Chapter 128: Chapter 128: No Crying Allowed
Four words left Grandmother stunned in place.
Grandmother instinctively reached to adjust the reading glasses on her face, only to realize she wasn’t wearing any at all.
For a moment, Grandmother couldn’t help but doubt whether, without the glasses, her ears were mishearing things too.
"Not sure?" Luckily, Grandmother was someone who had weathered many storms and quickly gathered herself, repeating Thea Lynch’s words.
"Hmm."
Thea Lynch responded.
She gazed at the Westmere’s city flower, the roses, across the lawn, deep in thought.
Grandmother didn’t quite believe it, "Really unsure?"
How to put it, Thea Lynch, this child, understands everything. Smart, decisive.
There are only things Thea Lynch doesn’t want to admit or see clearly; there’s nothing she can’t guess or understand.
So, is she really unsure?
Grandmother felt there must be an answer in her heart; she’s just too scared to reveal it.
She’s afraid of seeing an answer she doesn’t want to see, and afraid that this answer might be the correct one after all.
She rarely shows her emotions, even with family members.
But this time, she spoke out. Although somewhat vague, it was a "distress signal" she sent out.
The issue must have tormented her for too long, and after countless self-healing and self-doubt, she finally couldn’t hold it in anymore.
Experienced as she is, Grandmother reacted quickly.
Right now, Thea Lynch is like someone drowning, and Grandmother might very well be the one to pull her ashore.
Hearing Grandmother’s question, Thea Lynch hesitated for a moment, but still shook her head.
She’s not answering Grandmother’s question; she just doesn’t know what to say.
Grandmother squeezed her hand tightly, gently stroking it, "Thea, you’ve grown up, be a bit braver."
"What you want, what you like, you must hold onto."
"Sometimes you may just avoid something briefly, but might miss it for a lifetime."
"In any case, follow your heart. Don’t be afraid."
"You’re still young, no need to overthink. Just hold onto one idea: ask yourself what you truly want, and if you really, really want it, then stop avoiding it."
"When life enters a new stage, bid a proper farewell to the past. This Chapter needs to turn over. Let no regrets linger in this stage of your life."
——
On the way back from Westmere, Thea Lynch stared blankly out the window the entire trip.
The chauffeur repeatedly glanced at her through the rearview mirror, a bit worried, wanting to offer guidance but unsure where to begin.
Until Thea Lynch got off the car, the chauffeur called out to her.
"Miss, no matter what happens, always look ahead!"
Thea Lynch paused slightly, at first not understanding what he meant.
The chauffeur, a middle-aged man, waved enthusiastically, "Keep it up!"
Thea Lynch, realizing belatedly, gave him a smile, "Thank you."
Walking from the entrance to The Lynch Family, Thea’s pace wasn’t fast; it’s a path she’d walked many times, yet the scenery never tired her.
It was autumn, the road covered in fallen leaves. Someone from maintenance was cleaning up.
Seeing her, they made sure to greet her with a quick hello.
What was usually a three or four-minute walk took Thea a whole fifteen minutes. She wandered, stopping and starting, lost in thought as she crunched over the leaves.
She seemed unable to fully grasp Grandmother’s words, or perhaps she was still processing them.
No one knew what was truly on her mind at that moment.
It was evident she was heavily burdened with her thoughts.
"Thea, are you back?" Auntie heard the door open and peeked towards the entrance.
Thea switched her shoes, responding, "It’s me."
Recognizing her voice, Auntie dusted flour off her hands, getting up to greet her.
"I heard you at the door just now. Why are you so late getting home?" Auntie scrutinized her, worried, "Did you run into someone?"
"No," Thea forced a smile, looking just as she usually did, "It’s just while coming back, I saw the leaves falling and played with them for a while."
Relieved by her words, Auntie sighed, "You, playing all by yourself outside."
"I was worried, seeing you not come in, almost sent your uncle to get you. But he’s so lazy, insisted you wouldn’t get lost in the yard, said to wait for you to come back on your own."
"Don’t worry. Uncle’s right, I’m already inside, this place is so secure, where could I go?" Thea said as she hugged Auntie and walked inside.
"What are you up to, Auntie?"
"What else? Making longevity noodles for our little birthday girl."
"This soybean paste noodle is best when handmade." Auntie had been bustling all morning, doing everything herself.
"Thanks for all the hard work, Auntie."
Thea gave her a shoulder rub, looking around to see only the maid picking vegetables, so she asked, "Where’s Grandpa? Still outside?"
"No, he’s playing chess on the balcony with your uncle." Auntie lowered her voice, quietly complaining, "He insisted on going out to play chess, how can we let an elder be out so late."
"I said you’d be back soon, and he’d be angry if he couldn’t find you. It’s your birthday today after all. Managed to persuade him to stay. Now he’s sitting, having your uncle accompany him for another game."
In reality, Grandpa wasn’t that fond of playing chess; he just disliked staying at home.
His mind’s not clear now; often, he’s as stubborn as a child. When he gets adamant, it’s hard to persuade him.
Thinking of how Auntie has managed over these years, Thea felt deep guilt, "You’ve really had it tough all these years."
She embraced Auntie, like a child seeking solace in her mother’s arms.
"If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t know what to do."
Uncle spent years in the military, holding high rank, so he couldn’t focus on family. Auntie, previously in a clerical role in the army, wasn’t as busy in comparison. Now, she’s putting all her energy into the family.
Alongside the maid, she takes care of Grandpa’s daily needs, trying hard to keep this fractured family together.
"You silly child, how can you cry on your birthday." Auntie’s eyes also grew warm, but she held back the tears. "Quick, stow them away!"
"Or else I really will spank you, girl. What’s this habit, no crying now."
With flour still on her hands, Auntie hurriedly grabbed two tissues to wipe her tears. Seeing her teary-eyed, Auntie sighed, "Why are you crying like this."
"Whether you go abroad or not, it’s all the same."
Truth is, Auntie understood everything.
"Even if a kid stays, what can you help with? If you can take care of yourself, I’ll thank heavens."
"Besides, you haven’t let the Lynch family down; going abroad these years, it’s worth it. Our Thea is so promising, isn’t she?"
