“People at the top of the food chain never see the struggles of those trailing behind."
"We're working hard just to keep up," Skylar Sommers chimed in. Her grades were slightly better than Zara Zeller's, but certainly not the best.
In their dorm, the academic ranking was undoubtedly Claire first, followed by Lex Grant, then Skylar, and finally Zara.
Even though Zara claimed to be at the bottom of their pack, her excellence was already something average students could only dream of.
Besides, the wealthy Ms. Zeller hadn't always been a dedicated student; by her own admission, she only started taking studying seriously in her senior year of high school.
Just one year of hard work, and she had made it into a top-tier university.
Meanwhile, some people grinded relentlessly for over a decade, just barely scraping into an ordinary college.
"Well, you guys definitely don't see the hardships of being at the top, either."
Studying came effortlessly to Claire, but she knew that not every successful person had her natural advantages.
Most people got into prestigious universities through sheer, grueling hard work. That included Lex.
Even though she had secured early admission, during the math competition, she had undoubtedly been the hardest-working student in the entire winter camp.
"Sigh, it's not easy for anyone,"
Skylar murmured in agreement.
Wasn't that the truth?
Exhausted from shopping, the three girls found a boba shop to grab some drinks.
The place was packed.
Some students were there with their parents.
As Claire and her friends lined up, they overheard a son complaining to his mother in front of them. "Mom, I told you we should just grab some water. Why do we have to get boba? Now we have to wait in line, and it's a huge waste of time!”
"Plus, drinking too much of this stuff is unhealthy and packed with calories. Doesn't Dad usually forbid you from drinking it?"
"Did you just use dropping me off at college as an excuse to sneak some boba?"
"I just really wanted some! Your dad
is way too strict. Back when I was in school we didn't have all these fancy drinks just those basic powdered ones."
"Back then, I thought those cheap ones were the best things in the world. Who knew there would.
be so
many dazzling brands to choose from now?
“Felix, hurry up and help me pick. Should I get the Caramel Cocoa boba, or the Taro one? I really love taro..."
Claire was thoroughly amused by the exchange, mostly because their dynamic was entirely flipped.
Usually, parents were the ones lecturing their kids about junk food, but here was a son scolding his mother.
Claire noted that the mother had a slightly soft, curvy figure, though she wasn't overweight by any means.
She looked like someone from a very comfortable background, living a delightfully stress-free life.
Her husband clearly loved her very much.
They always said a loved woman bloomed like a well-tended garden.
If neglected, the flowers would wither.
But with enough love, they only grew more vibrant and beautiful.
"Oh, look, they're selling BBQ ribs over there. Let's go get some."
The mother's eyes darted around eagerly as she stood in line.
"Mom!" The boy seemed to have reached the end of his rope. "If you keep this up, I'm calling Dad right now!"
"Unless you want his business trip to be ruined-"
The threat seemed to work. The
"Okay, okay, fine! Don't cervet
boy's mother finally looked
your dad.
I just won't eat it alright? Com it
"Why are you and your dad exactly the same? You even have to micromanage what people eat!"
“Oh gosh... my stomach is starting to hurt. I don't feel good, Felix-"
Before she could finish, her son cut her off. "Don't try that trick with me. I'm not
falling for it again!"
"Don't think faking a stomach ache is going to get you those ribs!"
Felix had completely lost his patience.
"No, honey, my stomach really hurts. It hurts so bad!"