Reborn with My Genius Husband

Chapter 197: Which Do You Choose: Bricklaying or an Office Job?

Chloe Hollis had heard all these lectures before. "I can do other things even if I don’t study," she retorted dismissively.

"Which would you choose: laying bricks or an office job?" Holly Winslow used the classic example that high school teachers loved to use.

The point seemed to hit home for Chloe. Her voice was a little softer now. "The office."

Holly Winslow nodded. "There are a lot of jobs out there. Sweeping floors, washing dishes, being a clerk, teaching—they’re all jobs. But the truth is, jobs are stratified by educational ’level.’ The level of education you have determines the kind of work you’ll do."

"It’s not that I see some jobs as better or worse than others. It’s just a fact of society, and it’s full of competition."

"Just because your family is well-off doesn’t mean you can afford to waste time. For every moment you waste now, you won’t be able to get it back later, not even with ten times the effort."

’She herself was a prime example. She’d gone from a diploma to a bachelor’s, become a teacher, and even mentored excellent students. She had put in well over ten times the effort, yet she still couldn’t get society’s approval. Her credentials just couldn’t compare to someone who’d earned a bachelor’s degree straight through.’

’For the three years she’d wasted, she spent another nine trying to catch up, and it still wasn’t enough to surpass someone who had worked hard during their three years of high school.’

’That’s why you have to put in the right kind of effort at the right time in your life.’

Seeing that Chloe was quiet, Holly figured she was mulling it over. She’d made her point and didn’t press further, returning to the practice problems.

At twelve, Sophia Zane came home and checked in on them for a few minutes.

After Holly Winslow finished explaining the problem she was on, she started packing her things to leave.

Sophia Zane gestured for her to wait. The two of them went into the study to talk. She kindly asked, "Is Cece behaving at home? Her temper isn’t the best, so please be patient with her."

Holly Winslow felt it was already a good sign that Chloe was willing to listen. She said, "She’s doing great. Cece is very smart, and her English fundamentals are quite solid."

Hearing her praise Chloe, a look of parental relief appeared on Sophia Zane’s face. She explained, "Cece’s grades were quite good in middle school. But after starting high school, she got obsessed with video games and stopped taking her studies seriously."

"When we try to discipline her, she just gets angry."

She sighed, revealing her helplessness as a mother.

She added, "I’ll have to ask you to put in a little extra effort. You two are close in age, so she might actually listen to what you have to say."

"Don’t worry, if you can successfully teach Cece, I’ll definitely give you a raise."

Holly Winslow said seriously, "It’s my responsibility. You can count on me, Ms. Zane."

Sophia Zane felt she was more responsible than the previous two university students she’d hired. Her attitude grew even warmer. "Why don’t you have lunch with us? It’s inconvenient for you to travel back and forth."

"My cousin is already here to pick me up," Holly Winslow said, shaking her head.

She saw Mortimer Quincy as soon as she went downstairs. She ran over and called out happily in a low voice, "Hubby."

Mortimer Quincy took her hand and tucked it into his pocket. Holly felt something, and her eyes lit up. She pulled it out—a chocolate ball.

She popped one in her mouth and asked with a grin, "When did you buy these?"

"Mom brought them. She told me to give them to her daughter-in-law."

Seeing her cheeks puffed out, Mortimer Quincy added, "Wifey, give your hubby a little pout."

Holly pouted at him.

Mortimer let out a laugh. ’Damn, she’s adorable.’

Savoring the sweetness in her mouth, Holly couldn’t help but praise, "Your mom’s the best."

Mortimer Quincy raised an eyebrow. "Go on, say it to her face."

「A restaurant near the university.」

Andre Quincy and Brooke Jarvis saw the two arrive. Brooke handed the menu to Holly Winslow and said with a smile, "Holly, are you settling into university life okay?"

Holly nodded and replied without thinking, "I’m settling in fine, Mom."

She: "..."

Mortimer Quincy burst out laughing. Loving the drama, he decided to stir the pot. "Mom, Holly was just saying how great you are and that you should buy her more chocolate balls."

Holly: "..."

