Sweet Wife So Charming: CEO: Hold Back Your Heart-Chapter 397: Response

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Moira Young listened to the lively chatter of the girls around her and felt a pang of envy. She looked up at the sky; it was a beautiful day.

"Next, we’ll do the sit-and-reach test, and the last one is the eight hundred meters."

The class president led the group to line up at the second test location.

After a while, a small group of students started making a commotion.

"Wow, Moira, you’re amazing."

"No way, a perfect score."

"Oh my gosh, I can’t even bend down, seriously."

"I can’t compete, can’t compete, I’m crying."

Everyone looked at Moira Young as she stood up, casting envious, jealous, and somewhat hateful glances at her. Moira smiled bashfully, waved her hand, and turned to walk aside.

She breathed a sigh of relief. Luckily, she was good at this test, but thinking about the upcoming eight hundred meters made her feel like a wronged kitten, her eyelids drooping.

"Your class, no substitutes are allowed for the race, no shortcuts, the proctors are really strict. If anyone is caught cheating, not only will their sports score be voided, but they’ll also get a disciplinary warning. So, think it over carefully. You’ll be given your number at that time. Remember your own number, don’t mess it up. Okay, onto the track."

The proctor ignored the whispers below and had the girls from Moira Young’s class get on the track.

As soon as he finished speaking, a group of girls rushed onto the track, all vying for the innermost lanes. Moira Young was pushed backward and ended up in an outer lane.

"Okay, listen for the whistle," the proctor looked at the students ready to start, and with a "whoo" of the whistle, a group of girls dashed forward like wild horses.

Moira Young began to move, slowly running from the outer lane to the inner lane.

Half a lap later, people were passing by her one after another, running ahead, and Moira Young shook her head helplessly, only able to push herself to keep going.

After one lap, the girl in first place had only half a lap left to reach the finish line. Moira Young’s lips were somewhat pale, her teeth biting her inner lip.

Moira Young, come on, you can do it.

Sweat began to drip non-stop from her forehead, she scrunched her petite, refined nose and blinked her eyelashes that were damp from sweat as Moira Young crossed the finish line.

Out of breath, "Ah, so tired," she collapsed onto the grass.

"Get up, don’t sit yet, walk around slowly." A classmate saw her and hurried over to support her, guiding Moira left and right for some relief.

"Alright, line up according to your student number to get your results," the proctor shouted loudly.

Moira Young stood up and joined the larger group.

"Number one, Moira Young," the student taking notes said with their head down.

Moira nodded, her face a bit flushed but concealed well by the exercise-induced blush: "20’."

The note-taking student nodded indifferently, listening as someone nearby said, "20’5’’."

The results were quickly written on the scoreboard.

Listening to her own score, Moira Young slumped forward and walked away, hearing another girl behind her finish in 4’34", feeling a swell of envy and frustration.

She’s going to fail.

She sighed deeply; long-distance running had always been her weakness. Coupled with the lack of exercise during extended filming, the eight hundred meters was brutal for her.

After the entire exam week ended, the faculty advisor arranged a meeting, saying this semester was over.

Moira Young packed up her things and headed back to her apartment with her suitcase.

Just as she sat down, her phone rang urgently. With a face full of worry, she answered, her tone mournful.

"Moira, how did your exams go? I’m not in the country, do you feel lonely?"

Moira Young thumped the head of the little bear on her bed: "Adrian, can you not bring that up? Don’t you know you shouldn’t ask students about their grades, especially during the holidays? It’s a taboo."

Adrian Grant laughed heartily on the other end: "Alright, alright, I won’t ask. So, what are your plans for winter break?"

"That’s okay." Snuggled up on the bed, supporting her chin, Moira thought for a moment and said, "I need to go for a morning run every day."

"Oh, that’s surprising, I’ve never seen you so enthusiastic about exercise before."

