Chapter 2198: Chapter 2198

"How do you like the job?"

Jenkins placed Miss Evelyn's handbag on the sofa as the tutor sat down. He started the conversation in a casual tone, and Miss Evelyn answered just as naturally:

"It's not bad. The pay is a little low, but at least the workload isn't heavy. A couple of hours of prep time each week is all it takes."

"So, what do you think of the profession? I mean, being a teacher?"

Jenkins wanted to steer the conversation.

"It's alright, I suppose. The world has been changing so quickly in recent decades. Even minor nobles, like Viscount Franklin, can amass a fortune with a few risky investments. It's really quite nice to be a noble. I hear they get significant tax advantages."

Miss Evelyn clearly didn't understand what Jenkins was getting at.

"I mean, what are your thoughts on teaching, on imparting knowledge to a young lady who is not yet an adult?"

Jenkins rephrased his question.

Miss Evelyn asked, puzzled. Apparently, Jenkins had once again imposed his own definition of "adulthood" onto this world.

"As for teaching her, there's not much to it, really. Oh, to be honest, the girl isn't very gifted when it comes to poetry. Fortunately, neither she nor her family expect her to become a poet. Nancy herself just wants to learn a few things to show off at banquets and social events, and maybe even find a suitable husband in the process."

She still didn't grasp Jenkins's question, continuing on her own train of thought:

"I graduated from Nolan Higher Normal College, and after studying literature for so many years, I've ended up making a living tutoring a talentless noble girl."

The young woman went on complaining, as if in an idle chat with a friend:

"You see, anyone can write poetry these days; you can't make a living from it. I left my small country town to come to a big city like Nolan for my education, racking up a mountain of debt in the process. But what's the use? There's no money in literature. You can't earn a living by writing, and you can't earn one by teaching, so the only option left is tutoring noble girls."

"So what are you earning money for?"

Jenkins saw no trace of the "Heart of Selfless Dedication" in her.

"To buy a house. Ever since I was a young country girl, riding into the city for the first time on a hay wagon, I've dreamed of owning my own home here."

A smile touched her lips as she answered Jenkins's question quite naturally, even though it was a personal one:

"I know I'll succeed. I'm twenty-six this year, and I've already paid off all my debts. I've also managed to save a little money through hard work. If life goes smoothly from here, I should be able to buy a small house in Nolan's west end outright by the time I'm in my thirties."

"What about marriage? Wouldn't it be easier for two people to buy a house together?"

"If I don't have my own property before getting married, only to be tied down to a household by a man afterward, then what was the point of coming to Nolan to live on my own since I was sixteen?"

Miss Evelyn retorted, then concluded: Latest content publıshed on novel~fire~net

"So, as long as I have my own assets and keep a clear head so some man doesn't swindle me out of my money, marriage can wait until I'm thirty. I refuse to end up like the women back in my hometown. I want to live my life with my eyes wide open."

Jenkins said nothing, but he was sure his expression conveyed his admiration.

"Yes, that's an excellent way of thinking. Independent women don't really need to worry about marriage. It's good to be self-reliant, to not depend on others."

As he spoke, he scratched the little head of Chocolate, perched on his shoulder. The cat tilted its head back, looking ready to nip him, suspecting it was the subject of an unflattering comparison.

Pleased by Jenkins's praise, Miss Evelyn was glad to find someone who shared her views. She happily lifted her teacup and finally steered the conversation back to his original point:

"As for being a teacher, I would love for my students to understand my perspective, to become independent. But with a young noblewoman, that's naturally very difficult. So, just being able to pass on my knowledge is enough, even if she doesn't absorb much of it..."

She cradled the warm cup and took a careful sip, her eyes narrowing as if to withstand the heat on her tongue.

"I graduated from a teachers' college, and I used to dream of being a real teacher... but this era is so frantic, so fast-paced. To achieve one dream, you have to abandon another. After all, I'm a woman, not a man. It's not that I think I'm less capable, but in this day and age, my gender determines that I can't do as many things as a man. I had to let that dream go."

Jenkins's interest was immediately piqued. Her words suggested she hadn't completely let go of that dream. Choosing his words with care, he ventured:

"Then, in teaching Miss Nancy, are you doing it purely for the compensation?"

Miss Evelyn shook her head without a moment's hesitation.

