I Need to Get a Front Row Seat

Alice Parker's brother, Jack Parker, was dumbfounded by the sudden and repeated slaps from his sister, forgetting to explain where the pickled vegetable fried rice in his hand came from. He just kept crying loudly inside the house.

As the saying goes, hitting the brother hurts the sister's heart. Listening to her brother's loud cries, the frail Alice Parker also felt heartache. Now that both their parents were gone, only the sister and brother were left to depend on each other. The elder sister was like a mother, and Alice Parker had to take on the responsibility of being the family head.

Although she couldn't provide material comforts for her brother, Alice still believed that the etiquette, shame, and moral integrity that their father valued must not be lost by the siblings. Otherwise, their father would not rest in peace in the afterlife.

The cries of the little boy, Jack Parker, immediately brought in Emily Johnson from outside. Emily, seeing Alice awake and spanking little Jack, quickly took the boy from her sister's hands, feeling sorry for him. Emily carefully protected the little boy behind her and asked in a questioning tone, "Oh my, what are you doing? Why do you hit your brother as soon as you wake up without understanding the situation? If your brother hadn't found the Aedile to get someone to treat you, you might not have survived."

Alice, also in tears, said with frustration, "But no matter what, he shouldn't have stolen someone's food. If he brings back other people's food, what will those people eat?"

Hearing Alice's words and glancing at the pickled vegetable fried rice on the table, Emily immediately understood why little Jack Parker was being spanked. Before Emily could explain the situation to Alice, Jack sobbingly said to his sister, "Sister, this food wasn't stolen. It was given by the Aedile."

Seeing her brother still "lying," Alice cried even harder. "Don't lie anymore. When would officials give out food? These days, getting some rice soup is already a great favor."

At this point, Emily quickly stood up to testify for Jack, "I can vouch for him. Your brother didn't lie. The pickled vegetable fried rice on the table was indeed distributed by the Aedile."

While speaking, Emily pulled Alice to the door and pointed to her son and her husband's brother, both holding big bowls and devouring food, "See, I'm not lying. My son and Michael Harris are also eating food distributed by the Aedile."

"These are all gifts from our benevolent Aedile. Without him, we people in Green River Town would have starved long ago."

Alice, feeling slightly apologetic, looked at her misunderstood brother and then hugged him with deep guilt, asking, "Brother, I'm sorry for blaming you. Did it hurt when I hit you just now?"

At this moment, little Jack Parker, like a true man, wiped his tears, squeezed out a smile, and comforted, "Sister, it didn't hurt. You're still weak from your illness, and you didn't hit hard at all."

Seeing her brother being so sensible, Alice's guilt deepened even more.

"Alright, alright, since it was a misunderstanding, let's not dwell on it. You two should quickly taste the pickled vegetable fried rice given by the Aedile; it's delicious." Emily said proudly.

Suddenly, Emily's son, Tommy, who was about the same age as Jack Parker, stopped eating and said, "Mom, the Aedile said in night school that patients who just recovered shouldn't eat greasy and salty food. They should have light porridge instead."

Emily slapped her forehead, realizing, "Oh my, I forgot! I also attended that night school class, but I completely forgot!"

Emily then told Alice, "You should avoid eating that pickled vegetable fried rice for now. I'll save it for you for tomorrow. Wait a bit, and I'll cook some porridge for you."

Alice quickly stopped Emily, saying, "Auntie, I'm not that delicate. It's just that the portion of pickled vegetable fried rice is too much for me to finish. Why don't you give it to Tommy and Michael Harris?"

Emily turned to see that Tommy and Michael Harris had already finished their bowls of pickled vegetable fried rice, which were now empty.

Emily laughed and said, "Don't worry about them; they have enough to eat."

Indeed, Tommy and Michael Harris quickly devoured their bowls of fried rice and ran out with empty bowls.

Soon after, Tommy and Michael Harris returned, smiling and holding bowls full of pickled vegetable fried rice.

Seeing this, Alice was a bit dazed, wondering, "Due to the severe drought, most people in Lionheart City are struggling to get enough food, but the people here in Green River Town are eating one bowl of dry food after another. Could it be that I've truly come to a prosperous place in the south?"

As Alice was lost in thought, Tommy, who was eating more slowly, suddenly reminded Jack Parker, "Hurry up and eat! We need to get a good seat at night school."

Hearing this, Jack Parker told Emily, "Auntie, please take care of my sister. I need to eat quickly and go to night school!"

Emily nodded happily, "Go ahead and eat. If you need more food, you can get more on the street!"

Jack Parker nodded obediently, greeted his sister, and then joined Tommy in eating the pickled vegetable fried rice with gusto. Like Tommy, Jack Parker also managed to finish two bowls of fried rice.

After eating, Jack Parker and Tommy squatted in a corner, drawing on the ground with a stick. Alice initially thought they were just scribbling, but upon closer inspection, she found they were seriously writing.

On the ground was written: "Actions speak louder than words..."

At this age, children like Jack Parker and Tommy were usually playful. Even when their father, Richard Parker, was alive and used to force Jack to study with a whip, Jack still didn't take it seriously. But in this new city, her brother seemed like a changed person, actively studying.

Curious about the magic of the night school that Tommy and Emily mentioned, Alice wondered what it was like to have such an impact on children.

After finishing their last words from the previous lesson, Tommy and Jack Parker looked at the sky and felt it was about time. They each picked up a wooden stool and ran out excitedly.

Confused, Alice quickly asked Emily, "Where are Tommy and Jack going?"

Emily, carrying a pot of porridge, smiled, "They're going to get front row seats!"