Chapter 180

Isabella Sullivan opened the bottle of red wine, and Sophia Sullivan was also given a small half-glass.

Who would have thought…

She actually went for two refills!

David Sullivan was deeply engrossed in conversation, and Isabella Sullivan was busy savoring the dishes. No one noticed her except…

Alexander Laurent: "Sophia, that's your third glass."

"!" Sophia's hand, reaching for the bottle, froze mid-air.

Only then did David and Isabella Sullivan realize she had unconsciously drunk so much.

"We said you could try a little, not drink it like water!" Isabella Sullivan was both amused and exasperated.

She also enjoyed red wine, but always in moderation, unlike her silly daughter…

David also disapproved, but his focus was—

"Alex, true to your scientific background, so meticulous! So observant! No wonder you've achieved such remarkable academic success at such a young age…"

That's right, David had already thoroughly researched Alexander's accomplishments in the field of physics through various channels.

His exclamations of admiration were continuous and effusive.

Even Isabella Sullivan teased him: "Your father is obsessed."

Sophia hadn't felt it much before, as Alexander's academic standing was something only those within the circle truly understood—how extraordinary, how outstanding, how astonishing it was.

But now, she completely agreed with the "obsessed" description—

He could even find a way to praise this?

Sophia seriously suspected her father saw Alexander through rose-colored glasses.

Extremely thick ones.

"Alex, you pay such close attention to Sophia, even noticing such small details. I, as her father, feel ashamed I can't match that…" David said, taking a sip of his wine.

Suddenly, he set down his glass and said seriously, "How about we become sworn brothers? Then Sophia can call you Uncle."

Pfft—

Isabella Sullivan nearly spat out the wine she had just sipped.

Sophia: "?"

Alexander Laurent: "???!!!"

Seeing no response, David nodded to himself. "What a brilliant idea! The more I think about it, the better it seems! You see, Isabella and I live in the neighboring city, and Sophia is all alone in Kyoto with no one to look out for her."

"You're steady, thoughtful, exceptionally capable. You could guide her a bit, both in life and in her studies."

"Of course, rest assured, I'm absolutely not asking for special favors. I just… hic!… just thought it would be good for her to have an elder's care in a place where she has no family…"

Every time David said "elder" or mentioned "Uncle," Alexander's eyebrow twitched uncontrollably.

As David became more and more invested, seemingly ready to swear brotherhood with Alexander on the spot, Isabella Sullivan finally snapped out of it.

She snatched his glass. "What nonsense are you talking? A few extra sips and you lose all sense of propriety, saying whatever comes to mind! Alex is what age? An uncle to your daughter? What were you thinking!"

Alexander sat rigidly in his chair, not daring to move or speak.

He cheered for Isabella Sullivan silently in his heart.

Sophia also came to her senses and quickly apologized. "I'm so sorry, Professor. My dad gets like this when he drinks too much—his imagination runs wild, and he can't stop talking. Please don't take it to heart…"

"Ahem!" What could Alexander say?

What dared he say?

"It's fine. Your father is drunk. I don't mind."

"Who's drunk? I'm not drunk!" David looked at his wife, then his daughter, finally settling his clear-eyed gaze on Alexander's face. "Alex, I truly consider you a brother…"

Alexander: "…" Please, no. Don't.

"Enough!" Isabella Sullivan's sharp command finally stopped David from continuing.

But his form of address for Alexander changed to—

"Little brother, don't stand on ceremony, eat more! Try this Peach Blossom Mandarin Fish, my signature dish." David said cheerfully.

Alexander: "…" Seriously. Thanks.

"How is it, little brother? To your taste?"

Alexander: "…Delicious."

David's eyes lit up, as if he had met a soulmate and regretted not meeting sooner. "If you like it, have more! And this Crystal Beef, with my secret sauce…"

Alexander, throughout: "Excellent… Flavorful… Unique preparation… First time trying this…"

Consequently, David became even more enthusiastic.

Finally, the meal ended. When Alexander stood up to leave, he felt as if he had received a great pardon.

But the next second—

David: "Sophia, see your Uncle Alex out."

Alexander: "!"

So very tired.

"…Oh!" Sophia stood up.

Perhaps the wine's delayed effect was hitting her. She felt dizzy, her reactions slowed.

But her complexion remained normal.

Her gaze was still clear.

She walked Alexander to the door. The moment she stepped out, the wind caught the door behind her, slamming it shut with a bang.

There wasn't really much to 'see out'—he lived next door.

She waved at Alexander. Whether it was the alcohol or a momentary lapse, the words slipped out—

"Goodbye, Uncle Alex."

Alexander's steps halted. He turned sharply to look at her, his gaze deep, like two bottomless whirlpools.

He stepped closer, enunciating each word slowly. "What did you call me? Hmm?"

The rising inflection held a hidden danger.

It drilled into Sophia's ears, sending a tingling electric current through her.

She looked up dazedly. Their eyes met, and she was abruptly pulled into the depths of the man's gaze.

One second, two seconds…

A full five seconds passed before Sophia regained her senses.

Whether from embarrassment or genuine intoxication, a blush instantly spread across her cheeks.

It deepened, spreading until it burned the tips of her ears, turning them completely red.

The girl's clear, bright black eyes were like mountain springs, pure and innocent. Coupled with her biting her lip, shyness gradually surfaced.

"S-sorry… I-I don't know why I said that. I meant to call you Professor Laurent…"

What the hell was "Uncle Alex"!

Sophia covered her burning face in despair, wishing she could faint on the spot.

Then, the man let out a low chuckle—

"Will you dare to overindulge next time?"

Alexander had noticed early on that Sophia had a bit of a fondness for alcohol. This included, but wasn't limited to, drinking with Olivia Lopez to drown sorrows, and wanting to open a beer when treating him to a meal.

He never expected she'd dare to drink glass after glass right in front of her parents.

"You've got some nerve!" As he spoke, he lightly tapped the top of her head.

The action stunned them both.

Alexander was shocked by his own quick reflex. Reason told him this was inappropriate—she was a woman, such contact was too intimate, easily misunderstood—but his action had been faster than his thoughts.

Sophia was just bewildered.

The man's touch wasn't heavy; it was even gentle, just brushing through her hair.

Her bewilderment was half from the alcohol slowing her reactions, and the other half because…

"Professor, do you know that tapping someone's head makes them stupid?"

Alexander: "…I know now."

"Then what if I become stupid?"

"You…"

"If I become stupid, how can I participate in the academic competitions?! How can I win a gold medal?!"

Alexander: "??"

Academic competitions?

Gold medal?

He was silent for two seconds. "…Sophia Sullivan, what grade are you in now?"

"Tenth grade. Why?"

"…"

Right. Now she was truly drunk.