跳过内容
Novel Catalog
“What do you mean by saying I handed in an empty paper? I’m just that capable! The essay question was too easy,” Carlisle said confidently, shrugging as he slipped his hands into his pockets.
Gordon, while relieved that his son wasn’t hiding any failures, still couldn’t help but feel nervous. He had seen his son grow over the past month, but hearing Carlisle’s bold claim still made him uneasy.
“Then how many marks do you think you’ll get?” Gordon asked, his voice tinged with worry. He knew Carlisle had been working hard, but this was the SATs. It was no small feat.
Carlisle grinned. “I think I could easily get an 85% score.”
Around them, several parents gave disapproving glances. A few whispered among themselves, their expressions skeptical.
“I’m being serious!” Gordon replied, his lips twitching with frustration. As a father, he wanted to see his son succeed, but 85% was a bold claim. He’d be happy if Carlisle scored 60%.
“I’m not joking either!” Carlisle insisted, his smile a mix of exasperation and confidence.
He had spent a month preparing for this exam, especially focusing on the essay topic, “Variety is the spice of life.” With his past-life experiences and knowledge, he was sure he’d nailed it. And as for the rest of the questions, he didn’t think he’d made any major mistakes.
“Carlisle, your father’s always been an honest man. Why can’t you follow in his footsteps?” one of Gordon’s colleagues teased with a chuckle, clearly amused by the exchange.
Carlisle shot the man a pointed look, his tone steady as he replied, “Nothing I say will make you believe me. Just wait until the results come out. You’ll see.”
He didn’t have the energy to argue further with people who didn’t matter. It was all about proving himself when the results were released.
As the day went on, Carlisle breezed through his other exams, finishing each one with ease and coming out within the hour. His calm demeanor left many around him wondering how he could be so relaxed. Gordon, however, remained speechless as he smoked his cigarette, still trying to process everything.
“Let’s grab lunch before I head out to find another part-time job,” Gordon suggested, his voice tinged with concern as he watched his son.
By now, the word was out—Carlisle, the boy who’d finished the exams in record time, was Gordon’s son. A few of the nearby mothers began gossiping in hushed tones, their judgmental comments clear.
Gordon clenched his jaw, feeling a pang of discomfort as he overheard their conversations. It stung to hear his son criticized, but he couldn’t let it get to him.
Later that afternoon, Carlisle waited for Sean by their usual spot. When Sean spotted him, his face broke into a wide grin.
“Carl… My wonderful and amazing Carl! From today onward, I shall worship you,” Sean declared excitedly, pulling Carlisle into a bear hug and squeezing him tightly.
Carlisle shoved Sean off with a scowl. “Fuck off! Don’t be disgusting.”
Sean only grinned wider, his eyes twinkling mischievously. “Oh, Mr. Zahn is here!” he said, noticing Gordon walking up behind them. His face flushed red as he quickly greeted Gordon.
“Mr. Zahn,” Sean said, flashing him a nervous smile.
Gordon returned the smile, his expression softening as he shook Sean’s hand. “How are you, Sean?”
Sean held Carlisle by the shoulders and beamed at him. “Carl, the essay topic was ‘Variety is the spice of life.’ I think I can get a good score on my essay this time!”
Carlisle nodded with a knowing smile. “Good luck. Let’s all work hard and aim for Riverland University!”
Sean pursed his lips. “I’m not too worried about Riverland. I’ll be happy with just getting into a Tier 2 university,” he admitted, though his determination showed through. Despite spending time in the cybercafe, he’d been working hard recently, inspired by Carlisle’s dedication.
Carlisle raised an eyebrow, suddenly curious. “Oh, right. Have you seen Wanda?”
Sean’s expression shifted as he smirked. “Nope. Why are you asking about her? Are you two…?”
“Stop overthinking,” Carlisle cut in, rolling his eyes. “I was just asking.”
Sean grinned even wider, clearly enjoying Carlisle’s discomfort. “Sure, sure. Whatever you say.”