Susan Clark was unconvinced: “Isn’t that just silly? I heard from the kindergarten teacher that Emma Bennett learns things slower than most people. Our Grace is so smart—she’ll definitely do well in the pre-school class.” She thought about it, growing more and more eager, pacing back and forth in the room, and even pinched Edward Ford. “Are you just being lazy? I’m telling you, you have to get this done. Our Grace is going to pre-school this year!”

Edward Ford had no choice. Unable to withstand Susan Clark’s unreasonable persistence, he could only go out to take care of it. He was a teacher himself, so handling this was much easier for him than it would be for the Bennett family.

Susan Clark pulled Grace Ford over: “Grace, let me tell you, you’ll be going to pre-school soon. You have to study hard, listen to your teachers, understand? You must work hard on your exams, and you absolutely have to score better than Emma Bennett.”

Grace Ford, whose little face was known as the “little jade girl,” nodded solemnly and seriously.

Susan Clark felt reassured.

That night, Susan Clark had a dream about the end-of-term exam results being handed out. Her Grace brought home a perfect score, while the silly girl downstairs, Emma Bennett, only got fifty. Lillian Clark was so angry her nose was almost crooked.

Even in her dreams, Susan Clark couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

～

Because the pre-school was much farther than the kindergarten, Emma Bennett now had to get up at six thirty in the morning.

Every morning, she would rub her sleepy eyes, but by the time she left the house, she was full of energy.

Both Lillian Clark and William Bennett worked in places that weren’t on the way to the kindergarten, but since Lillian Clark’s factory wasn’t as strict and her work started later, it fell to her to take Emma Bennett to school.

Grace Ford was taken by her father, Edward Ford, since he was a teacher at Chaoyang Primary School.

Emma Bennett wore a little green jacket, and since it wasn’t raining today, her little flower hair bun stayed neat.

As Edward Ford walked along, children greeted him with “Hello, Teacher Fang.” Walking beside Edward Ford, Grace Ford naturally became the center of attention.

“Wow, is that Teacher Fang’s daughter?”

“I heard she looks like Chang Xue. Now that I see her, she really does!”

“Hahaha, that must be little Chang Xue, the ‘little jade girl.’”

Amid the envious chatter, Grace Ford straightened her back and walked toward the school.

After all, she was still young, and Grace Ford couldn’t hide her pride at being liked. This year, being a teacher’s child was undoubtedly a prestigious and enviable status. Emma Bennett didn’t seem jealous, though—Grace Ford was just naturally good-looking!

Emma Bennett clutched the only big red apple in her backpack, thinking about how to share it with Charles Page.

According to Susan Clark’s request, Grace Ford was also placed in Pre-school Class One.

Teacher Chloe Evans was a bit troubled.

There had originally been exactly 58 students in the class, but now with the addition of a colleague’s child, Grace Ford, where should she be seated?

Actually, when Mr. Grant heard about this, his first thought was to have Charles Page sit alone.

Over the past few days, he had noticed that Charles Page was withdrawn and didn’t want to interact with any of the other children. He was always lost in his own world, and he didn’t pay any attention to his deskmate, Emma Bennett. Letting Emma Bennett and Grace Ford sit together and having Charles Page sit alone didn’t seem like it would affect Charles Page’s life much.

Mr. Grant shared his thoughts with Teacher Chloe Evans.

Teacher Chloe Evans frowned. “That’s not really appropriate. I’ve heard that children with disabilities are already sensitive. If Emma Bennett and Grace Ford become deskmates, how will Charles Page feel?”

Mr. Grant pushed up his glasses. “I’ve been observing closely these past few days. Charles Page doesn’t like to smile, while Emma Bennett is always smiling. She’s a very cute girl and quite popular. But Charles Page completely ignores her. I’ve seen many times that when Emma Bennett gets even a little too close, Charles Page pushes her arm away, as if he can’t tolerate anyone invading his space.”

In Charles Page’s mind, there was a clear boundary that Emma Bennett was not allowed to cross. The naive little girl, however, was always a bit oblivious, and every time she was coldly pushed back by Charles Page beyond the line.

In Mr. Grant’s view, a boy like Charles Page was simply too selfish and indifferent. He wouldn’t accept little Emma Bennett, or any deskmate for that matter.

Might as well let him sit alone.

Chapter 8 Abandonment

The plan suggested by Mr. Grant was not approved by Chloe Evans. The pre-school class had already been in session for a while, but she noticed that Charles Page had never once raised his hand to ask the teacher for help going to the bathroom.

Chloe Evans saw the little boy’s chapped lips in the summer and immediately understood.

Charles Page was a proud and sensitive child. Although his emotions didn’t change much, no one knew what he was really thinking. If changing seats would cause him great harm, Chloe Evans felt it wasn’t a good idea.

However, the fact that Mr. Grant mentioned Charles Page pushing Emma Bennett also made Chloe Evans feel conflicted.

If Charles Page was really bullying little Emma Bennett, it wouldn’t be appropriate for them to keep sitting together.

After thinking it over, Chloe Evans decided to observe for another day before making a decision.

That morning, Teacher Evans brought Grace Ford to the classroom and had her introduce herself to the children.

Four-year-old Grace Ford wore a white princess dress, her soft long hair draped down. Because she always remembered to imitate Chang Xue’s every expression, her young face showed no emotion as she said seriously, “My name is Grace Ford, I am four years old, and I hope to get along well with everyone.”