Chapter 201: Chapter 202: Discussing Marriage and Betrothal
In the afternoon, Thea Lynch had a meeting she couldn’t avoid.
She set the alarm to get up early.
When she woke up, Ian Preston was still there, holding her tightly as if afraid she would run away.
She tried to move, and Ian quickly opened his eyes, hoarsely asking where she was going.
"I have to go back to the company for a meeting." She hadn’t been to the company for several days, leaving the work to Foreman Chandler.
The people from Valiant are coming over today for a meeting.
She had to be there.
"You get some rest first."
"When will it end?" Ian sat up with her.
"Not sure, about an hour or so. Later there’s also a dinner, but I turned it down, letting Foreman Chandler and the others go instead. I’ll head straight to the hospital."
After speaking, she saw Ian getting out of bed and asked in confusion, "Where are you going?"
"Going with you. We’ll go to the hospital together later."
"..."
Thea wanted to say something, but Ian had already placed her slippers by her feet, "Go freshen up. Aren’t you worried about being late?"
"Ah." She snapped back to reality.
When the meeting ended, Thea shook hands with the Valiant representative, "I’m really sorry, there’s an urgent family matter."
"No problem, no problem." The other party expressed understanding, "Foreman Lynch, go ahead and take care of your matters, I have Foreman Chandler and the others here."
Although she wore light makeup today, it couldn’t hide her fatigue.
Anyone observant could see she wasn’t in good shape; it wasn’t an excuse, there really was a family issue.
So no one made it difficult for her.
Foreman Chandler and Diana Dawson saw her out of the office.
"Foreman Lynch, don’t worry about work. If there’s anything I’m unsure about, I’ll call you immediately."
"Yes, I’ll also coordinate with Foreman Chandler’s work. Foreman Lynch, have a good rest when you have time."
Thea smiled and thanked them.
As they exited the elevator, all three of them saw the familiar figure waiting in the lobby.
It wasn’t the first time Foreman Chandler and Diana had met Ian, but they still couldn’t control their expressions.
Thea nodded at them, "I’m leaving, you two head back. I’ll be troubling you all lately."
"It’s no trouble at all." The two waved goodbye as they watched her walk over to Ian, who naturally extended his hand to embrace her.
After they left, Foreman Chandler clicked his tongue, "Looks like Foreman Lynch is no longer single."
Diana dared not gossip about their leader and casually said, "Maybe not yet."
Foreman Chandler rubbed his chin, "I don’t think so."
"Let’s head back quickly, Mr. Liu is still waiting." Diana quickly pulled him back.
——
In the hospital room, the old man was still asleep.
Thea sat nearby to accompany him while Ian chatted with the director about the old man’s condition, taking a long time before returning.
That night, Thea still needed to stay there.
Seeing Ian there, her elder auntie, feeling like she had a "helper," immediately asked him to take Thea away without hesitation.
The next morning, Ian had business at his company, so after dropping her at the hospital, he headed back.
Unexpectedly, she ran into Julian Zimmerman coming out of the ward.
"Second brother, when did you come over?"
Julian gestured to her to talk outside, "I came in the morning."
They sat on the bench along the hallway, and Thea placed her backpack on the empty seat beside her.
"You seem to have rested well these past two days? You look more spirited than before."
Thea scratched her head, "Seems like it. I slept well last night and didn’t hear the alarm this morning, or else I wouldn’t have arrived just now."
Julian laughed, "That’s good. We all come over when we can, giving you a chance to rest. It makes things easier for you."
Actually, the aunties and caregivers were all there, so they weren’t short on people, but Thea still wasn’t fully at ease.
If they were around, it was a different story.
Before Thea could say anything, Julian straightened his expression, "There’s something I need to tell you."
"Second brother, go ahead." Thea adjusted her posture and looked at him.
"This morning when I came, Grandpa Lynch happened to wake up."
Thea was stunned, and before she could ask further, Julian motioned her to be patient and listen to him slowly.
"Grandpa Lynch is sleeping now, no rush to go over."
"How is he? Did he recognize you?"
Julian: "Yes."
"Grandpa Lynch talked to me for a while. From what I gathered, he hopes you can settle down soon."
Settle down...
Julian always used subtle wording.
Seeing she didn’t understand, Julian had to rephrase, "When Grandpa Lynch woke up, he was also aware of his health issues. He’s worried he won’t have the chance to see you get married and have a family of your own."
"So he wants to see you married while he’s still around and can move around."
"He wants to help find someone excellent in every way and good to you."
Pausing, Thea then heard him continue, "Grandfather asked if I had such intentions."
Thea: "..."
"And how did you respond, second brother?"
Thea’s reaction was calmer than Julian had expected.
"I refused. I told him you have someone you like." Julian sighed and seriously told her, "I didn’t reveal much else, and when grandfather asked who, I said I wasn’t sure."
"That’s the current situation."
"Thea, have you ever thought about getting married?"
Among their group, none of them had thought about starting a family before.
In the earlier years when Thea was still abroad, the few of them would sit and have meals together during new year, discussing this issue. At that time, the elders in their families were urging them quite a bit.
As for what Thea thought, he didn’t actually know.
"I... never thought it would be this soon." She talked about this with Ian Preston recently, thinking everything would go according to her plan.
But now, judging by how things were, reality didn’t seem to want what she wished.
Julian chuckled, "So you have thought about it."
"Yes."
Thea twisted her fingers, eventually saying:
"I’ll think carefully about it."
"Don’t push yourself too hard." Julian patted her head, just like when they were kids, naturally playing the role of a big brother, guiding her.
"If you’ve determined he’s the one, then whether sooner or later doesn’t really make much of a difference to the outcome, you could say it has no impact."
"But if you’re still hesitant, there’s no need for us to sacrifice our lives just to fulfill grandfather’s wish."
"Grandfather, like us, his greatest wish is your happiness."
"I understand." Thea understood everything.
She was acutely aware that even if grandfather was discharged this time, his health still had significant issues.
Grandfather was already at an advanced age.
She didn’t want to disappoint him.
It’s just...
"I and third brother haven’t reached that stage yet. It’s too sudden."
They weren’t even officially together, and now they were suddenly jumping to discussing marriage. She didn’t know how to broach this subject.
"Want me to help you talk to him?"
Hearing this, Thea shook her head, "I’ll think about it some more."
This matter was too important for both of them involved, she must discuss it face to face with Ian Preston.
