After speaking, Old Carter picked up the fried pork chop she had ordered with his chopsticks and took a big bite.

David Carter could only watch helplessly.

It was clearly a huge matter, yet it was treated as if the family had simply run out of rice and needed to buy two more pounds from the small supermarket downstairs.

Those who have glimpsed the truth of the world probably do care less about such things.

Author’s note:

This is probably a quick-transmigration style story with multiple trips between reality and the past, but there won’t be an immediate rebirth.

Chapter 2 Glimpse

After finishing the meal, Old Carter, in order to avoid paying the bill, shamelessly slipped away first.

David Carter paid, opened her umbrella, and stepped into the curtain of rain.

The rain now was much lighter than when they left the hospital, the raindrops falling softly like velvet on the umbrella, everything awash in green.

She walked along the road, cars and pedestrians passing by, splashing water at the roadside. Yet the atmosphere was at a perfect balance between noise and tranquility, bringing immense peace.

She had asked Old Carter that question earlier because she was very anxious. But now that she had calmed down, it didn’t seem so scary after all.

She was 22 this year, studying philosophy, determined to become a proud teacher of the people.

Being a teacher meant more holidays, so she could take good care of Old Carter. And since her family wasn’t short of money, Old Carter could stay at the best nursing home. So even if Old Carter got sick, it really wouldn’t have much impact.

At most, it would just affect the background information others gave when introducing her to potential matches in the future.

Uh...

At this thought, David Carter’s phone rang.

Bracing herself, she hurried to answer.

“Chaoxi, that Little Harris from yesterday was very satisfied with you.”

On the other end was the director of academic affairs at her internship school, a leader who was very enthusiastic about introducing matches to interns.

Just last night, she had attended a matchmaking event organized by the director and met a bank employee. They chatted alone in a café for a while, and then he walked her home.

In the morning, the guy sent her a WeChat message to say hi, but she was in a rush to take Old Carter to the hospital and hadn’t had time to reply. So before answering the director’s call, she thought she was going to be scolded. But instead of giving her a lecture, the director was actually very pleased.

But “very satisfied with you” sounded a bit like being chosen as a concubine, which made David Carter a little embarrassed. “R-really?”

“Little Harris’s mom was so happy she called me, said he asked their family’s Zhiyuan, and he’s interested in you. You need to seize the opportunity…”

She gripped the handrail, recalling what her blind date looked like.

In her memory, he was a perfectly normal guy, a little proud. He talked about his parents’ jobs, mentioned that his parents liked kids and wanted a second child. He also hinted that his mother knew the principal of the best middle school in the city, so if she wanted a job, it would be a matter of one word.

Outside the window, the city was washed by rain, the streets hazy, and in her ear was the director’s guidance.

“Girls should be proactive, it’s fine, you need to seize the chance! His family’s conditions are so good, both parents are bureau directors…”

David Carter really didn’t know how to respond, so she just stayed silent.

Just then, the bus stop announcement sounded.

The director asked, “Where are you? Why is it so noisy?”

“On the bus, I have to go back to school today.”

The director caught the key word.

“College student! Don’t think you’re young now, but women age fast. By twenty-seven or twenty-eight, it’ll be hard to find someone…”

As David Carter listened, she suddenly glimpsed the entire trajectory of her future life. She would have a stable teaching job, marry someone from a better-off family, he would help her take care of her father, and she would have children for him…

But in that instant, she felt a sense of panic at such reality.

“If you have kids in the future and don’t want to work, I bet he’d be willing to support you. Life would be so comfortable…”

She zoned out for a moment, and the topic had already moved on to having children. David Carter snapped back to attention and hurriedly interrupted.

“Sorry, Director, actually there’s something I feel a bit embarrassed about… My dad was just diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, so, um, could you please let the other party know and just let this go?”

There was silence on the line.

David Carter didn’t say anything either.

After a long while, the director finally spoke.

“With your situation, I’ll let the other party know, but it still depends on whether the guy’s family wants you or not.”

“……”

“After things settle down at school, send the guy a text to apologize!”

After giving her instructions, the director hung up.

David Carter didn’t really feel any anger at being humiliated. She just suddenly realized that a set path also meant her life no longer had infinite possibilities.

...

But she only felt troubled for a little while.

By the time she got off the bus, David Carter had almost forgotten about that call.

She had returned to school today for the university town’s intercollegiate intelligence competition. The student union president, William Scott, had called her to come and sit in.

After returning to campus, she went straight to the second floor of the student activity center, where the student union had a meeting room.

Noisy voices came from the meeting room. David Carter glanced at her watch—there were still five minutes before the meeting started. Without thinking much, she pushed the door open.

The room instantly fell silent, a dozen pairs of eyes turned to her, and David Carter froze as well.

So the meeting had already started...