Lunch lasted for about an hour, with the latter half almost turning into a discussion between Mr. Tuohy and Mike.
Mike also gained a lot during this meal; due to his strong learning ability, by the end of the meal, his [Business] skill level was already close to Professional Level 4.
With this skill, Mike could now earn money in the real economy even without relying on his foresight in the stock market.
"Alright, Mike. You just drank, go rest for a bit," Mrs. Tuohy interrupted her husband's incessant "teaching" and had her daughter help Mike upstairs to rest.
Don't drink and drive, don't drive and drink.
Mike, as per custom, would have to stay at the Tuohy family's house for at least two hours before being allowed to drive home.
Watching his eldest daughter and Mike's receding figures, Sean, the old father, had a very complex expression once again.
Through their previous conversation, he had already determined that Mike was a very promising young man.
However, no father would be happy to watch his little 'cotton jacket' be worn away by someone else.
"How about it, Sean, are you satisfied with Mr. Mike?" Mrs. Tuohy asked teasingly after only Mr. and Mrs. Sean were left in the dining room.
"He's very smart and has a lot of ideas. If 100 is a perfect score, I'd give him an 85…" Mr. Tuohy gave an objective evaluation.
In the latter half of lunch, after Mike's business skill level had increased, he was already able to have a back-and-forth conversation with Mr. Tuohy.
Mr. Tuohy had never seen such learning ability and business talent.
Being excellent to this extent, Mr. Tuohy had nothing more to criticize about this "son-in-law."
As for the 15 points deducted, it was just an old father's last stubbornness.
"I think you're just jealous that Mike is handsome…" Mrs. Tuohy walked behind her husband with a smile, put her hand on his shoulder, and said intimately, "But, my old baby, you're not bad either…"
With that, Mrs. Tuohy started to get a bit playful.
To be honest, to be admired by someone who values looks, Mr. Tuohy must have been a great handsome man in his youth.
Even in middle age, Mr. Tuohy, without a beer belly and with a full head of hair, could still be called a ladies' man.
At the same time, in Collins's room on the second floor, an intense two-person action was also taking place.
[Holy Spear Experience + 69]… [Dance Experience + 66]… [Flexibility Attribute + 3]…
Two hours later, Mike, having said his final goodbyes to Collins, drove away from the Tuohy family's house.
Another two days passed, and students welcomed the start of the new school year.
With the start of the school year, Georgie also prepared for his road trip.
At this moment, his white RV was filled with daily necessities, changes of clothes, and other miscellaneous items.
These were all personal items that Georgie had specially organized from his room over the past two days while his mother was out.
"Georgie, are you sure you want to do this? It's still not too late to change your mind…" In front of the RV, George tried to persuade his eldest son again.
"I've already decided." Thinking of the impending separation from his family, Georgie's expression was a bit heavy at this moment.
However, the yearning for the outside world still made this young man firm in his decision.
"Alright, you've grown up. You're capable of taking responsibility for your own actions…" After shaking his head helplessly, George Sr. handed over a package: "This contains things your mother prepared for you. I hope you have a smooth journey. Also, remember this will always be your home."
Receiving his mother's gift, Georgie was a little surprised, and the rest was all gratitude.
"Alright, take care of yourself when you're out there." George was not used to such farewell scenes. After admonishing his eldest son again, he turned to his young daughter beside him and said, "Let's go, I need to take you to report to elementary school."
Missy waved goodbye to Georgie: "Georgie, goodbye. I'll miss you—"
Even though Missy and Sheldon were fraternal twins, her relationship with Georgie was actually more intimate.
Here, not long after George and Missy left, Connie and Mike also came out to the RV.
"Georgie, these are dried provisions Meemaw prepared for you. Take them to eat on the road. And take this money too, for emergencies. The outside is not like home…" Connie handed over a large bag of food and a handful of dollars amidst her chatter.
The amount of emergency food was probably enough for one person for half a month. As for the handful of dollars, judging by the thickness, it should be around one thousand.
Based on Connie's monthly living expenses, it was not easy for her to come up with this money.
Georgie, receiving gifts again, was also exceptionally moved and was about to say words of thanks.
"Stop, we're family," Connie anticipated his reaction and waved her hand with a smile: "This is all I can help you with. Now Meemaw needs to go to the spa for a treatment—"
After speaking, Connie turned and left gracefully.
Next, Georgie, having composed himself by the RV, shifted his gaze to Mike, seemingly anticipating the gift he had prepared.
"Take these two thousand dollars. If you encounter any problems you can't solve on the road, remember to call me…" Mike wasn't pretentious either, heartlessly throwing out two thousand dollars.
He had the hateful look of someone who had nothing but money.
"Consider this money a loan. When I become successful in the future, I will definitely pay you back." Georgie accepted the money and made a solemn promise.
Unlike George Sr. and Connie giving money, Mike was, after all, an "outsider."
"Suit yourself." With Mike's current net worth, two thousand dollars was nothing to him.
Therefore, he didn't really care whether Georgie could pay back the money.
"Well then, we'll see each other in half a year." After saying goodbye, Mike drove his Ferrari sports car, taking Paige to school.
It was early June now, and it would be exactly half a year until Christmas at the end of the year.
If nothing unexpected happened, the money Georgie had would be enough for him to live comfortably until Christmas, and then return to reunite with his family.
Medford High was holding welcoming activities. New school year, new atmosphere. Banners and streamers welcoming the new school year were hung at the campus entrance and on the playground.
At the same time, many returning students were watching the new students enter the school at the campus entrance.
The new students, who had just come from elementary school, with their tender faces and foolish appearances, were a rare source of amusement.
As for Mike, after parking his sports car outside the school gate and entering the campus, students actively greeted him along the way.
Sports star, top student, campus celebrity, god-tier campus heartthrob…
A series of labels made Mike, who had officially been promoted to a twelfth grade senior this school year, undeniably the brightest star on Medford's campus.
With numerous halos surrounding him, even the school teachers gave him some face.
It was foreseeable that Mike's high school life would be very enjoyable for the next year.
Similarly, as Mike's fame grew, more and more girls would want to join his fan club.
For instance, right now, Lina, sitting in the twelfth grade classroom, had a pile of application forms in front of her, all creations of students who wanted to join the fan club.
"Mike, you're finally here." Seeing Mike enter the classroom, Lina looked as if she had seen a savior and asked, "Do you mind if boys join your fan club?"
"What?" Mike was slightly surprised. His fan club, though without explicit rules, had always had only girls as members.
This was an unwritten rule.
"There's a boy named Tam who wants to join the fan club. He specifically mentioned he's your friend…" Lina explained.
Mike's fan club, with the passage of time, had almost become the most influential group in the school.
It was understandable that with a group of such size, the members' status would naturally not be low, at least they wouldn't be bullied without reason.
From this perspective, it seemed understandable that Tam, as a marginalized person most easily bullied, would want to join the fan club.