As if feeling Lionel's gaze, Father Pelletier felt a chill down his spine and quickly turned around.
Then he heard Lionel speaking righteously and sternly, "defending" the Church regarding Jean-Baptiste Reynaud's meager salary.
"Oh, about teacher Reynaud's salary... I think this fully reflects the local diocese's deep concern and... uh, unique wisdom.
You know, teacher Reynaud has dedicated his life to education, and his work is extremely busy.
I'm afraid it's difficult for him to have enough time to participate in all religious ceremonies and lengthy prayers like ordinary believers."
Lionel's voice was filled with sincerity, and the reasons he gave were simply "flawless":
"As far as I know, the Church – and I believe this must be out of thoughtfulness and compassion – proactively deducts a portion from teacher Reynaud's already modest salary each month, about 30 francs, I recall.
What a clever and benevolent arrangement this is!
You see, this is equivalent to completing a certain form of 'offering' on behalf of teacher Reynaud, ensuring that even if his soul is slightly neglectful of formal piety due to being busy nurturing the next generation, it can still continuously receive God's favor and blessings.
This undoubtedly demonstrates the Church's support for education and its additional care for teachers' spiritual well-being!
This is a... hmm... a very efficient 'spiritual guarantee,' isn't it?"
After Lionel finished speaking, his face still maintained that sincere expression.
There was a moment of dead silence.
Even Count Rohan, who was checking the surroundings outside the classroom, stopped in his tracks.
He immediately understood that this was a heaven-sent opportunity and quickly signaled his attendants with his eyes to "control" Father Pelletier, lest he spoil the good deed.
The reporters were stunned for a moment, then their eyes burst with joyous light!
They were all shrewd individuals; how could they not understand such obvious sarcasm?
Father Pelletier's face instantly turned beet red, his lips quivering, yet he couldn't utter a single word.
He wanted to step forward to explain something but was squeezed into a corner by several Ministry of Education officials, unable to move.
Soon, a reporter turned to Count Rohan, asking for his opinion on the matter.
Count Rohan's mouth twitched slightly, but his tone was serious, even somber:
"This... this is indeed a practice that makes one... deeply ponder. This further illustrates that education must be led by the state to ensure its purity and fairness!"
...
In fact, no one else needed to say more; the reporters had already gotten all the ammunition they wanted.
Father Pelletier slumped to the ground like a dead man – he knew he was finished; whatever became of Montiel and Saint Joseph's school in the future had nothing to do with him.
----
"Sister Alice, young master is in the newspaper again!"
Patty shouted, holding a stack of newspapers in her hand.
Although the words she knew were not enough for her to fluently read the newspaper's contents, she recognized "Lionel Sorel" very accurately.
Alice quickly put down "Germination" in her hand and got up to take the newspapers.
Opening them, she saw that they were indeed all reports about Lionel –
At the top was "Le Figaro," with the front-page headline:
"Twenty Thousand Francs Illuminate the Dark Corners of Education, Deputy Minister Calls for State Responsibility."
Although she had known about Lionel donating 20,000 francs for scholarships last week, seeing this matter gradually transform from "rumor" into "reality" still deeply moved her.
However, "Le Figaro" maintained its consistent tradition, lightly skimming over the Montiel church's embezzlement of school teachers' salaries, as if it had never happened.
But other newspapers were different.
"Le Petit Parisien" pierced the heart of the church with the most direct and sharpest headline –
"Thirty Francs Deducted Monthly! The Church Exploits Rural Teachers So Ruthlessly!"
The criticism was also extremely scathing:
[...In the countryside unseen by us, the Church has not only failed to shoulder the responsibility of education but has instead become a robber plundering already meager educational funds.
Mr. Jean-Baptiste Reynaud's plight has torn open the last fig leaf of church schools. The state must quickly and thoroughly liberate education from this outdated and corrupt system!]
...
Closing the newspaper, Alice's heart was stirred.
When she first escaped from the church and sought refuge with Lionel, she thought Lionel had merely coincidentally made a fortune in Paris and was somewhat puzzled why he wasn't more willing to help her family;
Later, seeing Lionel gradually achieve success through literature, not only getting increasingly generous manuscript fees but also entering "high society," made her admire him and feel a bit inferior;
But now, Lionel seemed to be more than just a writer; many "big matters" that seemed like distant clouds and mist to her, her childhood companion also seemed able to participate in.
This made Alice feel that Lionel had become a star in the distant sky, visible but forever out of reach...
Patty jumped over:
"Sister Alice, what does the newspaper say about young master?"
Alice then came back to her senses, stroked Patty's head:
"Léon has done another great thing; I'll read it to you..."
----
The commotion in Montiel did not completely subside with the departure of Count Rohan and the press corps.
The twenty thousand francs stirred every nerve in this small Alpine town.
Lionel Sorel's name, in the mouths of the villagers, had gradually evolved from "a promising Parisian celebrity" to a mysterious magnate whose "a little bit of gold dust leaking from his fingers is enough for us to eat for a year."
Speculations about his annual income rapidly swelled through word of mouth, quickly rising from an initial ten thousand francs to thirty thousand, or even higher.
In the eyes of the Montiel people, Parisian money would automatically and continuously roll into his pockets.
Lionel keenly sensed this change in atmosphere –
The doorstep wasn't mobbed, but those "accidentally" passing by, those hesitating to speak, those racking their brains to get close, all made him feel tired.
He knew that his vacation had to end early.
On the night before his departure, under the kerosene lamp, Lionel's voice was soothing yet very solemn:
"After I leave, there are a few things I hope you will keep in mind."
Father, mother, and sister all nodded gently.
"First, about money. If villagers and neighbors come to borrow money, and you genuinely cannot refuse out of politeness, you must also be clear in your heart that this money will not be returned.
Don't let yourselves be burdened because of me, or even incur resentment from others."
Joseph nodded solemnly:
"I understand. We will act within our means."
Lionel looked at Ivanna:
"Second, sister, the sins of a deceiver should not be repaid by you with a lifetime of melancholy. You are still young, and the road ahead is long.
If... if a suitable young man sincerely comes to propose marriage in the future, I hope you can try to open your heart."
Ivanna lowered her head, twisting the corner of her dress with her fingers, and softly hummed in acknowledgment.
Lionel's gaze swept over his three closest relatives:
"Third, do not discuss my specific situation in Paris with outsiders, and do not undertake any troublesome matters that require using my 'connections' or 'influence.'
Whether it's the mayor's request, the priest's hint, or any villager's plea, simply decline by saying that I am of little consequence in Paris and powerless to help."
"We remember, Léon,"
Father Joseph nodded heavily, making a promise on behalf of the family.
He knew that the master of the Sorel household was now Lionel.
The next morning, before dawn, Lionel, carrying only simple luggage, left Montiel and embarked on his journey to Paris.
(End of chapter)
---------------------
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