Samantha's enthusiasm left Eula momentarily unsure of how to respond.
Deanna was equally surprised. She had never expected Samantha to come up with such an idea. However, she supported it.
"Miss Eula, Samantha is right. Lance has many excellent friends. I remember you told me you don't have a boyfriend yet. How about I ask Lance for some photos of his friends for you to look at?"
Without giving Eula a chance to refuse, Deanna smiled at Samantha and said, "I'll go find Lance. You two chat."
Samantha nodded with a smile, "Go ahead, ask Lance to get his friends to send their photos."
"Alright." Deanna nodded, her mood suddenly brightening. She didn't look at Eula and went straight upstairs to find Lance.
Eula finally reacted, struggling to maintain her smile. "Samantha, I'm not looking for a boyfriend right now, but thank you for your kindness."
She took a deep breath and politely declined Samantha's suggestion. However, Samantha was not ready to give up so easily. She smiled and said, "Why wouldn't you want a boyfriend? You're not getting any younger. Do you already have someone in mind?"
This question left Eula speechless again. She looked at the curiosity in Samantha's eyes, hesitating between admitting or covering up. In the end, she chose the former. After all, if she ended up with Lance in the future, these things would come to light.
"I do have someone I like and am pursuing, so there's no need for you to introduce me to anyone," Eula admitted.
"Oh, so you have someone you like! No wonder you refused me. That's alright; I'm not one to meddle in others' affairs," Samantha said with a kind smile.
Eula breathed a sigh of relief and pretended to be obedient. "Thank you for your concern, Samantha."
"It's nothing. I'm just glad you don't mind my meddling."
"Of course not, Samantha. I know you're looking out for me."
They exchanged polite words back and forth. However, Eula was still too inexperienced to see through Samantha's true intentions.
Then Samantha changed the topic with a concerned look. "I heard you say you're still pursuing the person you like. Does that mean he doesn't like you back?"
Eula felt cornered and unsure how to respond. Why did it seem like Samantha was more curious about her tonight than before?
Seeing Eula's discomfort, Samantha smiled warmly and apologized, "I'm sorry if I touched on a sensitive topic. If it's inconvenient to talk about, you don't have to tell me."
"It's not that I can't talk about it. I do have someone I like, but he doesn't like me back," Eula said sadly.
Samantha saw the sadness in her eyes and felt a complex mix of emotions. She knew exactly who Eula was talking about. She quickly composed herself and advised, "Eula, it's not that I don't support your feelings. Honestly, you're excellent and come from a good family. But if you're lowering yourself to please someone who remains indifferent, it only means he truly doesn't like you. Love shouldn't be forced; it can make you lose yourself."
"Samantha, are you saying I shouldn't continue pursuing him?" Eula asked in surprise.
Clearly, she hadn't expected Samantha to say that. Samantha didn't answer directly but instead guided her, "I don't know your exact situation since only you can feel it. But as I said, forced love isn't sweet. You should also understand why he doesn't accept your pursuit; maybe he likes someone else."
Indeed, he did like someone else and was about to get married.
Eula thought bitterly but maintained her obedient demeanor. "I understand. I'll think it over."
"Yes, think it over carefully. There are plenty of men out there; you don't need to rely on a single choice," Samantha advised again.
Just then, Deanna's puzzled voice came from above them, "Rely on what?"
"Miss Jones is back," Eula said with visible relief as she saw Deanna.
She felt Deanna had returned just in time to change the subject. Unfortunately, before she could speak further, Samantha laughed and said, "We were just talking about Eula's crush. Unfortunately, he doesn't like her back, so I advised her not to force it."
"Samantha is right; love should be mutual. It's not enough for just one person to be in love," Deanna replied pointedly as she sat back down on the sofa.
The two little ones immediately crowded around her curiously and asked, "Mommy, did you get the photos?"
"Yes, I did," Deanna replied with a smile as she ruffled their hair affectionately before turning to Samantha and asking, "Should we show these photos to Miss Eula now?"