Hearing Adrian Grant’s teasing on the other end, Moira Young pouted: "Gosh, this is all because of you guys saying girls should be calm. If it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t be in such bad shape, okay? I wouldn’t be on the verge of failing physical education, and my scholarship..."

"Hahaha, failing physical education, hahaha, I remember when I was in school, I always aced PE every year, tsk." Adrian Grant swept his hair back, brimming with pride.

Moira Young chuckled indifferently: "We can’t compare to you, you never had to think too hard."

"Hey, you little brat, time for a lesson." Adrian Grant grinned, showing his teeth.

"Hehe, Adrian, I’m not talking to you anymore. I’m going to get something to eat, I’m hungry." As she spoke, Moira got out of bed.

"Alright, take care of yourself."

After speaking, the two hung up the phone.

"So, what do you think? You heard it all, right?"

Adrian Grant raised an eyebrow, glancing playfully at Julian Sinclair sitting across from him.

Julian Sinclair’s eyes carried a smile, yet he remained silent.

"Ha, I let you hear Moira’s voice, and you don’t even say thank you." He pouted mournfully at the man.

Julian Sinclair gave him a cold look, then stood up and walked over to the desk, "I’ll treat you to lunch this afternoon."

Spinning his phone in his hand, Adrian Grant extended his arm backward and leaned back on the sofa, grinning from ear to ear, "Nice one."

Since the day he finished the call with Adrian Grant, Moira Young had set a schedule.

She goes jogging every morning at six, takes a nap at noon, jogs again at six in the evening, does some yoga afterward, and arranges other activities like reading books or scripts during her free time.

That morning, Moira Young, as usual, grabbed her towel and water bottle and headed downstairs.

"Yo, what a coincidence."

Hearing a whistle directed at her at this hour, Moira Young furrowed her brows and looked up.

Heath Sterling was standing at a distance, dressed in his winter sports outfit, holding a water bottle, and waving at Moira Young.

Lately, he had finally moved into the same residential area as Moira Young. It took him some time to learn her routine, and today he finally made it onto the schedule.

"What are you doing here?" Moira Young breathed out and said to the approaching man.

The man flaunted his outfit, "Morning jog."

Moira Young raised her eyebrows in confusion, "What made you think of running? I’ve never seen you do it before."

"It’s said that jogging in winter is good for the body, so here I am," Heath Sterling studied Moira thoroughly, curling his lips, "How’s it going? Been running for a few days now?"

"A week already. I need to start running, can’t chat much," Moira Young raised her hand to check the time and waved goodbye to Heath Sterling as she ran ahead.

"Hey, wait for me! I’ll join you."

The man quickly jumped up and caught up with her.

One lap, two laps, Moira Young noticed the man running alongside her wasn’t even breathing hard. She widened her eyes, "How come you’re not even panting?"

"Pant? How does one pant? Why should I pant?" Heath Sterling teasingly raised his eye corner.

Moira Young was confused and didn’t respond immediately. Seeing the man chuckle lightly, she was baffled, "Huh?"

"Ahem, it’s nothing. I have shallow breaths, so I’m actually panting; you just didn’t hear it."

Heath Sterling glanced sideways at Moira Young adjusting her breath, her cheeks like peach blossoms, lips turning rosy from jogging. His heart felt tickled by a feather, slightly itchy.

"Really?"

Moira Young slowed down, leaning closer to Heath Sterling.

Heath Sterling saw her small head approaching, held his breath, and slightly tilted his phoenix eyes, lowering his head a bit, "How’s that, can you feel it?"

Moira Young listened closely, genuinely hearing the soft breathing, surprised as she turned back to Heath Sterling, "You’re really good! Can you teach me? Will you run again tomorrow?"

"What, want me to be your running buddy?"

Moira eagerly nodded. Given her foundation, having an expert by her side was not to be wasted.

"Then I’d be at a loss, just being your running buddy doesn’t seem beneficial for me."

Heath Sterling slowed his pace, gradually coming to a stop.

