Chapter 157

According to the feelings Rachel harbored for Henry in the novel, it's likely she would still be willing to be with him if he ever sought her out again. 

However, Henry never considered rekindling their old flame. This was largely because Rachel was too perfect in many ways, making her more suitable to remain as a first love etched in the memories of youth, rather than someone to build a life and family with. 

Preserving her in the nostalgia of his youth meant she would always remain perfect, and those moments would always shine brightly. Yet, bringing her into his life would inevitably see the passionate and beautiful memories of youth worn down by the mundane and trivialities of everyday life.

Rachel was proud and strong-willed, characteristics unlikely to change after marriage. She wouldn't transform into a gentle, submissive wife, making her less than ideal for a marital partner in Henry's eyes.

Thus, when Henry returned to a more ordinary life, he chose Summer, a more secondary character in their story. By then, he had already experienced the vibrant and beautiful days of youth and had endured the piercing pain of true love. All he needed now was a family and a quiet, unassuming woman to shoulder the burdens of everyday life, allowing him to pursue his own ambitions without any worries.

This woman wouldn't argue or complain; she would pour all her love and support into him.

Now, Summer would no longer be that woman.

She didn't know how things would develop between Henry and Sophia, nor if Henry might reconnect with Rachel, but she hoped Rachel could think things through. Even if Rachel and Henry never got back together, she didn't want Rachel to spend her life pining for him, remembering him forever.

Rachel deserved to love someone truly worthy of her and to have her own real happiness.

Rachel no longer felt the urgency to ask her father about everything. She returned to the flower bed, sat down, and looked at Summer, saying, "Actually…you liked him too, didn't you?"

She remembered how Summer always stayed quietly by Henry's side, almost invisible.

Summer didn't deny it. She sat down next to Rachel and replied, "Yes, when you joined the army, he had to go to the countryside. I was an only child and got lucky to land a job that let me stay in the city. But seeing you not going with him to the countryside, I volunteered to go with him…"

Then Summer picked select incidents from their countryside days and told Rachel about them. Mostly, she talked about how Henry was different with Sophia, how much he sacrificed for her, and how their relationship evolved.

In the original novel, Rachel naturally didn't know about these things. Summer thought that the more Rachel knew, the less she would fantasize about Henry, and the more likely she would truly give up on him.

Rachel listened while fidgeting with her fingers. After hearing everything, she looked at Summer and asked, "So, do you not like him anymore?"

Summer looked back at her and countered, "After all that, how could I still like him?"

Rachel took a deep breath. "After he went to the countryside, he stopped contacting me. I kept questioning myself, reflecting on my behavior, thinking that maybe I was too boring or too controlling, and that's why he treated me that way."

Summer said, "He felt pressured being with you not because of your personality but simply because you're excellent. You have standards, attitudes, and ambitions in life, while he was lazy and carefree, unmotivated, only seeking enjoyment. He couldn't keep up with you."

Rachel gave Summer a small smile, "Thank you for complimenting me so much."

Summer responded, "I'm not just trying to flatter you to make you happy. I'm telling the truth. Someone as outstanding as you shouldn't hang yourself on his tree. I invested as much emotion in him as you did, and if I can see things clearly, can't you, as a smart person, do the same?"

Rachel smiled again, looking both bitter and relieved. She took a deep breath and said, "Thank you for telling me all this. I understand now, and I will think things through."

She stood up and added, "Sorry for taking up so much of your time."

Summer stood up too and said, "No problem. I didn't want to see you make the same mistakes, so I told you all this. I know I might be meddling, but I hope it helps."

Rachel smiled, "Can I still come to hang out with you in the future?"

Summer was happy to oblige and quickly nodded, "Of course."

Rachel didn't stay long as Summer had to return to work in the afternoon. They walked a few steps together before parting ways. Summer hoped Rachel would take her words to heart.

With lunchtime still ongoing, Summer headed back to her dorm. Walking along the hallway, she heard excited chatter coming from her dorm room even before reaching the door. 

Curious, Summer entered the room to find her four roommates surrounding Jenny, buzzing with excitement. 

"What's going on?" Summer asked, peeking over to see what all the fuss was about.

The five girls turned to her, and one of them exclaimed, "Jenny got accepted into university! She just received her acceptance letter!"

Summer couldn't help but get excited too. "Really?"

Jenny nodded vigorously, "Yes, this is the acceptance letter!"

She handed the letter to Summer to see. The room filled with renewed excitement and celebration.

***

At the assembly workshop of the clock factory, all the workers were diligently working at their stations in white uniforms. As the evening shift ended, they finished their tasks, cleaned their workspaces, and headed to the locker room to change.

Logan was changing into his clothes when someone called him, "The manager wants to see you in the office."

He acknowledged and, after organizing his locker, went straight to the manager's office. He expected the manager had something work-related to discuss, but upon entering, he found Mason inside. 

Seeing Mason, Logan knew it wasn't the manager who needed him. Though he understood the situation, he didn't greet Mason. Instead, he approached the manager and asked what was needed.

The manager, sitting with Mason, warmly invited Logan to sit and praised him profusely before stepping out, leaving the office to Mason and Logan.

Logan had no desire to speak with Mason, so he remained silent. Mason, annoyed by Logan's attitude, tried to stay calm and said, "What's wrong? Don't recognize your own father?"

Logan, unimpressed, simply asked, "What do you want?"

Mason tried to keep his temper in check, "Do I need a reason to visit my son? I heard you received an acceptance letter from Harvard yesterday. Is that true?"

Logan's cold smile answered for him.

Seeing Logan's expression, Mason continued, "It's almost the New Year. You shouldn't stay at the factory. Your mother has prepared your room. Pack your things and come home."

Logan's smile turned colder, "Home? What home? I have no home and no mother."

Mason's temper flared, but he restrained himself, "Fine, I apologize for what happened with your room. You've broken the ping pong table, made your point. Your stepmother already came to apologize, and now I'm here doing the same. Isn't that enough?"

Logan found it amusing. "Apologize, and then what? Go back to you and get more crap?"

Mason's patience was wearing thin, but he tried once more, "Look, I know we have our issues, but we are still family. Your mother misses you, and it's time we put all this behind us."

Logan looked at him, disbelief etched on his face. "Family? You think an apology will fix everything? The damage is done, and no amount of apologies can change that."

Mason stood up, his frustration boiling over. "You're my son, and whether you like it or not, you're coming home."

Logan's expression hardened. "I'm not coming back. Not now, not ever."

With that, Logan turned and left the office, leaving Mason standing there, anger and helplessness swirling within him.