Chapter 42

Walking into the Neilson Café, Audrich ordered a coffee and some tea snacks as soon as he entered, then he started looking for a seat. He liked the window seats, as they allowed him to enjoy the scenery on the street.

The aisle on the window side was blocked by a baby stroller. Audrich glanced down but didn't pay much attention. The window seat next to him was empty, but there was a pen and a notebook on the table. He didn't see any cups or food, so he assumed no one was there.

He placed his leisure bag at his feet, took off his warm scarf, and unbuttoned his coat before sitting down.

While waiting for his order, Audrich casually opened the notebook on the table and was immediately drawn in by the first glance.

It was just an ordinary writing notebook, but the neat and elegant English handwriting was particularly pleasing to the eye. The pages described a fantastical short story, and Audrich found himself immersed in it without realizing it.

Page by page, he read the story, completely unaware of the figure that appeared beside him. His eyes remained fixed on the notebook, occasionally lifting his left hand to take a sip of coffee or using a fork to eat some delicious cake.

When he eagerly turned to the next page, he suddenly found the story had ended abruptly. The blank pages left him feeling lost, and he stared blankly at the notebook.

"Sir, would you like a refill?"

The waiter, noticing his empty coffee cup, asked as he passed by.

Audrich looked up and naturally smiled, "Sure, thank you."

After the waiter bent down to refill his coffee, Audrich noticed a mature woman standing beside him. She was slender, with long blonde hair just past her shoulders. Her face, though well-featured, was haggard. When Audrich looked at her, her eyes darted away, filled with a heart-wrenching melancholy.

Her long, slender hands tightly gripped the baby stroller. Audrich noticed that the stroller, which had been empty when he arrived, now contained a chubby one-year-old girl, who seemed to be dozing off, looking very cute.

Audrich found it strange that a stranger was standing next to a customer, and the waiter didn't seem to care.

So when he looked at the waiter, the male waiter politely said, "Sir, the notebook in your hands belongs to this lady."

Audrich suddenly realized what had happened. He hadn't seen any cups or other items on the table, so he thought no one was there. He quickly stood up and apologized, "I'm sorry, I didn't know it was yours."

The mature, weathered woman remained silent for a moment before softly saying, "It's okay."

Audrich's appearance was harmless, with a handsome face and casual attire. When he smiled, he looked like a friendly neighbor. This often left a good first impression on others.

"Did you write this?"

Audrich had no intention of returning the notebook. Seeing the woman frown slightly, he quickly added, "Please don't misunderstand. I really enjoyed your story; it was fantastic. Meeting you is a matter of fate. I'd like to buy you a coffee, and if you don't mind, could I read the rest of the story? It's really frustrating to only read half of such a great story, like being scratched by a cat, itchy and uncomfortable."

Perhaps Audrich's straightforward and humorous words touched the woman. She sat down across from him, but she lowered her head, seemingly lacking confidence.

Audrich ordered her a coffee and some snacks, then started chatting with her casually.

At first, the atmosphere was a bit stiff, but soon the mature woman began to talk more. She seemed eager to hear Audrich's thoughts on the story, and her melancholy expression improved as she received his praise, her eyes regaining some of their former sparkle.

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Audrich Hall, here on a trip to Edinburgh. My profession is a football coach."

Audrich smiled as he held his coffee cup.

The woman's face turned sad again, as if remembering something. She murmured, "Football? In Manchester, I've seen football matches, a ball flying back and forth..."

Clearly, football had triggered some unpleasant memories for her. She shook her head, a bitter smile on her lips, then looked up at Audrich and said, "I'm Joanne Rowling. Mr. Hall, you look so young, I thought you were still in school, but you're already working."

Audrich casually replied, "I don't have grand ambitions to rule the world. I've always wanted to be a football coach, so there was no need for me to go to university. As for those lofty ideals and refined tastes, well, I'm just a simple person, and I don't set such high standards for myself. Ha, Ms. Joanne Rowling, right?"

Audrich suddenly raised his head, blinked, and then asked curiously, "I'm sorry to be forward, but could you tell me your full name, including your middle name?"

Rowling looked confused and answered honestly, "Kathleen."

Audrich sat up straight, his face full of surprise as he looked at the mature woman before him, as if he were seeing her for the first time.

Joanne Kathleen Rowling.

J.K. Rowling!

Audrich had actually felt a sense of familiarity with the woman's face, but it was like a vague memory from a dream.

In fact, he had seen her face before, but the memory was too distant, and the face he had seen then was much more vibrant and colorful, not the haggard and melancholy one before him.

Audrich, though not a literature enthusiast in his previous life, knew of a writer whose works had become a global sensation.

The mother of Harry Potter: J.K. Rowling!

