Chapter 190: Chapter 191: We’ll Invite You to Our Wedding Banquet
Across the table, Ian Preston’s movements halted. He was stunned for a full two seconds before coming back to his senses, discreetly finishing the wine in his glass.
The person toasting beside him was also taken aback.
When others toasted Ian Preston, he rarely drank, and even then, just a sip. But this time, he downed it in one go?
The old classmate who toasted was quite flattered, not expecting Ian would be so gracious.
Mr. Gao was a bit surprised, not expecting Thea Lynch to pursue someone.
Young people’s romantic affairs were beyond him. So he didn’t ask in detail, only curious about how they met and what the person was like.
"Colleagues? Or classmates met abroad?"
Mr. Gao’s thinking was very simple.
Thea Lynch’s personality is such that she absolutely wouldn’t actively socialize or expand her social circle.
So the person she likes must be someone in her same circle, someone she frequently sees.
In other words, either someone she met during school or someone from her current work.
Mr. Gao felt his reasoning was sound.
But unfortunately, he only guessed the first part correctly.
Thea Lynch indeed liked someone she was familiar with, as he suspected.
But not within the last two categories he considered.
"No," Thea Lynch said, shaking her head with a smile, "I met him quite early."
The others here were not familiar with Thea Lynch.
Even though they were Ian Preston’s classmates, they didn’t have much interaction with Ian himself, let alone someone like Thea Lynch who was a junior.
So even after hearing Thea’s words, they couldn’t guess who it was.
But Mr. Gao was different.
Almost as soon as he heard this sentence, Mr. Gao instinctively raised his head to look at the figure on the other side of Thea Lynch.
Ian Preston’s gaze was on Thea Lynch the entire time, always following their conversation. So when Mr. Gao looked over, Ian’s eyes suddenly curved slightly as he smiled at the elder.
Mr. Gao: "..."
He said nothing, but that one smile was the final answer.
As if saying, it’s just as you thought.
He didn’t say it explicitly, seeming to keep it under wraps, but the emotion in his eyes was already uncontrollably surfacing.
Like someone as perceptive as Mr. Gao, one look was enough to understand his feelings.
Originally thinking they came together by chance, only now did Mr. Gao realize that Thea Lynch did not come today as his student.
She came as Ian Preston’s companion.
Although Thea Lynch claimed, "I don’t have a boyfriend, but I like someone," given their reactions and subtle interactions, Mr. Gao felt the first line of this romance was probably already drawn.
Just missing a stroke to complete it.
"Good, good." Mr. Gao didn’t spell it out, just looked at them with gratification. "As long as you like each other, that’s fine."
It was evident that he was also very pleased with Ian Preston.
When people dispersed and went to other tables, Mr. Gao took the chance to say to Thea Lynch, "This Ian Preston is quite a good kid."
Upon hearing this, Thea Lynch glanced at the man beside her.
He was drinking with tomorrow’s groom and hadn’t noticed their side.
Thea Lynch withdrew her gaze and responded with a smile, "The teacher is right."
Her voice was very light, easily drowned out by the surrounding noise.
Mr. Gao, being so close, barely heard it and nodded in satisfaction. "He had quite a temper during school, remember how there were always girls from other classes bringing him snacks and letters right after class."
"When he played basketball with Silas Cheney in high school, oh my, the court was surrounded three layers deep. Even girls from nearby schools sneaked over just to cheer him on wearing different uniforms."
"But back then, it was rare for anyone to gain an advantage with him. Countless girls cried because of him."
Thea Lynch chuckled, "His temper hasn’t improved much now."
"Really?" Mr. Gao didn’t believe it, took a sip of wine, and shook his head with a smile. "I don’t see it. At least when he’s with you now, he’s not like that."
"When he was in school, whether he was happy or not, nobody could tell. Other students could only cautiously interact with him. Look at him now, smiling so brightly."
"He’s so happy now, anyone unaware might think you two are getting married tomorrow."
"Ahem..." Thea Lynch, sipping on juice, choked directly upon hearing this.
Hearing her cough, Ian Preston’s hand instinctively patted her back, which was resting on the back of her chair.
He tilted his head to look at her, asking with his eyes if she was okay. Thea Lynch, flustered, waved her hand, indicating she was alright. Only then did he retract his gaze and continued chatting with others.
Thea Lynch recovered before returning her gaze to Mr. Gao, "You’re exaggerating."
Speaking in whispers with her teacher did seem impolite, but since they were so close, speaking even slightly louder would let Ian hear.
Mr. Gao understood her intent and followed suit, whispering back, "What’s exaggerated about it."
"I was his class teacher for three years and never saw him smile so happily in my memory. Even when he won first place in the physics competition, he didn’t smile."
"..."
Thea Lynch awkwardly rubbed her nose, not daring to respond.
After several rounds of drinks, Thea Lynch went to the restroom to touch up her makeup.
Mr. Gao was already tipsy. Just as Ian Preston toasted him, he suddenly asked, "When are you and Thea Lynch getting married?"
"!!!"
The moment these words left his mouth, everyone at the table instinctively fell silent, all looking at Ian Preston in shock.
Ian and Thea Lynch? When did that happen?
Even the groom-to-be wasn’t sure if his father was serious, quickly stepping in to smooth things over.
"Dad, you’re drunk, don’t speak nonsense. They aren’t like that. You mixed up the wedding with mine tomorrow."
Mr. Gao, after having his arm shaken, took a few seconds for his brain to reboot and slowly responded, "Ah yes, yes."
"I, I just... oh dear, mixed it up."
"My mouth, what’s wrong with it." Mr. Gao laughed apologetically.
Thea Lynch and Ian Preston weren’t together yet, and it seemed they didn’t want to tell others for the time being. Speaking prematurely wasn’t appropriate.
"It’s fine, teacher." Ian Preston wasn’t upset, offering a few reassurances.
The people at the table all breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the topic would just pass like this.
Nobody took it seriously.
They simply thought Mr. Gao was just muddled due to old age.
But then the next moment, Ian Preston unexpectedly added, "Not there yet for now. Rest assured, when that day comes, we’ll definitely invite you to our wedding banquet."
Facing the shocked stares of everyone, he sat upright, scanning the room without changing his expression before curling his lips and saying:
"I reckon, it won’t be too far off."
Everyone: "!!!"
