Chapter 1882: Mage’s Handbook for the Workplace (Part 2)

"The luckiest thing in my six years of work was the day you got lost and ended up at our company."

"So," Ash’s tone gradually became serious, "I have something to tell you."

Sonia’s body instantly tensed, her heart pounding, her breathing becoming shallow and quick, her mind blank without knowing how to react, but her hand instinctively reached into her bag and grabbed the bag of handmade chocolates.

"I’m heading back home next week."

Ash said, "The headquarters wants me to pick a candidate for the position of Aurora London’s general manager, and I’ve decided to recommend you."

"..."

Sonia stared blankly at Ash, unable to utter a single word.

Ash continued, "Besides that, you’ll also be responsible for a new project called ’Codename: Nesser,’ which is the most important game project for Aurora London after ’The Gods of Four Pillars.’ All resources will be focused on this project—"

"Wait!"

Sonia seemed to finally break free from the fantasy of a ’Valentine’s Day confession,’ her expression full of surprise and even shock: "Why are you going back home?!"

"Because the consensus from headquarters is that ’Codename: Nesser’ is a crucial project for international expansion over the next decade. If I don’t settle in the UK, I can’t manage this project, nor can I continue overseeing Aurora London." Ash skipped mentioning the requirement of marriage and shrugged, "So I just have to accept the capitalist’s callousness and obediently head back."

Sonia blurted out, "Then you—"

"Sonia," Ash interrupted her, "how’s your mom?"

"... She’s alright."

"Is it true she still doesn’t want to live with you in London?"

"Yeah, she says she still prefers the environment in Ashington."

Sonia’s momentum gradually faded, faintly guessing Ash’s thoughts.

"I’ve probably told you, my hometown is a small city," Ash said, "It’s unlike London, the weather is hot with blazing sunshine, eleven months of the year are like summer, sun rays whip the skin like a spiked whip... I don’t really like my hometown, so I went far away for university."

"Later my brother settled back home to take care of our parents, so I had fewer worries to fight in the big city, and while working at headquarters, I even ended up hospitalized once because of working too hard, nearly dying suddenly."

"So when the company asked me if I wanted to come to the UK to establish a branch, I didn’t really think about it before agreeing, running 9500 kilometers away from my hometown to London."

"In these three years, I’ve only gone back twice, each time staying just a few days before hurriedly leaving. My nephew’s understanding of me is as ’the mysterious uncle living abroad without marriage but giving lots of red envelopes.’

"I thought I could keep wandering and striving outside," Ash lowered his gaze and calmly said, "But last time I went back, my brother privately told me that Dad had a stroke and is now hospitalized, needing his blood pressure checked daily, and Mom often needs to see the neurologist."

"It’s not that I want to return to my hometown, and even if I go back, I’ll still work in a big city, plus with such convenient transportation now, it doesn’t even take a day to travel from London to my hometown," Ash shrugged, "But I just feel... even if the physical distance is a bit closer, it will make me much more at ease."

Sonia hadn’t spoken all this while, listening quietly beside him. The ice cream melted slowly in this weather, but eventually, it was pulled by gravity, gradually deforming and sliding down.

"Also, you saw what happened this morning, right?" Ash said somewhat awkwardly, "I’m actually a greedy bastard who doesn’t want to hurt others... I’ve considered staying here several times, my heart moved to the point I didn’t want to leave."

"But this is the real world," he softly exhaled a long breath, "Greed has no good result, harming others is irreparable, the miracle of satisfying everyone does not exist."

"I can’t make everyone happy, but at least I can make everyone unhappy."

Sonia’s lips quivered, she looked at Ash with pleading eyes, "Couldn’t it—"

"You’ve been promoted now, Sonia. From now on, you’re the Queen of Aurora London, no longer having me as your superior. When you go back and announce this news, Vishi and the others will be so envious of you." Ash reached out to wipe the tears at the corner of her eye, "Tears of joy don’t suit this occasion."

He paused, "Congratulations on your promotion, Sonia."

Sonia stared at him intently, the hand holding the handmade chocolates gradually relaxing. She took a deep breath, her voice carrying a faint choking tone, "Congratulations on returning home, Ash."

Ash smiled brightly and licked his ice cream, "Alright, after finishing this cone it’s time to meet the client, let’s go—"

"Wait," Sonia suddenly pulled him, "Your chocolate ice cream looks really delicious, I want to try a bite too."

"Huh? Isn’t that a bit unhygienic?"

"Don’t worry, I have a very clean tasting method."

Sonia held Ash’s cheeks and leaned forward, kissing his lips. Ash’s body instantly stiffened but soon relaxed.

The two kissed for nearly a minute as if unnoticed, until a passerby couldn’t help but take out their phone to capture the moment, the red-haired girl reluctantly released Ash.

"Let’s go."

Sonia gave him a deep, long look, as if trying to imprint him into her memory, then turned and walked away unrestrained.

...

...

One week later.

"An evening flight at 10, typical you," said Igula, manager of the Department of Legal and Public Affairs, without any amusement. "I didn’t even want to come here to see you off."