Chapter 545: Where There’s Life, There’s Hope
"Have another bowl."
Grandma Xu didn’t take no for an answer and ladled another bowl for him. Mark Xavier ate it gratefully. Only then did Armstrong Huxley say, "You’re sleeping with me tonight. I have something to talk to you about."
Mark Xavier froze for a moment, then nodded obediently. Armstrong Huxley shot Tang Xiaonan a smug look, raising his eyebrows. ’When a man gets things done, he doesn’t need a bunch of reasons. He just does it.’
Clayton Xavier, however, was a bit puzzled. After Mark Xavier left, he asked, "Is something going on?"
Tang Xiaonan didn’t hide it from him and explained the whole situation, hoping Clayton Xavier might have a good solution.
Clayton Xavier frowned slightly. ’No wonder Tang Xiaonan made a special trip over here in this heat. That girl really is warm-hearted. But watching him every day isn’t a viable solution. The only way is to completely extinguish Mark Xavier’s will to die.’
But unless they could get Mark’s father to change his mind, the outcome was unchangeable.
Clayton Xavier pondered for a moment before saying, "Actually, there is one way. If we can find a good man for Kelley Xavier, she can still take the college entrance exam even after getting married."
When the college entrance exam was reinstated last year, there were plenty of married people who took it. It was common to see people attending university while carrying their babies. If Kelley Xavier could find a like-minded partner and they could both study for the exam together, it would be great for the couple to advance together.
Tang Xiaonan’s eyes lit up, and she exclaimed, "Why don’t we have Mark Xavier ask if his sister has a boyfriend at school? They could just... you know, get married early, and that would solve it."
She had wanted to say they could force the issue, but she was afraid of scaring the actual children present, so she swallowed her words.
Amanda Chapman nodded vigorously. "That’s a great idea! My older cousin said several people in his class are dating, and some have even kissed!"
Tang Xiaonan’s eyes went wide. She huffed, annoyed, "Why didn’t Big Brother tell me that?"
’He didn’t tell me such juicy gossip, but he told Amanda Chapman instead. So infuriating!’
"You’re still little. Why would you need to hear about that stuff?"
Amanda Chapman put on the air of a grown-up and gently pinched Tang Xiaonan’s cheek a few times. ’My cousin is too young. Of course, she can’t hear about such sordid things.’
Tang Xiaonan rolled her eyes, not bothering to argue with a child. Clayton Xavier watched in amusement. ’This chubby girl is really something,’ he thought. ’But—’
"Kelley Xavier wouldn’t be dating anyone. Her opportunity to study was hard-won; she’d never neglect her schoolwork."
Clayton Xavier’s tone was certain. He wasn’t familiar with Kelley Xavier—they had only met a few times and had never even spoken—but he could understand her. If he were in her shoes, he would also cherish this hard-won opportunity to study and wouldn’t even think about things like romance.
Tang Xiaonan deflated again. ’Is there really no way to help Kelley Xavier?’
’If Mark Xavier doesn’t die, does that mean Kelley Xavier won’t become a famous author?’
’If Kelley Xavier becomes a famous author, does it have to be at the cost of Mark Xavier’s life?’
She remembered the author saying that Kelley Xavier was a lifelong bachelorette and suffered from severe depression. This meant that Mark Xavier’s death had inflicted a lifetime of pain on Kelley, something she probably could never get over, even until the day she died.
’So, if she had the choice, Kelley Xavier would probably rather give up her education than let her younger brother die.’
"Let’s just focus on saving Mark Xavier’s life for now. We can worry about Kelley Xavier’s situation later. Even if she does get married, she can always get a divorce!" Armstrong Huxley was open-minded, and though he wasn’t old, his words held a certain philosophy.
Tang Xiaonan felt relieved as well. ’As long as there’s life, there’s hope. So, regardless of whether Kelley Xavier gets married or not, Mark Xavier cannot die.’
"Clayton, how’s your father’s health?"
Grandma Xu finished washing the basin, came out to return it to Clayton Xavier, and took the opportunity to ask about Storm Xavier’s health. "I haven’t seen that fella show his face in days."