CHAPTER 82: CHAPTER 82: "IT’S FINE, YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ME

The Grandflora Gardens is not far from Noralis Villa, and after moving into their new home, Laurel Sinclair often brings Sinclair over for a visit.

It was during a chat with Laurel Sinclair that Holly Crowe learned Blake Sinclair’s birthday was coming up.

August 7th, with just over a week to go.

This would be Blake Sinclair’s first birthday since they got married, and more importantly, it’s his thirtieth birthday, which is quite significant.

Deciding on a gift is a difficult problem, causing Holly some distress.

Recalling Celia Stiles’ "secret weapon" last time, she definitely didn’t dare consult this devious advisor again.

Holly had no choice but to furiously search the internet for various birthday gift strategy posts:

[What gift would surprise a husband on his birthday?]

[What to give a man with minimal material desires for his birthday?]

[For a husband’s thirtieth birthday, what gift would he brag about for three days and nights?]

But after scrolling for ages, all that was recommended were ties, cufflinks, lighters, and some video game products, none of which fit Blake Sinclair’s style.

The more she scrolled, the more confused she became. Not only did she fail to find inspiration, she ended up getting anxious herself.

She was about to set down her phone for a break when a video popped up on the homepage.

The eye-catching, bold title read: [Young oil painter Shannon Yarrow quietly returns to the country for the Kiln Opening Festival, possibly collaborating with domestic ceramic masters].

Seeing the three words "Kiln Opening Festival," Holly instinctively clicked in.

She initially thought it would introduce the Kiln Opening Festival activities, but it turned out to be a fan-followed video at the airport.

A woman surrounded by fans was softly answering questions, smiling gently at the camera.

The fans were very enthusiastic, "Sister Shannon, how long will you stay in the country this time? Are you going back to Brelond right after the Kiln Opening Festival?"

The woman called Shannon smiled, "I should be staying a bit longer this time. Besides attending the Kiln Opening Festival, I’m also in talks for collaborations with several teachers. Everyone can look forward to it."

"Wow! We can’t wait!" the fans cheered.

Holly’s eyes fell on Shannon Yarrow in the video.

She had long straight black hair draped down and wore a beret, a white embroidered blouse paired with a brown oil-painted patchwork skirt, with a silk scarf loosely tied around her neck, looking elegant and poised.

More excited fans nearby said, "Finally, we get to see more of Sister this time!"

Shannon’s tone was friendly, "Thank you all for your support. Actually, my team and I have been discussing plans to gradually shift some of our work focus back here, so we’ll definitely see each other more often in the future."

This statement excited cheers and screams from the fans.

Someone boldly asked, "Is it because there’s good news coming soon? Sister!"

Shannon’s smile deepened, mysteriously saying, "If there’s really good news, I will surely let everyone know as soon as possible."

"Wow! Looks like Sister and Mr. Z are finally going to tie the knot!" someone in the crowd teased.

Shannon neither confirmed nor denied it. After signing autographs for a few fans outside the airport, she bent down and sat in a black car.

"Bye everyone, travel safe. I’m having dinner with friends tonight and will share photos with you all later."

"Bye, Sister."

The camera finally froze on the moment the car door closed.

Looking at the car in the video, Holly felt inexplicably familiar with it, and was just about to take a closer look when Blake Sinclair’s call suddenly came through.

He said he had an unexpected appointment in the evening and would be back late, so she didn’t need to wait up for him.

After hanging up, Holly wanted to find that video again, but the page had already refreshed automatically.

Feeling puzzled, she simply searched "Shannon Yarrow" online.

Shannon Yarrow, a young oil painter, went to Brelond for university, majoring in oil painting. After graduating, she joined a famous studio in Brelond. With her outstanding talent and beauty, she has garnered quite a fanbase on social media.

Besides sharing her art updates on her account, she occasionally mentions a mysterious "Mr. Z," full of youthful musings between the lines, and many fans are into the idea of the two of them as a couple.

Holly casually browsed for a bit, lost interest, and soon exited the page.

In the following days, Holly was busy preparing Blake Sinclair’s birthday gift while contemplating whether to attend the Kiln Opening Festival.

Outside the city of Beldon, Mount Pyrion is renowned for its ancient kiln sites. Twenty years ago, an August torrential rainstorm eroded the mountain, leading archaeologists to discover three kiln sites from the Eastern Han, Xylos, and Three Kingdoms periods here.

Finding kiln sites from three different dynasties at the same location was extremely rare, so it was designated a key cultural heritage site.

Later, the Beldon Cultural Tourism Bureau built a modern pit kiln at the foot of the mountain, keeping the name "Pyrion Kiln."

