CHAPTER 84: CHAPTER 84: THE PAST

Master Miles Quill is a leading inheritor of intangible cultural heritage and a master of arts and crafts in the country.

Holly attended the same university he did.

In her junior year, Master Quill was invited back to the school to conduct a six-month in-depth ceramics design exchange project, and Holly, Lily Collins, and a few other students were very honored to be selected.

Teacher Quill had high professional standards, but was very kind and attentive in private, sharing all his knowledge with them.

During that half year, Holly made great progress under his guidance.

As the exchange was nearing its end, Teacher Quill told everyone that he would soon settle in Brelond with his child, and also said he wanted to bring Chinese ceramic art to a bigger stage.

Teacher Quill said he had been appointed as a visiting professor at The Royal Brelondian Academy of Arts and had specially obtained a public-funded study spot for his alma mater; this student would become his last disciple.

Upon hearing this news, Holly was excited. The ceramics program at The Royal Brelondian Academy of Arts was excellent, and becoming Teacher Quill’s last disciple was an immense honor.

However, she was already with Zion Pence at that time, and going to Brelond would mean starting a long-distance relationship.

She shared her thoughts with Zion Pence, and after hearing her out, he said, "It’s a rare opportunity, you should go. I will wait for you."

With his "support," Holly threw herself entirely into the final group project.

Teacher Quinn’s teaching method returned to tradition.

He had everyone learn to use old-style mortise and tenon turntables, from digging clay, sieving clay to kneading clay, demanding that every step be done personally. Even the wolfbeard grass for adjusting glaze colors had to be picked by themselves from the mountains in the neighboring city.

She still remembered during the rainy season in June and July, she carried a bag full of wolfbeard grass down the mountain in the rain, soaked to the skin.

Later, many students dropped out midway, but Holly was spurred on, becoming more courageous in adversity.

Her efforts were not in vain; she eventually became the only one in the group to participate in the "0715 Tableware" project designed for important leaders.

At that time, all the students believed that spot was undoubtedly hers and sincerely felt happy for her.

But when the six-month exchange ended, even after Teacher Quill left, Holly still didn’t receive that spot.

She was down for several days, yet could only attribute it to not being good enough.

Later, she told Zion Pence about it, and he comforted her, "It’s okay, you still have me. That field is too tough; come work at my company, and let’s strive together."

When she heard Zion Pence’s words at that time, she thought she had found a pillar to rely on.

But now, Lily Collins’ words pierced deep into her heart.

Holly grabbed Lily Collins’ arm, her voice trailing off, "You said Teacher Quill gave an offer? When did this happen?"

Lily Collins was startled by her, recalled, "Just two days before Teacher Quill left! He said he sent you an email you didn’t reply to, couldn’t reach you by phone, and asked me to hand that paper invitation letter to you."

"I even went to your dorm room in particular; your roommate said you were out. I remember you were dating that guy from the Computer Science department, Zion Pence, back then? So, I went to their department and handed the letter to your boyfriend, repeatedly asking him to make sure you got it. Your boyfriend was very happy at the time!"

Lily Collins sighed, regrettably, "Later you declined the offer, we were all very surprised. After that, your boyfriend invited us group members to a meal in your name, saying we shouldn’t bring up this matter in front of you again to spare your feelings..."

Holly felt the world spinning, unable to hear a word of what Lily Collins said next, feeling as if her soul had left her body.

She bid a vague farewell to Lily Collins, walked to the tourist service center, and found a corner to sit down.

She bought a bottle of water, and as the icy water slid down her throat, causing her stomach to spasm in pain, the pain sobered her up a bit.

So, it wasn’t that she wasn’t good enough, and that half year’s blood and sweat were not in vain.

Holly clenched the mineral water bottle tightly.

She remembered that the year Zion Pence’s company was just starting up, and often asked her for help. During that period mentioned by Lily Collins, she was busy recruiting every day, barely stopping, let alone checking her phone.

That day when Zion returned from school, he even borrowed her phone and computer.

So... he had deleted the emails and call records.

And his subsequent comfort and reliance were nothing more than a deliberate deception!

Zion Pence, ruining her seven years of youth wasn’t enough; he also personally extinguished her dream.

The kiln opening festival was still ongoing, but Holly had lost the heart for it. She called a driver and quickly went home.

During dinner, Blake Sinclair noticed Holly wasn’t in a good mood, as she ate only a few bites of her favorite plum-flavored ribs before returning to her room.

When he came out from his shower, Holly was already lying down with her back to him.

Blake Sinclair knew she wasn’t asleep yet, he slipped under the covers and gently hugged her waist, "Something happened at the kiln opening festival today? You seemed a bit down."

