Chapter 61: Wait for Me a Little Longer

After finishing their meal and returning, snow began to fall lightly in the sky again.
Eric took out two bottles of beer from the refrigerator, warmed a cup of hot cocoa for Monica, and handed a controller to Steven. They started playing a game.
When Eric won seven consecutive rounds, he sensed that something was off.
He turned to look at Steven and found that he seemed calm, without any hint of frustration from losing so badly.
It seemed like he was intentionally losing.
But Eric didn't believe that Steven, who was normally in good shape, would intentionally lose to him.
He pressed the controller and said, "Another round."
This time, he deliberately revealed a flaw.
In the past, Steven would have seized such a fatal mistake and not allowed him any chance of a comeback.
But today, Steven seemed oblivious, as if he were blind. He held the controller, his expression unchanged, but his gaze was drifting and often lingered in one place, only to snap back to reality after a long time.
What was he looking at?
Eric followed his line of sight and saw his younger sister sleeping on the side.
Monica had originally been sitting there watching, but at some point, she had fallen asleep.
Feeling bored, she lay on the carpet with a cushion, and unexpectedly fell asleep. She was wearing Steven's jacket, but she didn't know when he had put it on her.
She slept soundly, with her dark long eyelashes lightly quivering, and her cheeks blushing from the warmth of the room.
After a moment of silence, Eric seemed to understand something and casually raised his voice, calling out, "Monica."
Steven immediately turned his gaze towards him.
Monica was startled awake by this and confusedly rubbed her eyes, asking, "What's wrong?"
"You're disturbing your two brothers playing games. Go back to your room and sleep," Eric said.
"How am I disturbing you when I'm asleep?" Monica complained, but she was indeed tired.
Yawning, she turned around and returned to the empty room that Eric had prepared for her.
So, there were only two people left in the living room. The game screen was frozen, and the fast-paced background music repeated in a loop.
No one said anything.
After a while, Eric got straight to the point and asked, "Are you serious?"
Steven understood his meaning and replied, "Yes."
"This is only the second time you've met, right...?" Eric found it hard to believe for the first time.
"I can't understand it. This isn't like you, such a romantic love-at-first-sight story."
It was difficult to imagine such a story happening to someone like Steven, who was always calm and rational.
"I can't understand it myself."
Steven felt like he was being pulled by the thread of attraction, about to embark on a turbulent river without a way back.
Eric leaned back on the couch, looked up at the ceiling, and took a while to digest this fact.
"Let me ask again, are you really serious?"
"Yes," he answered again. "I want to be with her."
Although Eric didn't show a relieved expression on his face, he said, "Since you confessed to me so seriously, I'll tell you my thoughts as well."
He put aside his usual casual demeanor and sighed heavily. "Do you know how much my sister's expenses are in a day? Do you know the price range of the clothes she wears, the bags and jewelry she buys, and the food she usually eats?"
"Even if Monica really falls for you and doesn't care if you have money, willing to lower her standard of living for you, or even directly support you with her own money, but, Steven..."
"As a man with self-esteem, can you tolerate such a situation?"
"You're my good brother, I understand your nature and trust your character. We know each other inside out. I absolutely trust Monica with you. But the foundation of material wealth is a very realistic problem. I might say something harsh, even if you graduate and find a high-paying job in the United States according to the current plan, that income won't even be worthy of my mother's presence, let alone proposing."
"Why am I suddenly bringing this up? It's because I know you're a responsible person, and I'm sure you're not just playing around with your feelings. In that case, I can't just turn a blind eye. I know my sister well. Don't be fooled by her nonchalant attitude. She's stubborn and deeply emotional. I don't want her to be harmed by anyone, especially not by someone she loves."
"Money isn't everything, but it does affect people's lives. Just think about it seriously," Eric finished, his tone filled with concern.
"Sorry, I talked too much today," Eric said, looking at Steven who remained silent.
"I didn't mean that, you know that we are good brothers, and I have always been sincere and never looked down on you. On the contrary, I really admire you. Without any support from your family, you have achieved so much on your own. If it were me, I honestly don't think I could do it."
"But just because Monica is my sister and you are my best friend, that's why I want to make everything clear. Have you really thought about it? If you want to be with her, at least for now, there will be a lot of problems for both of you."
Love is a wonderful experience and indulging in spiritual satisfaction is indeed beautiful, but ultimately, people live in reality, and whether they like it or not, they have to face those mundane matters.
Steven sat on the couch for a long time before saying, "I'm going out for a walk."
He opened the door but didn't go anywhere. He just sat down on the doorstep, staring at the snowflakes floating and falling under the streetlights.
The snowy night in Boston was very cold, and the cold air with snow stung his cheeks. He tried to light a cigarette several times, but before he could take two puffs, the flame went out, so he simply threw it into the trash bin.
Eric spoke tactfully, but he knew that his good friend was only considering his pride.
Could the center of attention, a spoiled young lady who had already squandered all the savings left by her late grandfather just by studying abroad, really choose someone like him?
If he were Eric, he wouldn't entrust his sister to such a person either.
Coming to Boston had already been a gamble, but now, he needed to make an even bigger one.
Steven sat in the snow until dawn.
The next morning, he sincerely emailed the manager who had urged him to stay, giving up the opportunity to convert his internship into a permanent position, which was equivalent to giving up the chance to stay in the US with a high salary.
This had once been his ultimate goal.
After doing all this, he walked out of his room, and Monica happened to be leaving as well. Their eyes met, and she waved at him, saying, "Hurry up, let's go to Tate’s for brunch!"
Steven followed her downstairs, but she suddenly remembered something and hummed, "No, I won't talk to you today. Yesterday, you stood on Eric's side and spat out the lobster roll that I treated you to."
As they spent the day together, the two gradually became familiar with each other, and Monica began to show her little temper.
"It's unreasonable to take back an invitation to dinner," he smiled slightly. "How about this, I'll treat you once as well, consider it even."
Not now.
He couldn't make her a promise, so he couldn't selfishly drag her down with him just to satisfy his own desires.
What I want is you, so please wait for me, Monica.