Chapter 52
52
It was John Langley, my classmate from sophomore year, the one who had the car accident.
His mother, Victoria Hayes, spoke carefully but with barely contained cagerness. “Lia, I’m so sorry to bother you. I really don’t mean to intrude, but I just have to ask. How’s your research on that Al chip coming along? The one that could help people walk again… Is there hope?
“When John was still in school, he would always come home and talk about you. He said you were the most brilliant person in the world. He believed nothing was too difficult for you. He was certain you’d find a way to develop that chip and help him stand up again.
“Look, I’ve been massaging John’s legs every single day over the years. His muscles are still in great condition, no signs of atrophy at all. If you need anyone for testing, John is ready anytime.”
Her face was filled with hope, so earnest and desperate.
My hands clenched tightly at my sides without me realizing it.”
I didn’t know how to respond. I didn’t know how to tell her that I had long since given up on that research.
I was nothing now, just a complete failure.
Victoria looked like she wanted to say more, but John cut her off with a lighthearted laugh, skillfully steering the
conversation away and gently ushering her elsewhere.
After Victoria walked away, John looked at me with a deep sense of apology.
“I’m sorry, Lia. After my injury, my mom was devastated. She cried every day, feeling like there was no future for us. She even thought about leaving this world with me, worried that when she got older, she wouldn’t be able to take care of me and I’d end up living a miserable life.
“I told her about your research on the AI chip, and I kept telling her every day that you would succeed, that there was hope for her to keep going.”
I just stared at him, unsure of what to say.
Even though I had long since stopped the research, even if I had kept going, I still might not have succeeded. Not all ideas can be turned into reality.
I couldn’t help but feel guilty for giving up before seeing it through, as if I had let down the people who believed in me.
John was thoughtful enough not to continue that topic. Instead, he said, “A while ago, I contacted our class president, hoping he could help me find your contact information. I never expected to run into you like this today. “Lia, I know you’ve been the one supporting my family all these years, and I really can’t thank you enough. Without you, we wouldn’t have made it through those tough times.
“I know we can’t offer you anything in return, but I just want to say that if you ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me first.
“Also, thanks to your help, my family is now financially stable. We don’t need anyone sending us money anymore. Please, use that money to help others who are in greater need.”
When someone who has received help during difficult times finally overcomes those struggles, they naturally want others in desperate situations to receive the same kind of help they got.
As he spoke, John pulled out his phone, wanting to add me on WhatsApp and return the money I had previously
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+25 BONUS
given him.
John has always been such a good person, and even though life dealt him a harsh blow, it never tarnished his kind
nature.
As we were leaving, Victoria caught up with us. She was holding two chickens in her hands, insisting that I take
them.
“These are chickens we raised ourselves. They only cat pure grains, and the grains are grown by us. There’s no chemicals, and it’s all organic. You’re working so hard on research, using your mind all the time. You need to take good care of your health”
After several refusals, I couldn’t turn her down, so I accepted them. As we were about to leave, I could see from the way Victoria looked at me that she was clearly waiting for me to say something.
I turned to Cordelia and asked her to hold onto the chickens.
Looking at Victoria with a serious manner, I said, “ I can’t promise you that this chip will definitely be a success, but I will do everything in my power to make it work.”
Even though I gave up on the research back then, when I finally had the financial means, my first action was to anonymously invest in the lab, continuing the related research.
However, there hadn’t been much progress yet.
I didn’t know if my involvement will make any difference, but I would put in my best effort to make this work.
When Victoria heard my words, her eyes welled up with tears. “I believe in you, Lia! I’m very sure you will succeed!
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Chooter 53
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