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Novel Catalog
Carlisle’s voice was soft, almost distant. He suddenly realized just how much stress his parents had been under—stress that far exceeded his own. They had endured endless mockery from Gerard and his family, not to mention the judgmental glares of their neighbors. All because of his poor grades.
In this generation, furthering one’s education was everything. If a child failed to get into university, it was a mark of shame for the entire family. The pressure was immense, as most people believed that only those who succeeded in higher education would have a bright future.
Carlisle understood that this wasn’t just societal pressure; it was reality. Knowledge, opportunities, education—they were the things that could change a person’s fate.
In his past life, Carlisle had worked as a salesman under a boss who had only completed elementary school. Yet, he had also met a master’s student working as a regular employee in the firm. It wasn’t always about your background, but about what you could achieve.
“I believe in you,” Hilda said, her eyes glistening with tears, yet her smile was warm and reassuring.
Carlisle felt a pang in his heart, deeply moved by her unwavering support. Together, they collected the groceries and returned home.
Later that evening, Gordon came home around 9:00 p.m., looking drained, with a hint of sadness in his eyes. The family shared a quiet, fulfilling dinner together. The warmth of the meal couldn’t hide the weight of their struggles.
For the next five days, Carlisle spent three days revising intensely. But on the last two days, Sean convinced him to take a break and visit an internet café. Hilda and Gordon didn’t mind—they understood that after so much study, Carlisle needed a moment to unwind before his SATs.
On the morning of June 7th, a light drizzle fell as Carlisle woke up at six. Hilda, hearing movement in the living room, nudged Gordon awake.
“Gordon…”
“What is it?”
“Why is Carl up so early?”
“His exams are today. He probably woke up early to prepare,” Gordon replied, his voice tinged with concern.
“Then I’ll go and prepare some food for him,” Hilda said, quickly getting out of bed and switching on the light.
As she moved, Gordon reached under his pillow and pulled out a hundred-dollar bill. “Why don’t you give this to him? Let him go out and have a good meal before his exams.”
“Alright,” Hilda said with a soft smile, accepting the bill. She quickly dressed and went to join Carlisle in the living room.
“Mom, did I wake you?” Carlisle asked with a slight, embarrassed smile.
“Why did you wake up so early? How will you have the energy for your exams if you don’t rest properly?” Hilda asked, concern evident in her voice.
“I agreed to meet a friend at the exam hall,” Carlisle explained.
“That still doesn’t explain why you’re up this early,” Hilda pressed gently.
“My exam hall is at the Beta Complex. It’ll take me about an hour to ride my bike there,” he explained.
“Why are you riding your bike? You should take a cab. And if you can, come home after the first day. If not, find a hostel nearby,” Hilda said, her voice firm with concern. “And remember to eat well over the next couple of days.”
She pressed the hundred-dollar bill into Carlisle’s hands, her eyes filled with love and worry. “This is so much money,” Carlisle murmured.
It felt heavy in his hands. His father earned only around $800 a month, and his mother had taken up an additional job to help make ends meet, earning just $300. The cost of living was low, but still, that hundred dollars was significant.
In his past life, Carlisle had taken money for granted. He had complained about not getting enough, even though his parents worked tirelessly to support him. Now, reborn, he understood how much effort went into earning even a small amount.
“Mom, thank you so much,” Carlisle said, his voice thick with emotion. Tears welled up in his eyes as he hugged her tightly.
“Focus on your exams, Carl. Don’t disappoint your dad and me,” Hilda whispered, patting his back gently.
Carlisle glanced at the clock. It was already half-past six. He had to hurry to make sure he caught Christine before she left for the car. He had tracked down her house over the past couple of days, and it would take him about an hour to ride there from his complex. The stakes felt higher than ever.
