Chapter 167: Chapter 168: Thea Lynch, No Ifs
"..."
Silas Cheney finally realized he had been tricked.
Without thinking, he immediately pulled Sean Bell over: "He’s an accomplice."
Sean Bell managed to restrain himself, not getting physical with Silas.
Ian Preston glanced between the two of them for a few seconds, "What are you trying to do?"
"Ah, it’s just about creating an opportunity for you two to be alone." Silas knew Ian wasn’t truly angry, so he smiled ingratiatingly, "We were worried things might go wrong, so we came along to check."
"Truly, there’s no other meaning."
"So, how’s it going, buddy?" Silas smiled knowingly, attempting to take credit: "I chose this restaurant and movie—how’s the vibe?"
"I saw it all—Thea Lynch was actively chatting with you the whole time. You better seize the opportunity, buddy."
Having worked on Thea’s state of mind, Silas now turned to Ian.
Thea had taken a step forward, Ian couldn’t let things falter on his side.
"Since it’s still early, don’t just say you’re taking her home or something. It’s rare to have such harmony—doing nothing and staying a bit longer is good too."
When Thea came out of the restroom, she immediately saw Ian.
She jogged forward, "I’m ready, buddy. Let’s go."
"Hmm." Ian responded, handing her the rose he was holding.
It wasn’t convenient for Thea to hold the rose, so she simply tucked it into her bag.
As they left the cinema, Thea realized the night was dull, with the bright moon obscured by clouds, revealing a vague silhouette.
"Looks like it’s going to rain." She said.
Today, it seemed that this was as far as they could go.
With this weather, Ian was likely to take her home.
Unexpectedly, Ian glanced up casually at the sky and said indifferent, "It won’t rain. Want to sit across the street for a bit?"
The unassuming little tavern across the street was still open.
Thea took a glance, not entirely sure if Ian wanted to go to such a place.
She had no opinion about such places, but Ian wasn’t really fond of lively atmospheres.
To him, it would be noisy.
For her too.
Seemingly noticing her hesitation, Ian continued to walk, "Not to join the crowd inside, just to sit outside."
Thea finally saw that the tavern’s entrance faced the lakeside, with several empty tables and chairs.
Once seated, Ian ordered two drinks—both with low alcohol content within their acceptable range.
The tavern’s door was open; from Thea’s position, she could vaguely hear music, but it wasn’t as loud as she imagined.
Several other tables were occupied outside, but everyone kept a polite distance, and no conversation was audible. Despite the gloomy sky, fortunately, there was no wind, and everything was just right.
Thea stared at the candle on the table in a daze, and when the drinks arrived, she heard Ian bringing up a topic, asking her, "How was the movie earlier?"
"Not bad?" To be honest, she didn’t pay much attention to it.
But she had a general grasp of the plot.
It was quite predictable.
"As expected, really, nothing surprising."
Thea slyly glanced at Ian, "What do you think of the movie? Seems like the plot is a bit bland."
Ian thought for a moment and shook his head, "Didn’t really notice."
"You didn’t watch?"
Ian moved the candle to one side and replied softly, "I watched the beginning, but then my attention was all on you."
"..." Thea bit her straw, not daring to move, as if the scene was frozen.
She tried to find an excuse for him, "Was it because I was talking too much? Did I disturb you, buddy?"
Upon reflection, indeed she did chatter quite a bit.
"Don’t know if it’s a professional habit." She awkwardly scratched her ear, lowered her eyes, and quietly explained: "Couldn’t stop once I started, really wanted to introduce it to you."
"No disturbance." Ian leaned back in the chair, smiling at her: "On the contrary, I really enjoy listening."
"Indeed some of the vocabulary was too specialized, but I could grasp the general idea."
"Thea, have I ever told you, I really like the way you are now."
Thea: "..."
"Or not just now."
Ian locked eyes with her, his voice slightly raspy, like an old record: "Seeing you shine in an industry you love and excel in, confident and bright, truly makes me happy."
"I never mentioned this before, but during your junior year, you participated in a national contest, and your team took first place. Back then, I was in the audience."
"I saw you smile, cry, and hug your teammates."
"There was even a moment when driven by impulse, I went to your backstage dressing room. But hearing you celebrate with your teammates and coach, I didn’t dare interrupt, afraid you’d be disappointed."
He paused, chuckled, and continued: "The way you stood on that stage, I still remember it vividly."
"I hope you return home soon, but even more so, I want to see you hold your head high, climb to your summit."
"Over the past few years, Silas would occasionally ask me. Asking why I always secretly visited you, why I didn’t take more initiative. Especially when you graduated, he asked why I wasn’t straightforward enough to bring you back directly."
"Thea, it’s not that I don’t like you enough."
On the contrary, he’s invested so much energy into her, he treads carefully.
"I hope you go further, reach bigger places."
"Even if not by my side."
"I also know, you don’t really need anyone."
"I’ve always known, as for why I’ve been secretly following you all these years..."
"I recently seem to have found a fitting answer."
"It’s never been about you needing me."
"It’s about me being unable to leave you."
"I don’t know what Silas has told you, making you willing to spare some time for me today. Tonight I’m very happy, but I still want to tell you, you shouldn’t be swayed by others’ opinions, stay firm in your belief."
"I know what you’re thinking, even if you don’t say, I know."
"Rest assured, I’m always here."
"Remember, this is your life, you’re the protagonist. Besides you, others can be unimportant, including myself."
——
Thea silently tightened her grip on her cup.
She thought Ian didn’t know anything...
But that was only what she thought.
She turned her head, trying to hide her reddened eyes, not letting him see.
"I..."
"I do want to climb a bit higher."
"It seems like from childhood, I’ve always lived in your shadow. I also want to rely on myself to reach higher."
"I haven’t thought about the peak yet, but at least I shouldn’t stay midway."
"If things go smoothly, I’ll give you an answer within the time frame you gave me."
"If things don’t go smoothly..."
Across from her, Ian suddenly interjected: "Thea, there’s no if."