An annual Kiln Opening Festival is held here every August to promote ceramic culture.

Each year, select contemporary ceramic artworks are chosen to be fired in the kiln alongside the masters’ works, overseen by seasoned craftsmen who stoke the fires for three days and nights.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Pyrion Kiln, and the Kiln Opening Festival is more grand than in previous years. It’s said they’ve specially invited many renowned ceramic artists from home and abroad.

Since graduating, Holly hadn’t attended the Kiln Opening Festival again.

Without any outstanding works, she’d just be a regular visitor jostling in the crowd, watching others bask in their glory, which would only stir regret deep within her.

She received a call from Aiden Jenson the next evening.

Just after Holly finished her bath and walked out, Blake Sinclair handed her the phone and said meaningfully, "Your neighbor’s brother called earlier."

Holly didn’t catch the hidden jealousy in his words, only wondering why Aiden would call so late.

She picked up the phone, ready to call back.

"Did you answer for me?" she asked casually.

"Yeah. I said... you were in the shower."

Holly: "..."

Just as she was about to say something, the call connected.

She had no choice but to answer it, taking the phone to the living room to avoid disturbing him.

In the bedroom, Blake Sinclair watched her walking away while answering the call, his gaze narrowing slightly, darkening a bit.

Holly sat down on the living room sofa, "Hello? Aiden? Is there something going on?"

Aiden Jenson: "Nothing big. I mentioned the kiln-opening festival before. My teacher is attending, and if you come, I can introduce you."

Holly’s heart skipped a beat, just as she was about to say something, she saw Blake Sinclair coming out.

He headed to the kitchen with a glass, as if to fill it with water.

Noticing her gaze, he nodded slightly, his tone natural, "No worries, continue your call. I’m just getting water, don’t mind me."

Holly acknowledged with an "Mm."

She was about to speak again when there was a loud crash.

At the kitchen door, Blake Sinclair had dropped the glass, water splattered, mixing with shards across the floor.

Startled, Holly covered the receiver and asked, "Are you okay?"

"I’m fine, keep your call going, I’ll handle this, don’t mind me."

He bent down to clean up the shards, then went to the balcony to fetch a broom, calmly beginning to sweep the floor.

Seeing he was okay, Holly resumed her conversation with Aiden, "....It’s nothing, nothing, I’m listening, Aiden, go on.."

She tried to focus, but the sound of sweeping was too prominent in the living room.

Little by little, he swept from the kitchen to the living room.

"Lift your feet."

"Oh."

"Just sweeping, don’t worry about me."

"..."

After much effort, he finally finished sweeping and it was peaceful for a moment.

But just then, Blake sat down next to her.

Holly gave him a look that said, "What do you want?"

Blake Sinclair: "Nothing, just looking for something, don’t mind me."

With that, he bent over, rummaging through the storage cabinet under the coffee table in front of the sofa.

She had no idea what he was searching for, but he emptied the contents of the cabinet.

Blake’s movements were wide, and at some point, two buttons of his pajamas had come undone, leaving his neckline open, exposing firm muscles, rising and falling with his breath.

The warm light illuminated this "scenery" on his chest, and Holly’s gaze was involuntarily drawn to it.

She felt her face heat up, unable to process anything Aiden was saying on the phone.

Blake seemed to have found what he was looking for, adjusted his posture slightly, and that "view" was even more exposed.

Then, he suddenly looked at Holly, noticing the blush on her face, and smirked.

He leaned toward her, his voice deep, "Honey, why is your face so red? Are you hot? Need me to turn down the air conditioning?"

Holly: "..."

His voice wasn’t loud, but it was enough for the person on the other end to hear clearly.

On the other end, Aiden paused, asking, "Holly, is someone there with you?"

Flustered, Holly hurriedly spoke into the phone, "Aiden, something just came up here, I need to hang up first."

Then she quickly ended the call.

Blake leisurely asked, "Why did you hang up? Wasn’t planning to chat a bit longer?"

Holly glared at him, "Blake Sinclair! What are you doing!"

Blake, with an innocent tone, replied, "What? I was just worried you were hot."

Holly: ".....You..."

Blake slowly bent over, trapping her between the sofa and his embrace, poking her flushed face with his finger, "Look at your face all red, isn’t it because you’re hot?"

Holly lowered her head, finding a way to slip out from the other side, "Stop talking nonsense."

He took a step towards her, admitting openly, "Okay, honestly, I just wanted to see what you and the neighbor’s brother have to talk about for so long."

This frank confession left Holly at a loss.

She opened her mouth, but faced with the warmth in his eyes, she couldn’t utter a single word...