I Want to Study with Talon

Talon gripped Lina's hand, leading her in the direction of their home. At the entrance of the alley, Lina broke free from his grasp, her cheeks puffed up in anger like a little hamster, she exclaimed, "I can't believe you used to be like this!"

Even though she was a pampered, spoiled rich kid, she knew the importance of fairness and not bullying the weak. She believed in living an upright and honorable life, principles her father had always taught her.

How could she have ever imagined that her upright and steady father had once been such a rogue in his youth?

"Dad, you've really disappointed me!" she declared.

Talon's lips twitched, and he gave her a light tap on the back of her head, "You really are naive, aren't you? I've always been like this. If you want to blame someone, blame your real dad for being too focused on his career and not raising us properly."

Lina looked at Talon, finding it hard to believe that this rebellious figure would eventually transform into the upright man she knew in the future.

"Regardless, I don't want you associating with Kairo Shen anymore," Talon said sternly. "If I catch you with him again, there'll be consequences."

Defiantly, Lina asked, "Why do you hate him so much?"

"Because he's inherently despicable, pretentious, and extremely hypocritical. He's bad news."

"How is he bad news?"

Talon was about to answer when he seemed to recall something and stopped himself, "Just stay away from him. He's no good."

Talon's evasiveness only made Lina more curious. To truly understand the grudge between her father and Kairo, she'd have to get involved and mediate their differences.

Lina felt she had to shoulder a lot of responsibility as a daughter. In her past life, her father had always been concerned about her well-being.

Being premature, she had always been frail and sickly. Her father had sacrificed all his personal and leisure time, focusing all his energy on her. He'd even chase her around every day just to make her take her bitter traditional medicine...

Regardless, Lina felt she had to get her father back on track and prevent Kairo's revenge.

Lina expressed her desire to attend Northville Middle School.

Previously, due to intellectual challenges, her aunt had attended special education schools. But now, as a regular person, Lina didn't want to be in a special education class.

At dinner, when Lina mentioned wanting to attend Northville Middle School with her brother, before Jace could respond, Sierra, sitting at the end of the table, couldn't help but snicker.

She was the only one laughing. Jace, with a stern face, asked, "What's so funny?"

Shelley shot Sierra a glare. Sierra quickly composed herself, "Ah, I... I just remembered a joke a friend told me yesterday."

Lina glanced at Sierra, catching the mocking look in her eyes. It was clear Sierra thought Lina, with her intellectual challenges, wasn't qualified to attend the prestigious Northville Middle School.

Jace asked Lina, "Lina, why do you want to go to Northville Middle School?"

"I want to study with Talon."

She needed to stay close to him to understand what had transpired between him and Kairo.

Being a rebellious rich kid, Talon rarely came home. Fortunately, he wasn't at the table now, or he would've vehemently opposed the idea.

"At school, I can also help grandpa keep an eye on him," Lina earnestly said.

Jace chuckled, giving Lina a piece of chicken leg, "Just live your life and don't worry about that rascal."

He had already lost hope in him.

Lina didn't want Jace to give up on Talon, so she added, "Sometimes he listens to me. Also, I want to try being a normal kid."

Jace sometimes felt that aside from Lina's occasional confusion about whether to call him brother, dad, or grandpa, she was quite a normal child. Her last statement touched his heart.

He agreed to let Lina attend Northville Middle School. At that moment, Shelley timely suggested, "Sierra is also preparing for Northville Middle School's entrance exam. She can lend her study materials to Lina, and they can review together."

Sierra chimed in, "Sure, I can lend her my materials. Lina, the entrance exam for Northville is tough. You'll have to work hard!"

Lina knew Sierra was mocking her. Sierra clearly believed that Lina, with her intellectual challenges, wouldn't even be able to handle basic arithmetic, let alone an entrance exam.

Jace didn't expect her to learn much, but being in a school environment with peers would be beneficial for her growth.

Sierra was deliberately mocking Lina, but Shelley had deeper intentions.

Sure enough, Jace said, "Lina doesn't need to prepare for any entrance exam. The principal of Northville is an old friend of mine. I'll just give him a call."

Shelley quickly added, "Oh, that's great! Sierra, how's your exam preparation going? Are you confident?"

Sierra, catching the hint in Shelley's eyes, replied, "Um, the questions are tough, but I'm trying my best. I've been staying up late to study."

"Don't overwork yourself. Look at you, you've lost weight."

"Mom, it's okay. I really want to get into Northville Middle School."

The mother-daughter duo was clearly putting on a show, hoping Jace would pull some strings for Sierra as well.

Lina spoke up before Jace could respond, "There's no need for connections. I can get in on my own merit."

Upon hearing this, both Shelley and Sierra looked at Lina in surprise.

Jace asked, "Lina, are you sure? You want to take the exam yourself?"

"Yes."

Shelley laughed, "Lina has learned to joke."

Lina replied with a straight face, "I'm not joking. I'll take the exam myself. If I pass, I'll attend. If not, so be it. Using connections is unfair to other students."

Shelley looked displeased. She had just hinted at wanting Jace to use his connections for Sierra, and Lina's words felt like a direct rebuke.

Jace, however, laughed in appreciation, "That's my daughter. If that's what you want, then go for it. I won't interfere."

"Okay."

Sierra bit her lip, shooting Lina an annoyed glance. She was eager to see how this "intellectually challenged" girl would fare in the exam.

The entrance exam for Northville Middle School was notoriously difficult. Even Sierra, who was diligent, found it challenging. She couldn't wait to see Lina's performance.