"If it were just for the money, my time would be better spent on other jobs. Do you have any idea how long it takes me to travel here from my home? Even though my dream of becoming a teacher is out of reach, I haven't given up on the thought of finding another way to share my knowledge, my ideas, my dreams..."

She shook her head again.

"But let's not talk about that. It's pointless."

"But the effort you invest in Miss Nancy absolutely exceeds your pay."

"Of course. I am a graduate of the teachers' college. I could never forget what that means."

she declared, lifting her chin with a hint of pride.

Jenkins had heard what he needed to hear, and he finally felt a sense of relief. At least this proved that she did indeed possess a "Heart of Selfless Dedication."

"But now that I've confirmed it exists, how do I actually obtain it?"

He turned to ask the man of gears, who was standing by the window watching the rain. Miss Evelyn acted as if she hadn't heard a thing, but the man of gears spoke:

"Just rip out her heart. Wouldn't that work?"

Jenkins stared at it, and the figure added:

"Well? How was that for a joke?"

"Terrible. How am I supposed to get it? If you're not going to tell me, then just be quiet. I'm sure I can figure it out on my own."

"Yes, you can figure it out on your own. After all, this first target is a bit too simple."

The man of gears walked over to the sofa and gently touched the top of Miss Evelyn's head. She remained completely oblivious, as if he wasn't there at all.

"Human society is so peculiar. Look, this woman here possesses determination and perseverance, yet reality forces her to abandon her selfless heart. And as for Miss Nancy, she has everything Miss Evelyn could ever envy, yet she herself possesses no ambition or dreams."

"What are you trying to say?"

Jenkins frowned. This line of reasoning felt uncomfortably familiar.

"I'm suggesting that perhaps your entire era is flawed."

"Yes. It appears like a flower in full bloom, but it is already rotten to the core. Human civilization seems prosperous, but from my perspective, it's merely a firework—the higher it climbs, the closer it is to obliteration."

It paused for effect before asking:

"Do you know how to cure it all? How to let dreamers pursue their dreams, let the ordinary remain ordinary, and ensure everything proceeds according to a correct and logical plan?"

"You'd turn everyone into clockwork people, letting society cycle in an orderly fashion under your precise calculations and control."

Jenkins replied without a moment's thought.

"You see? You understand me better than anyone."

the man of gears said, sitting down in a separate armchair. Jenkins scoffed, replying with clear annoyance:

"I knew you were going to say that. But you must really underestimate me. After coming all this way, do you really think I'd abandon everything to follow you just because of some flimsy persuasion?"

the man of gears stated.

Their conversation didn't last much longer. Soon, Miss Nancy pushed the door open and walked in, having woken from her afternoon nap. She was, indeed, the same young noblewoman Jenkins recalled meeting on several previous occasions.

Seeing that her student had arrived, Miss Evelyn rose to begin the day's lesson, and Jenkins lost his opportunity to interject. Not that he wanted to anymore. He settled back on the long sofa, cradling his cat, and watched as the two women gathered around the desk to begin their studies.

They reviewed homework, recited new poems, and read through the month's latest poetry journal. As it was a journal, it featured a wide array of poetry, including works that criticized society or reflected the current era.

The young noblewoman and her tutor came to a piece that alluded to the oppression of women, arguing that they should have opportunities to work rather than be confined to the home. At this, Miss Nancy Franklin asked:

"Miss Evelyn, what are your thoughts on such matters? I personally think that not having to work after marriage, spending one's days attending banquets and salons, would be a wonderful life. Sweet pastries and the sound of a violin are surely better than the noise and dust of a factory."

Miss Franklin was rather immature.

"This poem wasn't written for young ladies from families such as yours."

Miss Evelyn said, a hint of resignation in her expression.

"But if it wasn't written for people like me, then why did it appear in a poetry journal that only we would read?"

she continued to ask. Miss Evelyn had intended to brush the question aside, as explaining such a complex issue wasn't a simple matter, and certain topics weren't appropriate for her student.

But then she suddenly recalled the conversation she'd just had with that rather handsome man. She thought about his questions regarding her profession, about their discussion of past dreams and her current work, and about her time studying at Nolan Teachers' College while burdened with debt.

Miss Evelyn froze. For a fleeting moment, she found herself pondering a philosophical question: What am I even doing?