CHAPTER 155: CHAPTER 155: WHAT? THE NEIGHBOR IS HIM?

Another louder crash came from next door.

This time, a glass vase fell down.

Holly turned her head towards the sound.

The osmanthus flowers in her hair were also caught by the wind due to the sudden movement.

They drifted gently.

And softly landed at Aiden Jenson’s feet.

He looked at the small osmanthus flower at his feet, and the emotion that had just surged within him was interrupted by the sound of shattering, sinking once more.

Holly frowned slightly, looking at the tightly shut window on the second floor, and muttered, "The new neighbor is quite careless."

She turned back, seeing Aiden Jenson staring blankly at the ground.

She waved a hand in front of his face, "Aiden, what are you looking at?"

Aiden Jenson snapped back to reality.

He looked up and smiled awkwardly, "No, nothing."

Aiden Jenson changed the subject, "By the way, do you want to go to the ceramics factory with me?"

"Ceramics factory?" Holly was surprised, "Hasn’t it been closed for many years?"

Port Kallow Ceramics Factory was the life’s work of her grandfather. When the new factory was completed, everything was relocated there. The old factory was meant to be demolished, but it was her grandfather who insisted on keeping it.

But after her grandfather passed away, the old factory was left unmanaged, collecting dust, and eventually shut down completely.

Aiden Jenson smiled mysteriously, "Holly, do you really think I came back this time just to help my family pick those few baskets of grapes?"

Holly teased, following his words, "Isn’t that the case? After all, to Uncle Jenson, those grapevines are much more important than you, his precious son."

She couldn’t help but laugh at her own words, her eyes forming crescents.

Aiden Jenson laughed along, but soon became serious: "Port Kallow has developed well in recent years, and the government is keen on promoting local tourism. The ceramics factory is a great business card."

He gazed into the distance, filled with nostalgia.

"Port Kallow is by the sea; here we have clay, trees, and kilns. Grandpa Lennon took the ceramics out from here. I want to bring more people here. I spoke with Teacher Quill about focusing on this place and showcasing our ceramics in a different way in the coming years."

He drew back his gaze, focusing again on Holly, his eyes burning, "Holly, would you like to join me? Together, just like when we were kids, guarding this place?"

Holly unconsciously fiddled with her nails.

To revive the ceramics factory and carry on her grandfather’s legacy—Aiden Jenson’s words moved her.

However, she thought of the online gossip, subdued but unpredictable, and her unresolved marriage with Blake Sinclair.

She was more afraid of misunderstanding his intentions; his words seemed to imply more than just a business proposal, mingling with feelings she couldn’t address or dare to ponder.

The newly-kindled passion was doused with a bucket of cold water.

"I..."

"No worries, I can wait for you."

Aiden Jenson noticed her apprehension and hesitation and tactfully interrupted her.

"This matter needs careful planning, there’s no rush."

He smiled, hiding his disappointment well, "So are we visiting the ceramics factory today? It’s still under renovation, but you can see the progress."

Holly felt a warmth in her heart, nostalgia for her hometown prevailing, and nodded emphatically, "Let’s go!"

"Great! Let’s head out." Aiden Jenson also smiled, shaking the two jars of osmanthus jam in his hand, "But I need to drop off Teacher Lennon’s gift at home first, I can’t let it break."

"Oh, I should have given you a bag to carry those. Or should I take them instead?"

Aiden Jenson sidestepped to avoid her reaching hand, joking, "No way, if Auntie sees you carrying them all the way home, she’ll scold me for letting you do the work."

"Hehe..."

The laughter faded with their footsteps, disappearing into the osmanthus-scented courtyard.

The wind picked up again, sweeping up the osmanthus flowers on the ground.

The window on the second floor next door quietly opened a crack.

A pair of knuckled hands tightly gripped the window frame, the fingertips turning white from the pressure, causing even the wrists to tremble.

...

The changes to the ceramics factory were larger than Holly had expected.

The rusty shutter had been replaced with a silver automatic door.

Cement and steel rods were piled at the entrance.

Revisiting the place, those memories thought long forgotten replayed vividly in her mind.

Aiden Jenson was immediately called away by the foreman to discuss details, leaving Holly to wander around on her own.

