Chapter 480 Return
Man, wouldn't it have been awesome to have a boyfriend who grew up with me, someone who really cared about my parents, got where I was coming from, and could think about my family's needs to find the best solutions? That was my idea of happiness.
Helen wiped her tears with a tissue and said, "Thanks, Brad. Jane wasn't home much before either, but she was away studying and would come back during holidays. Now she's all grown up and about to get married.
Honestly, Brad, whenever I think about Jane going off with someone else and not being around like before, I can't help but cry. She's been pampered since she was little and has her quirks. We're always worried she might suffer without us knowing.
But you came up with a great idea that lets us stay close to her. Otherwise, I'd be heartbroken. You're such a good guy, always thinking about us. Ronan and I are really grateful." She turned to Ronan. "Right, Ronan? Say something."
Ronan, always the understanding man, had a serious look towards Brad, not out of dissatisfaction, but from the sadness of knowing his daughter would soon belong to someone else. Only fathers with daughters could truly get that kind of reluctance and helplessness.
Brad had been so thoughtful and sincere, Ronan found it hard to object. Despite his reservations, he felt his expression soften in response to Brad's sincerity.
"Yeah," Ronan said, affirming Brad's actions.
"Thanks, Brad," I sniffled, trying not to cry.
Brad replied, "For what? We're going to spend our lives together, so it's only right for me to do things for you. Besides, Ronan and Helen have been so good to me. They're like my own parents, so of course, I have to think about them."
Gosh, his sentimental words almost made me cry.
Brad continued, "Your parents are my parents. Your happiness is my happiness. If anyone should be thanked, it's Ronan and Helen for letting you marry me. I'm the one who should be grateful."
Hearing this, I shyly smiled and wiped my eyes with his shirt. "Clearly, you're marrying me."
Brad responded, "Yeah, I'm marrying you. As long as it's you, it doesn't matter who marries whom."
Hugh and Emma were thrilled about the house and called Helen, saying they'd come to stay during holidays so I wouldn't have to run back and forth. They also said that once I have kids, they'd move here permanently, break down the wall between the two houses, and merge them into one to help take care of the baby.
Helen was super excited about this and talked on the phone for over an hour.
Helen and Emma's relationship was totally mended.
Watching Helen's beaming face, I suddenly felt like time had turned back. All the bad stuff had never happened, and Helen and Emma were still as close as friends, just like in the beginning.
After a happy holiday in Sunhaven, Brad and I packed our bags and set off again. There were still a ton of things waiting for us to do in Regalia.
The lab had finished the pigments' color retention tests, and all the data showed results that were better than expected.
Next up was expanding the trial range, adding different humidity and light conditions to gather more data.Professor Evans and I had a bunch of talks and decided to make more pigments. Some would go to art students for testing, and others would be sent to the Northern Institute of the Arts for their students to help with trials and record data.
We needed a ton of pigment for this trial. Since the pigments were still in development and not mass-produced, and we hadn't hired any help, Elliot and I did all the work. With the sudden spike in demand, Elliot and I were going to be super busy for a while.
Hard work always pays off, right?
That winter, Brad and I knocked out more than half of the project samples together. At this pace, we'd be done in about a year and a half.
So, in December, on the day Regalia got its first snow, Brad and I got an invite from the Northern Institute of the Arts.
The Northern Institute of the Arts was celebrating its 100th anniversary on December 18th, and Brad and I were invited as distinguished alumni. Our post-graduation achievements were big enough to serve as positive examples for current students.
It was a huge honor and recognition for us.
After working our butts off for over half a year, we also wanted to take a few days to chill and relax.
Brad's main reason for agreeing to go back to school was for me.
Not long ago, Brad and I were in the studio designing a new community layout. It was windy outside, and leaves were flying around like snowflakes. I suddenly thought of the heavy snow in the northern winter, which would last for half a day, covering everything in a bright white blanket, creating a thick and distant scenery.
Because I thought of it, I suddenly yearned for it. I said, "Brad, it must be snowing heavily in Forest City now."
Brad put down his pen and looked at me. He said, "Forest City usually gets heavy snow in December. Sweetheart, I'll take you to see the snow when we get a chance."
For the rest of that day, my mind was filled with memories of the four years I spent at the Northern Institute of the Arts: the willow catkins in spring, the blooming flowers in summer, the light rain in autumn, and the heavy snow in winter.
Strangely, no matter which moment I recalled, Brad was always there.
Without exception, his gaze was always on me. At the time, I only saw it as the affection a friend has for a good friend. Now, reflecting on the countless moments, I realized that every look he gave me was filled with indulgence and affection.
Turns out, my love had been by my side all along, but I was too oblivious to notice.
On December 15th, Brad and I boarded a plane to Forest City.
Mia and Yancy were with us. Mia was originally from Forest City, but she had a falling out with her parents over Benjamin and hadn't been back for years.
Now, Mia had made peace with the past and reconnected with her parents, so it was time to go home. And ever since Yancy got his title, he had been eager to visit Mia's parents.
The plane landed in Forest City around 7 PM, just after a heavy snowfall.
Yancy went home with Mia, while Brad and I took the hotel-provided car. The hotel was near the Northern Institute of the Arts, about a forty-minute drive from the airport.
The cars on the road were struggling to move on the thick snow.
Northern Institute of the Arts, the place where my love began, we were back together!
The car was filled with soothing light music, and the faint scent of jasmine lingered in the air.
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