adrian's gaze didn't move away. Even though I didn't meet his eyes, I felt it was a bit blatant.

After the party, I found my car in the parking lot.

Only after getting in did I realize someone was already there.

The driver hesitated to speak.

Adrian's light laughter came: "Mind giving me a ride? I didn't drive tonight."

The car door closed, and I heard the person beside me say: "I can't remember the way home. Miss Li, is it convenient to let me stay for a night?"