Hayden listened silently without interrupting.

"Although Shelly has had a child, I think she is better than many women who haven't had children. So if you also have feelings for her, I hope you won't look down on her. And if you don't like her, I hope you can reject her quickly." Fergus did not want Shelly to be strung along by Hayden. "She told me she likes you. I don't know if she told you, though."

Hayden contemplated Fergus's words for a moment and asked, "Is it possible that she's using me as an excuse to reject you?"

Fergus was taken aback for a moment, then said, "I don't think so. She rejected me a long time ago. Actually, I'm not that bad of a catch. If she didn't have someone she liked, I don't think she would have turned me down. I believe she genuinely likes you."

Hayden was not surprised by his answer.

"So, what do you think?" Fergus could not quite figure out Hayden's thoughts on the matter through his calm demeanor. "Shelly and I are from the same hometown, and even