I Returned to the Day He Brought His First Love Home-Chapter 151: The Savior Is Here

"Alright, Mom, stop it. You’re always singing my praises. Of course, you think your daughter is amazing, but others might not agree. Besides, men and women can just be good friends. Don’t read so much into it."

"You’re going to make it awkward for me to even see Sean York."

Grace Winslow waved her hand, not wanting to continue the conversation with Irene Lynch.

Irene Lynch sighed. "Are you really not planning on looking for someone else?"

"I think Sean is a great guy. He’s handsome, has a good personality, and he’s honest. Plus, he’s good to you, and he’s nice to your father and me, too."

Grace Winslow didn’t answer.

By the time she finished putting away the clothes, it was already evening.

After a simple dinner, Grace Winslow washed up and went straight to bed.

Irene Lynch sighed in frustration. She knew she couldn’t convince Grace. Her daughter was all grown up and had a mind of her own. Saying any more would only annoy her.

The next day, Grace Winslow went with Irene Lynch to the shop.

The construction was progressing quite quickly.

The entire building’s exterior had been refurbished, and the outer courtyard had been renovated according to Irene Lynch’s own design.

In the future, they could put up a sun umbrella, set out some tables and chairs, and people could sit here to drink tea and chat.

It really did have the feel of a future coffee shop.

The kind of upscale, chic coffee shop, at that.

The exterior walls, originally white, had been redone in red brick, making it quite eye-catching on this street.

The neighbors had already come by to ask what was being built here.

"A pastry shop? Decorating a pastry shop like this?" A middle-aged woman from next door glanced at the renovated storefront, shook her head, and walked away.

Many people were not optimistic about a pastry shop opening here.

After all, the residents here were mostly older, long-time workers who might not have a taste for such things. Even if their families had children, could you really make a meal out of pastries?

Without something new and appealing, the shop was bound to fail.

Grace Winslow had also heard many of the neighbors’ comments.

At first, she had just wanted to let Irene Lynch do something she enjoyed—making and selling pastries to earn a little money.

’Thinking back now, I had no business experience in my past life. I was just an armchair strategist. I really didn’t think this through carefully.’

A lot of money had been invested here. If it didn’t turn a profit, Irene Lynch would be under immense pressure. Not only would she be unhappy, but there was no telling what kind of scene she might cause.

Grace Winslow sat on a chair by the roadside, gazing at the nearly finished storefront, lost in thought.

"Grace?"

A familiar, clear voice called out. Grace Winslow looked up and saw Archer Rhys.

He was wearing a long, black trench coat over a black t-shirt that outlined his perfect muscular physique.

"What are you doing here?" Grace Winslow asked, a look of surprise on her face.

Archer Rhys smiled and walked over, sitting down beside her. "I was here visiting one of my grandfather’s old army buddies. I saw you from a distance and thought you looked familiar, so I came to check."

"Is this shop yours? What are you planning to do with it?"

Grace Winslow smiled and told him her plans honestly. "Was I being too naive?"

"My mom’s pastries are really good, but that doesn’t guarantee we can break into the market. If we can’t sell anything..."

She sighed as she spoke. "I really did oversimplify everything. I need to think this through more carefully."

’There has to be a way.’

’By leveraging Irene Lynch’s skills and adding some clever ideas, this shop can definitely succeed.’

’People’s living standards are improving now. Refined activities like drinking tea, eating pastries, and chatting will surely become popular with more and more people.’

’But how can I create a market and attract customers?’

"If you’re worried about customers, I might be able to help. Some people in the compound are quite fond of this sort of pastime. Times have changed."

"But your concerns are valid. I suggest you focus on high-quality, boutique items. Forget the low-end market and go straight for high-end dining."

"Your shop is in a good location. There’s a university nearby, and behind it is a residential area for families. The people living there aren’t short on cash. Their households have several working adults, so their monthly income isn’t low. They have spending power."

"And for university students, it’s perfectly normal to come for tea and pastries to kill some time."

"In a couple of years, as the economy improves, your business here will only get better and better."

"As long as you establish a distinct style and build a good reputation, everything will be fine."

"You’re a soldier. How do you know all this?" Grace Winslow asked, looking at Archer Rhys with curiosity.

Hearing this, Archer Rhys couldn’t help but laugh. "I have a friend who’s been interested in this stuff since we were kids. He was in the army for a few years and is now getting ready to go into business down south. I heard all this from him."

"If you need help or there’s anything you don’t understand, I can ask him to come over and lend a hand. He’s still in Coronet right now."

"Wouldn’t that be too much trouble?" Grace Winslow hesitated.

’He’s Archer’s friend, after all, not mine.’

Archer Rhys subconsciously raised his hand, but quickly realized his action might be inappropriate.

’He and Grace aren’t little kids anymore. She’s grown up, and so has he. Some actions could be misunderstood, and they weren’t appropriate to make before their relationship was established.’

He silently lowered his hand. "It’s no trouble. He’s just idle anyway, so helping you would be a way for him to gain some experience. If you feel like you’re imposing, you can give him a little money as compensation."

Grace Winslow’s eyes lit up. "Then I’ll have to trouble you. I’ll treat you to dinner sometime to thank you."

"Okay."

"Oh, right. Don’t you have to go back to the base anytime soon? Are you on leave?" Grace Winslow just remembered that she had been running into Archer Rhys quite frequently lately.

Seeing him twice in the last month was a real rarity.

Archer Rhys didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "I’m human too, you know. I need rest. I just completed a mission and I’m waiting for a commendation. I’ll be in Coronet for the next three months, so if you need my help with anything, you can find me."

"I didn’t give you my home phone number last time. Should I write it down for you?"

Grace Winslow nodded, got up, and went into the shop. It took her a while to find a pen and paper.

Archer Rhys wrote down his phone number.

"Call me when you have time," Archer Rhys said as he handed the paper to Grace Winslow.

Grace Winslow felt a wave of emotion.

’Things are so much more convenient twenty-odd years from now,’ she thought. ’Everyone has a cell phone, so it’s easy to stay in touch. But I believe our country will only get better and better.’

"It’s almost dinnertime. Aren’t you heading home?" Seeing that Archer Rhys showed no intention of leaving, Grace Winslow hesitated for a moment before asking.

She wasn’t sure what had happened to the Rhys family all those years ago—why Archer Rhys and his Grandpa Rhys had moved away overnight without even saying goodbye.

But all the neighbors had said they were bad people who had been arrested.

Deep down, Grace didn’t believe it.

’In my memory, Grandpa Rhys was a very good person. He couldn’t possibly be a bad man.’