Chapter 113: Chapter 113: Don’t Settle
Grandpa Preston gently patted the back of her hand, "If there’s anything you want to say, you can tell grandpa. If he’s bullying you, grandpa will stand up for you."
"No, it’s not that." Thea Lynch still shook her head, "Third Brother has always been quite good to me."
"He’s just cold on the outside but warm inside, sharp-tongued but soft-hearted. I can guarantee his intentions towards you are absolutely sincere."
"The only flaw in your Third Brother is that he’s not good at expressing himself. If only he were like Silas Cheney, I could feel more at ease."
Thea Lynch lowered her head, not replying.
Seeing this, Grandpa Preston realized there was a significant issue between them. "From what I’m saying, I’m afraid you can guess what grandpa is about to say."
"Originally, I didn’t want to meddle in the affairs between you young ones. But seeing your Third Brother like that, I’m worried for him too. Afraid he might say something unpleasant because he doesn’t know how to express himself."
"Grandpa wants to ask, do you have any feelings for your Third Brother?"
"If you do, you don’t need to worry about anything else. Grandpa is here. If you don’t, then grandpa will tell him to tone it down, so it doesn’t trouble you."
"..."
Grandpa Preston knows everything. He watched these children grow up and understands their thoughts well.
In the past, no matter what happened, he didn’t want to interfere. But now, it’s become unbearable to watch.
From noon till night, the two meals they’re at the same table, and he observed them for a while—they’ve barely had any interaction.
One’s face looks worse than the other; let alone small talk, they probably haven’t even met eyes.
Seems like they’re deliberately avoiding each other.
Even if these two young people can’t be together, he still doesn’t wish their relationship to become so strained.
He wanted to find a suitable reason to mend their relationship.
But he still didn’t understand Thea Lynch’s feelings and didn’t dare to act hastily. So tonight, he called Thea out alone.
"Don’t worry about anything else, don’t overthink. Just speak honestly with grandpa, grandpa won’t tell anyone."
"About your Third Brother..."
Before Grandpa finished his words, Thea Lynch suddenly shook her head.
Seeing this, Grandpa Preston sighed softly and, with a smile, said, "Alright, grandpa understands. Grandpa will talk to him properly once I go back. But grandpa also hopes you two won’t remain so stiff."
"No matter what, he’s still your Third Brother."
"Yes, I understand."
"Regarding the matter with Nina Sinclair, grandpa needs to apologize to you."
"What?" Thea Lynch glanced sideways.
Grandpa Preston explained to her, "When your Aunt Rong suggested setting up your Third Brother for a blind date, I was aware and agreed tacitly."
"You don’t need to apologize to me." Thea Lynch smiled with relief, "No one is wrong in this matter, and it doesn’t really concern me."
"I did really like Third Brother back then, but I never explicitly expressed it to him. So even if he went on a blind date or actually got engaged to Nina Sinclair, you don’t need to apologize to me."
"Actually, the one who should apologize has always been me. Back then, I was too stubborn and impulsive, and it was me who turned things into a mess."
Grandpa Preston stared at her for a few seconds, his eyes appearing a bit tender. "You’re a good child, Thea. No matter what, grandpa hopes you’ll find someone who truly likes you, and you feel the same about."
"Never settle."
——
After seeing Grandpa Preston off, as soon as Thea Lynch stepped inside, she smelled the scent of alcohol.
Entering the dining room, she found Big Uncle and Ian Preston, along with a few others drinking heartily.
"Thea’s back? Would you like to sit down and eat something more?" Big Aunt and Aunt brought out two more dishes to pair with wine.
Ian Preston raised his eyes upon hearing and looked toward the dining room entrance.
Their gazes collided unexpectedly, and Thea Lynch was the first to look away, "No, I’m going upstairs to finish a report; there’s an important meeting tomorrow."
After speaking with Big Aunt, Thea glanced around at the people at the table, nodding slightly, "I’ll head upstairs now."
Back in her room, Thea closed the door, blocking out the noise from downstairs.
Whether her room had good soundproofing or they’d consciously lowered their voices, she really couldn’t hear any loud sounds.
Sitting by the window, Thea leaned on the table and exhaled a long breath.
It seemed everyone around her already knew about her and Ian Preston.
What should’ve been a matter declared over kept being brought up again.
When Thea Lynch was nearly asleep on the desk, there was a knock at the door.
"Thea." It was Big Aunt’s voice.
Just as Thea sat up straight, Big Aunt pushed the door open, placed the fruit in front of her, and advised, "Don’t work too late, rest early."
Thea mumbled a reply and turned to look at her aunt, "Is Third Brother still downstairs?"
"Your Big Uncle’s got them drinking. He has no sense of moderation. I told him they all have work tomorrow, but he doesn’t listen."
"Let Big Uncle drink less; it’s not good for his health."
"He won’t listen if I tell him. He’ll listen to you, go scold him a bit."
Thea gave a helpless laugh, nodding, "Alright, I’ll go talk to Big Uncle."
Thea had just rested a bit, so she was just waking up, her face still fresh, looking a bit dazed.
Returning to the dining room, the number of empty bottles on the table was shocking. She seemed to have gone upstairs for less than half an hour, yet how had they drunk so much...
She stepped forward to pick up a bottle and looked closely; the alcohol content wasn’t low.
Big Uncle wasn’t interested in foreign liquor; they were drinking the strongest northern white liquor.
"Big Uncle, it’s already late; don’t drink any more."
Thea saw Big Uncle was about to open another bottle, startling her into quickly stepping forward to hold him down. "Next time, drink it next time."
If it were anyone else trying to persuade him, Big Uncle would probably ignore them, as he doesn’t have children and although he treats Thea as his own, Thea is ultimately a young woman.
Thea can drink, but he doesn’t want her accompanying him. So now that he’s finally got Ian Preston and the others, he naturally wanted to drink happier.
But when faced with Thea, even if Big Uncle felt unsatisfied, he still obediently handed the bottle to her.
"It’s nearly ten o’clock, no more drinking, no more." Big Uncle waved off.
Upon hearing this, Sean Bell and Silas Cheney sighed in relief—they truly couldn’t outdrink Big Uncle and were now feeling a bit sick.
Big Uncle wasn’t doing well either—he waved his hand and went upstairs, his steps unsteady, which scared Thea into hurrying to support him. Big Aunt rushed over upon hearing, scolding Big Uncle as she helped him.
"Thea, go and take care of your Third Brother and the others." As she left, Big Aunt still remembered the ones left in the dining room.
Thea responded, and when she returned to the dining room, Sean Bell and Silas Cheney were nowhere in sight. They’d disappeared the moment she turned around.
The next second, Thea turned her head towards the only remaining figure in the dining room...
Their eyes met, and the man’s gaze seemed to burn.