She walked to the kiln area, where two electric kilns stood lonely in the corner, unused for years, and a thick layer of dust had accumulated on the kiln doors.

"Holly?" A familiar call came from behind her.

Holly Crowe turned around and saw an elderly man with white hair and a mask, wearing work pants, standing behind her.

The man pulled down his mask, revealing two rows of big white teeth as he smiled, "Don’t remember me? I’m Mr. Tucker! The one who took you to fire kilns and mold clay when you were a kid."

"Mr. Tucker!" Holly’s eyes lit up in surprise as she stepped forward, "How... how are you here?"

Mr. Tucker took off his gloves and took a sip from his thermos, "It was Aiden. He called all of us old fellows from the ceramic factory here and told us about the government’s plans. He said we’d be responsible for firing kilns and teaching tourists to mold clay in the future."

"For such a blessing for Port Kallow, of course, everyone is willing. Besides, it’s hard to find a job at our age, and Aiden is considerate enough to take care of us old folks."

Listening to Mr. Tucker, Holly’s vision blurred slightly.

As society develops faster and faster, these old craftsmen, who have dedicated most of their lives to ceramics, have returned to this familiar stage thanks to Aiden Jenson’s return and efforts.

They have dedicated most of their lives to ceramics. Now, this kiln fire has rekindled the hope within them.

At this moment, ceramics for them transcends the realm of art and commodity, becoming a spiritual sustenance, the continuation of life, far more meaningful than any award or honor.

Mr. Tucker finished his drink, put on his gloves again, and continued his work.

"You haven’t been back for many years. Do you remember how you always pestered us elders to learn to fire kilns when you were a kid?"

"I owe it to your teaching, or I wouldn’t have achieved what I have today."

"You girl!" Mr. Tucker stopped, pointing a finger at her as his crow’s feet deepened with his smile, "Still as sweet-talking as you were as a child."

He said this as he grabbed a shovel and began to clear the building materials on the ground.

Dust swirled in the sunlight.

Mr. Tucker’s muffled voice came from under the mask, "It’s dusty here, move away, don’t get your clothes dirty."

"Got it." Holly obediently circumvented around to the other side.

Watching her small figure run off, Mr. Tucker seemed to recall something amusing.

"You’re still as hasty as you were when you were young. I remember back then, you kept firing kilns for that little Yarrow, always dissatisfied, saying it wasn’t lively or pretty, which made your grandfather quite annoyed, said this girl is really stubborn."

He was shoveling leftover building materials, creating a big noise, almost drowning out his words.

Holly only vaguely caught a few words, didn’t hear clearly what he said, and shouted, "Mr. Tucker, what did you just say? Firing what?"

Mr. Tucker stopped his actions when he heard her.

At that moment, Aiden Jenson, finished with his tasks, came over, called out to Holly from afar, and waved at her.

"Mr. Tucker, Aiden is calling me over, I’ll come back another day to chat with you."

"Go on then, take care."

"Okay, okay, got it."

Aiden Jenson stood against the light, watching the girl in a dress running lightly toward him on the golden ground.

Sunlight streamed in through the windows, tiny dust particles floating in the misty air.

Light steps, flying hair.

The little girl with pigtails, who always liked to follow behind her, aligned perfectly in this moment.

It felt like time had reversed.

For a moment, he was dazed.

The footsteps came closer, and Holly, out of breath, asked, "What’s up?"

Aiden snapped back, handed her a mask, "Here, for you. It’s dusty in the factory."

"Just for this?" Holly took the mask and put it on, her big eyes looking at him.

"Yeah, just for this. Let’s go, I’ll give you a proper introduction."

The two of them continued to walk around the factory.

Aiden Jenson introduced Holly to the initial renovation plans and concepts, with Holly chiming in occasionally.

They chatted as they strolled back to the alleyway of Holly’s home.

Aiden Jenson escorted her to her doorstep, "So, are you free tomorrow? I’ll take you to see the new clay and machines."

Holly was about to agree.

A creaking sound came from next door.

The iron gate was pushed open.

Footsteps approached.

Holly and Aiden Jenson turned around simultaneously.

Blake Sinclair slowly emerged from behind that iron gate.