The next day, at twenty past eleven in the evening. Ava Sterling, full of energy, walked out of the airport. She stood at the airport entrance, her whole being bathed in the familiar city, the familiar atmosphere, feeling entirely comfortable. She closed her eyes, raised her head, and took a deep breath of fresh air, feeling all the dullness vanish from her body, light and breezy. She couldn’t help but sigh, "There’s nothing like home..." Along the way, Ava Sterling was in a good mood. Lauren Howell clearly felt it, so she was also in a good mood. Of course, there was another reason for her good mood, and that was... Lauren Howell looked at the car parked at the airport entrance and the person getting out of the driver’s seat. Dressed in light casual wear, exuding a refreshing aura, Jace Kingsley. "Ava, welcome back."
Jace Kingsley approached Ava Sterling, looking at her gently. Hearing his voice, Ava Sterling was taken aback and immediately opened her eyes, "Jace?" She looked at the smiling person in front of her, full of surprise. But soon, she thought of something, quickly turned around to look at the person behind her with a teasing smile, her expression turning blank. It was Lauren Howell again. She glared at Lauren Howell, frowned, and looked at Jace Kingsley, "Wouldn’t coming to pick me up affect your work?" It must have been Lauren Howell who told Jace, and yet with him being so busy, he still came to pick her up, which wasn’t good. The woman was always causing trouble! Jace Kingsley looked at her rosy cheeks, vibrant eyes, full of energy, lively and unabashed as ever. He spoke gently, "No, I came after finishing my work." Ava Sterling believed him. In the Maldives, she had seen firsthand Jace Kingsley’s diligence and seriousness about work; he was never one to neglect his duties. He knew what should and shouldn’t be done. "That’s good, but you shouldn’t do it next time." Jace Kingsley opened the car door for her, "Get in." Lauren Howell immediately said, "I’ll head back first. There are lots of things to handle now that I’m back. You guys have fun." Lauren Howell winked at Jace Kingsley, waved to Ava Sterling, and quickly hailed a taxi and left. Ava Sterling wanted to grab Lauren Howell and give her a good beating. That woman, when would she finally settle down! Watching the car drive away, Ava Sterling suppressed her anger and got in the car. And Jace Kingsley got into the driver’s seat and started the car. Ava Sterling fastened her seatbelt and, while doing so, voiced her confusion, "Why are you driving yourself? What about the driver?" Typically, the main reason for having a driver is that these big shots spend all their energy on work, so driving would be too exhausting. "I gave the driver a rest." Ava Sterling raised an eyebrow, "Aren’t you tired?" Her voice was filled with wonder, as if it was an inconceivable matter. Jace Kingsley stepped on the gas, turned the steering wheel, and merged into the traffic. Listening to her, he turned his head and smiled at her, "Sometimes I need to relax." Ava Sterling understood. You need to relax just like her way of relaxing is watching TV or traveling, Poe Vaughn’s way is playing chess, and Jace Kingsley’s way is driving around. Everyone needs an outlet for release; it’s perfectly normal. Jace Kingsley looked at her energetic expression, his eyes always gentle. Ava Sterling leaned against the seatback, arms crossed, shook her head, "Not tired." "On the plane, I either ate or slept, so I’m feeling great now." Jace Kingsley chuckled softly, "Then let me take you somewhere." Ava Sterling immediately looked at him, "You’re not resting early tonight?" "I slept during the day, so I’m feeling energetic now." Whether what he said was true, she didn’t know, but he said it, so she believed him. People shouldn’t be too serious and sensitive; it would be too tiring. The car drove for over an hour and stopped by a small river. There were streetlights on both sides of the road, but not many people. Judging by the landscape trees planted under the night sky, it seemed to be a scenic spot, just not yet developed. But this was good, quiet with no crowds. Jace Kingsley parked the car on the roadside, and Ava Sterling got out, looking at the surroundings bathed in the night, and soon she saw the camp ahead. Tents were set up, and it seemed there were string lights, although they weren’t lit, giving just a vague outline, not clear. Seeing Ava Sterling looking at the tents, Jace Kingsley smiled, "Let’s head over." Not knowing what he planned, Ava Sterling guessed there might be food. He was such a thoughtful person that bringing her here would surely include preparing food, especially the kind she liked. Ava Sterling’s face lit up with a smile, readily agreeing, "Alright." The two came to the tent, Jace Kingsley pressed a switch, and instantly, the entire tent lit up, leaving Ava Sterling stunned. String lights adorned the tent; even the surrounding trees were wrapped in lights, and the ground on both sides had flower lights, large and small, all in pink, especially beautiful. The string lights hung down like vines, twinkling like stars, while the flower lights maintained a pink hue, casting a fairy-tale glow. At that moment, everything around became dreamlike due to the lit lights here. Ava Sterling instantly thought of four words: a princess’s fairyland. That’s how this place made her feel. Jace Kingsley looked at her awestruck face, the lights bouncing in her eyes, even more beautiful than the string lights. He asked, "Do you like it?" Ava Sterling nodded instinctively, "I like it... I really like it..." To outsiders, Ava Sterling always appeared as a queen, high and formidable, forever confident, powerful, unrestrained, always looking down from the top. Yet few knew of the little girl residing in her heart, simple, spontaneous, lively. Give her a piece of candy, an umbrella, a doll, and she would be pleased, content. Warmth surged in Ava Sterling’s heart, touched, like knowing Jace Kingsley shared spicy food with her on the plane, such was the feeling of being cherished. With a sudden burst, Ava Sterling hopped forward, her arm on Jace Kingsley’s shoulder like good buddies, beaming at him, "I’ve got to keep you as a friend!" Jace Kingsley’s gaze flickered slightly, then he showed a warm and full smile, "Friend, I’ve cooked fish soup; would you like some?" "Yes, it’s fish I caught and cooked. Friend, would you like some?" "Definitely, I’m in!" The tent had been set up by Jace Kingsley long ago, within it lay resting wicker chairs, a small dining table, and retro floor lamps with an orange hue, everything was wonderful. He had cooked thick fish soup for several hours, and Ava Sterling drank it heartily. That’s how friends are, no reservations, and she treats him well in return. The interaction between friends is mutual. Drinking the warm fish soup, comfortably relaxing in the wicker chair, Ava Sterling said, "Oh, I’ll be getting busy soon and might not have much time to hang out or dine with you." "You focus on your work too, and we’ll eat together when we have time." While pouring her tea, Jace Kingsley’s actions paused upon hearing her words, his gaze shifting slightly, asking, "What’s up?"