Chapter 548 - 544: Positive and Healthy Guidance

"Mr. Jennings?"

Cecilia Sterling blinked in confusion and looked at her mother. "He asked to come over himself?"

Knowing her mother, she wasn’t the type to proactively invite Mr. Jennings over. The main reason was his social status, which could be intimidating and create a sense of distance.

That included Cecilia herself. Although she was on good terms with Mr. Jennings and would even think to ask for his help when she had a problem, she always maintained a sense of respect and propriety. She would never let their interactions or his attitude toward her make her forget the vast difference in their statuses.

She had always been aware of this. Although she was ’one of Heaven’s favored children’, she knew perfectly well that she wasn’t the richest person in the world, or even in Lorcain. In terms of wealth and status, she was far from being at the top. There were many powerful figures far more formidable than her, so she constantly reminded herself to stay low-key and humble.

’I have a cheat code, but it’s not an all-powerful one.’

"Didn’t he have a fever a while back? I happened to run into him at the hospital getting an IV drip by himself, so I looked after him for a bit," Jasmine Sterling explained calmly. "After he recovered, he kept insisting on taking me out to dinner to thank me. I told him not to bother eating out. He likes my cooking, so I said he should just come over to our place."

Cecilia laughed. "But by doing this, you’re just making Mr. Jennings owe you another favor. He wanted to thank you, and instead, you’re the one going to all this trouble. This God Jumps Over the Wall alone will take nearly two days to stew."

Jasmine Sterling waved it off. "Oh, it’s no big deal. I just figured, since he always eats out, a home-cooked meal would be a nice change of pace."

Since it was a dinner arrangement between her mother and Mr. Jennings, Cecilia didn’t plan to interfere. She just reminded her mother, "But I won’t be home tomorrow night. Wyatt Sherman asked me out to dinner."

"Is that the boy from Lorcain U who’s pursuing you right now?" Jasmine Sterling asked.

Cecilia Sterling nodded.

"Do you like him? Are you going to date him?" Jasmine Sterling asked.

Cecilia didn’t hide it. "I like him quite a bit. I think we probably will."

Hearing this, Jasmine Sterling nodded. She didn’t usually offer much advice on her daughters’ love lives, letting them follow their hearts. But as a mother, she didn’t forget to add a reminder, "Young people are full of passion and can be impulsive. You need to make sure you protect yourself."

"I know," Cecilia said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. She retorted, "Have you said this to Lily?"

"I did, once." Jasmine Sterling covered her mouth and laughed. "I just thought it was a mother’s reminder to her daughter, you know? It’s a pretty important and normal thing, and Lily is growing up, after all. But as soon as I said one sentence, her face turned so red, and she immediately told me to stop!"

Cecilia laughed too, already picturing a bashful Lily in her mind.

Her sister was introverted and relatively conservative, but their mother never shied away from sex education and safety reminders just because the topic was private or explicit.

In her mother’s eyes, while the topic was sensitive, it wasn’t shameful. It was a necessary part of every girl’s journey to adulthood. If parents could provide the right guidance, their children would view these matters from a positive and healthy perspective.

"That’s Lily for you," Cecilia said with a smile. "And you know, even though you started a business and I do investments in our family, Lily is actually the most career-minded one. She might not even start dating until much, much later."

"Besides, they say that when someone is gifted in one area, they’re bound to have a blind spot in another. Lily is so talented at acting, maybe she’s just dense when it comes to romance. A bit clueless, you know?"

As Jasmine Sterling listened, a gentle look softened her face. "Well, I won’t restrict you from dating, and I won’t meddle with things like marriage or having kids later on. I just hope you can both be happy and always do what you want to do. For everything else, just let nature take its course."

"It’s almost November. Lily’s movie should be wrapping up soon. I wonder how many days she’ll be able to stay home after filming ends this time."

A red-eye flight landed in Kyden at midnight.

In the VIP channel, Finn came out first, pushing the luggage cart. Yuna walked behind with Lily Sterling. Because it was a last-minute trip on a late-night red-eye flight, there were no fans at the airport to greet them.

Even so, the moment Lily Sterling, wearing a baseball cap, appeared, she was recognized by a passerby.

"Oh my god, Lily Sterling?" a pretty girl in her early twenties exclaimed, though she politely kept her distance. "Is it really you? I’m a fan! Aren’t you on set? What are you doing in Kyden?"

Lily Sterling smiled as she walked and replied, "I’m here to meet with Director Alan and audition for a role."

"Ah!" The girl gasped, covering her mouth. "Then you have to do your best, Lily! Director Alan’s films are all award-winners. You can definitely do it!"

"Thank you. It’s very late, so be careful on your own," Lily reminded her.

The girl asked cautiously, "Can we take a picture together, Lily?"

Yuna instinctively glanced at Lily Sterling. As part of their training, company assistants were taught that in situations like this, if the celebrity gave them a certain look, they were to step in and decline on the celebrity’s behalf.

But Lily Sterling clearly wasn’t that kind of celebrity. She agreed without hesitation, "Of course. Let’s go over there where it’s a bit brighter."

She was always like this. As long as it was convenient, she would never turn down a fan’s request.

Afterward, they got into the pre-arranged van. Only after the doors closed did Yuna say, "Connie said you’re scheduled to meet the director tomorrow morning over breakfast at the hotel restaurant. She wanted to remind you not to wear any makeup. Director Alan likes to see actors in their natural, bare-faced state during auditions."

Lily Sterling nodded while looking at the script in her hands.

"Lily, are you nervous?" Yuna asked.

Lily Sterling looked up, took a deep breath, and nodded without trying to hide it. "Nervous."

Director Alan was an internationally acclaimed director. The chance to audition for one of his films was a dream come true for any actor. She truly, desperately wanted to be chosen.

When it came to roles, she was never modest. If she wanted it, she wanted it, and she would do everything in her power to get it.

That was why she had already read the script Connie sent her several times.

"Don’t be scared. Connie will be there too. Besides, she said that Director Alan was the one who personally requested to meet you. He’s very interested in you."

"It’s not so much that I’m scared; it’s more excitement than nerves, really," Lily Sterling smiled. "But having Connie there will definitely put me more at ease. All I can do now is my best and leave the rest to fate."

As soon as she finished speaking, the sound of soft snores came from the front passenger seat, where Finn was sitting.

The two of them froze for a moment, then burst out laughing.

"You two have been working hard lately. Get a good night’s rest tonight. You don’t have to get up too early tomorrow. I can go find Connie by myself."