"No, no." Moira Young turned around, facing the man, tilted her head and thought, "How about this, I treat you to breakfast after running, how about it?"

Thinking her idea was good, she clapped excitedly, looking at Heath Sterling with high expectations.

Heath Sterling deliberately elongated his tone, "Then... it seems rude not to accept."

"Yes!" Moira raised her right hand, high-fived Heath Sterling.

"Let’s go, I’ll treat you to today’s breakfast first."

She walked a few steps forward, gesturing for Heath Sterling to follow.

Heath Sterling locked his arms behind his head, leisurely swung his body as he walked, "Then I’m going to eat something good."

"Of course, we better hurry, or it’ll get crowded."

Heath Sterling chuckled softly, lifted his leg and followed briskly.

"Yo, the young lady is back, the usual pancakes and a glass of soy milk."

Moira Young waved her hand and smiled, "Sir, I’ve brought a friend today, make it two pancakes and two glasses of soy milk. By the way," she turned and asked behind her, "Do you want chili on your pancake?"

Heath looked speechlessly at the pancake shop, shrugged his shoulders, and replied to Moira Young: "Sure."

Moira turned her head, held up two fingers, and said, "Sir, both should be spicy, but just a little."

The elder didn’t stop his hand, glanced sideways at Heath standing by.

"Alright, young lady, a little less chili." He paused, then changed the subject, "Is he your boyfriend?"

This comment made Heath’s eyes squint in a smile, and his disdain for the little shop vanished without a trace. Behind Moira, he gave the shop owner a thumbs up.

Moira helplessly waved her hand quickly, "No, sir, just friends."

Seeing the owner exchange a knowing look with Heath behind her, Moira turned and glared.

Heath greeted her with a smile on his face, "The pancakes smell nice, sir."

"Hahaha, you’ve got good taste, young man."

In this way, the topic was diverted.

"Okay then, here are two pancakes, two cups of soy milk, enjoy while hot."

The owner handed the items to Moira, saw the two eat immediately, and laughed, mentioning they should come again. The three of them waved goodbye.

"You really have no celebrity image burden." Watching Moira gobbling down without caring about her image, Heath sighed.

Moira rolled her eyes, "Actors are people too, I’m just living a life that people live."

Heath smiled, he finally knew what exactly attracted him to Moira.

Not just because this girl looks good, his type, more so because Moira lives genuinely. Whether as a student, friend, or actor, she wholeheartedly devotes herself.

"Well said. So, Ms. Young, what are you gonna take me to eat tomorrow?"

Moira drank her soy milk, finishing off the last bite of the pancake.

"It’ll be something to look forward to, but first, accompany me for a run. Don’t worry, I definitely won’t stand you up."

"Oh, then I better arrive early tomorrow."

The two smiled, noticing more pedestrians on the road, worried someone might recognize Moira, they quickly walked back to the apartment.

In the following days, the two went together everywhere, and changed breakfast shops daily.

That evening, Moira had just finished showering when she heard her phone ring.

"Hey, Aiden, why’d you think to call me?"

Aiden glanced at the movie playing, his eyes gentle, "Wanna meet up?"

"Sure, I’ve been back for so long, but haven’t met up since leaving the set." Putting down the phone on the dressing table, Moira spoke softly, applying skincare products.

"Yeah, I’ll come find you tomorrow."

"When will you come?"

Aiden got up, turned off the movie, held the phone in one hand, and walked upstairs to the bedroom with the other hand in his pocket.

"Whenever you’re free."

"Me." Sitting on the bed with the phone in hand, Moira continued, "I’ll be running in the morning, then reading, studying next semester’s courses, learning new stuff in the afternoon, that’s about it."

Aiden raised his eyebrow, surprised the little girl was quite organized.

"I’ll come find you early."

"Alright, alright. Haha." Moira giggled, rolled on the bed.

"Okay, rest early then."

"Alright, goodnight."

