Chapter 172: Chapter 173: Long Time No See
Thea Lynch was slightly taken aback; she wasn’t aware of any of this.
"Did you know each other since childhood?" Melody asked curiously. "Or like my uncle, met later in life?"
Thea replied, "We’ve known each other since we were born, grew up in the same compound."
"Wow, childhood sweethearts, huh."
Hearing this phrase, Thea’s long eyelashes fluttered slightly, but she didn’t refute it.
"No wonder you two have such a good relationship. It would be a pity if you weren’t together," Melody teased.
Before coming here, Silas Cheney mentioned that the relationship between Ian Preston and Thea Lynch was a bit awkward at the moment.
"Why do you think that way?" Thea raised an eyebrow. "Just because we’ve known each other for a long time, we should be together?"
Melody shook her head, "Not really."
"It’s just, you already have feelings for each other. Growing up together means your relationship is more solid than most couples, such a good foundation of over twenty years. Wouldn’t it be a waste not to end up together?"
Melody asked Diana Dawson.
Suddenly being asked, Diana hesitated for a moment, but under pressure, she nodded, "Yes, it would be a waste."
Melody laughed.
"If not for Ian, does Foreman Lynch have anyone else she particularly likes? Or even someone she’s a little interested in?" Melody continued probing.
"No." It wasn’t a perfunctory response. Thea genuinely thought about it for two minutes, but the conclusion remained unchanged.
"All these years, none?" Melody was surprised, "Not even a handsome classmate?"
Thea still shook her head, "No."
"Huh?"
Melody was completely bewildered.
"I don’t pay much attention to that, nor am I sensitive to it. When I was studying, my mind was focused on learning."
"When did you start liking Ian then?"
"High school," Thea admitted, contradicting herself.
"!" Melody’s eyes widened: "Was it a puppy love?"
Thea took a sip of coffee, "Didn’t fall in love. Puppy love failed. At most, it was just a crush."
"Wouldn’t a crush affect your studies?" Diana asked softly, "When I had a crush before, my grades kept dropping."
"How could it," Melody tilted her head, "If it affected Foreman Lynch’s studies, she wouldn’t be where she is now."
"Ah, true."
They thought too highly of Thea, but in reality, it did have an impact.
"There was a period when my grades slipped. From first in the city, I dropped to third."
Melody, Diana: "..." Your slip in grades seems different from ours.
"How did you get back to the top?"
"At that time, I had a speech issue, so it was difficult to talk. The teacher called my parents to discuss the reasons for my dip in grades."
"And then?" The two young women stopped eating, focusing intently on Thea.
"Then..." Thea finished her last sip of coffee and slowly said, "Ian came to see me."
"!"
"We had a talk, and he suspected I might be in puppy love. I told him I wasn’t. Later, afraid he wouldn’t believe me, I worked my way back to being first."
"Let’s not talk about this anymore." Thea stopped there, glanced at the time, and said, "It’s time to go."
"Oh, we..." The two young women felt there was more to discuss but knew priorities came first, so they quickly grabbed their things and followed.
——
At the exhibition site.
Thea adjusted the ID badge hanging around her neck, "You all stay here. I’ll go say hi to Vantivelli."
Foreman Leigh acknowledged, indicating she shouldn’t worry, as they had it covered here.
Thea turned her head, looking at Melody who stood beside, like a statue, tilting her head to ask, "Are you coming?"
"Me?" Melody blinked, realizing Thea was asking if she wanted to go to Valiant. She waved her hands quickly, "I better not! I’m working! If I go, my uncle will dock my pay."
Thea’s shoulders shook with laughter, "Alright."
For most of the morning, Thea was networking.
First with several domestic companies. After chatting with them for a while, she moved on to some international firms.
Especially when she encountered her former employer; the manager, an Asian, hugged her and asked regretfully, "Lynch, why did you return home?"
"If you had stayed, you’d be with us now."
Thea apologized and explained, "I’ve been abroad for too long. My family elders are getting on in years, so I thought to come back and work, to spend more time with them."
"We’re planning to set up a branch at home, if you’re interested, I can introduce you?"
"Stratus is just a small company, it would be a pity for you to go there."
Thea: "Thank you for the offer, but I have another connection with Stratus. It’s my brother’s company."
"OMG! Really?"
"Yes. Previously, as you know, I couldn’t openly discuss this connection." Thea smiled apologetically, "I hope you understand."
The manager nodded vigorously, "I understand, I understand."
"So, will you be staying with Stratus for good?"
"Yes."
Usually, such words aren’t said so definitively, but Thea still nodded without hesitation.
Silas Cheney wouldn’t let her down. She had no reason to move elsewhere.
"Wish you all the best." The manager couldn’t help but hug her again, "I really like you a lot. Even if I can’t bring you back, I still wish you all the best."
"Thank you."
"Do you have time tonight, to have dinner together?"
"Of course, once things wrap up here, I’ll come find you."
For lunch, Thea chose a nearby western restaurant she’s been frequenting for many years.
"Order whatever you’d like, it’s on Silas Cheney."
Hearing this, everyone didn’t hesitate and almost ordered one of everything from the menu.
"Foreman Lynch, what are we having for dinner?" Foreman Warren asked, "Can’t be worse than lunch, right?"
"You guys choose yourselves; I’ll be going out for dinner with managers from other companies tonight."
"Should I come with you?" Diana wasn’t sure if this counted as Thea’s private agenda.
"I’m going myself." After a pause, Thea added, "But, you have a task tonight too."
Upon hearing this, Diana straightened up as if ready for a challenge, "What is it!"
"Don’t be so serious." Thea smiled, "Just keep an eye on Melody tonight."
"After dinner with Foreman Leigh and the others, head back to the hotel."
"Got it!"
In the afternoon, Dilitech sent over some fruits.
"Foreman Lynch, would you like a peach?"
"No, thanks." Thea was engrossed in her work and didn’t notice who was in front of her.
"What, you won’t even eat peaches I brought?"
Upon hearing the familiar voice, Thea looked up, startled for a second, then quickly stood up, "Senior."
Opposite her was a blond-haired, blue-eyed man, smiling and waving at Thea, but speaking fluent Chinese, "Lynch, long time no see."
