The Bigshot Married Himself to the Heiress

Johnson Family,

Sienna Johnson and a few others returned from the Briggs Family after staying there for three days. Everyone felt utterly exhausted and took a few days to recuperate before bouncing back.

Adrian Desmond took the opportunity to say, "You wanted to have lots of kids; the Briggs Family is so noisy. Our house is much more peaceful."

"Don’t worry, after this one, I’m done having kids," Sienna Johnson laughed.

"That’s more like it."

Paige Desmond brought over freshly made Fried Milk for Sienna Johnson to taste, and when she saw her brother, she joked, "Brother, you’re at home all the time now, aren’t you supposed to be working to support the family?"

"Even if I didn’t work now, your sister-in-law wouldn’t go hungry."

"Brother, that’s impressive." Paige Desmond picked up a piece of Fried Milk and stuffed it into her brother’s mouth, asking, "Brother, how does it taste?"

Adrian Desmond frowned; he wasn’t fond of it. "It tastes bad."

Paige Desmond’s face sank, she huffed and ignored him, saying, "You just don’t know how to appreciate good food."

"..."

"Sister-in-law, I just made Fried Milk, how does it taste?"

Fried Milk was introduced to Paige by Sienna Johnson, and all the kids loved it. Paige Desmond had been studying it lately out of boredom.

Sienna Johnson tasted a piece and said, "Hmm, not bad, the timing’s perfect."

Sienna Johnson ate a few more pieces, and as the pair shared the Fried Milk, Adrian Desmond saw he was in the way and left.

As they were finishing a plate of Fried Milk, the servant came over to report that Shane Albertson had come looking for Paige Desmond.

Paige Desmond decided not to see him.

"Didn’t you say you wanted to marry Shane Albertson? It’s only been a little while, and you’ve changed your mind?"

The breakup between Paige Desmond and Shane Albertson caught everyone by surprise, including Sienna Johnson.

There are some things Paige Desmond can’t talk about.

The Fried Milk in her mouth lost its flavor, and Paige Desmond said, "When life is at stake, love doesn’t matter."

"What do you mean?"

"Abyanabad men are all the same. What they can’t have, they take. What they can’t take, they destroy. It’s all or nothing." Paige Desmond spoke wistfully.

Sienna Johnson thought briefly and then understood. She tentatively asked, "Are you saying Kiya wants to harm Shane Albertson?"

"Kiya hired a hitman to kill Shane Albertson." Paige Desmond confided this secret to Sienna Johnson, which Adrian Desmond didn’t know.

"No way."

"Vera, Kiya’s maid, overheard by accident and secretly told me. Otherwise, Shane Albertson would already be dead.

I didn’t love Shane that much, but it’d be too much if he lost his life because of it. Thankfully, the romance wasn’t deep yet, splitting is for the best." Paige Desmond’s gaze was icy, and her voice was equally cold.

Sienna Johnson wasn’t speaking, so Paige Desmond asked, "What tricks did my brother use to make you get back with him?"

Paige Desmond remembered Sienna Johnson had a fiancé at the time, and they were almost ready for marriage.

"He held me down in the swimming pool. If I didn’t agree, he’d drown me." Fearing Paige Desmond might not believe her, she added, "Your brother would really drown me."

"..."

"Our Johnson Family is left with just me and my mom. I couldn’t die, so I had to agree. You’re right, when your life is at stake, love doesn’t matter."

Recalling the complications with Adrian Desmond was like looking at a faded photograph. The resentment and hatred within her heart had faded, blown away by the wind until hardly anything remained.

Paige Desmond looked at her with sympathy, "You’re worse off than I am."

"But now I feel very happy." Sienna Johnson gently caressed her belly, unashamedly displaying her current happiness.

Paige Desmond: ...

Sienna Johnson counseled Paige Desmond, "Living means making an effort to be happy. Since you chose to be with Kiya, give each other a chance. After all, life is long. Living unhappily every day is too painful..."

"What did my brother do that made you fall in love with him again?"

"He did a lot, and I put in a lot of effort too. We both learned to compromise, so now we’re well-adjusted together."

"..."

"Life is full of necessary choices. I had to learn to compromise, to be tolerant. It’s a lesson I’ve learned that’s very useful."

Sienna Johnson shared her life experience with Paige Desmond. Their growth experiences were different, and it may not apply to Paige Desmond.

The servant came back and said, "Miss Desmond, Mr. Albertson won’t leave."

Paige Desmond said, "Then let him wait."

Sienna Johnson said, "He wants to see you. He must have something to say. You should talk to him."

Paige Desmond stared at her own plump pink nails before getting up and leaving.

Sienna Johnson watched Paige Desmond’s back as she walked away, guessing she was going to see Shane Albertson. Honestly, she didn’t think they’d work out well.

There are many flaws in Shane Albertson’s personality; he seems more like a big boy. A woman marrying such a man would be tiring.

...

On New Year’s Eve, the Johnson Family started preparations early in the morning.

They hung spring couplets and the character for luck, and even let off firecrackers.

A few kids gathered to watch Adrian Desmond light the firecrackers while Sienna Johnson instructed them to keep their distance.

This Spring Festival was lively, and the Johnson Family, formerly desolate, became full of life.

Kathryn had long prepared new ten dollar bills for the elderly lady to put into red envelopes, intending to give them to juniors visiting on New Year’s Day.

Pauline Briggs, Paige Desmond, and Kiki were in the kitchen preparing the reunion dinner. The meal had to be handmade to taste good.

"Auntie Agatha, is this how you wrap them?" Paige Desmond sought Pauline Briggs’ advice on how to make dumplings.

"Yes, you’re doing a great job."

Paige Desmond looked at the still-elegant Pauline Briggs, admiringly saying, "Auntie Agatha is amazing; she can make so many delicious things."

"Because I wanted to make lots of delicious food for my loved ones, I learned especially. I originally didn’t know how to cook anything.

Imagine seeing the person you care about joyfully eating what you made; it’s such a happy thing."

Paige Desmond thought for a moment and said, "Yes, it is."

"On my way back today, I saw Shane Albertson. What’s going on with you two? Are you in a tiff?"

Pauline Briggs didn’t know Paige Desmond and Shane Albertson had already broken up, which is why she asked.

"Don’t keep arguing; the feelings would argue away. Sienna’s dad and I have never argued."

"How is that possible?"

"Really. Personal temperament plays a role, of course; I listen to Dexter in everything, and Dexter has a good temperament, treats everyone kindly, never seen him angry with anyone."

Sienna Johnson walked in, heard Pauline Briggs’ words, and said, "My parents are unusual; it doesn’t suit most people, just listen to it."

Sienna Johnson washed her hands and joined in making dumplings. Her cooking skills were good, and she wrapped them quickly and well.

"Don’t be too assertive; men care about face." Pauline Briggs advised.