Chapter 95: Helping An Old Friend

The woman’s brows twitched. "I’m afraid we can’t go back today without completing our objective here. Do you think everyone has the opportunity to travel between cities anyhow they want? I can’t waste today and tell you I’m coming back tomorrow."

The attendant frowned helplessly and said, "Then wait, the line will eventually reach your turn."

Hearing this, the mother of the boy frowned and clicked her tongue.

Scowling at the attendant, she held her son’s hand and returned to stand in like the others.

Ethan glanced at her, then shook his head. ’Going forcefully won’t get you the help you need. Sigh, women these days...’

She turned to look at him, and they exchanged glances briefly. Ethan continued looking around, but her gaze remained fixated on him—surprise in her eyes.

Before she even knew it, she had walked up to him and opened her mouth to ask, "Ethan?"

He paused, his gaze shifting back to her. He quietly raised an eyebrow.

"You know me?"

The woman nodded. "You don’t recognize me? We went to the same college."

Ethan blinked, then nodded. "I actually know you. Was just confirming with my memories. Thalia, am I right?"

She smiled and nodded. "You’re right. It’s me. We used to study in the arts class together."

Her gaze shifted to Nora, and her smile widened. "Ah... your daughter?"

Ethan nodded.

Thalia smiled. "She looks like she was carved from the same mold as you. Your resemblance is unmistakable."

Ethan smiled and looked at her son too. "You got married happily as well. That’s good to see."

The woman smiled and sat down next to them. Her son did the same.

"Since I can’t leave now, why don’t we catch up? How have things been?"

Ethan hummed. "A little rough—a rollercoaster—but still interesting enough. After all, I have the most important thing. My family."

Thalia stared at him in pure admiration, then smiled. "That sounds cool enough. I’m glad you’re still as great as you were back in college."

Ethan smiled faintly. "Thank you. You seemed in a hurry to go somewhere. Is it that important?"

She nodded. "Welps, I have a contract to sign in the next few hours. But if I don’t go, the offer might be cancelled."

"Oh..." Ethan nodded. "Then why aren’t you going? I don’t think coming back tomorrow would be an issue for someone of your status."

Thalia pursed her lips. "Well, I have to finish Bryan’s admission today at all costs. His father wants to take him out tomorrow, and there are other things scheduled for this week already."

"Oh, that’s a rough one on you." Ethan shook his head, his gaze shifting to another one of the attendants.

After a moment of thought, Ethan stood up and said, "Give me a moment. Nora, stay here."

Leaving Nora behind, he walked up to the attendant and said, "Hello there."

The young man turned to him, a professional smile plastered on his face. "Yes, how can I help you?"

Smiling, Ethan lowered his voice and gestured toward Thalia.

"That woman has an important contract to sign soon. Do you think it’s possible to help her with the registration so she can leave early."

The young man froze, his gaze drifting to Thalia.

After a moment, he shook his head. "I’m afraid I cannot do that. There is a line of people waiting and we’ll attend to them one after another. Thank you."

"So you’re going to let her lose this opportunity? That seems a little unfair and I don’t think the school will be happy to hear that you indirectly caused that, will they?"

The young man frowned, then said, "We don’t usually prioritize people regardless of the situation. I hope you understand."

Ethan nodded. "I do, actually. But can’t you make an exception? It’s going to leave a bad image on your school if a student’s parent misses an important opportunity because of a slight delay."

The guy sighed, then glanced at the other attendant beside him. The lady shrugged, giving him the sign to go.

So, he turned to Ethan and said, "Let them come, then. I’ll handle it quickly."

Ethan smiled and went to inform Thalia.

"What? Really?" Her eyes shone like stars. "Oh, thank you, Ethan. I’ll remember this favor."

With that, she quickly took her son and went ahead to get him registered. Meanwhile, Ethan sat beside Nora again, turning to face her.

"What is it, young one?"

She stared at him curiously, then asked, "Why did you help her?"

Ethan chuckled. "She was smart in the class back then and helped me more than once during exams. You’ll understand as you grow."

Nora nodded perfunctorily, though she understood. Ethan had simply helped the lady because she had helped him in the past.

’Hmmm... isn’t that a good thing done by a good person?’

In just a few minutes, Bryan’s registration was done, and Thalia returned with him.

"Thank you so much, Ethan," She said. "Can I have your number? I’ll add you to the group of our old classmates."

He thought about it, then shrugged. "Sure."

After exchanging contacts, Thalia thanked him one last time before leaving.

With the line shrinking slowly, Ethan simply gave Nora his phone to watch a cartoon so she wouldn’t get bored. Meanwhile, he quietly waited for their turn to arrive.

Two hours later, it did. He took the phone from Nora and led her to the attendant who had called them.

"Name?" The older lady asked, adjusting her glasses.

"Nora Hale," Ethan answered.

"Age?" The woman asked.

"Nine years old."

"Grade?"

"Fourth grade."

"Alright. Does she have any health conditions?"

Ethan nodded. "Asthma. But it rarely happens unless triggered. Precaution is ultimately required, though. I do not want a report about it."

The woman paused, raising her head to look at him. Seeing the easygoing smile on his face, she frowned, then nodded.

"Understood. Is there anything else?"

Ethan shook his head.

She signed a form and passed it to Ethan. "You’ll sign here too as her parent. Her school uniform will be given to her on the day she resumes, as long as she has paid her tuition. That’s all." 𝑓𝑟ℯℴ𝓂

Ethan signed with her pen, nodded, then turned around. "Thank you."

Holding Nora’s hand, he walked out of the building into the sun.

"Oops, looks like it’s noon already," He said, squinting his eyes.

Nora pursed her lips and nodded. "Let’s go back quickly."

Hearing that, Ethan nodded. "Yeah. Your mom’s shop is a lot cooler than this."

He quickly got onto the bike with her, then rode it back to the Shopping Quarter.