Embarrassingly, Audrich had never read the original "Harry Potter" books, as he couldn't understand them in his previous life, and he had no interest in the Chinese translations. However, he had seen all the movies, and he knew many fans were like him.

Audrich's expression suddenly became serious, and he asked softly, "Are you in some kind of trouble? You don't look well."

She was dressed cheaply and hadn't even ordered a coffee. Audrich couldn't understand how she could sit there without even a glass of water on the table.

Audrich's question clearly touched a nerve. Her eyes moistened, and she quickly lowered her head, saying, "Mr. Hall, you're young, and there are many things you can't understand at your age."

Audrich, however, said earnestly, "No, it's not about understanding. I'm a simple person. If there's a problem, I solve it. I love your work; the short story was fantastic. I believe you can create even more amazing and popular works in the future. So, you should focus on what you love most, just like me. I love football, so I'm fully committed to being the coach I dream of. Any obstacles, I see as challenges to overcome!"

Rowling suddenly looked up, staring at the young man with disbelief.

Why?

Why could he be so confident?

He had already worked and experienced the world, yet he could still hold his head high in this seemingly sunless world.

Clearly, Audrich was always different. He didn't share the British sentiment of mourning the lost glory of the old empire, nor did he have the aggressive and domineering attitude. His simple and carefree attitude made him confident and untroubled by any setbacks.

Deep down, since coming to London in the summer of 1986, he had lived more freely and simply.

As he said, meeting was a matter of fate. With his sincere praise, in a short time, Rowling and Audrich had become like friends.

It was then that Audrich learned that J.K. Rowling was in a very difficult situation.

She was in the middle of a divorce and was already a single mother.

Not only did she need government welfare to get by, but she also needed psychological therapy. She was living with her sister, and the café was run by her brother-in-law and other partners, which allowed her to write there.

For her, the past year had been dark. The breakdown of her marriage left her without support, and she was overwhelmed by heavy negative emotions. If not for her daughter, she might have lost the will to live.

Thus, Audrich's unexpected encouragement and praise moved her more than any comfort or advice.

After listening to her story, Audrich stood up, his face showing excitement as he looked down at her and said, "Ms. Rowling, you must pull yourself together! And you should thank God, thank Mary, or any deity. Your new life has begun! That scoundrel who abandoned his wife and child, it's right to draw a line with him. You should think of it this way: you are free, you are liberated. You can pursue the life you want, you can make yourself happy. Consider it a new beginning in your life. Believe me, when you have a new start, don't hesitate. Seize it, grasp it, and start anew without any regrets!"

The future famous J.K. Rowling gazed up at the handsome face above her, the inspiring and encouraging eyes shining brightly, like a beacon she wanted to hold in her hand and cherish forever.

It must be said that motivating people was something Audrich had mastered over the past six months. To be a good coach, he needed to be good with words, and he couldn't help but apply this to Rowling.

After a moment of stunned silence, Rowling stammered, "But, but I don't know, don't know what to do."

Audrich learned that Rowling used an old typewriter to write her novels at home, and he felt a pang of sympathy for her. Her long, delicate hands, striking the cold keys, seemed like a crime.

Audrich checked his watch; he had to catch a train to be on time for the team's training the next day. He was always punctual, never allowing himself to be late.

"Sorry, I have to go. I'm returning to London for work, but don't worry. I can provide you with some assistance. Please don't misunderstand; this isn't out of pity. It's an honor to help you. Wait a moment, I'll make a call."

For Audrich, providing some assistance was a small matter, but for J.K. Rowling, it would mean a complete change in her life. Audrich wasn't trying to be a philanthropist, but he believed in fate.

Since he had met Rowling in her time of need, he felt it was his duty to help her, just as he would help any friend.

He went to the bar and called Andrew's apartment, explaining the situation and asking Andrew to come to Edinburgh the next day to take over Rowling's divorce case.

The case itself was mainly about custody and alimony.

Andrew didn't know what Audrich was up to, but he never refused his brother's requests.

Audrich arranged everything, picked up his leisure bag, and found Andrew's business card, which he handed to the bewildered Rowling. He said, "Ms. Rowling, this is my brother's business card. He's a lawyer, and I've asked him to help you with your case. The legal fees will be waived. Additionally, I'll lend you some money. Please forget about the pressure of life; any difficulty is temporary. You are destined to write a world-renowned story with your own hands. Honestly, I envy your talent. I'm really in a hurry, but my brother will be here tomorrow to find you. Goodbye."

With that, Audrich hurried out of the café, his schedule always meticulously planned. Today's unexpected encounter with Rowling had made him a time-pressed person.

Rowling, holding the business card, watched Audrich get into a taxi outside the café, feeling a bit lost.

Near the bar, a waiter shook his head and said, "He probably looks like a scammer."

Rowling pushed the baby stroller out, puzzled.

What did she have that could be scammed?

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