Holly’s heart felt heavy, with many words stuck in her throat, but she only muttered dully, "Nothing, just seeing everyone else having their work on display, made me a bit envious and a bit sad."

Blake Sinclair tightened his hold, "Holly will have it too."

Holly did not respond, just buried her face deeper into the pillow, remaining awake all night.

The next evening, Holly received another message from Aiden Jenson:

[Holly, my teacher is attending a celebration banquet tonight at The Elysian and will be flying back to Brelond tomorrow morning. I hope you can come and meet him to clear up the misunderstanding from back then. I believe you’re not that kind of person.]

A box number was attached at the end.

Holly stared at the message, her fingertips tensing.

She replied: [Teacher Quinn, is he still willing to see me?]

Aiden Jenson: [I’ve already explained to him and laid out the situation. He hasn’t explicitly refused, so this is an opportunity. Come.]

Holly took a deep breath: [Alright.]

She picked up her car keys and left, sending a message to Blake Sinclair: [Going shopping and dining with Celia Stiles tonight, coming back late.]

The car was parked underneath The Elysian hotel, and she sat inside for nearly two hours, only going upstairs when she estimated the banquet was about to finish.

As she walked through the hotel entrance, a black Maybach slowly pulled up to the front of The Elysian.

Following Aiden’s directions, Holly found the private room on the third floor, seeing people gradually leaving from a distance.

She sent a message to Aiden, saying she had arrived.

Aiden quickly came out and reassured her: "The teacher told me about what happened back then, there must be some misunderstanding. Now, he’s the only one inside, go in and talk properly."

"Thank you, Aiden." Holly expressed her gratitude.

Aiden knocked and entered, with Holly following him.

Miles Quill had been drinking, his face slightly flushed, standing with his back to them, looking out at the city nightscape through the floor-to-ceiling window.

Upon hearing the noise, he turned and his gaze fell upon Holly, carrying a hint of appraisal and aloofness.

Holly stood awkwardly in place, unsure how to begin.

"You wanted to see me, didn’t you? Now that we’re face-to-face, you say nothing?" Master Quinn’s voice, though hoarse from drinking, didn’t lose its authority.

Aiden tried to smooth things over: "Teacher, Holly she..."

"Are you a worm in her belly? Let her speak for herself." Miles interrupted rudely.

Holly stepped forward and bowed: "Teacher Quinn, first of all, no matter what, I sincerely apologize to you for not responding in time back then and causing a misunderstanding."

She steadied her emotions and laid out Lily Collins’ words and everything that had happened back then.

When she finished, he finally spoke slowly, "Many opportunities, once missed, are gone forever. Life is full of vicissitudes, and we each bear our own consequences. Everything that needed to be said has been said; you may leave."

Holly’s heart sank, knowing she had lost her chance completely.

"Teacher Quinn, I have one more immodest request."

Miles coughed pridefully, "Missed is missed, don’t waste your effort, I will not take you as my apprentice!"

Holly smiled bitterly, "I understand. Teacher Quinn, I would like to see the email you sent me back then, as well as ’my’ reply to you."

All day long, she had been searching online for ways to recover emails deleted years ago. Even though the hope was slim, she still wanted to know what Zion Pence had said in her name that made Teacher Quinn so disappointed in her.

Miles paused, a little taken aback and not expecting this request, and signaled Aiden.

Aiden immediately retrieved a laptop and pulled up the long-saved email records.

Upon seeing the lines Zion Pence had impersonated her in, Holly was so angry her whole body shook, and she momentarily lost her composure.

In the email, Zion impersonated her reply: [Teacher Quinn, I decided to forgo this opportunity. I think pottery is ultimately just an illusory dream, and to regard it as a lifelong career or even take it worldwide is unrealistic. I choose to stay in the country to help my boyfriend run his company, and I ask that you do not contact me again.]

The words were filled with disdain for the pottery career.

Holly finally understood why Master Quinn’s attitude towards her was so filled with disappointment and aversion.

What she regarded as priceless and was willing to sacrifice everything for was so belittled and defiled, and by a student he once had high hopes for. Anyone would find it hard to let go!

"May I take a picture?" she asked with a trembling voice.

Aiden looked at the teacher, and Miles hmphed, "It’s redundant." But he didn’t stop her.

Holly took out her phone, snapped a picture, and bowed again to Miles: "Thank you, Teacher Quinn. Sorry to bother you."

Then she turned and left.

After the door closed, Miles looked at the closed door and suddenly hummed, asking Aiden: "Did she just leave like that?"

Aiden, puzzled: "...She did."

Miles: "...."

He stared at the door, his brows furrowing tightly.