Chapter 6
That evening, Mom asked the housekeeper to make a pot of chicken soup.
She tossed in a few extra spoonfuls of salt.
Then, carrying the soup, she took me along and headed to Capital University to visit Joseph.
When we got to the faculty office, Joseph was busy prepping for his classes, and Dad was there too.
Mom had already looked into it, Dad was invited by the university to help out with a few military theory classes today.
But when she walked in, she put on a surprised face, like she hadn't expected to see him.
She passed the chicken soup to Joseph.
"It's getting cold, so I made you some soup. It's my first time making soup, so give it a try. If it tastes bad, I'll work on it some more next time."
Joseph looked surprised for a moment, then gave her a quiet, stern look and said,
"Don't you see James is here? You two have been at each other for so long. Isn't it about time you stopped?"
Mom didn't argue back, and she didn't mention that Nina was still living with them.
She meekly served Joseph a bowl of soup.
Then she filled another bowl and set it in front of Dad.
"Why don't you try some too."
Dad looked a bit awkward.
Joseph took a sip and frowned.
He said, "I should've guessed you made this."
"Only you could make it this salty."
Surprisingly, Dad spoke up for Mom for a change.
He said, "Honestly, I think it's pretty good. Not bad for your first time."
Joseph muttered his complaints, but he couldn't hide the smile in his eyes.
He said, "Always got Claire's back, huh?"
Mom lowered her eyes, looking all quiet and submissive.
But I noticed a faint, icy smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.
For once, they actually had a peaceful chat for quite a while.
By the time Joseph was all smiles, even Dad's expression had warmed up.
That was when Mom, as if it was nothing, casually mentioned that my condition had improved a lot.
She wanted to get me into that top elementary school, but they wouldn't take me.
Joseph answered right away, not even pausing to think.
"I'm pretty close with Principal Shaw over there. Let me talk to him, I'll get Annie in to sit in on classes for now."
Mom's face lit up with surprise and delight.
She said, "Thanks, Joseph. I'm always relying on you for everything."
Dad didn't seem to like that comment.
He spoke up, "That elementary school isn't exactly close to the compound."
"Once everything's settled and it's convenient, I'll drive Annie to and from school whenever I can. I'll go have a word with the teachers and let them know about Annie. She's a bit shy, so she doesn't get picked on."
With a grateful smile, Mom served Dad another bowl of soup.
And then it was a moment I could catch a picture that Dad got his ears reddened as if he was shy.
It was like he wasn't drinking soup at all, but some kind of strong liquor.
He then added, "Oh, by the way, Colonel Zane's brother is coming back next week. He's a real heavyweight in heart and lung medicine, one of the best out there. Honestly, Annie really needs a top-notch heart doctor."
Mom smiled softly, her eyes dropping as she finally got everything off her chest.
On the way back, there was still a little soup left.
Thinking about how Mark and Dad had both drunk it and seemed happy, I couldn't help but try a sip myself.
But as soon as the soup touched my tongue, it was so salty I immediately spit it out.
"How did Uncle Joseph and Dad even swallow that stuff?" I asked, out of curiosity.
Mom let out a laughter.
She poured out the rest of the soup and wiped her hands meticulously.
Only then did she reach out, pat my head, and say,
"Guess they just have a taste for things that aren't any good."
I got into a really good elementary school.
Thanks to Joseph and Dad putting in a good word for me, the teachers and kids at school were all super friendly.
I always learned things way slower than the other kids.
Every night after school, Mom would help me catch up on my lessons.
I kept getting treatment for my brain and my heart.
Little by little, I stopped being so slow-witted, and my heart problems finally stopped flaring up.
By the time I reached third grade, my mind was just as sharp as any other kid, and I was healthy too.
My grades went from the very bottom of the class to above average, though it took a lot of effort.
By fourth grade, I came in seventh place in my class and got my very first award.
When Mom came to pick me up from school, she was so happy, her eyes were shining with tears of joy.
Even after my mind was back to normal, I still kept up my old habits, early mornings and late nights, pouring all my time and energy into my studies.
When I started middle school, Mom used Joseph and Dad's connections again. She got me into the top class, with the best teachers.
She even lined up the best tutors for me after school.
Dad and Nina still couldn't let go of each other, and Joseph kept supporting her.
Mom said Nina just had that main character aura.
For us side characters, it was enough to just focus on living our own lives.
As for what was taken from us, if it could be snatched away so easily, it wasn't worth holding onto anyway.