Chapter 400

“Speaking of studying, it was something I earned with my life. Back then, I knew that only by studying hard and getting out could I truly escape that environment.

“However, after that, I never dared to go to Winthrop’s house again. One time, a leader of some authority came to visit, learned about this incident, and severely reprimanded Winthrop.

“After that, my town had a second–in–command, Philbert Pierce.

“However, my situation didn’t improve much because of this. Philbert used my incident to seize many powers from Winthrop and even took half of my family’s house.

“Fearing that I would tell people from other towns the real reason for my injury, they fabricated a heartwarming story. They said that everyone in town was poor, yet they gathered together to kindly treat and raise an orphan, who was me.

“To show their compassion, they told everyone that the entire town was pooling money to send me to school.

“You should know that back then, many families in my town didn’t allow girls to go to school.

“Back then, I knew I couldn’t owe them anything, not a single cent. So, I had Philbert keep a record, and for every sum of money spent, I would write an IOU.”

Sean was alarmed. “Were those the IOUS Philbert brought to the school back then?”

He remembered that at the time, Philbert not only brought the IOUS but also said that it wasn’t easy for the whole town to support a member to go to college. He also said that they were honest people, and no one had bullied Josie. It turned out that this was completely fake.

Sean thought, ‘How could a beautiful young girl, living alone and helpless, possibly have a complete and pure childhood? She has gotten to where she is today at the cost of her injuries, a chance she narrowly secured after almost losing her life.’

Josie nodded and said, “Yes.

“At first, I could still earn money by working. But as I got older, my schoolwork increased, and my time for work decreased. I simply couldn’t pay back the money.

“Fortunately, they saw I was good at my studies and stopped making things difficult for me.

“However, the amount on the IOU would often be inflated, or else I wouldn’t receive any money.”

Sean’s eyes grew slightly moist. “What happened next? How did you end up applying to Aloville Medical School?”

For a child like Josie, who grew up in that environment, the most desired thing would likely be to make money and become successful. Studying finance would have been more reasonable.

“Because of that volunteer teacher.” Mentioning that teacher, Josie’s mind always conjured up that beautiful face.

She explained, “By the time I recovered from my injuries and went to school, she had already returned to the city.

“But it was because of her that I learned to protect myself from harm, and it was also because of her that I got to study. That’s why I’m so grateful to her.

“I kept looking for her, asking other volunteer teachers at the school. In my second year of high school, I finally got news of her.

“But I never had the chance to see her again. She had leukemia. She returned to the city because of her illness and passed away a few years later.

“What’s ridiculous is that I wasn’t even sad when I heard the news.

“It’s as if I were born without such emotions. I just decided on my college major at that time.

“I want to be a doctor. I want to save more people like her–kind, beautiful individuals who can save many children who have faced experiences like mine!”

Josie wiped the corner of her eye. She suddenly felt so sad for that beautiful teacher who left this world so soon. She thought, ‘It turns out that I can still feel sadness, and my heart will ache!’

Sean said, “Although you have encountered a lot of malice, you have kept a kind heart because of that teacher’s kindness. You are a born healer.”

Sean hugged her tightly. He continued, “There are indeed many malicious people in this world, and many ordinary people who are self–serving, but there are still plenty of good people.

“From now on, you will only meet good people.”

Josie chuckled through her tears. “Are you talking about yourself?”

Sean also smiled, his eyes crinkling. “Of course… not!”

Josie threw herself into his arms, laughing out loud. “Want to know my dream?”