Vanessa Sterling put down her paintbrush and peeked outside the window.

Outside the window, some vines were climbing the greenery, and a faint silhouette of someone could be seen.

"You all keep painting, teacher will go outside and take a look."

The little boy dropped his brush and said, "Teacher, I’ll go with you, I want to protect you!"

Vanessa smiled and patted the little boy’s head, saying, "Our Langley is very brave. But don’t worry, it should be a friend of the teacher’s. You go on and paint, I’ll be back soon."

Upon hearing Vanessa say it’s a friend, the little boy reluctantly returned to his seat.

Vanessa walked outside and saw a man in a black hoodie leaning on a crutch, peeking by the window.

She leaned forward and called out tentatively, "Brother Jones?"

Jasper Jones turned his head upon hearing and, upon seeing Vanessa, showed a delighted smile, "Vanessa, I never thought you’d really be here."

Vanessa stepped forward and, looking at Jasper Jones’ crutch, asked tentatively, "...What happened to your foot?"

Jasper Jones chuckled and said, "I slipped and fell a few days ago, it’s recovering now, it’s not a big deal."

Vanessa laughed openly and invited him, "Why don’t you come inside to sit? We haven’t seen each other in quite a while, have we?"

Jasper Jones followed Vanessa into the room, exchanging pleasantries, "I saw a video of a painting exhibition online a few days ago and thought the style resembled yours. Turns out I currently live not far from here, so I came to check if you were around, and I really found you."

Vanessa prepared tea while saying, "I live around here now, feel free to come find me anytime."

Jasper Jones nodded, chuckling, "You seem more open since the last time we met."

Vanessa smiled bashfully, "Do I?"

She really noticed herself because she had mustered the courage to engage with the outside world.

Be it opening the art studio or regularly holding exhibitions, she’s able to meet many different people.

The fleeting encounters add a unique kind of enjoyment to her life.

Vanessa brought the brewed tea and sat opposite Jasper Jones, saying, "Speaking of which, why did you suddenly disappear back then? Haven’t seen you in our circle for a long time."

Jasper Jones’ expression slightly tightened, chuckling as he explained, "Because something came up suddenly at home, there were many things during that time."

"...Was it him giving you trouble?" Vanessa asked, somewhat apologetic.

Jasper Jones paused before smiling and shaking his head, "No. Speaking of, is he with you? Actually, I came this time to thank him."

"Thank him?" Vanessa was taken aback.

"Yes." Jasper Jones glanced at his leg, saying, "He found a doctor for my leg a while ago, otherwise, I might still be sitting in a wheelchair now, or I might have to use a wheelchair for the rest of my life."

Vanessa was stunned, as if not quite believing it, "Are you talking about Miles Sterling?"

"Yeah, that’s why I wanted to come over and thank him in person."

Vanessa thought, whether it was Miles Sterling before he lost his memory or after, he likely wouldn’t help Jasper Jones for no reason.

So she asked, "...Was it him who caused your leg injury?"

Jasper Jones was taken aback, listening to Vanessa continue, "You disappeared then also because you were receiving treatment at the hospital. You felt the leg couldn’t recover and feared dragging me down, so you stopped contacting me, right?"

Jasper Jones looked down, lightly pressing his lips together, still maintaining a smile, "Regardless of everything, at least it’s getting better now. Without his help, I might never stand again in my lifetime."

"But it was also him who caused you not to be able to stand, don’t you blame him?"