Chapter 672 - 668: Temporary Leave of Absence

Jasmine could completely relate to her younger sister’s reaction.

She had felt the exact same way when she first arrived in Lorcain. Everything was new and exciting, and her world had expanded.

"You’ve only just arrived," Jasmine said. "Once you’ve recovered a bit more, I’ll take you to some gatherings. You can meet new people, and you’ll get used to things in no time."

Jasmine knew she had to give her sister time to adjust. A sudden move to Lorcain was a lot to take in. Even with a house and a car, a sense of belonging was something that took time to build.

To her surprise, Yvonne said, "I’ve already settled in, Jasmine. I think Lorcain is great!"

Jasmine was taken aback. Her sister continued with a cheerful laugh, "At first, I didn’t want to come because I was scared. But now that I’m here, it doesn’t seem like a big deal at all. The most important thing is that we’re together again. Wherever we are, that’s home!"

"That’s right! Aunt Yvonne is right!" Cecilia couldn’t help but chime in. "As long as we’re together, that’s what matters most!"

Jasmine nodded and looked at Brendan. "Have you settled in too, Brendan?"

Brendan laughed. "You forgot, Jasmine? My family’s from up north!"

"Jasmine," Yvonne began, "Brendan and I were talking. We’ve saved up a little money, and we were thinking of starting a business when it warms up in the spring. We’re still young, you know. We can’t just sit around and let Cecilia support us."

"Aunt Yvonne, I can afford it!"

Yvonne smiled and looked at Cecilia. "I know you’re capable, sweetie, but we can’t be parasites. Besides, people need to stay busy. If you’re idle for too long, you just fall apart. Look at your mom. Now that she has her own business to keep her busy, she has more energy than ever."

Brendan nodded in agreement. "Your aunt is right. We can’t just sit around."

"I’m not against you starting a business, but it can’t be something too exhausting," Cecilia said bluntly. "So that roasted meats shop that would have you waking up in the middle of the night is out of the question. There are plenty of opportunities in Lorcain. If you don’t know what to do, I can help you."

With that one sentence, she had completely shut down Brendan’s idea.

"But making roasted meats is the best skill I’ve got!"

"Then you can just make it for us at home once in a while," Cecilia replied. "Pulling all-nighters all the time is bad for your health."

Jasmine agreed with her daughter. Looking at her sister, she said, "Why don’t you listen to Cecilia? You could come and learn the ropes with me, and then you could help manage one of my branch locations. Your personality is well-suited for a leadership role."

"Jasmine, you’ve got some nerve," Yvonne joked. "Aren’t you afraid I’ll run your business into the ground if you hand it over to me?"

"I’d only feel at ease if it were in your hands."

Lily looked at her aunt. "Aunt Yvonne, you’re probably braver than Mom is! Mom learned how to do business through trial and error, too. She really pushed herself, and look at her now—she’s got it all figured out. You’ll be fine."

The others chimed in to encourage her, all agreeing that the two sisters going into business together was the best option.

Yvonne couldn’t fend off their encouragement. She was tempted, but she didn’t fully commit. "Alright, alright. I’ll think about it. If I can’t think of anything else to do, I’ll give it a shot."

Everyone’s faces lit up at her words, feeling that it was practically a done deal.

"There’s one more thing."

Cecilia’s expression suddenly turned serious, drawing everyone’s attention.

"It’s about Ronald’s education." Cecilia said, turning to her aunt and uncle. "Aunt Yvonne, Uncle Brendan, I’m planning for Ronald to take a leave of absence from school for now."

"A leave of absence?" Yvonne asked, slightly startled.

Cecilia nodded. "I know I’m overstepping by making this decision, but it makes no difference whether Ronald finishes his program at that vocational college or not. You all know Ronald—he’s a good kid in every way, but studying is the one thing he has absolutely no talent for."

Ronald lowered his head in shame, but it was an undisputed fact known to everyone in the family.

He was honest, kind, and mature, but he just couldn’t handle academics.

"He’s in the prime of his youth. I don’t want him to waste four years at that college. And who even picked his major? ’Automobile Modification’?"

’That major isn’t even legal!’

’It’s obvious the school is just a diploma mill!’

"Ronald, was this your idea?" Yvonne asked, turning to her son.

Ronald quickly shook his head. "Mom, I would never dare to suggest something like that. It was Cecilia’s decision after she looked into my school and my major. I’m not sure about it myself, but I trust her."

"Cecilia, I trust you too," Brendan said after some thought, stating his position first. He then looked at Cecilia and asked, "But if Ronald takes a leave of absence, what do you plan for him to do?"

After all, he was only nineteen years old.

Cecilia stated frankly, "He can do whatever he wants. Or he can do nothing at all for a while."

"Huh?" Yvonne was taken aback, not understanding what Cecilia meant.

Cecilia nodded seriously. "That’s really what I think. I asked Ronald what he’s interested in, and he said he doesn’t know. That means he’s still lost when it comes to his future."

"If he doesn’t have any interests now, then we should wait. Just because he doesn’t have any now doesn’t mean he never will. Interests and talents need to be discovered. The environment here in Lorcain is much better for that; it’s certainly better than keeping him cooped up in that college."

"So he’s really not going to school?" Yvonne was still hesitant. From a traditional point of view, someone Ronald’s age should be in school.

"Aunt Yvonne, it’s not about him stopping his education for good. It’s a temporary leave of absence. I want to give him time to explore, to settle in, to figure out what his real interests and aspirations are. *Then* he can go back to school!"

"When that time comes, I’ll send him to the best school and give him the best resources. This diploma mill is just wasting his youth right now. Other people might be forced to get that diploma out of necessity, but Ronald doesn’t have to. Because as his cousin, I’ll be his safety net!"

Brendan clearly understood. He nodded and said, "Cecilia has a point. Ronald won’t learn anything by staying in that school. He’s never been cut out for academics, even as a kid. Instead of wasting his time, he might as well enjoy his youth a little."

Sarah gasped and covered her mouth. "Wow, how come I wasn’t born at a better time?"

Although Yvonne only partially understood, her trust in Cecilia won out in the end. She nodded. "Alright. I admit I don’t have any better ideas, and I’d never be brave enough to do something this bold myself. But I trust that you’re doing this for Ronald’s own good, so you have my support!"

"S-so I don’t have to go back to that lousy school in Veridia?" Ronald’s eyes lit up.

Sarah sighed enviously. "You’re so lucky. Man, I’m about to start my internship, otherwise I’d quit too!"

Cecilia gave Sarah a gentle smile. "Sarah, being a flight attendant is a tough job. If you don’t want to do it, you can tell me."

"I was just talking, Cecilia," Sarah said. "I’ve already come this far in my studies, and my internship is starting soon. How could I just quit now?"

The flight attendant program had strict requirements. Even though it was at a technical college, the tuition wasn’t cheap. Her family had spent a lot of money on her education over the past few years, and she didn’t want to just throw it all away.

Cecilia didn’t interfere with her cousin’s decision. She knew that in her past life, Sarah had met her future husband on a flight. She ended up marrying well and living a very happy life.