Nina Sinclair stepped out of the airport, the scenery before her both familiar and foreign—Crestfall, it’s been too long!
Though she had left not long ago, returning now felt different, as if the past events had taken place in another lifetime.
Hearing this familiar pet name, Nina instinctively looked toward the group of people at the exit, surprised to see an unexpected person.
How could he be here? No, how did he know she was returning to Crestfall today?
Standing among the crowd, Joel wore a traditional white shirt, dark pants, and white sneakers. Though simple in color scheme, they made him stand out, radiating an ethereal aura that drew many eyes. Tʜe source of this ᴄontent ɪs No(ᴠ)ᴇlFire.nᴇt
His features were handsome and youthful, similar in age to Nina, and no one would expect him to be the newly appointed Family Head of the Thatcher Family, renowned for traditional Chinese medicine.
Looking at this old friend, Nina smiled warmly, "Zhou Zhou, what are you doing here?"
Hearing Nina call him by this nickname, Joel couldn’t help but grin.
When they were kids, they gave each other nicknames. He called her Little Lemon, and she called him Zhou Zhou, names special to their friendship.
Joel took Nina’s suitcase and said, "Come on, let me take you to eat first."
Together, they left the airport.
The driver, an old acquaintance of the Thatcher Family, smiled and greeted Nina, "Miss Sinclair."
"Uncle Zhao, it’s been ages!" Nina greeted back.
Back then, when the Sinclair Family’s driver was unavailable, Nina would hitch a ride with Joel to school, so she knew the Thatcher driver well. She was surprised to see Uncle Zhao still working for the Thatcher Family after all these years, and Joel hadn’t changed much. The Sinclair Family, however, was no longer the same.
Nina’s eyes suddenly felt a sting of melancholy.
Joel spoke, "Let’s go, I’ll take you to your favorite grilled fish place from before."
Soon after, their car drove away from the airport.
Meanwhile, the Lancaster Family’s driver had also picked up Julian Lancaster and others, and the shuttle bus headed for the Lancaster estate.
In the car, Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster discussed Old Master Lancaster’s recent health condition.
"Do you know the Thatcher Family? Lately, their Family Head is quite the sensation in the Crestfall circles. Many want him to help with health treatments, and the Old Master wanted to invite him too, but hasn’t succeeded," said Mrs. Lancaster.
Sharon Lancaster asked curiously, "Can’t we pull some strings?"
She thought there was practically no one in Crestfall who would refuse the Lancasters. Hearing someone had, Sharon couldn’t help but be curious about the Thatcher Family Head.
Mr. Lancaster replied solemnly, "Joel Thatcher isn’t like others who fawn over the Lancasters, doesn’t give face to anyone, he’s quite unconventional."
It meant pulling strings wouldn’t work.
After this, Mr. Lancaster added, "Julian, take this opportunity in Crestfall to visit the Thatchers. Maybe a chat between young people might work."
In truth, he’s aware of the argument between Julian and Old Master Lancaster. He also didn’t wish for Julian to distanced from the family. The Old Master was just stubborn and couldn’t truly be angry with Julian.
If Julian could invite someone from the Thatcher Family to help with the Old Master’s treatment, his genuine concern for the Old Man’s health might ease the grandfather-grandson tension.
Julian had no objection and nodded, "Alright, after the birthday banquet, I’ll visit."