Chapter 713 Sisters and “Sisters”
North District, Backlund University of Technology.
Sunday morning marked the end of the entrance examination, which lasted for a day and a half. Many parents of students gathered at the university gate, waiting for the candidates to leave the examination room.
Most of them were respectable gentlemen and ladies, who looked at the huge steam locomotive in the square in front of the school with concerned but not anxious eyes, looking at the teaching building which was becoming increasingly noisy. However, there were also a few parents wearing work clothes such as workers' canvas pants and postman uniforms.
The latter looked obviously cramped and nervous. Compared with the middle-class families who made more choices, this exam concerned the future of their entire family.
Some distance away, on the side of the square, a man who looked to be over thirty, wearing a silk hat and a thin black suit, was looking up at a retired locomotive with a distinctly industrial aesthetic. Beside him stood a young woman with long light blond hair and a round face, who spoke slowly:
"...After the first batch of trains equipped with improved steam engines gradually replaced the old locomotives, the Technical College bought back this retired locomotive, which was about to be demolished, and used it as one of the college's external attractions. After the Technical College was upgraded to the University of Industry and Technology, the entire square was preserved..."
As she introduced herself, Benson Moretti, who looked older than his peers, with dark hair and brown eyes with wrinkles around the corners, nodded repeatedly. His curious eyes lingered on the intricate pipes and rust marks on the locomotive, and he suddenly asked:
"Will it still work?"
"I think it should be OK. After all, it's just old, not broken. But maybe I should ask Melissa. She knows more about these industrial products."
The woman replied with a smile, her eyes moving towards the teaching building where candidates were leaving.
Among the crowd of people, some excited and some frustrated, a girl with black hair tied behind her head and a pencil bag in her hand strode towards this side, with an unconcealable joy on her face.
Seeing the other person's expression, Benson finally felt relieved.
He knew how much his sister had prepared for the entrance exam, and if she felt it was okay, she would definitely pass.
"Benson!" Melissa waved and greeted him from a distance. Then her gaze fell on the blonde woman beside him, and her tone immediately changed. "...Brother, why are you with Miss Lily?"
"Benson told me you finished your exam today, so I came to see you. I didn't expect to run into him." Lily Granger, wearing a light green dress that made her blonde hair even more dazzling, didn't hide her concern for Melissa. "How did you do on the exam? I heard the test was set by the newly appointed Professor Mormont. He's well-known for his strictness at Backlund University."
"The previous questions were indeed difficult, but the final essay question was about the applications of radio communications that have emerged in recent years. I... happened to have read relevant books and have a basic understanding of them."
Melissa frowned at first, but then she changed the subject and smiled.
"It looks like you'll be my schoolmate in two months. Congratulations, Melissa!"
"Thanks!"
After exchanging pleasantries, the three of them left the square where the steam locomotive was displayed and walked towards the crowded gate not far away.
As a student who had been here for two years, Lily naturally introduced the newly reorganized school. Melissa listened with a twinkle in her eyes, looking forward to her upcoming college life. Benson occasionally joined in the conversation, skillfully guiding Lily so that her introduction would not get stuck on unpopular topics.
When passing the gate facing the street, Melissa saw a one-meter-high temporary wooden platform next to the door, with tables and chairs on it. Several men and women, who were obviously not dressed like students, were busy around it. Many students and parents gathered around them, and noisy conversations could be heard constantly.
"What's that?" she asked curiously, her eyes fixed on the half-obstructed banner. "Student Fund..."
There was also confusion in Lily's eyes. When she passed by here after school two days ago, it was just an empty lot.
"It's the Loen Charity Student Aid Fund." Benson paused and explained with a smile, "It was only established this week under the leadership of the Goddess Church, but several nobles and wealthy businessmen have already made large donations. The Kingdom's Ministry of Finance will send a team to participate in the operation and ensure the safety of the funds. I have submitted an application to join this team."
“Why should the Ministry of Finance be involved in the running of charities?”
Lily's light-colored eyebrows moved, attracting Benson's attention, and she asked a question at the right time.
"Because their main target of assistance is students from various public schools. The Royal Government has just expanded its workforce and is very interested in anything they can get involved in... and as a formal employee of the Ministry of Finance, doing this well will help with my year-end evaluation, um, and increase my weekly salary."
Benson explained with great enthusiasm, clearly very satisfied with this system that allowed him to improve his salary through his own efforts.
He was more outspoken and confident than before, perhaps because he had completed his internship and became a formal government employee, or perhaps because Miss Lily was by his side...
Melissa's lips curled up slightly, and her gaze left the two people in front of her who were getting closer due to their conversation, and looked towards the "Loen Charity Student Aid Fund" propaganda stand not far away, and suddenly stopped at a woman.
So beautiful... No, Benson said that directly praising a woman like this is actually rude in Backlund, but I can't think of any other words... Melissa stared blankly for a few seconds before looking away with difficulty.
Black hair, purple eyes, if they were still there, if they… Melissa blinked quickly, only to find Lily in front of her walking towards the wooden platform hesitantly.
