Ethan felt a pang of sympathy for Alexander, but he still said, "If it weren't for your little uncle, you'd be running Sterling Group on your own by now!"
"That's true. I'd probably be bankrupt in two years!" Alexander nodded.
Ethan paused, then continued, "That's not necessarily true. People are pushed to their limits, and that can unlock their potential. Maybe you'd do even better than your little uncle. Besides, your second aunt, second uncle, third aunt, and third uncle are all helping you, aren't they?"
"If they ever actually help, I'll be thrilled they didn't kick me while I was down!" Alexander sneered.
Ethan looked at him, confused. "Well, they say you shouldn't air your dirty laundry in public. But since you're family now, it's fine for you to know. When my father had his accident, the family hadn't accepted reality yet. My little uncle hadn't officially taken over Sterling Group. My second and third aunts were already discussing splitting up the family and the assets. The whole family was in chaos over it!" Alexander said angrily.
"No way!" Ethan stared at him in disbelief. "Aunt Julia and Aunt Vivian don't seem like that kind of people!"
"People look out for themselves, it's human nature! Grandma was so angry she ended up in the hospital because of it. When she got out, she announced that the Sterling family was not allowed to split up. Anyone who mentioned it again would be kicked out of the family tree. And my little uncle was made president of Sterling Group. Honestly, my little uncle isn't interested in business, just like me. But with what happened at home, Grandma was old and I was young. He had no choice but to shoulder the burden. It was really hard for him back then. He had to learn and adapt to so many things." Alexander stopped there, no longer looking like a carefree playboy.
Ethan stared at him, stunned.
"You should be good to my little uncle from now on. Otherwise—"
"Otherwise what?" Ethan couldn't help but laugh.
He felt sad hearing Alexander's words just now, but the Sterling family's style changed so fast, he couldn't help it.
"Otherwise, I won't let you off!" Alexander said.
"Come on, do you think you're some kind of mafia boss? I've read too many novels about tycoon presidents or martial arts!" Ethan sneered.
But his heart still warmed.
It was clear that Alexander was very protective of his little uncle. That's why he said all that to her.
He probably wasn't used to being so serious.
Alexander glared at Ethan, but Ethan didn't take it seriously. He just arranged the dolls and said, "I get along great with your little uncle. You don't need to worry about us. Besides, if I ever have a problem with your little uncle, I can't fight you. From a fair perspective, you should worry about your uncle, not complain about me!"
"Why would I worry about you? You're like a little demon!" Alexander teased.
"Alexander—" Ethan got angry and raised the doll in his hand.
"I'm wrong, I'm wrong. You're a lady. Don't mess with my dolls. They're more important than my life!" Alexander quickly pacified him, afraid he would take it out on his dolls.
"What are you so nervous about? I won't touch your dolls! Besides, I have a clear sense of love and hate. Even if I don't like you, I won't take it out on your dolls!" Ethan replied seriously.
Alexander lit a cigarette and muttered, "That's strange!"
Ethan ignored him and continued tidying up the dolls.
When he finished and looked at his work, he felt quite proud of his masterpiece.
Even though Alexander wasn't very good, his taste was still decent.
"Is this okay?" Ethan turned to Alexander and asked.
"Careless. I'll adjust it myself later!"
"Praise me, or I'll die!" Ethan was speechless.
"No, but I'll be very sad if I go against my conscience!"
Ethan felt like he would vomit blood if he kept arguing with Alexander.
He had to take a deep breath and pretend he didn't hear him.
"Anything else? I'm going back to the secret library."
"Do you want me to invite you to lunch?" Alexander asked.
"No, I'll get indigestion if I eat with you!" Ethan said angrily.
The real reason was that if he was seen in the staff restaurant with Alexander at noon, he didn't know what rumors would spread.
Better to avoid it.
"Good intentions are not rewarded!" Alexander sighed.
Ethan walked to the door of the office, stopped, turned to Alexander, and asked with a smile, "Alexander, when can I meet your boyfriend?"
"Boyfriend?" Alexander almost choked on his own saliva. He didn't hear that wrong!
It wasn't a girlfriend, but a boyfriend!
"Yes, didn't you say you're gay? Then you should have a boyfriend! When will you bring him out? Let me and your little uncle help you check him out!" Ethan said with a smile.
"Just to satisfy your curiosity, let you be curious!" Alexander raised a triumphant smile.
"Sooner or later, you'll have to bring him out to meet people. I promise there won't be any discrimination! After all, in this world, any true love should be respected!" Ethan continued.
"Ethan, let me ask you a question!" Alexander said on a whim.
"What?" Ethan waited for him to continue.
"Do you think marriage or true love is more important?" Alexander asked with a smile.
"What do you mean?" Ethan asked.
"Literal meaning!"
"Isn't that nonsense? Of course, both are very important!" Ethan resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
"What if you can't have both?" Alexander asked.
"Before marriage, true love is more important. You should have the courage to pursue your own happiness. But if, unfortunately, true love and your wife aren't the same person, you have to weigh it. After marriage, you're bound by the marriage contract. If you still think true love is more important, you can only divorce and pursue true love. It's not kind to cheat!" Ethan thought for a long time. "Why are you suddenly asking such a strange question?"
"Nothing! Just asking!" Alexander waved his hand.
"Are you worried about your gay status? You don't know whether you should be brave and be with the person you like, or follow the secular view and follow your family's wishes to find a girl to marry!" Ethan asked with a smile.
"I'm only 19. I haven't thought about long-term things yet. Let's talk about the future later!"
Alexander was stunned for a moment. The next second, he looked impatient and said, "I know, I know, you're very boring!"