CHAPTER 83: CHAPTER 83: WEATHERING STORMS TOGETHER, SHARING THE NEON LIGHTS

Holly finally decided to attend the Kiln Festival.

She told Blake Sinclair the words of Aiden Jenson and her own thoughts in their entirety.

After resigning, she had been avoiding reality. With Celia Stiles managing Lunar Lotus Studio, she didn’t have to worry, but she still felt a certain uncertainty about the future from time to time.

Celia Stiles kept telling her that she could continue to deepen her pottery research and keep pursuing her dreams from years ago. However, having been away for five years, starting over again was frightening for her.

But Celia’s words always reminded her of her small yet grand dream — she wanted her works to be showcased at the Corinium Pottery Exhibition.

And participating in the Kiln Festival was the first step toward that.

After listening to her confession of avoidance, Blake Sinclair didn’t directly tell her to go or not, but merely tightened his grip on her hand, "When Holly is molding clay, her eyes sparkle."

Holly’s fingers trembled slightly.

Blake Sinclair said, "If you want to do it, then go for it, I’ll be here for you, no matter what."

Holly looked up at him, her heart stirred at its most tender core.

She said, "I tend to get very absorbed when making ceramics, I might have to go on frequent trips to gather inspiration, find suitable clay, and prepare the clay, which means I might not always be able to take care of our home — would you mind?"

Zion Pence used to mind a lot.

He wouldn’t let her touch any of it, in his eyes, her dreams were worthless, and he even considered them "dirty things."

Blake didn’t agree with her words, he looked into her eyes, enunciating seriously, "Holly, remember, you are yourself first, and then my wife. With me, you will always have the freedom to pursue your dreams."

He paused, his tone becoming softer and more earnest, "Did you know? Actually, rather than a lychee bush, I’d prefer to give you a cotton tree."

"You are never anyone’s accessory, but an independent entity. You don’t need to cling to anyone to grow. We can stand side by side, weathering storms and sharing rainbows together. And you, above all, should grow freely and fearlessly in love and respect. You chase your kiln fires as much as you wish, the light at home will always be on for you."

Holly was stunned, her eyes welled up, and her nose felt a little sour.

Every word he said struck her heart, and those self-doubts and hesitations melted away like snow under the warm sun.

For the past few years, she had always felt like a leaf without a home, fluttering wherever the wind blew. But Blake Sinclair told her she was a tree all along.

She is not a climbing vine, nor a lovelorn bird, not even a leaf, but an independent tree.

There is equality between them; she doesn’t have to lose her sense of self for so-called marriage and family.

She buried herself in his embrace, her voice muffled, "Thank you, Blake Sinclair."

...

On the day of the Kiln Festival, because of a last-minute meeting, Blake Sinclair couldn’t take her, so he arranged for a driver to send her to Mount Pyrion.

The Maybach hadn’t even reached the foot of the mountain when it was blocked. Particularly the closer part to Mount Pyrion, traffic control was in place, turning the navigation all red.

Seeing that time was running out, Holly, afraid of delaying, asked the driver to stop by the roadside nearby so she could walk there.

Both sides of the road at the foot of the mountain were lined with banners printed with the words "Millennial Kiln Fires, Passing the Torch," as well as stalls selling ceramic bracelets, teacups, ceramic flowers, ceramic ornaments, and various small ceramic items.

Holly moved with the crowd inside, past the entrance, was Pyrion Lake, where a gentle breeze rippled across the water as shuttle buses carried tourists back and forth.

By the time Holly reached the mountain, it was time for the kiln to open.

She stood on the outskirts of the crowd, joining everyone in paying homage to The Serenity Kiln.

As the auspicious hour arrived, the senior kiln master ascended the steps, loudly chanting, "Open the kiln!"

Colorful fireworks soared into the sky, blooming brilliantly under the blue firmament.

The kiln doors slowly opened, and each sagger was passed out one by one, handed from the master’s hands to the young apprentices, their movements full of reverence.

From afar, Holly watched, her eyes suddenly brimming with tears.

The kiln fires never extinguish, passing down not just skills but a spirit from generation to generation.

She remembered her grandfather who devoted his life to the kiln fires, always saying, "For porcelain clay to achieve success, it must first be pulverized."

At first, she didn’t understand, but now she finally gets it.

She thought, just like the porcelain clay, she too must go through pulverization, to be reborn from the depths of fire and water!

The second half of the Kiln Festival was the Masterpiece Exhibition.

Aiden Jenson sent a message, saying his teacher’s work was displayed at The Porcelain Origin Pavilion down the hillside, and asked her to meet him there.

