Chapter 878: the oldies reunion

Outside of the Gymnasium...

Charles and Haines pulled into the parking space. Unlike the wide smile on Charles’s face, Haines’s expression was dead.

"Charles," Haines called, turning toward the driver’s seat where Charles was. "The gymnasium is just right over there."

"And?"

Haines’s face twitched. "And it means we didn’t need to stay in here with all of them." He then pointed at the people behind the van.

The people at the back were mostly retired workers from Global Prime Logistics during Charles’s tenure. Most had retired one after another when Charles retired, making room for younger employees at the start of Atlas’s tenure. Although some were still working in the company, assisting Atlas with everything they could.

One more thing: each individual here was part of the group Charles had forced to sign up for the fan club during the live broadcast of Penny’s fan club’s first general assembly.

Charles looked back at the people behind the van before facing Haines. "Haines, you don’t understand the essence of this meeting."

"I don’t, when we literally abducted someone from his golf session." Haines pointed at one of the older men, who was still in his golf attire.

The middle-aged man in the backseat laughed awkwardly while scratching the back of his head. "Don’t worry, Sir Haines. I told my wife that I was abducted by Sir Charles and you, so she told me to enjoy."

"I wasn’t a part of this," Haines corrected, before facing Charles again. "I should’ve told Allison about this."

Charles frowned deeply. "Haines, have you forgotten Lily’s reminders? Look! Even her parents are with us!"

When Haines looked back, Lily’s parents flashed him an awkward smile, with Lily’s father even waving at him. They were the first passengers they picked up.

"I didn’t know you were a part of the fan club," Haines commented, finally having the chance to say this now that he wasn’t so preoccupied with his earlier thoughts.

"Hehe." Lily’s father laughed awkwardly. "We weren’t back then, but Lily told us that we should sign up to support Penny, the Prime Group, and Global Prime Logistics."

"We owe Penny for saving our daughter over and over, and it’s a shame that we can only do this much," Lily’s mother added gently. "If only we could do more..."

"You can always do more!" Charles smiled in satisfaction before flashing Haines a grin. "Haines, being single doesn’t give you the hall pass to act like a grumpy old man." He then looked back. "Everyone, let’s set up our tent and watch the broadcast from there."

With that, everyone slowly stepped out of the van to set up a tent and watch the broadcast. It wasn’t like Haines was being unreasonable. He simply thought they should go to the gymnasium, as it was only a minute’s walk.

Why did this reunion of the "oldies" have to replicate the setting of watching it via live broadcast when they could be there in person?

"I guess it’s true that age is just a number," Haines murmured as he reluctantly reached for the door. "He doesn’t grow old. Did he think he’s still in his thirties?"

In the end, Haines helped everyone set up the tent, which served as a mini-conference room for the group of adults, now all fans of Penny. Of course, not all of them had signed up because they wanted to. Rather, they had done so simply to avoid Charles breathing down their necks twelve years ago.

As they were arranging it, Haines’s brows rose as he noticed Ginnie and another woman around his age.

"Uncle Charles! Uncle Haines!" Ginnie called happily, approaching them with the older woman by her side.

"Oh, Ginnie!" Charles called, beaming with pride.

Ginnie glanced at everyone, greeting them politely before shifting her attention back to Charles. "Uncle Charles, what are you doing... setting up a tent?"

"Hehe." Charles rubbed the tip of his nose and smirked. "Lily told me that we could come to the gymnasium, but then she mentioned she was planning to go back in time. I’m fulfilling her wish."

"Fulfilling... her wish?"

Charles smirked. "Ginnie, when you go back in time, you don’t change a lot of things. Otherwise, things could go bad."

"Huh?"

"During the first assembly of this fan club, Haines, I, and everyone here weren’t there. We could only watch the happenings from the conference room. However, since I planned to join the party later, we decided to set up a tent and watch the assembly from here."

Haines glanced at Charles, thinking, ’What did he mean by ’we,’ when it was only he who made all the decisions?’

"Oh!" Ginnie pounded the bottom of her fist against her palm, nodding at Charles in awe. "Uncle, you’re amazing!"

"Hehe. I know, child."

"That’s also a good opportunity to catch up with everyone!" she continued, smiling at everyone. Just then, Ginnie was reminded about the person she was with. "Ah, right!"

Ginnie faced the beautiful older woman with a respectful smile before turning back to Charles. "Uncle Charles, I forgot to mention, but this is Miss Sandford, our class adviser and also the advisor of the fan club."

"Oh!" Charles gasped in surprise, looking at the older woman with Ginnie. "How rude of me! Miss Sandford—of course, I know you! Haha! It’s been a while, I almost didn’t recognize you! You’re more beautiful!"

Miss Sandford smiled at Charles, reaching out for his hand as he offered it. "It’s been a while, Mr. Bennet."

"It has been! How have you been? Still teaching here?"

"Unfortunately, it’s been a long time since I moved to teach at another school." Miss Sandford shook her head, withdrawing her hand from Charles. "It’s good to see you again, Mr. Bennet."

"It’s the same for me—ah!" Charles snapped his fingers as if he had just had a great idea. "Miss Sandford, since you’re already here, I’ll introduce you to my friends."

Miss Sandford smiled, casting Ginnie a look. "I’ll see you all in the gymnasium."

"Okay!" Ginnie gleefully nodded in understanding, watching Charles usher Miss Sandford off to introduce her to everyone. But before Ginnie left them to it, she heard Charles ask Miss Sandford a question.

"Should I still call you Miss Sandford? Or is it... Missus...?"

Miss Sandford smiled and nodded. "I had a divorce a long time ago, so I’m back to being Miss Sandford."