On the bed, Nicole's sleep was restless. Her brows were tightly furrowed, her legs curled up, a sign of deep-seated insecurity.

Nicole had been insecure for many years.

In the past, with her parents close by, she could sleep soundly even on the small, uncomfortable cot in a hospital room.

But since her father's passing, peaceful nights had been rare.

Tonight, she dreamt of her father again. Her dream traced back to the time when she was a child, and he was taking her to the countryside for a charity event.

In her dream, Nicole found herself walking through endless farmland, her father explaining the various crops and their uses. He described how these plants would eventually end up on their table.

Tired from walking, little Nicole rode on her father's back.

Listening to his explanations, she innocently asked, “Daddy, why don't the farmers eat meat? It's filling and delicious. Why don't they?"

Her father paused and then laughed heartily at her naive question.

Such innocence was typical for a child her age.

At five, little Nicole couldn't grasp the scarcity of meat and its value.

Growing up in the city with the affluent Lawrence family, Nicole had always been well-fed, even the household staff enjoyed hearty meals.

This made it difficult for little Nicole to understand why farmers lived differently.

Her father tailored his explanation to her young mind. “Does my little Nicole like eating meat?"

“Yes, I like meat," Little Nicole replied in her childlike tone. Meat was delicious, fragrant, and tender, irresistible to anyone.

Her father continued, "The meat you enjoy, including beef, pork and lamb, comes from animals raised by those farmers. Instead of eating them, the farmers sell them to support their families. Many farmers haven't had the opportunity for education, which limits their job options to physically demanding work. It's not that they dislike meat, but selling a pig or a sheep might cover their family's annual expenses, including their children's schooling. They sacrifice their desires, hoping their hard work will offer their children a chance to break free from poverty."

"So, that's why you help those who are stuck in poverty, right?"

Little Nicole's voice was innocent yet perceptive.

Nicole's father was involved in helping many such families, including children raised by elderly grandparents who couldn't work themselves.

For those families, the absence of a working adult meant no income and no hope. The children could starve without external aid, their futures confined to their impoverished villages.