Morwenna picked up an eclair from the plate.
"Yum, it's delicious."
Seeing her enjoyment, Claude asked, "Would you like another one?"
Morwenna nodded, a bit shy.
Claude, with a quizzical expression, pushed the entire plate of pastries towards her.
After munching on a few, Morwenna patted her belly, which had stopped rumbling.
Feeling a bit embarrassed to eat more, she cheerfully said, "Thanks for the pastries, they're really good. Let's get back to the lesson, shall we? I'll make up for the time lost, after all, we did agree on a fee, and take my professional ethics seriously."
Claude suddenly cut her off, "Ms. Winslet, what's the point of me learning all this?"
Morwenna paused, her gaze shifting from the book to Claude.
Claude met her eyes.
"Ms. Winslet, it's not just that I have albinism, or that my vision is impaired. My immune system is compromised, and I have various complications. My lungs are slowly fibrosing irreversibly. I frequently suffer from myocarditis, as well as arrhythmias. Who knows, one day my heart might just stop. Ms. Winslet, I'm not going to live for long. What's the point of learning all this?"
Morwenna stared wide-eyed at the young man in front of her.
She didn't know much about albinism, thinking it was just about having pale skin. She hadn't imagined it was so severe.
This child, who looked like an angel, wouldn't live much longer?
It seemed he was seriously asking her about the meaning of learning.
She didn't dare answer hastily and after a long silence, she replied seriously, "Learning can clarify your mind, broaden your horizons, and enrich yourself."
"But I'm sick, and no matter how much I learn, I'll soon be gone."
"I don't know how to answer your question, but when my teacher was seriously ill, he used the money for his treatment to help several orphans with their living and schooling. I once asked him why, and he said that if he couldn't achieve his grand ideals, he'd do what he could, giving all he had."
Claude continued, "Ms. Winslet, are you suggesting I use my remaining life to help others?"
Morwenna shook her head, "No, what I mean is, don't worry about how long you have, just do what you find meaningful as long as you are alive."
"But... I can't find anything meaningful."
"Then read books. There's everything in books, and maybe by reading, you'll find something meaningful."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah!" Morwenna nodded earnestly, then added, "Tomorrow, I'll bring you some of my favorite books."
Claude's pale gray eyes looked into Morwenna's, as if seeing into her soul.
He stared for a long time, then smiled gently, "Okay."
Claude's genuine and heartfelt smile seemed to hide his inner turmoil.
Morwenna looked at this angelic young man, feeling a twinge of regret that beautiful things never seem to last.
The lesson continued, but it was no longer rigid, more like a casual conversation intertwined with learning.
Morwenna realized that this seemingly aloof young man actually had a lot to say.
It wasn't that Claude was particularly chatty; it was just that he had too few people to talk to.
Ms. Winslet, who had suddenly entered his life, treated him like a normal person.
After a two-hour tutoring session, Morwenna stayed for half an hour longer.
By the time she stood up to leave, she was hungry again.
Claude also stood up, "Ms. Winslet, will you come tomorrow?"
Morwenna nodded, "Of course, I'll be here. We've got a contract, and as long as you need help studying, I'll show up."
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