As with Joan and Nancy, they were both laughing heartily.
After chatting for a while, Nancy announced, “Larry, Joan, we have good news for you— Caspian and I are getting married!” With a contented smile on her face, Nancy shared her joy with the other two persons in the room.
Seeing as such, Joan laughed as well. “Silly girl, do you really think we don’t know when you’re getting married? Rest assured, Larry and I have already prepared the cash gift for you.”
“Really? How much are you preparing, Joan?” As soon as he heard the word ‘cash’, Caspian’s eyes lit up with anticipation as he turned to Joan, drooling.
Cash gift from Boss! That must be a formidable sum! Caspian was gleeful.
“Look at you!”
Nancy gave Caspian a forehead flick. “We should be glad that Joan and Larry can be there at our wedding. The cash gift isn’t as important.”
It was so painful that tears almost streamed down Caspian’s face. Seeing that, he quickly declared his true feelings, “That’s right. We don’t need any cash gifts, but if you insist on that, we can’t turn it down either.”
Ignoring Caspian who was obsessed with money, Nancy asked Joan, “Joan, I heard that both of you graduated from Bainewich College. Is that true?”
All of a sudden, Joan was startled. College years, that’s such a long time ago.
During her first days in college, she was full of anticipation for a wonderful student life. And just as she had wished, she met the love of her life in college.
However, regrettably, she dropped out of college during her second year when she fell sick. Not finishing college was Joan’s greatest regret in life.
Joan’s heart sank at the thought of that. Smiling wistfully, she replied, “Yes, we were in Bainewich College then, but sadly I dropped out due to some personal reasons during my second year over there, and I’ve never returned ever since.”
“That’s such a coincidence. I graduated from Bainewich College as well. I can’t believe we went to the same college. It’s really a pity that you didn’t finish college, Joan. That’s an important stage in our life!” Nancy bemoaned Joan’s missed college life, and regrets were written all over her face.
Caspian, on the contrary, was cool about that. “What’s wrong with not attending college? I didn’t even finish high school, and yet, here I am, living so well. If you ask me, I’d say that going to college is just a waste of time. There’s not much of use.”
“What do you know about that? You haven’t even attended one, of course you won’t understand the pleasure from it.”
Caspian and Nancy were soon at loggerheads again.
Looking at the couple engaging in intense dispute, Larry ruffled his hair wearily while Joan was deeply absorbed in her memory of the past.
Larry knew that Joan didn’t get over the fact that she didn’t complete her studies in college.
After giving it some thought, Larry made a decision on his own.
After spending some time at the Norton Residence, Caspian and Nancy left.
After seeing the two of them off, Larry looked at Joan who still appeared absent-minded, and asked, “Joan, I have something to ask you.”
“Yes? Ask away,” Joan replied with a smile.
“Are you very bothered about not finishing your studies at college?” Looking deeply into Joan’s eyes, Larry asked in a solemn manner.
“Well, not really, but I do feel a little uncomfortable about it.”
Joan was trying to avoid having eye contact with Larry, but seeing the way he stared at her, she gritted her teeth and spoke the truth.
“I didn’t think I was worthy of you, and I didn’t even finish college. That’s as good as not receiving higher education. How would other people perceive me when I’m standing next to you? They’ll certainly think that I’m not good enough to be the wife of the president of Norton Corporation.”
Joan’s tone was filled with desolation. It appeared that her dropping out of college contributed to an even more self-abased Joan.
