Chapter 233

"Not yet," Alexander replied.

"Oh~ Got it, got it! Still chasing, right?"

He remained silent.

The guys took his silence as confirmation.

"How long have you known her?"

Alexander thought for a moment. "Over a year."

"This long and you still haven't caught her? Dude, your efficiency is terrible! Wasting that height and those looks!"

Alexander: "..."

"Listen to me, bro. Let me teach you a killer move. Ninety-nine percent of women can't resist it…"

Alexander appeared indifferent on the surface.

But when the other guy reached the crucial part, he unconsciously focused intently.

…

On the way back, Sophia was animated. "...Professor, that shot was incredible... and that move…"

She gestured excitedly as she walked, her face full of expression.

Alexander kept pace beside her, occasionally responding, a faint smile always playing on his lips.

Passing a pharmacy, he suddenly stopped. "Wait for me a moment."

He strode inside.

When he emerged, he held a bottle of medicinal oil.

He pointed to her forehead. "It still looks a bit red. It might bruise tomorrow. This will help it heal faster."

Sophia hadn't expected him to buy medicine specifically for her.

"It's just a small injury. It'll be fine tomorrow. No need for the trouble," she quickly declined.

"A bruise on the face isn't attractive. Don't women care about their appearance?"

"Women?" Sophia raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. Olivia is like that too."

"...Well, thank you then." She reached for the bottle.

But Alexander made no move to hand it over.

Instead, he opened a pack of sterile cotton swabs.

"It's awkward to do it yourself. Let me."

He had specifically washed his hands and used sanitizer at the pharmacy before coming out.

Sophia was slightly taken aback, surprised.

He dipped a swab in the oil.

Gently, he brushed aside the strands of hair on her forehead, revealing the reddened skin.

The moment his fingertips touched her, Sophia felt a distinct heat, different from her own body temperature.

Then the cool swab made contact, and that searing warmth subtly receded.

"Hmm?" Sophia sniffed lightly, her nose twitching. "This oil... it actually smells quite nice..."

Not pungent at all.

It had a strong floral scent.

Alexander gave a low hum of acknowledgment.

He had asked the clerk, who said this one was the most popular.

Especially with women. They all liked it.

"Done." He withdrew his hand, took a half-step back, and discarded the swab.

Sophia felt a cooling sensation on her forehead. It was indeed more comfortable.

"Thank you."

They walked upstairs together and parted at their doors.

Whether he forgot or not, Alexander didn't give her the remaining oil and swabs.

He took them back to his own apartment.

Sophia didn't mind. A small injury like this would be gone after a night's sleep.

Even if he had given her the oil, she probably wouldn't have remembered to use it.

That night, after his shower, Alexander lay in bed.

His classmate's "advice" echoed in his ears—

"First, as men, if we like someone, we should be proactive. Don't just stupidly wait for the woman to make the first move."

"Next, work hard to create opportunities for contact. Feelings develop gradually through more interaction. Ambiance often happens in the unplanned moments spent together. How can you move to the next step if you hardly ever see each other?"

"Then, the most crucial point! During your time together, consciously create some physical contact. Like accidentally kissing, tripping and falling into a kiss, or finding a romantic spot and just pulling her into your arms and kissing her when the moment feels right!"

"Finally, win her over with meticulous care, gentleness, and attentiveness. This includes, but isn't limited to, verbal concern, goodnight texts, gifts on holidays, sharing meals, being there when she needs you!"

"Only then will she see you as reliable, let down her guard, and safely fall into your embrace!"

"Get it?"

Alexander thought it made a lot of sense.

Except for one part.

Tripping into a kiss and just pulling her into your arms to kiss her…

The former seemed too fake and dangerous.

The latter was basically assault.

He didn't believe these were expressions of love.

On the contrary, they showed a lack of respect for women.

Yes, disrespectful!

Yet, in his dream, he did all those "disrespectful" things.

He even inexplicably heard himself ask, "...Sophia, does that feel good?"

Alexander jolted awake, sitting up in bed.

He clutched his head in懊恼, like a child who had done something wrong.

After who knows how long, his emotions finally settled.

He got out of bed, went to the wardrobe, and pulled out a clean pair of boxer briefs to change into…

Hadn't this stopped?

Why was it happening again?

…

Early the next morning, Quincy arrived at the lab.

He'd left before the data finished processing yesterday and came specially to complete it today.

If Alexander found out, he'd never hear the end of it.

So he'd set three alarms, dragged himself out of bed before dawn, and driven straight to the lab.

Only to find—

"Whoa! When did you get here?! Isn't it Sunday?! We agreed on two days off this week! What are you doing here?!"

His reaction was far too intense.

His guilt was obvious at a glance.

Alexander stood by the lab bench, looking up coldly. "So, you didn't finish processing yesterday's data?"

Quincy: "!"

Damn!

"No... I mean, why aren't you enjoying your time off?! Why are you here?! Alex, sometimes I really think you take this too far! You put overachievers to shame!"

Alexander let out a faint "Oh." "I processed two sets of your data for you. I take it you don't need them?"

Quincy froze.

The next second, a wide smile spread across his face. "Heh heh, I was just joking! You took me seriously?... Overachievers are great! So impressive! So amazing! Truly outstanding~"

Alexander: "..."

At noon, Quincy, exhausted, headed to the break room to lie down.

Passing Alexander's slightly ajar door, he overheard him on the phone—

"...Yes, braised pork ribs, sweet style... Two portions... Delivered to the lab before 6 PM... Okay..."

"Oho, who's sending you food?! Your girlfriend?!" Quincy instantly transformed into a gossip enthusiast.

Alexander simply lay down, turning his back to him: refusing to engage, wanting no part of it.

Quincy rubbed his nose and slunk away.

On the other end, Sylvia had just hung up with her son.

She rushed excitedly into the living room, snatched the teacup Frederick was about to sip from, and grabbed his shoulders, shaking him vigorously—

"Two portions! Two portions again! Ahhh— Our Alex has a chance!"

Frederick: "?"

Sylvia: "Do you know what our son said on the phone? He said the ribs should be sweet! Sweet! Why do you think?!"

Frederick: "...Stop shaking me, I'm dizzy…"

Sylvia: "It must be because his girlfriend likes them! I'll have Martha... No, I'll cook them myself! And deliver them personally myself!"

She stormed into the kitchen like a whirlwind.

Turning, her clothes knocked something over. She didn't even glance at it.

Frederick: "!" My Da Hong Pao!!!

Alexander took the food his mother prepared from the lab back to his apartment.

He then picked up the medicinal oil and cotton swabs and went to knock on the neighbor's door.

But—

There was no response for a long time.