Chapter 27
Alexander Laurent dragged his exhausted body up to the seventh floor.
The extreme heat warning had been in effect for a week.
His experiment had finally achieved a breakthrough.
As his key slid into the lock, a dull thud came from the apartment opposite.
He paused, turned, and knocked on the door across from his.
"Sophia Sullivan?"
No response.
He knocked again.
Silence still emanated from within.
Frowning, he pulled out his phone, ready to call the police.
The door suddenly cracked open.
Sophia peered out from behind it.
"Yes?"
Her voice was calm, her expression normal.
But Alexander detected something off.
Like a rose on the verge of withering.
He adjusted his glasses.
"How's that paper you mentioned coming along?"
"It was submitted half a month ago," Sophia said flatly.
"Waiting for results now. Reviewing in the meantime."
Alexander pondered for a moment.
"I have a half-finished paper here. Would you like to see it?"
Twenty minutes later.
Sophia sat on Alexander's sofa.
She carefully read through the paper in her hands.
Her eyes gradually lit up.
It discussed the initial rate of change in biological systems.
The angle was novel, the methodology unique.
But it lacked experimental data support.
"You wrote this?"
Alexander nodded. "From my sophomore year."
Sophia felt a complex mix of emotions.
No wonder the professors still lamented his change of major.
His talent was truly astounding.
"Why wasn't it published?"
"I didn't think it was perfect enough."
Alexander pointed to a specific section.
"These two parts need more data support."
"After changing majors, I never had time to finish it."
A flicker of regret passed through his eyes.
Sophia was silent for a moment.
"Why show me?"
"Professor Eleanor Watson showed me your undergraduate thesis."
"I noticed you worked on a similar topic."
Alexander looked at her.
"Are you still interested in continuing?"
Sophia's heart suddenly beat faster.
Those deeply buried dreams seemed to stir awake.
She hadn't stepped into a lab since graduation.
"Could I?"
She was rusty, but remembered the procedures.
She just worried she couldn't keep up.
"If you want to, you can."
Alexander produced a flash drive.
"Next October, the Chinese Academy of Sciences' gene sequencing project will be recruiting."
"If you get into graduate school, you'll have a chance to join."
It was a rare opportunity.
Sophia took the drive.
"Thank you. I'll consider it seriously."
At ten o'clock, she stood to leave.
Alexander saw her to the door.
"You live right across the hall. No need for formalities."
Sophia gave a light laugh.
Alexander's gaze swept over her fingers.
"Don't keep the band-aid on too long. Remember to disinfect with iodine."
Sophia instinctively curled her fingers.
"Understood. Thanks."
Alexander turned and brought over a pot of pink succulents.
"These are for you."
Sophia's eyes brightened.
The plump leaves graduated from green to pink, utterly adorable.
"You're really giving them to me?"
"I passed by the florist the other day. This was the last one."
Alexander's tone was even.
"Consider it thanks for the fish last time."
Sophia accepted them with a smile.
"Friends don't need to be so formal."
"Next time, no more return gifts."
She blinked, starlight shimmering in her eyes.
"Okay," Alexander replied softly.
...
In the hospital room.
Julian Winston and Charlie Lowell visited early.
Julian shook slightly a thermos.
"Ethan, brought you some specially made oatmeal porridge!"
"My chef got up early to make it. Very nourishing!"
Charlie looked at the bowl of golden porridge, his mouth twitching.
Everyone knew Ethan Roscente hated porridge.
He wouldn't touch any except what Sophia Sullivan made.
Sure enough, Ethan took one sip and put down the spoon.
"Not eating. Tastes strange."
Julian raised an eyebrow.
"That picky? I think it's the cook, not the food."
"My chef isn't as thoughtful as your ex-girlfriend..."
Charlie coughed violently.
But it was too late.
Ethan's face turned cold. "Get out!"
Julian hugged the thermos.
"Fine, I'm going! With a temper that bad, no wonder Sophia isn't coming back!"
He made a quick escape.
Charlie chased after him, scolding.
"You know he's upset, yet you poke the sore spot!"
Julian pouted.
"Even you know Sophia is his weak spot."
"Yet he himself won't admit it."
"If he wants her to visit, he should just say so. Always playing tough!"
Charlie was speechless.
"Speaking of which, want to give him a push?"