Listening to the lively voice on the other end, Aiden seemed to smile gently, fleetingly, "Goodnight."

Next morning, Aiden woke up early and drove to Moira’s apartment.

Went upstairs, rang the doorbell, waited for a while but no answer, so he called her phone.

"Where are you?"

The restaurant was still relatively empty, Moira took a bite of a bun before speaking, "I’m at the breakfast shop opposite the apartment, I’ll send you the address."

"Alright."

Ending the call, Moira sent Aiden the address via WeChat.

"Someone’s coming?" Heath asked, sipping soy milk, looking at the lady enjoying her meal across.

Moira nodded, continued battling the bun.

You could hear the sound of the owner serving porridge to customers, and the lady owner shouting.

Aiden, wearing a mask, found a spot, from afar, looking inside with a frown, walked over quickly with strides, exuding a chilly air.

"Their meat buns are so tasty, I’m going to get two more." Finishing the last bite of the bun, Moira held up two fingers showing to Heath.

Heath shook his head, about to tease her appetite when a cold, piercing voice came from above.

"Finished."

They both looked up.

Moira said with delight, "Aiden, you came so fast, I thought you’d take quite a while. Have you eaten? Want to grab something? Their buns are really good."

Nearby, Heath squinted his eyes, Adrian really got lucky, leaned back on the soft chair without talking.

"Still want to eat?"

Aiden ignored Heath on his right, softened his tone with Moira.

Moira didn’t notice the change in atmosphere, engrossed in the bun’s aroma, her eyes sparkling as she nodded.

Aiden took her hand and walked them to the cashier, "I’ll buy them for you."

"Sure, sure, I want two more."

Heath glanced sideways at the two departing, remained seated.

"Alright, here are your two meat buns, take them" The restaurant staff handed Moira the buns.

Moira thanked them, took the buns, turned and smiled at Aiden, "Where should we go? Are we leaving now?"

Saying this, she waved to Heath sitting behind.

Aiden scoffed coldly, grabbed Moira’s hand and walked ahead swiftly, not even considering waiting.

"Hey, hey, Aiden, Heath hasn’t come yet."

Moira didn’t understand what was happening, protecting the meat buns in her arms, being forcibly taken away by Aiden.

Heath walked to the door, pocketed his hands, watching the two in the distance, looked up at the sky, tiny snowflakes started falling.

"It’s snowing, Aiden, haha."

Moira smiled broadly, her dimples deepened, palm up, a snowflake landed right in the center.

"Look, Aiden." She said, turning, her cupped hand stretching out.

Aiden looked down to match her gaze, extended his hand and caught a snowflake.

"Want to play for a while?"

Moira shook her head smilingly, "No, I’ll play when the snow is heavy, let’s head back first."

Meanwhile, Heath sent Moira a message and headed back to his building.

"Hey, Heath speaking?"

"Carter, got a question for you."

Carter nested in the warm quilt, eyes closed, answered the phone, really puzzled by Heath who called at seven in the morning, can’t we just live peacefully?

"What’s up," he asked, still dazed.

Heath placed his thermos on the desk, walked towards the couch.

"What’s going on with Moira and Aiden?"

"Aiden?"

"That superstar actor."

"Oh, oh, oh." Carter finally reacted, "What’s wrong? Any issues?"

Heath rubbed his chin, grabbed the blanket on the couch, covered his legs, "Ran into them having breakfast today."

"Breakfast? No way, dude, you infiltrated the enemy camp so quickly?" Carter stopped lounging, sat up from bed.

Heath thought of the sparring sessions over the days, chuckled, "Why not, is it wrong?"

"Of course not, but asking about Aiden and her, what happened? Did Aiden bully you?"

Heath snorted, "Aiden took her away without a word, didn’t even glance at me, Moira just obediently followed."

"No way, could their rumors really be true?" Carter sounded a little surprised on the other end.

"What rumors?" Heath furrowed his brows.