Archer’s words were intended for Jasper, but he looked at Wendy as he spoke.
He mainly wanted to show off his capabilities in front of Wendy so as to attract her attention.
Therefore, he was disappointed when Wendy did not react in the way he wanted her to. In fact, Wendy looked at him with slight exasperation.
Wendy looked at him in a way that one would look at a clown.
Archer was enraged by her gaze.
Jasper was the poor person here. Archer believed that he was strong enough to crush Jasper with his mere finger, so who was Wendy to look at him like that?
“Thank you for the good intentions, but I won’t be needing it,” Jasper replied calmly before he pulled Wendy into the house.
“Hmph!” Archer harrumphed as he stared at Jasper’s back darkly. “Who are you acting for? Seriously, the poorer and more useless someone is, the more they like to act like they’re some sh*t.”
At this moment, Ramona asked carefully, “Archer, did Jasper and Wendy get together?”
The question hit Archer where it hurt, and the man glared at Ramona before he spoke.
“What gave you the idea that idea? Don’t spout nonsense when you don’t know what you’re talking about. All of us know about Jasper’s limited capabilities anyway.
“He’s just a poor man without a buck to his name. All he can afford is white bread and vegetables, so who is he to be involved with Wendy? I’ll never agree to it!”
Jasper had already walked into the bedroom by then.
It was still decorated with vintage ornaments just as Jasper had remembered. The paint on the furniture had already cracked and begun to turn yellow, but the furnishing of the house was just as Jasper remembered seven to eight years ago.
One could easily come to the conclusion that Ms. Tiana had not changed nor added any new furniture to her house over these years.
On the bed laid a frail old woman, who peered at Jasper and Wendy as they walked in.
“Ms. Tiana.”
Jasper sped up and walked to the bed, lifting his hand to grab the sickly elder’s hand and whispered, “It’s me, Jasper. Do you still remember me?”
Ms. Tiana chuckled with difficulty and replied weakly, “Of course, I remember. You’re the introverted and shy boy who always failed his tests.”
“…” Jasper was speechless.
Wendy leaned down to speak to Ms. Tiana, “Ms. Tiana, it’s me, Wendy. Do you still remember me?”
Ms. Tiana nodded and replied, “Of course. You’re the smartest and prettiest student I’ve ever taught throughout all these years.”
“I’m very glad you came to visit me,” Ms. Tiana said, looking at Jasper and Wendy.
Jasper sat on the bed and replied, “Ms. Tiana, I still remember how you used to give me your lunchbox back in senior high and how you used to bring me over for dinner. Then, you’d supervise my homework or tutor me after dinner. I still remember everything you’ve done for me, Ms. Tiana.”
Ms. Tiana replied gently, “It’s my duty as a teacher. I can’t bear to see children suffering. How can you grow strong and well without proper nutrients during puberty?
“I might never produce genius-like students, but I hope that every child I teach ends up kind, dutiful, and good.”
Jasper replied softly, “Still, how many teachers in the world would go as far as you did? Perhaps as a teacher, you think that you’ve only done your part. But to me, it was something that changed my life.”
It was said that a teacher’s job was to teach students principles of life, study curriculum, and explain difficulties. The study of curriculum and explanations came after, as the principles of life always came first.
Jasper’s personality in both his lifetimes as well as his ingrained kindness was due to two main reasons. Firstly, his parent’s teachings not to be malicious and mean, followed by Ms. Tiana’s kindness.
It was not wrong to say that during the critical period in which Jasper had cultivated his character, Ms. Tiana was the one who had influenced him most right after his parents.
“Why won’t you go to the hospital if you’re so unwell, Ms. Tiana?” Wendy asked gently.
“This is a psychological issue. The hospital can’t solve it and staying there will only be a waste of my money,” Ms. Tiana replied weakly.
‘Psychological issue?’
Jasper and Wendy exchanged a look and frowned.
It seemed like Ms. Tiana’s sickness was not as simple as it seemed.
Just then, Archer walked in from the outside.
He stopped in front of Ms. Tiana, and before he could speak, Ms. Tiana flew into distress.
“What are you doing here? I don’t have students like you, nor do I need you to visit me! Get out!”
Ms. Tiana was even about to sit up from the bed in agitation. However, Wendy quickly went to help Ms. Tian and asked, “Calm down, Ms. Tiana. What’s wrong?”
Archer sneered and replied calmly, “I’m still technically your student, Ms. Tiana. How could you treat me like an enemy?
“Moreover, I’m the one that’s been helping you all this while. Your useless children can’t even pay your hospital bills. I was the one who paid them for you.
“Despite all that, instead of thanking me, you’re chasing me away. Ha, what kind of teacher are you?”
Ms. Tiana’s complexion flushed red in anger as she pointed at Archer to speak, “You only did so in order to get me to sign the demolition agreement! I’m telling you, no way! I’ll never sign it!”
“Why must you be so stubborn, Ms. Tiana?” Archer stared at her and spoke unkindly.
“Everyone in the staff building’s already signed the papers. You’re the only one between everyone and the demolition compensation. Who knows how many of your old colleagues are angry at you for being stubborn? Yet, you still won’t give in?”
Ms. Tiana’s emotions calmed down under Wendy’s care and she spoke with a slight pant, “Your demolition paperwork isn’t complete, and you’re also paying half of what the official statement claimed. They only signed the papers because they had no other choice after your threats and bribery! But I will not compromise with you!”
Archer chuckled sinisterly and answered, “I already knew you were going to say that. But don’t worry, I’m not the demolition company after all. Someone else will talk to you regarding this.”
Archer then made a call and went to fetch someone at the door.
Jasper’s gaze darkened as he watched Archer leave.
“The building’s getting demolished, Ms. Tiana? And you disagree?” Jasper asked.
Ms. Tiana sighed and explained, “Their papers aren’t complete and they’re also paying half of the standard compensation fee. They’re beating up whoever doesn’t agree so no one truly agrees with him!
“It’s just that everyone else has a family to protect, so they have no other choice but to leave. It’s different for me. However, my children are working outside and can’t be threatened. Additionally, I’m just an old woman, so what can they do?”