…
"Christine, thank you for your advice last time. That's why I paid attention to how my attire blended in with the surroundings when I went to other schools with the staff from the scholarship fund to hold promotional events the last two times..."
During a break in distributing flyers, Audrey, who was wearing a white long dress, a veiled hat, and no jewelry except for an inconspicuous bracelet on her wrist, whispered to Angel beside her.
Her gratitude came from the heart.
When she went to a public elementary school on the edge of the East Side, Audrey finally understood what her "normal" living standards and dress meant in the eyes of poor students, and what she should really care about as a trustee of a charitable foundation.
In the past few days, apart from necessary social activities, she has devoted herself to the operation of the fund and plans to compile a work manual suitable for the scholarship fund. In addition to the professional part, it also includes the dress and etiquette that should be paid attention to when contacting applicants from different regions and classes.
This was not difficult for Audrey, who was well versed in etiquette for various occasions, had a considerable knowledge of grammar, and was even an "audience" who could read people's expressions. However, she had no knowledge of this before Angel reminded her.
Not only me, but also my family and servants didn't realize this. They felt that for a daughter of an earl to go out in public dressed like I was meant to signify that the Hall family was facing a serious financial crisis. She shouldn't act arrogantly in front of the public, but should maintain aristocratic etiquette...
She muttered to herself as she took the scholarship application form from another staff member, checked it briefly, and put it in the file bag. Then, because the "Queen" lady next to her did not respond, she looked over curiously and happened to see a flash of surprise on the latter's face.
If it weren't for the "audience's" keen observation, she would have gotten away with it... Audrey immediately shifted her gaze, following the other person's line of sight, and saw a young woman walking towards the publicity stand.
"Hello, I'd like to ask, do you accept donations?"
The woman, with long, light blond hair tied neatly behind her head, gem-like purple eyes, and a reassuring round face, looked around and finally chose Audrey, then came to her table and asked.
"I'm sorry, we're not accepting private donations at the moment, but you can learn about the application requirements for the scholarship fund and introduce it to those in need. This will also help us and them."
Audrey gave a genuine smile and rejected the woman's enthusiasm.
This was the conclusion reached at the first board meeting after the establishment of the scholarship fund. Due to sufficient funds, there was no need to worry about operational issues for the time being. Everyone decided to wait until everything was on track before accepting donations from the public. Before that, Audrey would raise funds from the government, nobles, and wealthy businessmen to avoid operational problems and negative news to the greatest extent.
Recalling these contents in her mind, Audrey handed a beautifully printed flyer to the enthusiastic blonde woman. At the same time, she observed her with a natural expression, trying to understand why she had attracted the attention of Miss "Queen", and even her expression changed slightly.
Upon closer inspection, the "hypnotist" immediately discovered the key.
Long blond hair, purple eyes, and a different face shape, but her features bear some resemblance to Angelica Sage, the "Golden Queen" with a £100,000 bounty on her head...
"Justice" was an idea that popped up in Audrey's mind uncontrollably.
She immediately convinced herself to bury it deep in her heart, and calmly watched the lost blonde woman slowly leave. She met up with a man with a receding hairline but a serious demeanor like a government employee who was waiting not far away, and walked out of the school gate accompanied by another black-haired girl who seemed to be underage.
After memorizing the three people's appearances, gaits, subtle movements, and other characteristics, Audrey pretended to look casually at the "Queen" beside her and said:
"What a kind young lady, aren't you, Christine."
"yes……"
Angel also sighed, and withdrew his gaze from the backs of Lily, Melissa, and Benson, looking at Audrey's burning gaze beside him, and felt a sense of guilt for no reason.
Next time, it will be Klein's turn to accompany this young lady who is passionate about charity and is also a Beyonder of the "audience" path!
She thought bitterly, feeling a sense of anticipatory gloating, but also a bit worried that this audience member might discover something about Klein that she shouldn't know, like last night...
————
After finishing his work at the Loen Charity Student Aid Fund, Angel returned to his residence and had lunch. Before he had time to take a good nap, he was informed by his butler, Ribak, that Baron Sindras was visiting again.
I hope it’s not another conspiracy by that demigod “audience”. Anyone would be annoyed if the same trick happened twice… She muttered as she received the baron at the same place as last week. The only difference was that Angel’s butler and the baron’s personal servant were present.
"After what happened last week, I'm very relieved and sorry that you allowed me to come in here."
After sitting down, without much greeting, Baron Sindras implicitly apologized for last week's farce, then took a document from his valet and handed it to Angel.
The latter took it, and his puzzled eyes shifted from the baron to the document in his hand, and found that it was a property certification document and an accompanying transfer contract.
"Your Excellency, Baron, what is this?"
She asked back curiously, but a hint of anticipation arose in her heart.
"After you sign your name, this winery on the outskirts of Backlund will belong to you," Syndras said calmly, leaning back on the sofa. "This is my 'apology'."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
