Chapter 17
"If it weren't for..." At this point, she suddenly fell silent, a look of sorrow crossing her face.
The others also put down their utensils, an air of melancholy and helplessness filling the room as they recalled the past.
Seeing this, Wesley quickly smiled and said, "When the machinery plant went under, I decided to quit and start my own business with Claire. We set up a stall, and we actually made more money than I did back at the plant as Deputy Director."
Avery nodded slightly. "Dad, do you still want to work for a company?"
Back in her father's youth, getting into college was notoriously competitive, and a bachelor's degree then was equivalent to a graduate degree now. Her father had studied Civil Engineering too, which was directly related to the real estate industry.
Hearing her question, Wesley was taken aback. He instinctively put down his wine glass and gazed out the window, seemingly lost in distant memories. Avery didn't rush him. She simply sipped her lemonade slowly.
After a moment, Wesley returned his gaze and smiled wistfully, his face showing signs of age. "I'm already fifty-two. I've been running the stall for over a decade. Working for a company seems too far-fetched at this point."
He shook his head and sighed. "Those passionate years are gone..."
Avery replied, "If I can find opportunities, why can't you?"
Wesley was stunned again. He looked down at his glass, then shook his head self-deprecatingly. "Even if there were opportunities, I don't want to go through the hassle. Besides, the income from the stall is pretty good and stable. Working for a company might not be as profitable."
He glanced at Avery cautiously and asked softly, "Avery, does Dad running a stall... inconvenience you?"