’That son of a bitch, Mortimer! It was bad enough that he just watched me crash and burn, but he had to kick me while I was down, too.’

Brooke Jarvis just smiled. "If you like them, I’ll buy more next time. Is there anything else you’d like to eat, Holly?"

Holly Winslow shook her head demurely, then stomped on Mortimer Quincy’s foot under the table to let out her frustration.

After the meal, Andre Quincy and the others dropped Holly Winslow off at her tutoring job first.

「In the car.」

Brooke Jarvis was driving, while Andre Quincy and Mortimer Quincy sat in the back.

Andre Quincy looked at his son beside him and said in a grave tone, "You don’t need to go to the construction site. If you want to learn the business, you can learn just as well at the company headquarters. I’ll find someone to mentor you."

Mortimer Quincy shook his head. "I know what I’m doing."

Andre Quincy pressed his lips together. "The construction site is exhausting. You won’t be able to handle it."

"It’s fine."

Mortimer Quincy knew they were worried about him, so he explained, "Dad, I need to at least understand the fundamentals on the ground."

Andre Quincy fell silent, clearly agreeing with Mortimer’s point. He sighed to himself and changed the subject. "I paid off the remaining balance on the house you bought. Whether you could afford it on your own is your business; this is a gift from your mother and me."

Mortimer Quincy didn’t say anything, just nodded.

As they neared the construction site where Mortimer Quincy worked, Andre Quincy suddenly spoke again. "You’re an adult now. You understand how things are."

"It’s one thing for a guy, but Holly is a girl. Don’t do anything reckless before you’re married."

Mortimer: "..."

’We’ve been married for years.’

He just responded with a noncommittal "Mm."

From the driver’s seat, Brooke Jarvis also chimed in, "If you’re short on money, just give us a call. And make sure you buy things for Holly when she needs them."

"We don’t know what she likes, so it’s hard for us to shop for her. You should buy things for her yourself."

Mortimer Quincy was already used to their "favoritism" toward Holly, and he was happy to see it. "Okay," he said.

...

Around seven or eight that evening, when Mortimer Quincy got home, Holly Winslow was at the coffee table, using her laptop to prepare review materials.

The scent of braised pork ribs drifted from the kitchen.

Holly got up and poured him a glass of water. "Honey, welcome home."

Seeing him covered in dust, her heart ached a little. "Go take a shower while I finish up dinner. I made braised pork ribs."

"Okay."

Mortimer Quincy bent down, a small smile playing on his lips. "Wifey, a kiss."

Taking pity on him for his hard day’s work, Holly gave him a quick kiss. "Go on, hurry up."

After dinner, Holly Winslow went back to preparing the review materials for Chloe Hollis. Mortimer Quincy, who only wanted some quality time with his wife, sat down beside her discontentedly. He wrapped his arm around her waist and whined, "Honey, how much more do you have?"

"Probably another hour or two."

Holly slapped away his wandering hand. "Go read a book."

"Honey, I don’t want to read a book. I want to look at you."

Mortimer nuzzled his head against her neck.

It tickled, and Holly couldn’t help but laugh. She pushed his head away, determined to resist his charms. "Don’t distract me while I’m prepping. I have a student to educate."

Mortimer’s voice was low and alluring.

Holly: "..."

"Stop messing around. I need to prep for my lesson."

Mortimer Quincy gave her a loud SMOOCH on the lips before reluctantly getting up to grab a book.

Holly watched him go and couldn’t help but chuckle. ’If I turn him down again tonight, he’s going to be a total mess tomorrow.’

By the time she finished compiling a list of key high school phrases, Mortimer Quincy had already fallen asleep on the sofa beside her. She pursed her lips and gently took the book from his grasp.

Just as she started to get up to grab a blanket, a large hand caught her. With a gentle tug, she fell onto his chest.

Meeting his narrow, smiling eyes, Holly knew at once that he had just been pretending to be asleep.

She pinched his nose in exasperation. "You’re so childish."

Mortimer tilted his head up to kiss her and said in a low voice, "This childish guy wants to..."

"...make love."