School anniversary.
Upon hearing these words, Thea Lynch felt no stirrings in her heart.
Unlike other classmates who enjoyed such gatherings, Thea was completely uninterested.
To say nothing of the fact, she had no good friends at Westre High School. When she transferred there, it was already her senior year, and because of her personality, she didn’t fit in.
Her relationships with her classmates were just like that.
Ordinary to the point of ordinary, in the sa class, yet unfamiliar.
Back then, most teachers looked after her only because of her uncle’s request. Basically, there was no emotional connection.
So there was no need to attend this school anniversary.
"I don’t have ti," Thea directly refused, without a hint of hesitation. "If you’re going, rember to take leave early, don’t delay work."
"...Okay." The assistant’s mouth twitched.
On Thursday morning, Thea received a call from her uncle.
Uncle: "Good morning."
"Good evening." Thea rembered it was still evening where he was.
Her uncle didn’t beat around the bush and ca straight to the point: "I sent you a birthday gift; it should arrive in the next couple of days. Keep an eye on the delivery, okay? I sent it to the courtyard."
Upon hearing this, Thea paused in her actions, "Didn’t I say it wasn’t necessary?"
"I understand what you an. But a birthday only cos around once a year; we can’t just ignore it. We can keep it low-key, have a simple al, receive so gifts. It’s reasonable."
Thea curved her lips slightly, "Okay. I’ll ask later if there are any deliveries for at the courtyard."
"Ah, that’s better." Uncle: "Anyway, make sure to co back to the courtyard for a good al with your grandpa and the others on your birthday. If you have ti, call your grandparents as well."
Thea thought for a mont and said, "I’ll make a trip back to Westre tomorrow at noon."
"As long as it’s convenient for you." Uncle, of course, hoped she could visit, "If it’s too much trouble, just make a call."
"It’s fine, I’ll take a day off and head over early. Work hasn’t been busy lately anyway."
Her uncle was relieved.
In the afternoon, Thea called her aunt, asking her to keep an eye on the delivery for the next couple of days.
Aunt said there seed to be a delivery arriving around noon.
"Then I’ll co by later."
"No need, your third brother is here. He’ll bring it to you later; saves you from running back and forth at night, going out of your way, right?"
"Is my third brother there?"
"Yes." Aunt replied, "He ca over today to discuss where to have your birthday al."
"I suggested going out, but your third brother thought having it at ho would be better—just a simple family al, nothing too extravagant."
"What do you think, Thea?"
Aunt sought Thea’s opinion.
The last ti she celebrated Thea’s birthday was when Thea was a teenager. This ti, she wanted to make it a bit more grand.
But Ian suggested considering Thea’s situation.
Thea’s birthday and Aaron’s morial day are just one day apart. Each has its reason, so it’s safer to ask Thea.
"Let’s go with what my third brother suggests; I also think having it at ho is nice."
"Okay." Aunt replied with a smile, "Is there anything you want to eat, Thea? I’ll cook it for you personally."
After a pause, Thea thought for a mont and said, "Zhajiangmian?"
There wasn’t anything else she particularly wanted at the mont.
"Alright, what ti will you be here on Friday?"
"I plan to visit Westre first on Friday and co back to the courtyard in the evening."
"Oh right, you do need to go to Westre. Why not bring your grandparents back directly?"
"I called them at noon and was told they have so matters to attend to that afternoon, so they can’t co over. It’s fine; I’ll bring them over during the Spring Festival. I’ll have to trouble you again then, Aunt."
"Oh, you silly child, we’re all family, why talk like we’re not? What’s trouble, really? You’re just being polite. Don’t say that again, okay?" Aunt chided lightly, "Alright, alright, go handle your business; I’ll get your delivery to your third brother."
——
In the evening, Thea got off work on ti and went downstairs with Foreman Chandler and the others.
"Thanks for your hard work tomorrow, everyone."
"It’s nothing." Everyone knew she had family matters and had no choice but to take ti off. Otherwise, given Thea’s enthusiasm for work, if allowed, she might as well live at the company.
"Foreman Lynch, if you’re busy at ho, feel free to take a few more days off. We can handle things at the company. If sothing cos up that we can’t solve, we can always go online to work it out."
"Really, it’s nothing major; everything’s fine at ho. Just visiting relatives back in Westre."
Thea knew she’d been taking ti off quite a bit recently, and they were concerned.
"Don’t worry, if I really do need more ti, I’ll definitely let you all know."
As she exited the company building, Thea spotted Ian Preston from a distance.
He hadn’t driven over today, probably stopping by the apartnt before coming to pick her up.
After all, the apartnt is just a convenient walk from Stratus.
"I’m off then." Thea waved to them and unconsciously sped up her pace.
The weather was nice today; Thea was wearing just a thin shirt, her jacket draped over her arm. She walked alongside Ian under the pleasant moonlight.
"Third brother, did Aunt ask you to bring sothing for ?"
"Yeah, an international package." Ian could easily guess who sent it, "From Uncle?"
Thea nodded, "He said it was a birthday gift."
"It’s at my place; I’ll grab it when we get there."
"Okay."
"Are you going to Westre tomorrow?" He looked down at her.
Aunt had briefly ntioned it to him that afternoon.
Thea wasn’t surprised he knew.
"I’ll take you there tomorrow."
"Huh?" Thea was startled and declined, "No need."
"I have a car booked, it’s quite convenient. I’ll head straight to the courtyard once I’m back."
"See you at the courtyard then."
Despite her repeated refusals, Ian didn’t push and let her be.
Back at the apartnt, Thea followed Ian to his place but didn’t go in. She just stood by the door.
Ian lifted the package. Since it was heavy, he didn’t let her handle it, "Open the door, I’ll carry it over."
"Alright." Thea stepped out, opening her own door.
Ian placed the package in the living room, saving her from having to move it later.
"Thanks, third brother." Thea handed him a wet wipe to clean his dusty hands.
"What ti will you be back tomorrow? I’ll let Aunt know so she can prepare dinner."
Thea thought for a mont and said, "Around four or five o’clock."
"I’ll try to be early."
The next morning, as Thea went downstairs, she ran into Ian’s assistant, who didn’t seem to be waiting for Ian, but rather intentionally waiting for her.
"Anything?"
She stopped.
"These are things Mr. Preston instructed, but you to bring to your relatives."
The assistant was holding a lot of items, all arranged by Ian.
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