Chapter 8: Youthful Innocence Unchanged

Words : 1859 Updated : Mar 27th, 2025

Though the southern weather lacked heavy snow, it was still bone-chillingly damp, especially after a drizzle, making the cold seep into the bones. The house was empty inside, without even a blanket in sight. Jimmy had considered going out to buy one, but just then, Celeste walked in, bringing over a bedding set. After a brief chat, she hurried off. That night, wrapped in the faint scent of the bedding, Jimmy fell into a deep, peaceful sleep. The next day, Celeste arrived at Jimmy's place. Together, they cleaned the house thoroughly. Although they hadn't seen each other for years, Celeste visibly brightened upon learning that Jimmy wasn't the criminal people around had painted him to be. She chatted about her college life, reminiscing about their school days, becoming the chatty girl she used to be as if they had traveled back ten years. In just over an hour, they cleaned the slightly run-down house, making even the air feel fresh. "Finally done, Jimmy. Let's go out and get some New Year goods," Celeste said, wiping the sweat from her brow, her face beaming with happiness. "Sure, we'll head out in a bit," Jimmy replied with a gentle smile. They freshened up briefly. Celeste changed into a new set of casual clothes and a jacket while Jimmy remained in his worn-out attire. He didn't care about the looks from others as he rode his scooter toward Larkhaven's city center. His home was on the outskirts, just a few kilometers from downtown. Zigzagging through traffic, they quickly reached the bustling heart of the city. Though a third-tier city in Shanonville, Larkhaven had seen rapid economic growth over the years, with skyscrapers rising and bustling commerce rivaling even second-tier cities. In recent years, it had attracted many renowned domestic enterprises to invest. Before he went to prison, Jimmy was optimistic about Larkhaven's growth and had plans for investment that were cut short when he got arrested. Seeing the thriving city proved his foresight and business savvy, which had been key to his entrepreneurial success. The Yales saw Jimmy's knack for business, and the patriarch intended him to become the family's successor. But it turned into a disaster, with family strife resulting in his five-year imprisonment. If it weren't for the old man deep in Xenos Prison who took Jimmy under his wing, giving him strength beyond that of a War God and helping him achieve incredible feats, he might never have seen the light of day again. As they entered the bustling city center, Celeste suddenly said, "Jimmy, could you come with me to school?" Surprised, Jimmy didn't say no and asked, "Why do you want to go to school?" "I want to visit our old high school teacher," Celeste replied softly. "No problem. Which school did you graduate from?" "Hehe, your alma mater, Larkhaven High School!" Celeste had always been diligent, with decent grades, dreaming of studying at the high school where Jimmy had been a beacon for her. She eventually made it there with her excellent scores, but Jimmy was already imprisoned by then. Hearing Celeste's words, Jimmy hesitated. He didn't really want to go, afraid of meeting his former teachers. With his current reputation still tarnished, how could he face them? Once, he had been someone they could be proud of; now, he would only bring them shame. But seeing the longing in Celeste's eyes, he decided to take her there, though he warned, "Celeste, I can take you, but please don't tell any of my teachers that I'm back." "Why not?" Celeste asked, puzzled. Jimmy gave a wry smile. "Given my current situation, what could I possibly say to them?" Celeste bit her lip, understanding his concerns, and agreed. They arrived at Larkhaven High School. Jimmy let Celeste enter first while he parked the scooter at the entrance. Initially, he hadn't planned to go in, but looking through the gate at the field brought back memories of his youthful days, and a wave of nostalgia washed over him. He found himself walking inside, past a security guard who was a new face—a kind-looking middle-aged man, unlike the stern old guard of the past. Seeing Jimmy enter, the guard quickly stopped him and asked, "Who are you, and what are you doing here?" "I came with the girl who just went in. I used to be a student here and wanted to take a look at my old school," Jimmy replied with a smile. The guard eyed him momentarily, recognizing that he had indeed arrived with Celeste, and his demeanor softened. Approaching the end of the year, many alums returned to visit their schools and teachers, so the guard didn't make things difficult and allowed Jimmy to pass. Once Jimmy was out of earshot, the guard scoffed at his back. "People usually return to school after making something of themselves, visiting teachers. Who comes back riding a scooter and dressed so poorly?" Jimmy heard the mocking words but didn't care; arguing with someone like that was pointless. Years had passed, but the school hadn't changed much. The grand teaching building was directly ahead, with a vast field in the center and dormitories for teachers and students on the left. Each spot held memories of his youthful days, the playground echoing with visions of past chases. Time had flown by, a decade gone in a blink, with each memory replaying like a film reel in Jimmy's mind, each worth cherishing. The youth remained, though everything else had changed. The only notable change was a new teaching building, funded by the million dollars Jimmy had donated after college graduation. Though the school was on holiday, it wasn't empty; many had returned to relive memories. These people had achieved significant societal success, as evidenced by the luxury cars around the field. Groups of people came and went from the teachers' dormitory, and pairs strolled the teaching building and cultural corridor. Unknowingly, Jimmy found himself at the school's cultural corridor. The school had once been proud of him, showcasing his achievements on their bulletin board, including his donation. But now, there was no trace of him, only information about the school and its outstanding students. Several well-dressed men and fashionably dressed women approached from behind at that moment.

Chapter 8: Youthful Innocence Unchanged

Comments (0)