Parting Under the Moonlit River

“That’s right — Nora’s at the perfect age for marriage. Robert and Linda’s daughter must be both beautiful and talented.”

“If my son weren’t already married, I’d introduce him to you!”

At five-foot-six, Nora stood in the center of the tall uncles and aunts, feeling like a true jewel in the palm.

She hadn’t felt this loved since marrying Adrian.

With Adrian, she had learned that love could never match the warmth of family.

Her eyes glistened. On impulse, she blurted out:

“Uncle Xue, I heard your nephew graduated from an Ivy League school, just got his PhD last year, and moved back to New York City?”

Uncle Xue froze, then broke into a smile. “Nora, are you interested?”

She grinned playfully. “Do I sound like I’m joking?”

He chuckled. “I wouldn’t dare. You don’t need to go through me — Ryan Brooks is here tonight.”

“Really?”

“Look across the room.”

Following the direction pointed out, she saw two tall men talking. Both were striking, though in very different ways.

Normally she wouldn’t recognize Ryan, but she’d heard of him. He had visited their home years ago.

The man in gold-rimmed glasses turned, looking about thirty, refined and elegant.

When he saw her, he smiled warmly. “Nora?”

He still remembered her nickname after all these years — that surprised her.

“Ryan,” Nora greeted him with a bright smile.

But when she looked up, she met a pair of deep gray-brown eyes — an entire galaxy staring back at her.

She momentarily forgot her purpose.

But Nora was no stranger to society events. She quickly composed herself and smiled politely. “Hello.”

Ethan’s eyes briefly glittered before going cool again.

She was styled and dressed beautifully, soft as a rabbit — completely different from last night.

And she clearly didn’t remember him.

For some reason, Ethan felt disappointed.

He didn’t nod, just glanced at Ryan. “Is this your childhood friend?”

The teasing lilt in his tone was unmistakable.

Ryan pushed his glasses up. “Don’t say nonsense, or Nora will think you’re spreading rumors.”

Nora blinked, then extended her hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Miss Reynolds, single, here tonight because I’m open to a match with Ryan.”

“Matchmaking.”

Ethan repeated the two simple words, somehow making them sound rich and deep, like a cello’s first note — but the next second his tone turned sharp, almost mocking.

Nora frowned slightly.

Handsome as he was, this man clearly came with arrogance in spades.