Hilda chimed in immediately. “That’s right. You’ve promised Carlisle that you would quit smoking if he


    got into university. You cannot renege on your words! It’s time to quit smoking!”


    Gordon didn’t hesitate. He threw the half packet of cigarettes in his hands into the trash, Carlisle had


    promising future. He couldn’t let Carlisle look down on him.


    Carlisle sniggered. “Moth, you have to keep a close watch on Dad. If I find out that he smoked, I will


    start


    smoking too!”


    He was stricter than he had ever been before.


    When he was seriously ill in his past life, Gordon often coughed. He would even cough up blood


    asionally


    So, Carlisle suspected that Gordon had lung cancer. He guessed that Gordon hid it from him and Hilda


    so that Gordon could save up the money for him instead.


    “Will do. I will have him sleep on the streets if he takes another smoke!” Hilda red at Gordon.


    She had always been against Gordon smoking, but he never heeded her advice. Now that Carlisle had


    brought this topic up, she would make sure that Gordon quit smoking even if it meant that they’d end


    up


    getting a divorce!


    After lunch, Gordon brought Carlisle to the bank.


    After much persuasion by Carlisle, Gordon agreed to deposit only 10 thousand dors into his ount.


    Time flew by. It was soon near the end of the holidays.


    Carlisle had booked a train ticket toward Rivend. As for Sean, he chose to enroll in Rivend’s


    University of Science and Technology.


    Both universities were not far from each other.


    Rory came to pick Carlisle up and drive him to the train station.


    Gordon and Hilda stood at the door as they bid their goodbyes to Carlisle. They couldn’t bear to part


    with


    him.


    Hilda hadn’t slept all night. With tears in her eyes, she said, “Make sure you eat well when you’re at


    school. Don’t you think ofing back if you’ve lost weight!”


    Carlisle noticed the few strands of white hair on Hilda’s head. He felt a lump rise in his throat. “The


    same goes for both of you. Don’t always think about saving up money for me. I can earn my own keep!”


    Gordon and Hilda had been worried for him for half their lives. They didn’t even have a piece of nice


    clothing with them. Once he had earned enough and bought a house in the city, he nned to bring


    them over and give them a good life..


    That day wouldn’t be too far away!


    273


    “Alright, hurry up and get in the car. The train waits for no man!”


    Gordon put Carlisle’s luggage into the trunk. Then, he took out a packet of Sobranie cigarettes and


    stuffed. it in Rory’s hands. “Drive safe, Rory!”


    “You’re too kind, Gordon… I have more than enough cigarettes. Keep these for yourself!” Rory


    chuckled


    and refused Gordon’s gesture.


    Gordon didn’t know whether tough or to cry. He exined, “I made a bet with Carlisle. I said that I


    would quit smoking if he got into university!”


    “Oh, that means you lost the bet?” Rory sniggered.


    “Obviously. So, I’ve now quit smoking. Keep it!”


    “Alright then!”


    Rory epted the cigarettes and put them into his pocket. “It’s gettingte. I need to hurry and send


    them to the station. Talk to you bothter!”


    “Okay. Have a safe journey!”


    Gordon waved.


    Carlisle waved back at them from the car. “Take care, Mom and Dad!”


    At that moment, tears started flowing down Hilda’s face. She covered her mouth as she waved


    goodbye


    silently.


    Even though it had been a while since they left, Hilda remained standing at the same spot and stared


    nkly ahead.


    Gordon’s eyes were red. He curled his lip and asked, “Look at you. What’s there to cry about?”


    “Carlisle has never gone so far away from home. I’m not sure if he’ll be able to adapt well!” Hilda


    choked.


    “He’s already an adult. He knows how to take care of himself!”


    Gordon looked in the direction where the car had left. He reached into his pocket to feel for a cigarette


    out of habit.


    Rainville was four hours away from Rivend.


    There was no air conditioning on the train, and it was extremely crowded. Even the aisles were filled


    with. passengers. Despite all the windows being open, the temperature in the carriage remained high.


    Carlisle and Sean had their own seats.


    There were six people squeezed together in a four–seater.


    This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.


    The train started moving,


    Sean remarked excitedly, “Here’s to new adventures and a new chapter in life!”


    Carlisle rested his chin on his hands as he looked at the scenery that was speeding past him outside.


    There was a glimmer in his eyes.


    In his previous lite, he had not gone to university. In this life, he had gotten into Rivend University.


    The moment the train departed marked the official beginning of his new life.