?


    "No, they won''t!" Renee cried.


    Renee hurriedly interrupted Joanne''s self-denial. She held Joanne''s shoulders and began to encourage thetter.


    "You have no idea how great you were! You were the most popr Cienna teacher in Lone Pine Elementary. You even helped your student to win an essaypetition. You had talent in teaching. But you''ve had a bumpy life, and you didn''t get the chance to refine your resume.


    "But don''t worry! There are many ways to improve yourself. For example, you can take up college self-study sses and sign up for a foreignnguage course. You can try getting some technical qualifications. I''m sure it won''t be hard for you, given your talent."


    Previously, Quinton had asionally mentioned that Joanne was good at her studies. She was always at the top of her ss in elementary school, middle school, and high school. She was the candidate that could go to a good college.


    Unfortunately, her fate was full of thorns. She had a terrible family; a violent father, a timid mother, and a


    scumbag of a brother. They stopped Joanne from going to school, wanting her to marry the son of a small shop owner in the neighboring vige instead.


    The day before the college entrance examination, something happened. Quinton escaped that house with Joanne because he could no longer tolerate it.


    Hence, Joanne lost the chance to sit for the exam. She led a wandering life with Quinton and tried to earn their living in Water Dock. She never returned to school.


    In Quinton''s words, Joanne was a lily blooming in the mud. She was pure but fallen. The fact she couldn''t go to college was probably her biggest regret.


    Joanne''s eyes brightened; though in disbelief, she asked Renee warily, "Really? I''m not young anymore. Can I still sign up for college?"Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    "Of course! You''re only in your twenties! Even if you''re in your seventies or eighties, you can still sit for the college entrance examination if you want to, Renee reassured Joanne firmly.


    "Then, what should I do?"


    Joanne''s biggest regret was not going to college. She had yet to experience a college student''s life, and couldn''t learn what she wanted.


    If she had the chance to take the path she had imagined so often, she would find her life to be less rotten. She could probably grow better and find something beautiful in her rotten soul.


    "Do you want to take the college entrance examination?'' Renee asked casually. She didn''t expect such interest from Joanne, whose hope and eagerness moved her deeply.


    Joanne was akin to a drowning victim who had lost all hope, but finally opened her eyes to grab the rope. She wanted to climb, survive, and lead a proper life.


    "Mm, yes! I want to!" Joanne nodded firmly. "I want to go to college and sit in the lecture hall. I want to take in the vast knowledge and be deserving of being a teacher."


    "Then get moving! Buy textbooks, self-study, register, and take the exam!" Renee said.


    She told Joanne the standard procedures and patted her chest.


    She added confidently, "If you''re okay with it, I can be your tutor. Honestly, I was one of the very best students from BC University. I think there won''t be any problem for me to help you get an undergraduate degree."