Chapter 868

“Reconciled with Nate?” Aaron’s voice broke the silence in the quiet car as he glanced at Nate, standing motionless in the rearview mirror.

“No,” Lena denied softly.

“He came back this time because of you, didn’t he?” Aaron asked as the car turned a corner. His hands moved fluidly on the steering wheel, the motion revealing a gray-gold watch on his wrist. The watch’s polished edges caught the light streaming through the window, casting a fleeting glimmer.

Lena’s gaze lingered on the watch, her thoughts momentarily drifting. If she remembered correctly, she had given him a watch as a coming-of-age gift years ago. It had cost her all her savings back then. But that was over a decade ago. Surely, the watch she gave him would have broken by now. This one likely just resembled it—or maybe she was remembering it wrong after so much time.

“Hm?” Aaron’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts, his eyes briefly flicking to her.

Lena quickly recovered. “He came back for a research promotion.”

Aaron didn’t respond, his eyes focused on the road. Lena turned to look at the lights outside, murmuring, “Whatever his reasons for returning, they don’t matter to me.”

His gaze darkened slightly, but instead of pressing further, he asked, “Feeling sleepy?”

“No,” Lena answered honestly. Whether it was the discussion or her own thoughts, she didn’t feel the slightest drowsiness.

“In that case, I’ll take you somewhere fun,” Aaron said, checking the time. “We’ll head home by midnight. Sound good?”

“Somewhere fun?” Lena was surprised. “I didn’t think you knew how to have fun, Uncle.”

“Cheeky,” he replied, his tone laced with affection.

After driving for about twenty minutes, the car came to a stop. As he unbuckled his seatbelt, he asked, “How long has it been since you went camping?”

“That’s so long ago I can’t even remember,” Lena said, trying to recall. “I think it was right after graduation, with Keira.”

Chapter 860

Ahead of them, an open green field stretched out, dotted with glowing lights. Beneath the lights were tents of various sizes and colors—white, red, and an array of vibrant hues, creating a lively scene.

“This is a company camping event,” Aaron explained, his voice calm. “They reserved one tent for me. I remembered you liked camping when you were a kid.”

His words made Lena’s eyes light up.

“You mean we can sleep here tonight?” Her excitement bubbled over, and she didn’t even notice her choice of words.

Aaron’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. “If you want to stay, we’ll stay. If not, we’ll head back.”

“I love it!” Lena’s face was filled with pure, girlish delight.

“Uncle, since when did your company organize activities like this?” Lena asked, genuinely curious. She knew most companies organized team-building events, but camping was rare. As they walked, his pace steady, his eyes followed her graceful movements on the soft grass. “Because… someone likes it.”

“You’re such a doting boss,” Lena teased as she strolled across the spongy grass, her fatigue from the day melting away. “Uncle, which tent is ours?”

The tents were not company-issued. Instead, employees were given funds to purchase their own, resulting in the colorful and varied display.

“The one they reserved for you?” she asked again, scanning the tents with curiosity.

Aaron paused slightly before replying, “Find it yourself.”

This was so like him. When they were younger, he never handed her gifts directly. Instead, he’d hide them in his bag or room and make her search for them. He was still the same now.

“Fine, I’ll find it,” Lena said with a grin, her excitement palpable. The thrill of searching, like opening a surprise gift, made it all the more enjoyable.