Following the signs, Holly reached The Porcelain Origin Pavilion, with the masters’ lounge nearby.

She had just sent a message to Aiden Jenson when she heard the crowd grow agitated.

She turned around and saw a woman encircled by reporters and fans.

It was Shannon Yarrow.

Today, she wore a sharp, off-white suit, with a dark blue apron matching the masters’, her hair elegantly tied into a sleek bun.

She adeptly dealt with the reporters’ questions, a perfectly timed smile gracing her lips.

Holly watched her walk into the masters’ lounge, but she noticed Shannon Yarrow’s gaze linger momentarily on her.

Quickly, it vanished as if it had been an illusion.

But Holly’s attention wasn’t on that glance; it was wholly occupied by the Mutton Fat Jade Pendant around Shannon Yarrow’s neck.

She had seen that Jade Pendant before!

It was almost identical to the one Shirley Sinclair wore around her neck!

How could Shannon Yarrow have this?

An absurd guess surged into her mind, but she quickly dismissed it.

Just then, someone gently tapped her on the shoulder.

She turned around to see Aiden Jenson.

"Why are you daydreaming here? My teacher is just inside, let’s go."

Holly Crowe calmed her thoughts, steadied herself, and followed him inside.

Aiden Jenson introduced as they walked, "My teacher settled in Brelond with his son five years ago. He cherishes talent the most, and when he sees your work and spirit, he will surely like you."

Saying this, the two reached the door of the innermost lounge.

Aiden Jenson knocked and went in first while Holly Crowe waited outside.

A moment later, the door opened.

Aiden Jenson helped an old man out.

Holly Crowe was about to step forward and greet him with a smile, but when she saw the old man, she froze in place.

Aiden Jenson’s teacher was actually Master Miles Quill?!

"Teacher Quinn?"

But the moment Master Miles Quill saw her, his face darkened.

He snorted and turned around without hesitation.

Aiden Jenson stood awkwardly, looking at his teacher’s back, then at the shocked Holly Crowe, and could only helplessly follow along.

Master Miles Quill returned to the lounge, tapping his cane on the floor: "Is that the highly gifted and pure-hearted Pottery Artist you mentioned?"

"What was the first lesson I taught you? In ceramics, character comes first! No matter how talented, without integrity and virtue, one will never attain Success! It’s a complete waste of my time!"

Aiden Jenson stood there, unable to understand why his teacher was angry.

It seemed like his teacher and Holly Crowe knew each other, but why did he speak of her like this?

Lacking integrity? Lacking virtue?

What on earth did Holly Crowe do to make the teacher so disgusted?

Outside the door, Holly Crowe remained standing, also puzzled by the sudden aversion from Teacher Quinn.

But before she could think it through, the staff nearby, seeing she was just an ordinary visitor, politely asked her to leave.

Holly Crowe’s mind was in turmoil, and inadvertently, she bumped into someone while walking.

"Sorry...." she apologized instinctively.

"Holly Crowe? Is it really you?" The other person exclaimed her name in surprise.

Holly Crowe gathered her senses and looked at the girl in front wearing the uniform, who seemed somewhat familiar.

"Lily Collins?"

"Yes! It’s me! It’s been so long!"

Lily Collins was her college classmate, though they weren’t roommates, they knew each other from being in some study groups together.

Holly Crowe noticed the work badge on her chest: "You work here?"

"Yes, after graduation I joined the Cultural and Tourism Bureau, now I’m responsible for ceramics culture, just helping out at the exhibition today."

Lily Collins chuckled heartily, "Are you here to exhibit? I didn’t seem to see your name on the list earlier."

Holly Crowe shook her head, her smile a bit forced: "No, I’m just here to have a look."

Lily Collins, understandingly, skipped over the topic: "I heard about the alumni celebration. I knew those gossipers would be there, so I didn’t go. Don’t take their words to heart, they’re just jealous!"

Holly Crowe didn’t expect her to offer comfort actively, feeling a warmth in her heart: "Thank you."

"By the way, I heard you now have your own pottery studio and got married?" Lily Collins asked.

Holly Crowe nodded.

"That’s wonderful too!"

Lily Collins sighed, "To be honest, back when you declined Master Miles Quill’s offer, I thought it was a real pity. Such a great opportunity, we couldn’t even dream of it. You were the most talented in our batch, but you always had your mind made up, surely had your own reasons."

"By the way, Master Miles Quill is here today, you..."

Holly Crowe didn’t hear a word Lily Collins said after.

Her head was full of "you declined Master Miles Quill’s offer."

What?

When did she ever receive an offer from Master Miles Quill?!