Chapter 5

I ignored them and prepared to go to the library to borrow some books.

Although I had secured the exchange spot, I knew there were always people better than me out there.

Learning more would never be a mistake.

Jessica secretly cornered me in the tea room.

"Did you know Frank had no money? Is that why you broke up with him?"

I ignored her and went back to study.

Jessica tried to grab me in frustration, but this was the library and she couldn't make too much noise.

She could only watch me leave, unwillingly.

Over the next week,

I heard that Frank and Jessica had many arguments.

They even fought while walking on campus.

Once, Frank even raised his hand against her,

"Jessica, how come I never realized you were so materialistic!"

Actually, if given some time, Frank could have earned money too. But unfortunately,

Jessica wasn't willing to wait.

I found another online part-time job writing copy for social media accounts.

Although the school covered my tuition and I had a scholarship, there would inevitably be times when I needed money.

The earnings weren't much, but accumulated over time, it would be enough to ensure I could eat and drink well in a foreign country.

The elders in my village were all proud of me. The aunts even wanted to pool some money for me, but I politely refused. They had fed me when I was little; how could I take their money now that I was grown?

I set aside some money, planning to send it to the village elders on the day I left for abroad, as a small gesture of filial piety.

Back home, I looked at the countdown on my phone screen.

Fifteen days left.

In fifteen days, I would reach a turning point in my life and embrace a new future.