The Exquisite Elegance of Early Spring

Lacey paused, looking at Jax, "I want to be Jax's assistant!"

Rick expressed no opinion but asked Jax, "Jax, what do you think?"

"I have no problem with it. I'm quite overwhelmed and need someone to help me with many things. If Lacey is willing to come, I'm delighted!" Jax accepted Lacey's request with ease and pleasure.

"Alright, since both of you have decided, I will fully support you. Tell me if there are any difficulties, and I will help you solve them." Rick's words indirectly approved their partnership and eased Lacey's anxious heart.

After enjoying a hearty seafood feast, everyone prepared to head home. Since Jax had been drinking, Rick suggested he leave his car behind and arranged for a driver to take him and Carol's grandmother home. Carol decided to stay longer, chatting with Lacey about their girlish secrets.

"Lacey, I'm not criticizing you, but you missed the opportunity your brother gave you. I don't understand what you're thinking!" Lacey sighed slightly.

Carol's eyes twinkled with laughter, "I've already said I need to go out and gain some experience. Otherwise, how can I be worthy of your brother? Haha…" Her laughter was bright and confident.

"But you got Jax so easily. Could it be that he's after your family's wealth?" Carol teased with a laugh.

"Not at all. I'm so pretty, cute, elegant, and good at singing and dancing..." Lacey argued with a list of self-praises, "I believe he must be captivated by my charm. Otherwise, why would he have shown such concern for me so many times?"

"Be careful of his ulterior motives! However, it takes him a lot of courage to express his love for you on such a significant occasion. Your brother, the blockhead, could never do that. He wouldn't even buy a bouquet!" Her words carried a tinge of envy.

"Be content! The fact that my brother thought to bring your grandmother over is already something. Was she expecting him to buy flowers? Look at what he usually gives me, just money! He doesn't care what I need, only tells me to buy it myself." While Lacey was grateful for her brother's care in her life, she also harboured resentment towards his lack of personal concern.

"You should help him out. He lacks a smart assistant like you by his side." Carol genuinely felt this would be good for her brother.

Lacey's words stirred something in Carol's heart, making her wonder if she should go directly to Rick. But the Candy Group was thriving, and joining now would mean reaping the benefits without the hard work. No, I would be an accessory to Rick. How could I face the storms with him?

"Lacey, don't try to persuade me anymore. With my current abilities, I would be an intern there. Given Rick's status, everyone would care for me, and I might not learn anything or get involved. The gap between Rick and me would only widen, and I would end up admiring him." She was resolute, and no persuasion could change her mind.

"Alright then! Since you've decided, I have nothing more to say. I wish you all the best!" She took Carol's hands, her beautiful eyes shimmering with emotion.

"Lacey, Jax's car is still here. Do you think he'll come to pick it up tonight?" Carol suddenly remembered the SUV and asked Lacey.

"I don't know! He probably will. Let me call my brother and see if he's invited Jax to dinner tonight. You should stay and have dinner with us before leaving!" Lacey reached for her phone to call her brother.

Carol stopped her, "I won't stay for dinner tonight; it's getting late. Your brother should be back soon. I'll head home now, and you can call later."

She put on her coat, slung her small bag over her shoulder, and hugged Lacey, "We might not see each other as often in the future. Remember to tell me if you need anything. I'll always be your best sister."

"Okay!" Lacey's eyes began to redden, a hint of sadness in her expression.

After Carol left, Lacey called her brother to ask about Jax's car. Rick said he would invite Jax for dinner and wanted Carol to join, but Lacey informed him that Carol had already gone home. A sense of loss could be heard in his voice as he ended the call with a simple "Oh."

The evening sun cast a fading glow, and a brisk autumn wind swept across the land, quickly turning the warm afternoon into a chilly evening.

Lacey was at home, alone, organizing her university belongings. She hadn't thrown away a single textbook from freshman to senior year. Flipping through them, she occasionally found small notes – some were study points, others were messages from Carol and classmates. She hadn't discarded them then, and now, revisiting them brought a knowing smile to her face.

She tucked the notes back into the textbooks, categorizing them by subject on the shelf, letting them quietly accumulate over the years. In the future, these books might be her only link to her university days.

Looking at the graduation photo with everyone's smiling faces, she turned it over and slipped it into an album. The back of the image was marked with the date and class of Huashang University's Advertising major. She wiped away a tear from the corner of her eye, thinking that many might not look at these photos again for decades.

The familiar sound of a car approached the villa. The light from a lone lamp upstairs made the early nightfall in the courtyard seem more solitary. Lacey didn't run downstairs to open the door as usual, which surprised Rick.

"What's with this girl? It's so quiet today!" Rick commented to Jax, who had returned with him.

"Maybe she's feeling sentimental about not going to school anymore," Jax guessed with a smile.

"Ah, that makes sense. I can't understand your thoughts, university students," Rick said, shaking his head. He had entered the workforce early, missing the chance to say goodbye to his high school classmates, and never experienced the bittersweet feelings of youth.

The two entered the house, and the living room lit up. After organizing her university stuff, Lacey finally came downstairs.

She had been reminiscing about her university days and had forgotten about Jax coming over for dinner. Upon reaching the living room, she realized he was sitting on the sofa, smiling at her.

Oh no! I forgot to hide my red eyes. He's seen me at my worst again! She turned away, covering her eyes in embarrassment.

"Lacey, are you feeling a bit sentimental about leaving campus? But you look even more charming and vulnerable now. I like you even more," Jax said, touching her shoulder.

He didn't offer words of comfort but praised her appearance instead. This approach was reasonably practical with girls, as Lacey immediately covered her face with a smile, shyly hitting Rick's sturdy chest with her tiny fists.

But that wasn't all. He magically produced a gift box and handed it to her. Lacey was both surprised and curious, carefully untying the ribbon.

"What's this gift?"

"A set of clothes."

"Ah! Thank you, Jax!"

"Do you like it?"

"Yes, I'm sure I will!"

She removed the packaging and unfolded the neatly folded clothes, "Oh my! A JK uniform!"