"Study?"
York said, a thousand things running through his mind as he looked at the earnest-faced Liss Muria. He was actually quite surprised.
He had thought of all kinds of help, but studying was something that had never crossed his mind.
Not even for a moment.
You see, studying is one thing, but in the end, it still depends on one's own efforts. If you don't work hard, then all of this amounts to nothing.
So, the help that most people seek is usually more tangible.
"Do you really want to study?" York asked again for confirmation.
"Yes!" Liss Muria nodded, extending her crumpled transcript forward again.
"This is all my report cards, please give me a chance."
Speaking earnestly, she said, "You told me to come to you if I needed help. I've thought long and hard, and I believe what I need most is an opportunity to study.
I know studying is the only way to change my life, because I am smart, and I know I can succeed."
After listening to her heartfelt words, York looked at the transcript Liss Muria was holding out. It seemed that due to her street savvy, she was fully displaying her strengths.
Smart, and this seemed to be a transcript...
"Okay!"
York set down the toy shop he was holding, taking the transcript from Liss Muria, and turned to Eileen, who had been watching silently.
"Eileen, could you please move this toy shop to my resting room?"
Eileen looked seriously at Liss Muria, whose face clearly showed a bit of surprise, and nodded with a smile.
"Of course, Father!"
Saying that, she hoisted the box, bigger than her upper body, and walked down the side path.
Seeing Liss Muria's gaze following Eileen, York smiled.
"Don't worry. Despite Eileen's slender figure, she's quite strong. She's not as weak as she looks."
After all, being his assistant nun said it all; at the very least, her physical strength was up to the mark.
Speaking, York sat down in his usual spot and gestured for Liss Muria to sit next to him.
Liss Muria obediently went over and sat down.
York then started to look through the crumpled transcript in his hand.
Interestingly, the first page was equivalent to an elementary school report card.
There was a picture of a young girl, smiling at that time.
"My parents hadn't started using drugs then," Liss Muria explained softly, noticing the priest's focus on the photo.
"They began when I got a bit older, very heavily. But please rest assured, I never got involved with them, though I always hoped they would get better and take care of me…"
Hearing this, York turned to look at Liss Muria, noticing her face was filled with bitter self-mockery.
"It's foolish, isn't it? In the end, I was the one taking care of them…"
"Child, why worry about what others think? If you feel it's worth it, then it is."
York said this, continuing to look through the transcript, unaware of Liss Muria's stunned reaction.
Of course, even if he had noticed, York wouldn't have minded. He just focused on the transcript, flipping through it with a slight smile on his face.
Judging from the transcript, this girl named Liss Muria was indeed very smart.
Whether compared to the grades in her native country's elementary, middle school, or the recent advancement exams, she almost always scored full marks.
What's important was the middle-to-high school advancement exam, as it proved that she was truly committed to her studies, never missing an opportunity to learn, even while hanging around the streets.
And not just that, York found a handwritten document from her among the papers.
The saying 'the style is the man' might not always be accurate, but from her neat handwriting, York sensed that this girl named Liss Muria was very practical and independent, always maintaining a clear mind, and adept at analyzing and judging problems with a clear thought process. Once she made a decision, she wouldn't easily change it.
And what she wrote could be summarized in one sentence.
She was willing to work unpaid for Pluto Church for the present and the next five years, regardless of whether she became successful in the future or not.
Very practical indeed...
York slowly put away the documents, turning to look at Liss Muria, who was waiting for her fate to be decided.
"Your grades are excellent, child."
Liss Muria looked up, seeing the priest's calm face, unable to read his thoughts. She was nervous, fearing a rejection that would mean she could never escape her current life.
"I can help you go to school."
At these words, Liss Muria's face visibly changed.
"But..." York added, looking at Liss Muria, who became anxious again, and smiled.
"I don't need your next five years, just the present."
Liss Muria was puzzled: "Now?"
York nodded and stood up, saying, "Until you get into the university of your choice. As long as it doesn't affect your studies, you need to help Robert clean the church windows, mop the floor, and help with setting up the place."
He looked down at the suddenly silent Liss Muria and continued.
"And your salary will be free room and board and the opportunity to study. How does that deal sound?"
Liss Muria didn't know how to feel, her nose already starting to tingle with the warmth of humanity she felt after experiencing the cold.
"Thank you! Father! Thank you, you've changed my life!"
"No need to thank me, child. I haven't done anything."
York said, shaking his head with a smile.
"This is the wage you deserve. You should thank yourself because you never gave up."
After saying this, York ignored Liss Muria's reaction and walked towards Eileen, who had just come out from the side path, stopping beside her. He stuffed the documents into her arms.
"Arrange for her. Let her start getting familiar with the tasks tomorrow."
"Yes, Father." Eileen took the documents, looking at Liss Muria, who seemed to be crying, feeling genuinely happy.
"I will arrange it well."
After speaking, she saw the priest preparing to leave and quickly said,
"Father, I plan to reorganize the church's breakfast event tomorrow. Is that okay?"
York paused, asking in confusion, "Breakfast event?"
"Yes, only for our church members and nearby community residents," Eileen said calmly.
"Only in this way can we possibly build a closer relationship with the believers and Pluto Church."
Hearing this, what else could York say? He looked at Eileen, full of ambition and increasingly resembling a motherly nun, and smiled:
"Go ahead as you see fit. As long as you think it's good, be bold in doing it. I will support you."
After saying this, York waved his hand and walked into the side path, followed by the respectful nun...
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