Chapter 13

Hearing Summer's words, Henry furrowed his brows even more deeply.

He stared at Summer without saying a word. Meanwhile, Logan put down a burlap sack on the table beside them and smirked, saying, "Wow, the fool's actually getting smart."

Henry's suppressed anger instantly ignited.

He clenched his fists, couldn't hold back, and abruptly kicked away the stool he was sitting on. He stormed over to Logan, grabbed him by the collar, and with fiery eyes, said, "What business is it of yours?"

Logan kept his smile.

He looked at Henry, tilting his head provocatively, and said, "Go ahead, hit me on the temple."

Henry tightened his grip on Logan's collar. "You think I don't dare, huh?"

Logan continued to smile. "I wouldn't dare think so. Is there anything you wouldn't dare to do? Back in the city, the police station was like your second home. Now that you're in the countryside, the local security team must be your new family. You can't be without a home, can you?"

This provoked Henry even more.

Henry clenched his fist and swung it towards Logan's face.

But before his fist could land, someone grabbed his arm.

Henry turned around to see that it was Summer holding him back.

Summer clutched his arm tightly and said, "Even though what he's saying is harsh, it's true. I used to be foolish, but now I'm enlightened."

Henry looked at Summer, his brows knitted even tighter.

After a moment, he shook off Summer, suppressing his anger. "I think it's your brain that's burnt out now!"

He turned back to Logan, but restrained himself from throwing a punch. Instead, he forcefully pushed Logan away, releasing his collar, and stormed out with a dark expression.

In the boys' dormitory.

The others were still having fun.

Sophia turned her head just in time to see Henry leaving the yard. She quickly got up and followed him out.

Running out of the yard, Sophia caught up to Henry under the faint moonlight, grabbed his arm, and stopped, slightly out of breath, asking, "What's wrong?"

Henry didn't answer, continuing to walk ahead.

Sophia stood there for a moment, took a deep breath, and caught up, walking beside him without asking any more questions.

Henry walked to the riverbank and sat down, bending over. Sophia sat next to him.

He pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, took out the last one, tossed the empty pack aside, and lit the cigarette.

Sophia watched Henry smoke, still saying nothing.

Henry took a couple of puffs before he spoke. "I just talked to Summer. I asked her what's been going on with her these past few days, she wouldn't say. I asked her to give up the opportunity to be a teacher, and she refused."

Sophia felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her, extinguishing a small flame in her heart.

She lowered her head, stayed silent for a moment, and said, "I'm the one causing you trouble."

Henry flicked his cigarette ash. "It's not about you. It's Summer who's changed. She used to be so kind-hearted, and now she's become selfish and petty. She even argued with me over a piece of bread earlier."

Sophia looked at Henry. "She's simple-minded and easily influenced. People like her are the easiest to manipulate. Do you think someone might be using her against you?"

Henry knew Sophia was referring to Logan.

Thinking back to how Summer had defended Logan earlier, he couldn't help but feel more frustrated.

He took a deep drag on his cigarette, stayed silent for a moment, and said, "I don't know."

Sophia sighed. "Summer used to listen to you the most. If she won't even listen to you now, then the rest of us have no chance. It's not about anything else; it's just that she's too naive and easily led astray. It's worrying."

Henry continued to smoke in silence for a while before saying, "She's like a porcupine now, pricking everyone she meets. Let's wait a few days. Maybe she'll get back to normal."

Sophia pressed her lips together, nodding slightly. "Yeah."

She wanted to talk more about when school would officially start but was afraid of revealing her thoughts too much. So, she held back.

***

In the kitchen.

After Henry left, Summer relaxed and naturally returned to the table to eat.

Logan didn't stay idle either. He fetched a basin, scooped some water, and started mixing dough.

There were three tables in the kitchen. Logan used the one next to Summer's, not sharing the same table with her.

While mixing the dough, he glanced at Summer and thought her behavior over the past few days was strange. So, he spoke up, "Are you really trying to learn from me?"

Summer didn't expect Logan to talk to her, so she didn't lift her head or respond.

Seeing no reaction, Logan paused his work, looked at her again, and repeated, "I'm talking to you."

This time, Summer felt his gaze.

She looked up at Logan, blinked, and asked, "Me?"

Logan chuckled a bit, exasperated. "Is there anyone else here?"

Summer thought about his question for a moment, then looked at him and replied, "Oh, you're overthinking it. You're so unlikable; there's no way I'd learn from you."