Chapter 159: Chapter 160: You’re Not So Innocent Either
Yes, that’s the biggest issue facing Thea Lynch right now.
Rationality.
"You know, being rational is a good thing. But you can’t be too rational, right?"
"We can’t ignore our feelings just because of rationality."
"We’re human, after all, and we survive on a variety of emotions. You should understand this even better than I do."
Silas Cheney felt a bit sorry for her. In fact, thinking about it, he could completely understand Thea Lynch’s situation.
For so many years abroad, she didn’t really have family or friends around. Her uncle was busy with his own work. The only things that kept her constant company were those dull data and cold machines.
She had no one to vent her emotions to, so she became less and less inclined to express herself.
"Have you seen a doctor when you were abroad?" Silas was referring to a psychologist.
Thea’s lips parted slightly, and after a long pause, she said, "Yes. My uncle found me a psychologist."
"Did you often chat with him when you were abroad?"
Thea nodded, then shook her head.
"What does that mean? Yes or no?"
"Most of the time, I would just go and sit, have a cup of tea. Often, I’d sit there for an entire afternoon."
As for chatting... it was very minimal.
The psychologist would try to initiate conversations and use eloquent language to coax her into opening up.
But she was smart and always on guard, unwilling to say anything.
As time went on, the psychologist eventually stopped trying to start conversations. Instead, he would quietly make her tea and provide a comfortable space for her to sit and daydream.
"I..." Thea was momentarily at a loss for words.
She stubbornly believed that she was already fine, with no issues physically or mentally.
But in reality, she had been running away and deceiving herself.
She asked Silas, her eyes filled with confusion, "Am I still sick?"
"Of course not." Silas was immediately alarmed, his heart clenched. "This isn’t being sick."
"I’m just asking if you had someone abroad you could share things with. Fourth Brother doesn’t think you’re still sick."
"But, Thea, Fourth Brother thinks maybe it’s time we tried to move forward a little?"
"Move forward?" Thea didn’t understand.
"Third Brother is afraid of upsetting you, so he’s been quietly following behind you, not daring to move forward recklessly. Didn’t you notice? Third Brother is actually quite timid."
"What I mean is, you can keep your pace, but could you communicate with Third Brother a bit more?"
Thea instinctively replied, "But I’m really busy at work, I can’t multitask."
"These two things won’t interfere with each other."
"But they’re both really important to me."
Silas: "..."
"No, I didn’t mean you have to start dating Third Brother right away. I mean, during your off-time or vacations, you could spend more time with him. To put it simply..."
As Silas hesitated on how to say those two words, Thea raised an eyebrow and finished for him, "Dating?"
"Yeah, yeah." Silas chuckled, "Of course, you don’t have to think of it as dating. It’s just having a meal and watching a movie together."
"No one’s asking you to get together with Third Brother just after a meal."
The words might be blunt, but the meaning isn’t.
"Think about what Fourth Brother is saying, it’s pretty straightforward, right? With your intelligence, you should get it."
"Hmm..."
Thea responded.
However, understanding is one thing, wanting to do it is another matter.
Silas’s suggestion was something she had never considered.
Previously she thought having a meal with Ian Preston was normal, but combined with Silas’s words, even meals seemed like dates.
She could feel a bit of pressure.
"It’s okay, take your time and think it over carefully."
Silas had just finished speaking when Thea quietly asked, "But if I do this, won’t it be strange?"
"Strange? In what way?" He didn’t understand.
"It’s just..." Thea is usually straightforward, not the type to be all hesitant.
Her being torn over this meant she was seriously considering what he just said.
Silas kind of understood what was going on in her mind.
He remained silent, waiting for her to speak up.
"If I asked Third Brother out every day, what excuse would I use?"
"What excuse do you need?" Silas laughed, covering his face, "Just directly ask him to eat out."
After thinking for a moment, Silas realized it wouldn’t work, "No, this should be initiated by Third Brother."
"I’ll go talk to him."
"No!" Thea quickly grabbed his hand, "You can’t tell him about today! If you tell him, it’ll definitely be more than just this."
"..."
Have to admit, Thea knows him well.
This doesn’t work, that doesn’t work. After some thought, Silas suggested, "Then how about this, I’ll set it up, I’ll invite Third Brother and you out, and then I’ll pretend to bail."
"How about that? Does it work?"
He’s really worried about these two; damn it, he must sit at the main table at the wedding!!!
"Are you planning to use this excuse forever?" Thea felt it wasn’t sustainable.
"He’ll figure it out."
After all, Ian Preston is such a smart person.
"If he figures it out, he’ll think I’m trying to set you two up, he won’t think it’s you being proactive."
Silas can completely understand Thea’s awkward feelings, she wants to take a step forward, but is afraid of appearing too forward.
Girls, he understands.
"Don’t worry about what happens afterward, let’s just try it once."
Silas was quick to suggest, "Tonight, let’s do it tonight!"
"!" Thea: "So soon?"
"No, maybe wait a couple of days."
It was too sudden.
"Why wait? I’m just back in the country today, plenty of reason. Third Brother will definitely come."
"Besides, you’re going on a business trip next week, where’s the time?"
Thinking about setting them up, Silas was hardly calmer than Thea.
He rolled up his sleeves and said, tonight’s the night! He immediately booked a restaurant table and bought movie tickets.
The whole process took less than three minutes. It was so seamless that Thea was dumbstruck.
She had no chance to refuse.
"When the time comes, just have a meal, and the cinema is right next door."
"What movie?"
Silas lied, "I think it’s a comedy, just came out recently."
Thea was doubtful.
He hinted, "Remember what Fourth Brother said, don’t be too rational. Sometimes it’s okay to be a bit impulsive. Don’t hold back!"
Thea frowned, "You’re thinking too much. No matter how impulsive, I won’t get to that stage."
"What stage? I was talking about holding hands and hugs, what were you thinking?"
"..." Thea was stunned.
"Alright." Silas chuckled, "Thea, Thea, your little thoughts aren’t all that innocent~"
