Chapter 136

E55 vouchers

The Reedshaw family’s medical lineage ended there. After a huge fight with Delilah, Claire switched to another major and moved abroad a few years later.

By then, David had become an external expert at the research institute, the university president, and a doctoral supervisor.

During one of his visits to the institute, he made a point to bring up what happened to the Reedshaw family.

He talked about how they’d chosen the right major, saying niche fields like acupuncture had no future and would be phased out by society sooner or later, just like the Reedshaw family.

A sharp ache flickered through Josie’s heart. She gripped Delilah’s hands even tighter. “I promise, Professor Wilcourt. I won’t ever let you down.”

She felt that acupuncture deserved to be known by the world, and the Reedshaw family’s century-old legacy shouldn’t just fade away.

Delilah knew her family’s medical tradition was a niche path, and she never really expected Josie to make it famous. But just hearing Josie say those words filled her with comfort and pride.

What Delilah didn’t realize was just how much weight Josie’s promise truly carried.

Years later, whenever she looked back on this day, she would always be overwhelmed with emotion.

Delilah and Josie parted ways on the school grounds. Delilah headed to the faculty building, while Josie made her way back to her dorm.

“Josie, you’re back. Come on, let’s go eat!” As soon as Josie opened the dorm door, Allison rushed over and started pushing her out the door.

Zoey and Adeline hurried after them. “We’ve been waiting for you. If you didn’t show up, lunch would be off for today.”

“What’s going on?” Josie blinked, totally lost.

Zoey grinned and explained, “Adeline’s boyfriend is treating us. He booked a spot at a restaurant near campus. He said if you didn’t show, he’d just call the whole thing off.”

“That place is impossible to book. I’ve been craving their fried fish for ages.” Allison licked her lips. “Thank goodness you’re back.”

Josie couldn’t help but laugh. “You could’ve just called me. You were really just waiting around? What if I got held up and couldn’t come back?”

“You got called away by Professor Wilcourt for something important. How could we let our stomachs get in the way of your business?” Zoey winked.

She added, “Right, Adeline?”

Adeline smiled brightly. “It’s fine. The food’s not going anywhere. We can eat anytime. What matters is your important stuff.”

“Exactly.” Allison swallowed hard. “I’ll just have to keep craving it for a few more days.”

Josie burst out laughing. “Is it really that good?”

“It’s so good!” Allison’s eyes sparkled as she turned to face Josie, walking backward as she talked.

They were all listening so intently to her that no one noticed someone coming straight toward them.

“Watch out!” Josie called when she spotted Natalie, but she couldn’t stop Allison in time.

Allison bumped right into Natalie, stepping right on Natalie’s toes with her heel.

“Are you okay…” Allison started to apologize as she turned around. When she looked up and saw it was Natalie, her apology cut off mid-sentence.

“Josie!” Natalie looked at them with a pitiful expression. “Where are you all going? Why are you in such a rush?”

Josie hated how Natalie always acted like she was the most wronged person in the world. Her smile froze, and her expression turned cold.

“In a rush? I don’t think so. We were walking pretty slowly, actually. But you…” Josie paused, glancing down at her feet. “Is your foot okay?”

“I’m fine.” Natalie shook her head, her eyes red. “It didn’t hurt.”

Josie nodded. “Alright then, since you’re fine, we’ve got things to do, so we’ll head out.”

The group all looked a bit put out, shot Natalie a glance, and then turned to leave.

Natalie was practically gnashing her teeth with jealousy.

She thought, ‘Why is Josie still so happy? Wasn’t she supposed to get in trouble?

‘Why does she get to have so many friends, always laughing and having fun with them?

‘A dumb country bumpkin like her should be shunned and looked down on by everyone!’

Natalie called out, “Josie, I’m sorry about what happened before. I know we’re not on the same team anymore, but can we still be friends?”

Chapter 137