When she learned about my interest in management, she even privately invited me to audit her class.
I attended once, wearing a mask and sitting in the back row, trying to understand the complex concepts that felt like foreign languages.
But I never returned.
It wasn't that I didn't like it; I was just afraid my daughter would see me and bring unnecessary trouble.
This time, I approached Professor Lewis to ask for my first loan.
She looked at me with confusion, saying, "We don't know each other. Why would I lend money to a stranger?"
I replied sincerely, "Because I've heard students say you're a good person."
"I can write a promissory note, and I can leave my ID with you. For the first six months, I won't take anything for myself; every penny I earn will go to paying you back with interest."
Based on what I had seen in my past life, I laid out my business ideas and plans for her.
After a long pause, she agreed.
With that first loan, I secured a five-year lease on a shop at the lowest price.
By the end of that first five years, not only had I repaid the loan, but I also purchased that shop and opened two more branches.
That's when I saw Sophie.
4
Seeing each other here surprised us both.
Indeed, she was now a freshman.
This time, she was attending an ordinary university rather than the prestigious Aldoria University, as she had in my previous life.
It seemed my departure had quietly changed some things.
It was nothing like what she had claimed. "I got into Aldoria University solely through my own efforts; it has nothing to do with you! Don't try to take credit!"
Over the years, aside from sending child support on time, we had no contact. However, I had heard from neighbors that after I left, Ethan sank deeper into alcoholism and neglected Sophie. It was only through relatives pooling their resources that they managed to scrape together her tuition.
I also learned that Sophie had spun a story among her relatives and friends, claiming I had abandoned my husband and daughter to chase after a married man.
At that moment, Sophie walked toward me, her face pale and contemptuous.
"I thought you'd be doing great, but here you are, hiding out selling pancakes!"
I paused, my hand stilling as I spread the sauce.
I ignored her.
A girl next to her quietly asked if we knew each other, and Sophie sharply denied it, saying, "What are you talking about? I don't know her!"