Belated Moonlight: He Regretted Only After I Left-Chapter 49: Returning to Crestfall for a Blind Date (Bonus)

Chapter 49: Chapter 49: Returning to Crestfall for a Blind Date (Bonus)

Aidan’s full-blown rage was interrupted by this abrupt sound, and he paused for a moment, his gaze instinctively falling on Stella’s face.

Stella also didn’t expect her stomach to be so uncooperative.

But at this point, going head-to-head with her brother was clearly not a good approach.

Thinking of this, she took the opportunity to sniffle, her voice carrying a hint of playful pleading: "Brother... I’m hungry... I haven’t eaten since noon..."

She quietly lifted her eyelids, gently tugged on his shirt sleeve, and shook it a bit, "You used to... love my tomato and egg noodles the most, didn’t you? I’ll cook some noodles for you, okay?"

This trick had worked like a charm since childhood.

Aidan looked at his sister’s pitiful appearance, his heart felt as if it had been hit hard by something, both sore and soft.

All his anger and severity, at this moment, seemed to deflate like a punctured balloon, dissipating most of it instantly.

He sighed heavily, raising his hand to roughly ruffle Stella’s hair, "...Spineless! Always pulling this stunt!"

This was his way of agreeing.

Stella secretly breathed a sigh of relief inside, "Then wait here, I’ll go cook! I guarantee it will taste just like before!"

Like a joyful little rabbit, she turned and darted into the kitchen, tying on an apron and starting to bustle around.

Aidan watched her slender back flitting around the kitchen, his gaze complicated.

He walked to the living room window, staring at the still pouring rain outside, and lit a cigarette.

Amidst the swirling smoke, a hint of worry colored his cold and hard brows.

It wasn’t that he doubted Stella’s abilities, he just knew too well the danger posed by Shane Donovan...

A man capable of developing Innovatech Bio to such a terrifying scale, how could he be anything but trouble?

Back then, Stella was blinded by infatuation, determined to follow that Jasper kid, leaving him helpless.

But this time—

He wouldn’t allow anyone to hurt his sister again in the slightest bit.

...

After a while, a familiar scent wafted from the kitchen.

Stella came out carrying two steaming bowls of tomato and egg noodles, setting them on the small dining table.

"Brother, the noodles are ready, come and eat!"

Aidan stubbed out the cigarette and walked over to sit at the dining table.

The noodles were cooked just right, with a red tomato broth, golden scrambled eggs, and sprinkled with some green onion, the aroma was mouthwatering.

It was the taste he remembered.

Stella cautiously watched him take the first bite, anxiously asking, "How is it? Does the taste still hold?"

Aidan chewed a few bites, swallowed, and responded with a terse "Hmm."

Though it was only one word, Stella knew that was the highest praise he could give.

She happily picked up her chopsticks and started eating as well.

Starving for most of the day, the hot noodle soup warmed her entire body.

After finishing the noodles, Stella took the initiative to clean up the bowls and chopsticks.

When she came out of the kitchen, Aidan was already back on the sofa, his expression regained its previous seriousness, but his tone had calmed down considerably.

"Stella," he looked at her, "tomorrow, come home with me..."

Stella paused her hand-wiping.

"Mom and Dad really miss you."

Stella’s eyes instantly reddened.

For the past five years, her longing for her parents had been growing by the day.

But back then, she nearly broke with the family over Jasper, stubbornly refusing to back down.

Now...

She nodded, "Alright, I’ll go back with you."

Aidan’s expression finally softened completely, he stood up, "I’ll book the tickets for tomorrow."

He walked to the door, picking up his jacket, ready to leave.

As his hand touched the doorknob, he paused, not turning back, "Stay away from Shane Donovan from now on."

"That guy’s nothing good."

Finishing his words, he opened the door and strode out.

The door closed gently.

Stella sat alone on the sofa, looking at the rain outside that showed no sign of stopping. Her mind was in turmoil.

Her brother’s warning still echoed in her ears.

Shane Donovan...

How did he end up at odds with my brother?

Why does my brother have such a deep bias against him?

And—

Stella slightly pursed her lips. Her brother said Shane approached her with hidden motives...

What does he want?

...

