Chapter 131 Preparing to Return to China
Lance immediately snapped back to reality, quickly hiding that hint of excitement and nervousness in his eyes. He smiled lightly, trying to keep his tone natural. "It's nothing, I'm just a bit surprised."
He paused, then confirmed again, his voice very soft. "You've really decided to go back with me? What about Jasper? What about his school?"
Aria answered quietly, "School just happens to be on break."
"What about the flower shop?"
"The shop manager is there. She can handle things, and she'll let me know right away if there are any problems. No need to worry."
Aria had trained people at the flower shop, precisely for situations like this when something unexpected came up.
"Come to think of it, I haven't been back home in ages. It's a good chance to see Dylan and catch up with some friends."
These past years, her life had been entirely abroad, and she'd rarely seen Summer. This was a perfect opportunity to go back and visit her.
And there was her father too—she should take Jasper back to see him.
Aria seemed to remember something and looked at Lance seriously. "By the way, what does Dylan like? What would be an appropriate gift to bring?"
Lance looked at the pure openness in her eyes, and that burning hope in his heart sank a little.
Hiding his inner disappointment, he deliberately teased her, leaning in slightly, his tone carrying both amusement and a hint of testing. "Grandpa doesn't lack anything. What he wants most now is a satisfactory granddaughter-in-law."
Hearing this, Aria's cheeks warmed. She immediately looked up and glared at him, her tone full of exasperation. "Lance!"
Lance watched her rare display of emotion and laughed heartily. He stopped teasing her and busied himself happily packing things and planning the trip home.
Once the decision to return home was made, Aria quietly began arranging everything on her end.
She first went to her small flower shop and carefully went over details and important points with the staff, making sure everything was properly settled before leaving with peace of mind.
Back home, she pulled out suitcases and slowly organized things she and Jasper would need.
The child was still young, and this was his first time going back home—clothing, food, housing, transportation, everything needed careful preparation.
When Jasper came home from school, Aria crouched down and gently held his small hand, her tone gentle yet serious. "Jasper, Mom needs to tell you something. In a few days, we're going back home to celebrate Lance's grandfather's birthday. When we're there, you need to be good and stay close to Mom, okay?"
Jasper blinked, full of curiosity about the homeland he'd never visited, and readily agreed. "Okay, I'll listen to Mom. Don't worry, Mom, I'll definitely stay close to you."
Aria looked at his obedient and sensible manner, warmth filling her heart, and patiently told him about some people and things they might encounter back home.
Jasper listened carefully, his little head nodding repeatedly.
Aria's mind was entirely occupied with arrangements for the return home, completely unaware that on that land she'd fled from years ago, someone who thought of her day and night was waiting for an unexpected reunion.
--
Before Lance returned home, the first thing he did was arrange Lucy's job.
He happened to own a company related to landscape gardening, which matched what Lucy used to do at her studio. He directly placed her there, giving her work she was familiar with that wasn't too demanding.
In her area of expertise, Lucy got up to speed extremely quickly, and gradually regained her confidence.
Plus, Lance had given advance notice for people to look after her, so those below didn't dare slack off.
When the department received a project this time, the person in charge immediately thought of Lucy and brought her into the project.
The supervisor called Lucy over, his tone steady. "Lucy, you'll be in charge of coordinating this project. Whatever requirements the other company has, follow up promptly and report back. If there are any problems, just tell me directly."
This ordinary assignment, falling on Lucy's heart, was like a pebble dropped into a long-still lake, gently rippling outward with warmth.
The years of employment gap, combined with her health issues, had left her constantly cautious, afraid she couldn't keep up, afraid she'd never regain the confidence she once had in the workplace.
But now, this feeling of being trusted made her suddenly straighten her back and reclaim that long-lost confidence.
She could still stand here, work seriously, be seen, be valued.
She could still support herself with her own hands.
"Yes, Director. I'll definitely do this well."
Lucy's voice wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally firm.
The director looked at the light igniting in Lucy's eyes, that undisguisable confidence and certainty, and nodded slightly with a satisfied expression.
After that, Lucy threw all her energy into the project.
She went through past materials, listing every detail and every deadline clearly. This project was her first since her comeback—she needed to fight a beautiful comeback battle.
It wasn't until the day of project coordination that she learned the partner company was Charles's.
She had prepared in advance, her attitude humble and her thoughts clear, but shortly after she began speaking, the project manager from the other side interrupted her, his eyes showing undisguised contempt.
"You're the coordinator?"
The man glanced at her, his tone dismissive. "Is your company out of people? Sending a woman over to deal with this?"
Lucy's fingers holding the pen tightened slightly, but she still suppressed her emotions and explained politely. "Hello, I'm in charge of coordinating this project. We can discuss any issues."
"Discuss?"
The other party scoffed, his tone growing increasingly harsh. "I talk to you about technical matters, data, schedules—do you even understand? Don't just nod along and then hold up our entire project.
This isn't like watering flowers and planting grass at home. This is a landscape project, understand?
I think you're a pretty young girl—just do some administrative work. Why do you have to push your way to the front?"
Every word from the other manager was an insult laced with gender bias.
He wasn't questioning her work ability—he was fundamentally denying her as a person, thinking that because she was a woman, she couldn't handle things.
Lucy's face gradually paled, her fingertips ice-cold.
She knew about workplace unfairness toward women. She thought that as long as she worked hard and seriously, she'd be treated differently.
But she hadn't expected that the first step of her courageous comeback would be so rudely and unreasonably trampled underfoot.
She clenched her hands, feeling both wronged and angry, but she bit her lip hard, not allowing herself to lose composure on the spot.
The other manager seemed completely oblivious to the grievance and humiliation in her eyes, not bothering to hide anything, a contemptuous smile playing at his lips.
"I suggest you get someone who knows what they're doing to coordinate this sooner rather than later. Don't waste everyone's time here. If you start crying after a few words, I don't have time to comfort you."