Outside the Sword and Rose Magician University in the capital of the Starry Kingdom, Galilee.
As summer approaches, the number of shining stars in the sky increases from two in the spring to two and a half. If you look up carefully, you can see a small shining star. As a result, the temperature in Galaxia rises, and the brightness is just right. You can break out in a thin sweat just by taking a few steps.
Sonia took small steps and came out to see her mother, Martha, standing under the shining star, sweating profusely. She pulled her to the shade of a nearby tree with concern: "Mom, why are you standing outside like an idiot? You didn't even come into the forest path in the school to hide from the sun..."
Martha smiled foolishly: "I was afraid that you, Linda, couldn't see me..."
"How many times have I told you to call me Sonia, not Linda!"
Sonia suddenly got angry, and Martha nodded timidly: "Sorry, sorry, I forgot again. Oh, by the way, I also brought your favorite egg soufflé..."
Seeing Martha's flattering expression, Sonia began to blame herself again, holding her hand and walking out: "I won't eat it. I want to lose weight recently, so I can't eat such sweet things."
"You are already so thin, why do you still want to lose weight? I am afraid that a gust of wind will blow you down when I see you. Do you still remember Uncle Elmer? His son had a serious illness and has never been cured. His body is as light as a scarecrow in the field. You are even thinner than him..."
Martha saw Sonia's figure, which was not much thicker than a branch, from a distance, and felt very distressed. She had been a peasant woman in an agricultural town in the Star Country since she was a child, and she could not appreciate the slender beauty in the big city. She hoped from the bottom of her heart that her daughter could be stronger.
Sonia did not interrupt her mother's chattering. She waited until her mother stopped before she said, "It's a rare opportunity for you to come to Galashi. I'll take you to visit the capital..."
"No, no!" Martha waved her hand and shook her head: "Don't waste money. When I walked over here, I saw a park over there..."
"Come over here!" Sonia's voice rose an octave: "Didn't I tell you to take the tram after getting off the train? The train station is so far from the school-"
"It's okay, it's okay. I came early and I have so much time. Walking around is a form of exercise. I'm not old yet, so it's okay to walk around..."
It was then that Sonia realized that both of Martha's sleeves were dyed dark. The sun was shining brightly today and the temperature was not low. All the students on campus were wearing summer clothes, but her mother came to Galashi by train last night. It was already a cool autumn in her hometown, so she naturally wore several layers of clothes. Just from walking for a while, sweat oozed from her forehead, and she subconsciously wiped it with her sleeves, so her sleeves were smudged.
I wanted to tell her not to save this little money, but when the words came out of my mouth, they turned into: "I'll take you to buy some clothes."
Martha shook her head subconsciously: "There are plenty of clothes at home..."
"Listen to me today!"
Sonia Servi was born in a poor village in the Starry Kingdom whose name could not be found on the map. When she took the train to the capital, Galaxia, she had to walk along the mountain road for a day to the nearest town where the train would stop.
Among the children in the village, Sonia is the only one in the past twenty years who, with the help of the miracle bracelet given free of charge by the country, completed the basic education courses provided in it, and participated in the unified online entrance examination for higher education institutions in the Stars before reaching the age limit, and was successfully admitted to the Sword and Rose Magician University of Galaxie, referred to as Sword and Flower University.
Her father died of alcoholism when she was very young. In her memory, he was just a useless person who would lose his temper when drunk. She was raised by her mother Martha.
It was also because of this that she was able to temporarily escape from labor and concentrate on studying, instead of being like other children of the same age, working in the factory during the day and watching the only meteor channel that could be received in the village at night, spending her life in that small town in a daze.
When she arrived in Galaxia on the first day, her pupils reflected the clean streets, tall buildings, running luxury cars, polite and civilized people, and the giant light screen that played promotional short films day and night. She knew that even if she died, she would die in this city.
The hometown where she had lived for more than ten years was not even worthy of being her cemetery.
So she changed her name to Sonia, instead of Linda as any waiter would call her;
She learned how to put on makeup and match clothes in a short time, and corrected her accent within a month of entering school;
With her superior looks, she got several part-time jobs, and she did not fall behind in her studies. She used her scholarship and part-time salary to expand her circle of friends and participate in various activities... In addition, she was the host of many on-campus activities last year, and she had a lot of exposure. Many people already thought she was the flower of the 67th class.
There are so many people in this world who can be happy, why can't I
Sonia took Martha to tour the world of Galilee the whole afternoon. At Sonia's insistence, Martha reluctantly went with her to a clothing store that looked very expensive to try on clothes.
If it weren't for her daughter, the sight of the female clerk in the store with a smile that was tinged with contempt would have been enough to make Martha shrink back and leave.
But as the price for buying clothes, Sonia didn't spend any money for the rest of the afternoon, and Martha even filled a kettle with water in advance.
"This is the clean water provided by the train station. I'll just drink this. Don't buy those red, green or yellow drinks. I can't get used to them," said Martha.
Even at dinner, Martha said she hadn't finished the bread she brought, and it would be a waste if she didn't eat it. Sonia knew that taking her mother to those high-class restaurants would only make her suffer, so she sat in the park with her mother and ate bread.
Before 6 o'clock, Sonia took Martha to the train station.
The return ticket has been purchased long ago and is already bound to Martha's wristband. All she needs to do is check the wristband when passing through the border.
When they were almost at the checkpoint, Sonia suddenly said, "Why don't you stay overnight? I don't have classes tomorrow, so I can stay with you for another day."
Martha stared at Sonia blankly, her lips moved, but she finally shook her head, her eyes narrowed into slits: "No, it's a waste of money to refund the ticket, and I can't get used to living here. I can't understand what others say. I have to go back to feed the chickens at home... Oh, look at my memory, I almost forgot..."
She took out a small bag that was hidden tightly from her bosom, and without opening it, she stuffed it directly into Sonia's hand: "There are three silver coins in it..."
"Mom, I—"
"I know you don't need it, but I can't spend that much money at home."
Martha held Sonya's hand tightly. "Mom is useless and can't help you with anything. But don't worry, Linda. Mom won't drag you down. You can live in the capital without worry. I live well in my hometown. My neighbors will help me if I have any problems. Just remember to write back, but don't send money. You can keep it for yourself. Besides, the post office might take your money..."
This time, Sonia did not correct Martha and called her by her nickname "Linda". She listened to her nagging quietly and suddenly understood why her mother did not go to the school to wait for her. After Martha finished speaking, she said calmly: "I will take you to Galaxia in the future and live a rich life."
Martha smiled and nodded: "Mom believes you. But you must also remember that no matter what happens, Mom will prepare a good meal for you in my hometown. Big cities are too complicated. Isn't it nice to go home and live a peaceful life..."
Sonia watched her mother's slightly hunched back walking further and further away until she finally disappeared in the crowd.
Suddenly, she slid to the right, avoiding the man who was about to hit her. The man looked surprised, muttered something, and turned and left in a hurry.
"Indeed, big cities are too complicated." Sonia murmured softly, "But I am such a complicated person."
She turned and left the train station, strode with her head held high back to the bustling city of Galaxia that never sleeps.