Turning Of the Tide by Diana Sander

In September, Kade entered ninth grade, the same school as Harper. Harper was still in eleventh grade, while Nona and Cyril entered the tenth grade.

George was admitted to the best university in Sapphire City. His results were ranked first in Sapphire City, and his grades were exceptionally excellent.

Cyril's final exam results did not reach the points his father set. He was still grounded and was demanded to better themselves with Harper.

The day before school started.

Jasper, the elder child among the others, sent an announcement to the group chat. [Tomorrow is the start of the new semester. If any of you achieve the required scores this semester, you can come to me for a gift. You can exchange for whatever gift you want unconditionally. | will not renege on a promise. Whether you can take your gift away depends on your ability.] As soon as this announcement was released, the group chat became lively. At that moment, everyone's phones were in their hands and were not confiscated before nine.

The first person who replied to Jasper's words was Cyril. [Jasper, keep your word!] He had wanted a game console for a long time, but his father refused to buy it. There was no room for discussion when his total score reached the goal, and he needed to maintain the score till the college entrance examinations.

Liam asked, [Do | count? Jasper, | want a car.] Jasper replied, [you can choose to repeat the grade, and I'll consider it when your college entrance exam results are outstanding.] Liam was speechless.

Olivia sent a cute emoji and said, [LOL. What my brother means is that you don't count. If the ban on your driving hasn't been lifted, my brother won't dare to buy you a bumper car.] Liam cursed, [Shut the fuck up!] He had only bumped into a car once. How could it be considered a bumper car? Who didn't have a history that they refused to remember? Ruby sent, [Mind your language!] Nona said, [I want to think about what gift to buy.] Harper asked, [Jasper, are you sure you want to do this?] Jasper mentioned Harper and asked, [Do you mean that you plan to repeat the grade several times? You don't have to be so ambitious. Repeating the grade for once is enough.] Everyone sent a laughing emoji, while Harper sent a speechless emoji. He was not confident in his scores, but he wanted many gifts. However, his father would not buy those gifts for him.

Jasper's actions were blatantly stimulating.

They discussed a lot in the group chat, and Jasper browsed through the records before mentioning Liam. [Come to me and get your gift when you finally succeed in graduating.] Liam was pleasantly surprised by this reversal. He was so thrilled and typed with trembling hands. [Jasper, | love you! You have to keep your word!] Whether he could drive the car was one thing, but whether he could own the car he liked was another. Even if he could only look at it, he was satisfied.

To him, a car was his wife. Previously, he had only been married for a day before he was forced to get a divorce. Furthermore, he was forced to get a divorce by his father. He was restricted from marrying again, even if he wished to. Liam felt that his metaphor was too vivid.

Jasper's chat interface popped up with Ruby's message. He left the group after telling Liam he would wait to see how capable Liam was. Meanwhile, the group was still discussing what gifts they wanted.

Ruby sent a private message to Jasper. [You're not busy, are you?] Jasper could feel Ruby's gentleness even through the screen. Even the words she typed were soft.

Jasper texted his guess. [You're not in the living room? Didn't you say that you would get off work early today?] Ruby replied, [I'm drawing in the room. | drew a painting. Do you want to take a look?] Jasper said, [Sure.] The next second, Ruby sent the portrait that she had been drawing for several days to Jasper's phone. The person in the picture was wearing a black suit and leaning against the balcony with one hand bent. His deep eyes were staring at someplace. He held a lit cigarette between his slender fingers. The smoke added a hazy feeling to the entire painting, and the person in the painting exuded laziness and aloofness.

why, and Ruby replied, [I'm sensitive to the smell of cigarettes. As long as you smoke it, | can smell it.] One night, Jasper came to the studio to look for her. When they kissed, she smelled the faint smell of

smoking before. After drawing, she suddenly felt his smoking appearance was more casual and unruly. At the

had a smile on his face. He promised, [I'll quit it.] However, now was not the time. When

understood him. It was inevitable for people to distribute cigarettes to each other when

godfather a cigarette, it depended on

to quit smoking.

to be healthy because I love you.] Jasper asked, [Can you knock off later tomorrow?] Today, Jasper had planned to go to the studio to look for Ruby after working overtime. However, Hackett called Ruby and asked her to get off work

[Sure.] The

be back late tonight. She also said she would be busy because a

worried about her coming back so late. "Alright, I'll pick you up tonight. Don't worry. Now, off you go." Joy said, "I hope the young lady you recruit this time is capable and not a slacker." Nathan nodded. "That's right. Don't

studio was recruiting, a few young ladies had come. However,

interviews, they promised they could endure hardship and work well. They could do anything they were told. In the end, after coming to work, they ordered milkshakes and desserts every

were all dismissed by Ruby. At the moment,

Do you think Frank's four bodyguards were all good-for-nothings?" Hackett retorted, "No, | want to pick up Ruby after she gets off work because | miss her. What does it have to do with Frank's bodyguards? | only want to be there with Ruby." Liam had already moved to school and would only return home on Friday. To Liam, staying in school was much more unrestricted than staying at home. At least he would not be

was watching their daughter too closely and affecting their daughter's love progress. What if her future son-in- law took a fancy to her daughter? What if the two of them fell in love one day? Hackett would become a stumbling block if

went shopping with me?" Joy and Nathan had already finished their breakfast.

He did not understand

a piece of omelet for Hackett. "Hackett, eat more. You can walk faster tonight." Hackett thought, ‘Or maybe you want me to take more shopping bags for you?" Sherri's words amused

At night.

gotten off work early. A wall lamp was turned on.

the bar counter sat a girl embraced by a boy, displaying what love was. The sound of their lips intertwining was like a beautiful song, painting into moving notes that kept floating in

earlobes, smooth neck, and flawless shoulders. Her off-shoulder

a particular emotion. "I miss you, Ruby." She liked to hug his neck. He loved to bend down and bury himself in her neck. After kissing her, he would hide in her neck like

a little hoarse. Although she would tease him, she indulged in his actions and did not stop him. She blushed and laughed. "This is how you miss me?" He did not go overboard and cross the line, but compared to the previous light kisses, he was much bolder now. Ruby had to dress up again and redo her makeup every time she went home after spending