Early the next morning, the sky cleared, and the Riveria air, washed clean by the rain, was exceptionally fresh.

Stella dragged a small suitcase, following Aidan downstairs.

The Maybach was already waiting downstairs, and the driver respectfully took their luggage.

On the way to the airport, the atmosphere between the siblings was much more relaxed than the previous day, yet still tinged with subtle silence.

Stella watched the street scenery rapidly retreating outside the window, feeling a mix of emotions.

Being close to home, she felt apprehensive. She hadn’t been back in five years and was uncertain about what awaited her.

Aidan seemed to notice her unease, "Don’t worry, no one at home will say anything. Mom and Dad just miss you."

"Hmm." Stella responded softly, feeling slightly more at ease.

The plane soared into the sky, and the ground below Riveria gradually turned into a miniature chessboard.

Over two hours later, the flight landed smoothly at Crestfall International Airport.

As she stepped out of the arrivals area, Stella immediately saw her parents waiting among the crowd.

After five years apart, her father, Theodore Sterling, seemed to have a few more grey hairs at his temples, but still stood tall. He was dressed in a well-pressed Zhongshan suit, serious as ever, only his intense gaze fixed on the exit revealed his eager heart.

Her mother, Isla Sutton, was more direct. As soon as she saw Stella, her eyes reddened instantly. She quickly stepped forward and hugged her daughter tightly.

"Stella! My Stella...finally back! Let Mom have a good look at you..." Isla’s voice choked with emotion, she looked Stella up and down, gently stroking her cheek with care, "You’ve lost weight, must not have been eating well out there..."

"Mom, I’m fine, I haven’t lost weight; I’ve even gained two pounds recently." Stella’s nose tingled, holding back tears as she smiled to reassure her mother.

Theodore Sterling also came over, letting his authoritative gaze rest on Stella’s face for a moment, before simply saying, "It’s good to be back."

Those four words contained countless unsaid feelings.

Aidan stood aside, watching the scene unfold, and even his usually stern lips softened a little.

The family got into the car, heading to the Sterling Family’s old estate.

The Sterling Family estate was situated in the western suburbs of Crestfall, a peaceful villa community amidst the bustling city, featuring garden rooms with a rich, old Kaelon charm.

The car passed through carved iron gates, down a tree-lined driveway, finally stopping in front of a red brick and tiling three-story building.

The garden was meticulously kept, with a tall magnolia tree standing lush as in Stella’s memory.

"Miss is home!" Uncle Sean greeted her cheerfully. He had watched Stella grow up and was visibly moved to tears upon seeing her.

"Uncle Sean!" Stella called warmly.

As she walked into the living room, familiar scents greeted her.

Chinese-style furniture, porcelain collections on the antique shelves, famous paintings on the walls, the air infused with subtle tea and book aromas.

Everything seemed unchanged, except she had been away for too long.

Isla Sutton held Stella’s hand, sitting with her on the sofa, asking after her welfare in detail.

From whether her work was tiring, to whether the food in Riveria suited her taste, to inquiries of anyone bullying her...

Attempting to make up for five years of missed care all at once.

Theodore Sterling, though not speaking much, sat nearby, occasionally interjecting, asking about her law firm’s situation, offering some sensible advice, though his tone carried the scrutinizing air of a business magnate, his concern was evident.

Aidan sat in a single sofa, seemingly handling business on his phone, but occasionally glancing at his sister surrounded by their parents with a rare soft expression.

This long-lost feeling of being enveloped by family love warmed Stella’s heart, like soaking in a hot spring, easing much of her recent fatigue and tension.

However, this warmth did not last the entire afternoon.

By evening, while Stella strolled in the garden with her mother, admiring the roses she carefully nurtured, Aidan received a call and approached with a slightly somber expression.

"Mom, Mr. Callahan’s family is coming over for dinner tonight." Aidan said, his gaze pointedly shifting to Stella.

Isla Sutton paused, then her face showed understanding, "Oh, right, right, my memory! It’s been arranged for a while. Chairman Callahan has been a long-time friend of ours; their son Owen Callahan is about Stella’s age, recently finished his MBA abroad, a fine young man, very capable..."

Stella instantly understood—this wasn’t just an ordinary family dinner. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

This was clearly...a matchmaking dinner!