Julia didn't say much more. She walked to Mila Anderson's room and knocked. Mila's voice ca through, "Co in, the door isn't locked."
Julia pushed the door open and saw that Mila had already woken up from her midday rest and was sitting on the sofa with a facial mask on. Although Mila was nearly sixty, she took ticulous care of her appearance, insisting on daily facial masks. This made her look nothing like a woman approaching sixty. Besides her complexion, she also protected her hands ticulously. As she rarely did chores, her slender fingers showed hardly any signs of toil. Her nails were neatly trimd and painted with a subtle polish. It had to be admitted that when it ca to beauty and skincare, she was quite experienced.
"Oh, it's Julia. Co, sit down," Mila greeted her.
"Mom." Julia said, obediently walking over to sit beside Mila.
Seeing Mila with her facial mask, Julia seized the opportunity to share her idea. "Mom, you're so knowledgeable about beauty and skincare, and your acquaintances are all wealthy socialites. These ladies usually don't have to work and are very particular about their skincare. Why not open a beauty salon? We could open one right here in our neighborhood. I think business would be good." Golden Kirin Garden was vast, with many villas, and ho to nurous wealthy ladies and young socialites. Currently, they had to travel quite a distance for a beauty salon that t their standards.
If Mila could find a storefront nearby to open a beauty salon and hire so professionals, her status as the matriarch of the Horne Family would surely attract many socialites willing to give her salon a try out of respect. If the service was good, repeat custors would flock. This way, Mila's days would be more fulfilling. She wouldn't have to just count the days until her grandchild's birth, suffer emotional tornt every ti she faced Gian Horne, or constantly worry about Adele's future.
Mila paused, taken aback. After a mont of careful thought, she smiled. "You're right, that's an excellent idea. Why didn't I think of that?"
"Then, Mom, how about we go look for a suitable storefront later?" Julia, seeing her interest, imdiately struck while the iron was hot.
Mila nodded, but then concern flickered in her eyes. "I have the funds, but Julia, you're pregnant. I was hoping to stay ho and look after my grandchild. Besides, Adele..."
"Mom," Julia took her mother-in-law's hand reassuringly. "Don't worry. I believe Adele is a fortunate person. She might be facing so of life's trials now, but I'm confident she'll eventually marry a wonderful man, soone comparable to Glades. So, Mom, please don't worry so much about Adele. And please stop pushing her into blind dates with n she doesn't know or like. She's mature now, with her own thoughts and judgnt. Let things happen naturally; don't force her. I'm only four months pregnant, you know. The baby won't be here for another six months. And Mom, I bet you want your grandchild to see you as a strong, confident, and capable grandmother, right?"
Knowing Mila prioritized the baby above all else, Julia decided to appeal to that sentint.
Mila fell silent after listening to Julia.
Several minutes later, she heaved a deep sigh. "What happened today deeply saddened and distressed , Julia. I'll take your advice and stop forcing Adele into blind dates. As your grandmother always said, 'Children and grandchildren will have their own fortunes.' Alright, in a little while, let's—just the two of us—go out and look for a suitable storefront. But, I wonder if Glades and your father-in-law will object?"
She was in her fifties and had never held a job in her life. The sudden prospect of starting a business left her with absolutely no confidence. She knew a lot about beauty, but running a salon was entirely different. It required not only experience and funds but also a comprehensive managent system.
Having never worked, she was terrified she wouldn't be cut out to be a boss, and even more afraid of her venture failing.
"Don't worry, Mom. Glades will definitely support you. Even if he doesn't, I'll convince him. And you don't need to worry about Dad either; I don't think he'll object. You might feel that starting a business will be tough without any work experience, but Mom, as long as you have confidence and don't give in to difficulties, I believe you can do it. Besides, everyone's experience is built up over ti. Everyone starts from scratch."
Mila nodded repeatedly, feeling Julia's words made a lot of sense.
Then, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law began discussing the various aspects of opening the beauty salon.
When Mila's throat felt dry, she realized they had been talking for nearly an hour. She quickly stood up, poured a glass of water for Julia, and another for herself. "Julia," she said, "we've been talking for so long. Have so water. I'm feeling quite thirsty myself." She brought her glass to her lips, sipped elegantly and carefully a few tis, then placed it on the coffee table. She then said a few more words to Julia, asking her to wait while she went to wash her face.
Julia smiled and nodded.
At this mont, it felt like she and her mother-in-law had beco friends. This feeling, this outco, was what she had always longed for. Rembering her parents' premarital advice, she now found it incredibly insightful. 'The human heart is made of flesh; touch others with sincerity and genuine emotion, and you will achieve your desired results and be rewarded. Even if a mother-in-law isn't kind, if the daughter-in-law makes a sincere effort and consistently treats her well, one day the mother-in-law will be moved.' Now, she had done it. She was grateful for her parents' earnest teachings. It was their guidance that had given her the perseverance to achieve this close, friendly bond with her mother-in-law. She felt she had successfully navigated one of society's most challenging and prevalent issues: the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship.
You can do it! Julia Bluen silently cheered herself on.
It was nearly four o'clock when Mila Anderson and Julia Bluen ca downstairs.
Their destination was near Golden Kirin Garden. Since it wasn't far, ti wasn't an issue.
Gian Horne was in the Main House's first-floor hall, looking bored. He had considered going out to accompany Pheobe Rogers several tis but had hesitated each ti he recalled Mila's pained expression when she'd ntioned divorce. Seeing his wife and daughter-in-law about to go out, he quickly stood up, a smile plastered on his face, and approached them. "Mila, are you going out?" he asked, still smiling. "Where are you headed? Let go with you."
Julia subtly raised an eyebrow. She had sensed sothing unusual about her in-laws' relationship over the past few days but felt it wasn't her place to ask. Now, seeing her father-in-law proactively trying to make ands, she discreetly stepped aside, deciding to let her mother-in-law handle the complex emotional tangle with him.
Mila Anderson rely gave Gian Horne a cool glance and said indifferently, "No need. I only want Julia with . Go on with your business. Just don't hover in my sight."
Her husband's uncharacteristic behavior these past few days truly troubled her. This was the kind of treatnt she had always longed for, yet she knew it was likely a temporary change, driven by his reluctance to divorce in their old age. So, her heart still ached.
She forced an air of indifference, but no one knew the storm raging within her.
They had been married for over thirty years, and she had always loved him deeply. Proposing divorce now, in their later years, was incredibly difficult. The affection and habits built over three decades couldn't simply be forgotten or severed at will.
Yet, Gian Horne had broken her heart completely. Whether she could truly forget or sever ties, she no longer wanted to be entangled. She hoped for a peaceful life in her later years, free from the drama of mistresses showing up at her door.
It really is ti to end this!
"Julia, let's go."
Mila Anderson indifferently walked past Gian Horne and called to Julia. As Julia approached, Mila took her hand, treating Gian as if he were a stranger. They then walked out of the Main House, leaving Gian Horne standing rooted to the spot, a complex mix of emotions on his face as he watched her retreating figure, trying to process it all.
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