Chapter 869

“Don’t randomly go into the tents. Some employees brought their families or significant others. It’d be awkward if you interrupted them,” Aaron reminded from behind her.

“Wow, Uncle, how considerate of you—allowing employees to bring their families,” Lena teased, her tone light.

She walked through the array of pitched tents, but with so many scattered around, she had no idea which one belonged to Aaron. Still, since he insisted she find it herself, she was determined to try.

Approaching one tent, she suddenly heard muffled voices inside—intimate murmurs between a man and a woman. The woman’s hushed voice carried a hint of urgency. “Be gentle, don’t let anyone hear…”

Even though Lena was a gynecologist, her cheeks flushed uncontrollably. She couldn’t help but think that if she had brought a stash of “protection” tonight, she might have made a small fortune.

Meanwhile, Aaron stayed back, standing a short distance away and watching her from afar. In the moonlight, she looked like a child on a treasure hunt. The sight brought him back in time, as if nothing had changed in the past ten years.

Taking out his phone, he began snapping pictures of her quietly.

Despite her focus on searching, Lena still noticed the attention from his camera. She turned to catch him in the act.

Realizing he’d been caught, Aaron didn’t stop or even appear embarrassed. He simply continued taking pictures, calm as ever.

Stopping in front of an egg-shaped tent, Lena paused.

“I want a little egg-shaped house. That way, I can live there without my mom nagging me or my dad controlling me.”

The memory surfaced vividly—her rebellious teenage self shouting those words after storming out during a fight with her parents. It had been Aaron who found her, and in response, he had said, “Then focus on your studies. Only when you grow up and have wings of your own can you live in your egg-shaped house.”

It had been a spur-of-the-moment declaration, one she had long forgotten. Yet now, standing before this egg-shaped tent, the memory rushed back.

She didn’t even need to ask to know this was Aaron’s tent. Or more accurately, it was meant for her.

Chapter Boo

Turning to face him, she stood in front of the tent and waved, signaling that she had found it.

Aaron walked over as Lena unzipped the tent flap. Inside, a string of words hung neatly: “Lil’ Lena’s Egg-Shell House.”

“Uncle, how do you even remember such childish things I said back then?” Lena felt a twinge of embarrassment.

People always did or said silly things in their youth—things that felt mortifying when revisited later in life.

Bathed in the warm yellow glow of the tent’s interior, Aaron’s eyes softened as he looked at her, his gaze tinted with a touch of orange light. “Everything Lil’ Lena says, I remember. And I never forget the promises I make to you.”

Her heart skipped a beat as she recalled his earlier question about whether she had forgotten him. A sudden wave of guilt washed over her, making her feel like an ungrateful heartbreaker.

The thought sent a shiver down her spine. Trying to dispel it, she quickly ducked into the tent to avoid meeting his eyes.

Standing at the tent entrance, Aaron asked, “So, are you staying here tonight, or are we heading back?”

“Staying here,” Lena replied quickly, then added hesitantly, “What about you?”

“I’ll be staying too,” he said casually.

His words immediately brought to mind the earlier scene—the voices she’d overheard from the other tent. Her face flushed red in an instant, and she struggled to keep her composure.

Aaron noticed right away. “Why is your face so red? Are you feeling unwell?”

As he spoke, he stepped inside and reached out to feel her forehead.

Instinctively, Lena raised her hand to block him. Their hands brushed against each other, and an electrifying jolt shot through her, leaving her frozen in place, every nerve tingling from the contact.

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