Was It the SAT Today?

"What is this?" Augus received a big package from Valentina, sniffing a strong smell of herbs. He quickly opened it to look, and indeed it was herbs. The two characters "Bright Hall" on the bag gave Augus even more hope. He looked at Valentina with hardly concealed excitement. Valentina told him how to decoct the herbs, which ones to drink and which ones to soak. Augus took careful notes. "Remember, when soaking your foot, the water should be above your knee. Just soak your left foot, and the water temperature should be as high as you can tolerate. Cover the bucket with a towel when soaking, and don't let the steam escape. Soak for half an hour each time." "Val, these herbs are very expensive, right?" "Not really." Only a couple of ginseng roots were pricey, but she didn't spend any money on them. "The muscle in the place where your left foot is injured has not necrosed yet. Soak it first for a while, and I will give you acupuncture treatment later." "Acupuncture?" "You'll know when the time comes." After Valentina finished speaking, she took her acupuncture kit and went back to her room. Augus left his homework aside and carefully took two packets of herbs to the kitchen. Smelling the aroma of the herbs, Augus's fair face became slightly redder with excitement. He looked forward to the day when his foot could walk normally. Just thinking about it, his heartbeat became irregular with anticipation. At this moment, probably no one could understand his feelings. Upon seeing the hope, Augus changed completely. Previously, he was reserved and silent, preferring solitude. In school, he barely interacted with anyone, choosing to spend the entire day in solitude in his seat. Despite being as handsome as Byron, Augus remained ignored and alone in the school. Commonly known by others as 'The Cripple of Class 1', or a slightly kinder term 'The Limp Genius of Class 1'. It wasn't until a few days ago when he had a duel with the son of the chairman of S&W Group that he became the second person after Valentina to be recognized by all teachers and students in the school. With Valentina absent, the topic among the students was all about him. "Did you hear? Bob transferred schools." "He did? Why? Didn’t the rest of the students involved in the fight just receive disciplinary action? Besides, his family's loaded, why transfer? Did he go to a better school?" "I heard that day when Bob's parents came to school, they stormed directly into the principal's office with multiple bodyguards, but Augus was there alone." "Initially, everyone thought Augus was doomed. Guess what happened? Bob ended up being stretchered into an ambulance." "I thought his injuries weren't severe? Or did something happen in the principal’s office?" "I heard later Valentina went to the principal's office, the girl who got us a new principal." "Who would have thought that Augus is actually Valentina's younger brother?" "Is that cripple Valentina's brother?" "Do you still dare to call him a cripple now?" Valentina used to be an underachiever, but she transformed into a top student even more impressive than Byron, and even made the principal and teachers apologize in front of the whole school, which eventually led to their dismissal. Perhaps it couldn't fully explain how extraordinary she was. However, this time, Valentina's younger brother, Augus, got into a fight with the son of the chairman of S&W Group, but Augus didn't even receive any punishment or reflection, while wealthy and influential Bob was forced to transfer schools. It made one have to believe that Valentina truly had connections! Today, Augus strolled into the school, attracting more attention from the girls. Many noticed that he was in a great mood today. Although he was never seen smiling, nor initiating a conversation with someone, one could clearly feel that even his gaze was different now. "I just noticed that Augus does not look any worse than the school heartthrob Byron." "I've noticed that a long time ago. It's just a pity about his leg, or Byron might not even be able to be the heartthrob." "He's limp, but so what? He's good at studying, handsome, and even has such an impressive sister. He will definitely not be disadvantaged in the future." The SAT was coming up. It was only a few days before the SAT that Diana returned to Mapleville. She and Selena were all smiles. They didn't look like they were going to attend a relative's wedding, but rather as if they had won some kind of prize outside. Both of them changed their clothes and dressed brightly. Especially Selena, she was dressed like a city woman, wearing a scarf in such hot weather, and her eyes could not open wide from too much smiling. Out of conscience, Diana brought a gift for Valentina. Of course, Valentina did not accept it. "Forget about it." Diana said as she kept it herself. Augus, holding the gift given by Diana, went to Valentina's room. "Val, I don't think mom and Diana went to attend a wedding." Valentina said, "What they did has nothing to do with me." Augus felt something was not right, but couldn't pinpoint exactly what. In the evening, when Augus was preparing the medicine, Selena sniffed the scent and made her way to the kitchen. When she found out Valentina bought the herbs for Augus to treat his foot, Selena cursed loudly and was about to dump the herbs. "Medication isn't to be taken lightly. You could die from side effects! Have you lost your mind?" "That witch is trying to poison you, damn her!" George came out of the room, holding back Selena, and explained, "This medication is specifically prescribed by Franklin in Biddeford." He had the packet of medication, pointing at the three characters "Bright Hall" inscribed on it. "Franklin prescribed it for her? Are you insane?" Selena, despite her lack of education, knew about Franklin's fame. She outright disbelieved that Valentina could procure medication authorized by Franklin, insisting that it must be a counterfeit Bright Hall product. "Did Valentina go to Biddeford? When?" Yet, Diana picked up on this detail. "Exactly, when did she go to Biddeford? How come I wasn't informed?" Selena followed with the questioning. "A day after you both left." answered George. Selena still harbored suspicions, unrelenting, arguing that Augus's foot, afflicted for so many years, wasn't something a mere medication could treat; insisting Augus shouldn't take the medication. She was about to grab a packet of medication to toss it away. "Augus has been consuming it for a few days now. Doesn't he look just fine?" George was initially skeptical too, but seeing Augus's energy and spirits visibly improving in these few days, he was convinced to let Augus take the medication. Although he understood the unlikelihood of a miraculous recovery from his son's foot condition, he wanted to give it a try. Even if it meant the slightest improvement, it would have been worth it. In the tug of war, the medication was scattered across the floor. Augus looked at the herbs strewn all over the floor and squatted down slowly, scooping up the herbs in his hands. "Augus." Seeing this made George's heart ache. He quickly squatted down to help pick up the herbs. Augus looked at the herbs in his hand, then slowly lifted his head to look at his mother, gritting his teeth, and said almost word by word, "Even if the herbs could kill, I must take them today!" ... The SAT arrived as scheduled. Valentina checked the time and took her examination stationery out of the house. As soon as she stepped outside, she saw Augus waiting for her at their usual meeting spot. Augus was on holiday during the terminal exams of his senior year. He was wearing the clothes Valentina had bought for him. In comparison to his lifeless appearance when they first met, he finally looked more spirited. "I'll escort you to school," Augus said. "There's no need," Valentina thought. "I have nothing to do at home anyway," Augus spoke and left first. In Augus's opinion, the SAT was a big event in life. Even though he knew that Valentina felt no pressure about it, he wanted to accompany her so that she didn't have to face it alone. Valentina was assigned to take her test at her school. Augus escorted her to the school gate. Valentina arrived a bit late, and Augus urged her to enter the examination room. Valentina waved at him and leisurely entered the school gate. Seeing Valentina's casual attitude, the parents at the entrance shook their heads in disapproval, assuming that Valentina must be a poor student who cannot continue her studies. "Is the SAT today?" William, who was preparing to leave for the company early in the morning, suddenly remembered the event. "Yes, Mr. William, it's today," Leonard quickly responded. He wondered to himself, "Is the boss asking about Miss Ricardo?"