Chapter 195: Chapter 196: Aged Ten Years in an Instant
During New Year’s Day, Stratus gave employees a holiday.
R&D Department One felt a great relief.
"Finally, I can have a good rest," Foreman Chandler stretched lazily on the chair. "Damn, I’ll sleep for a couple of days first."
Foreman Leigh, packing his things, asked, "Aren’t you going out to have fun?"
"Too many people during the holidays, what’s the point of going out? It’s all crowds."
"Makes sense," Foreman Leigh nodded, "but I rarely get a holiday, I promised my daughter I’d take her to the amusement park."
"Hey, what about Foreman Lynch? Going out somewhere?"
"Me?" Thea Lynch adjusted her seat’s backrest and rubbed her shoulder, "I don’t have any plans, probably going to Westmere to visit my elders."
Usually, when she’s free, she’s either back at the institute or in Westmere.
She basically never goes out to play.
Silas Cheney and the others are all busy these days, flying all over the country.
The last time they had a meal together was for Ian Preston’s birthday.
Who knows if they’ll be free this holiday.
"Why don’t we go on a team-building trip?" Foreman Chandler sought everyone’s opinion.
"Sure, there’s a farm stay in the distant suburbs, I heard it’s pretty nice. We could stay there for a night."
"Foreman Lynch, are you available?"
"I think I can make it." Thea Lynch checked the time, "A day and a night?"
"Yeah, we’ll come back the next day at noon? It’s not far anyway."
"You all book the place first, I’ll let you know later. I should be alright with it."
Thea Lynch opened WeChat and asked in the group when Ian Preston and the others would return. Then she told Foreman Chandler, "This time’s on me, pick a nice place, let’s have fun."
"Everyone’s been working hard lately."
In such settings, generally speaking, Thea Lynch doesn’t want to participate.
But then again, she’s considered a representative of Department One now, and besides, everyone hasn’t had a proper rest recently, overworking has become the norm.
Now that it’s the holidays, since everyone wants to have fun, she doesn’t want to be a killjoy.
Understanding social customs is one thing, and since they’re all from the same department and familiar with each other, it’s hard for her to refuse.
"Should we just book the entire place over there?"
Still typing a reply, Thea Lynch nodded at the suggestion, "Sure, this way we can have a good time."
"Diana, will you arrange it?"
Diana Dawson agreed, "Okay! I’ll contact them now! If anyone has thoughts, just say it in the group, I’ll consolidate and convey it to the farm stay."
——
Julian Zimmerman and Silas Cheney are currently in Coronet, coming to pick her up after work. The three of them will go back to the courtyard and celebrate together tomorrow.
Sean Bell is still on a plane, estimated to arrive around midnight today. As for Ian Preston...
Thea Lynch had just gotten into the car when she received his reply.
He said in the group that he probably couldn’t make it back.
Shortly after, Thea Lynch received his phone call.
Julian Zimmerman, hearing the sound, turned his head towards the passenger seat, "Ian Preston’s call?"
"Yeah," Thea Lynch replied, "I’ll take it."
Julian Zimmerman chuckled and turned off the music.
"Hello." The call connected, and Thea Lynch spoke first, "Third Brother."
Ian Preston explained, "I won’t be able to come back in the next couple of days. There’s still some unfinished business here."
He’s still in New York right now.
"Alright, I’ll tell Grandpa Preston later."
"Okay." Ian Preston moved to a quiet spot and asked her, "Are you going out tonight?"
Tonight is New Year’s Eve.
"No, I’m in Second Brother’s car, just got off work, we’ll head back to the courtyard together."
Tonight’s pretty lively, Thea Lynch looked out the window and added, "After dinner, we’ll probably go for a walk with Second and Fourth Brother."
"What’s your plan for the holiday?"
"Tomorrow at the courtyard, the day after team building, the day after that going to Westmere."
Her uncle has returned to the country, and there’s company at Grandma and Grandpa’s place for New Year’s.
"Your schedule is even fuller than mine," Ian Preston chuckled.
Thea Lynch awkwardly touched her nose, "Not really. I’m still not as busy as Third Brother. You’ve been flying around for a month, what does this even count as for me?"
Ian Preston sounded tired too, "I’ll wrap things up soon and head back. Hoping to have more time around the Lunar New Year."
"After all, it’s been a while since we’ve spent a New Year together."
"I’ll bring you a New Year gift when I return."
"Oh." Thea Lynch coughed, with Second Brother beside her, she dared not show any expression, "That’s all for now, we’re almost there. Talk later."
Quickly ending the call, Thea Lynch put away her phone.
She sneaked a glance at Julian Zimmerman, who was still driving, but couldn’t hide the smile from his eyes and brows.
"Second Brother." She sighed.
Julian Zimmerman chuckled, "Alright, I won’t laugh anymore."
"I just took a phone call, why are you so amused..."
Julian Zimmerman shook his head lightly, "No special reason, just happy for you both."
Lately, the elders in the courtyard felt a little hint, not daring to bring it up, afraid of scaring it off.
Being cautious not to let the wind blow out the freshly lit flame.
Everyone’s treading carefully.
Even gossip-loving Old Man Bell hasn’t mentioned it. However, it might be because Grandpa Preston privately reminded him several times.
It’s said that recently, Grandpa Preston and Old Man Bell talked to Aunt Honor specifically.
Aunt Honor hasn’t been in Coronet these months, just returning recently due to the year-end.
Knowing she didn’t want to talk about it, as it’s normal for girls to be shy, Julian Zimmerman aptly changed the subject, "You’re going for team-building the day after tomorrow? Where to, I’ll drive you there?"
"No need, it’s in the far suburbs, I heard they’ve rented a shuttle bus, we’ll gather at the company entrance."
"Just for a day?"
"Yeah, it’s just a three-day holiday." Thea Lynch stretched lazily, more relaxed in front of Second Brother, "I’m so exhausted lately, I feel like I’ve aged ten years."
Hearing her description, Julian Zimmerman couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
"No way," he glanced sideways at her, "you’re still beautiful."
Thea Lynch leaned against the seat, shaking her head, "The past two days after work, I’ve been in a daze as soon as I get home."
"My insomnia’s been cured by working overtime, I fall asleep on the sofa right when I get home, too lazy to even move to the bedroom."
"Trying to meet a deadline?"
Yawning, she explained, "More or less, had some issues last month, been super busy all through December."
The whole department’s been working overtime this past month, with no regular end of day.
"Looks like it was quite a problem this time, Silas Cheney said before that you often don’t feel tired after working overtime."
"Compared to the last month, any previous overtime is nothing."
Before, it was at most leaving an hour or two late, but this past month, almost every time leaving the office was close to midnight.
She didn’t even have time for a nap during lunch break, and a few times when she got home, she would just fall asleep on the couch.
And she also slept dreamlessly through the night.
She’s been so tired her sleep quality has actually improved.
Second Brother teased her, "When you see Silas Cheney, get him to raise your salary."
"Take it easy in the future, if you collapse, it’ll be trouble for Silas Cheney."
"By then, Ian Preston probably won’t let him off the hook."
