Chapter 147

On an empty street, Logan walked alone in the night.

Halfway through his journey, he pulled out his study materials and a flashlight from his backpack. Walking and studying simultaneously, he would read for a bit, then switch off the flashlight to recite from memory.

Summer once asked him which university he aspired to attend, but he didn't have a clear goal. When he learned that college entrance exams were officially reinstated, he saw it as an opportunity to escape factory life and change his fate. He had a rough idea of perhaps exploring other cities, despite being born and raised in New York. He felt no strong attachment to the city—there were no loved ones or a home he truly cherished, so any place was the same to him.

In New York, he often found himself disgusted by his biological father's family of three. Thus, he thought it might be better to aim for a university in another city, make a name for himself, and then return. However, he now had a more concrete and specific goal: he decided to stay and aim for the best university, forging a new path for himself.

Of course, this path would be risky and challenging for both him and Summer. His academic foundation was solid, and after graduation, he had taught in a rural area, staying connected with books and knowledge. He was confident he could get into a decent university, but he wasn't naive enough to think he could casually get into the best one. His original study schedule and intensity wouldn't suffice. Therefore, he had to put in extra effort and give it his all.

After memorizing his study materials on the way back to the factory dormitory, Logan washed up and continued studying for another two hours before sleeping for only four hours. Upon waking, he resumed his studies. Every moment outside of work was dedicated to reviewing his notes. After lunch, the first thing he did was sit at his desk and open his books. 

He hadn't been studying for even ten minutes when someone called out from outside the dorm, "Logan, someone's looking for you downstairs."

Logan was puzzled—who would visit him at the factory? He responded and went downstairs, only to see his stepmother, Helen.

Helen approached him quickly, smiling as she greeted him, "Logan."

Logan looked at Helen without a word, his expression cold. 

Helen wasn't embarrassed. She continued, "I've been wanting to visit you at the factory for a while, but your father was angry and wouldn't let me. I didn't handle the room situation well; if I had known you were coming back, I would have prepared a room for you in advance. I've already set up a room for you, and your father has calmed down. Why don't you come home tonight?"

Logan wasn't interested in playing along and simply said, "If there's nothing else, I'll go back."

Seeing him about to leave, Helen hurriedly added, "Logan, it's rare for you to come back from the countryside. Don't let this small matter make you fall out with your father. We really didn't know you were returning. Seeing you and your father argue makes me feel awful."

Logan responded sarcastically, "You must be so happy you laugh in your dreams, right?"

Helen, accustomed to Logan's sharp words, replied, "Why would you think that? I always hope our family can get along and that you and your father can be on good terms. Lucas only has you as a brother, and I hope you two can get along well."

Logan remained silent, letting her continue.

Helen, feeling awkward under Logan's gaze, sighed and said, "If you really don't want to come back, at least take these things. I bought them for you. If you need anything else, just let me know, and I'll bring it next time."

Logan took the bag from her and held out his hand, "Money, tickets."

Helen's expression stiffened. She opened her purse but hadn't yet handed over the money before Logan took the wallet from her. He emptied it of money and tickets, then tossed it back to her and returned to his dorm.

Helen watched him go, clutching her purse, thinking, "He's become even more harsh and unpleasant after his time in the countryside."

After a moment, she put her purse back in her bag and left. When she returned home, her husband Mason and son Lucas were playing ping pong, enjoying themselves. Mason praised Lucas's skills with a smile.

Helen watched them for a moment before Mason noticed her and asked, "Why are you back so late? Did you eat lunch?"

Helen replied, "There was some work at the office, so I stayed a bit longer. I ate at the canteen. I bought a lot of Logan's favorite snacks and visited him at the factory. I tried to persuade him to come home, but he refused and spoke harshly. He took the snacks and emptied my purse before going back to his dorm."

Mason said, "That ungrateful brat. Why did you even visit him? It's better if he doesn't come back. If he does, I'll break his leg to teach him a lesson. I told you not to bother with him. No matter how much you give him or how nice you are, he won't appreciate it and will only show you a sour face. Did he ever write a letter to thank you when he was in the countryside? He didn't even inform us before coming back and wrecked my ping pong table. I haven't even settled the score with him yet!"

Lucas chimed in, "Exactly, he's a cold-hearted freak!"

Helen glared at Lucas without anger and said, "You can't talk about your brother that way. No matter what, he's still your brother."

Lucas replied, "Hmph! He's not my brother!"

Helen sighed and looked at Mason, "He's your son, so he's my son too. I genuinely treat him like my own. But he's never liked me since he was a kid and hasn't accepted me. Maybe I haven't done enough..."

Mason said, "You've done more than enough for him. Do you need to pull your heart out and serve it to him to be good enough? Don't overthink it, and don't bother with him."

Helen sighed, "I really want to, for the sake of family harmony, but with his attitude, what more can I do? All I can do is try to appease him and bring him things he likes..."

***

Food Factory.

Girls' Dormitory.

Six girls sat around a table in the center of the dorm. Jenny flipped through her study guide, excited and happy. "No one else in the factory managed to get this book. Summer, where did you borrow it from?"

Summer didn't give a detailed answer, "Let's start copying. Each of us will copy a section, and we'll share it for studying. I need to return it soon."

Jenny nodded and started copying. With time being tight, they didn't take naps at noon anymore, using every spare moment to study.

When it was time for their afternoon shift, they put away their books and headed to the workshop. After dinner at the canteen, they hurried to their night classes. 

Summer and Jenny arrived early as usual, quickly finding seats in the front row. Not long after they sat down, others began to fill the seats around them. 

Summer glanced to her side and was surprised to see Logan sitting next to her.