Chapter 343

Sorry.

My apologies.

They both stepped back simultaneously.

Their eyes met, freezing the air between them.

Sophia Sullivan pressed her lips together.

Alexander Laurent lowered his gaze.

"Professor, you go first."

Alexander lifted his eyes, his gaze deep and intense.

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly. "Sophia, actually—"

"All done!" The stall owner's booming voice cut in.

Sophia's cheeks flushed hot. She turned away quickly.

"So fast?"

The stall owner puffed his chest out. "Piece of cake."

He held the clay sculpture out to her.

Sophia took one look and froze.

The sculpture had no facial features.

Just two blurry humanoid outlines, their heads pressed together.

Wait.

This pose…

"What… what is this?"

"You two! A kissing pose! Look at the heads, the necks, the lips pressed together…"

Sophia's ears burned crimson.

Alexander turned his face away, clearing his throat softly.

Stall Owner: "Still can't see? Let me show you—"

"No need!" Sophia interrupted hastily. "I see it clearly."

"Really see it?"

"Really."

The stall owner pumped his fist excitedly. "Told you I could do it!"

Live stream comments flooded the screen.

[The lady is visibly panicking]

[Hang, just shut up already]

[She's about to crawl into a hole from embarrassment]

[Help, this is so awkward]

"It's yours." The stall owner offered the sculpture.

Sophia took half a step back. "N-no, thank you."

"Why not? You said it looked like you earlier."

Alexander reached out. "I'll take it."

Sophia grabbed his arm and pulled him away.

The stall owner stood there, sculpture held aloft, bewildered.

He leaned toward his phone. "Why run? Is a ghost chasing you?"

[Hang, wake up!]

[Kissing pose so detailed, yet zero facial features]

[Innocent Hang doesn't understand love]

The stall owner was about to retort when a voice came from behind.

"Give me the sculpture."

Alexander had returned.

He scanned a payment code.

The stall owner was stunned. "Didn't you guys run off?"

"Yes."

"You think I did a good job too?" The stall owner's eyes lit up.

Alexander's lips curved slightly. "Excellent."

The stall owner excitedly packaged it up.

Alexander carefully accepted the box.

"Welcome back anytime!"

The stall owner preened for the camera. "See! The customer is so satisfied!"

[The handsome guy likes the lady, not the sculpture!]

[So he came back specifically to buy it?]

[These two haven't confessed yet, have they?]

[Nailed it]

...

Sophia saw Alexander return, a paper bag now in his hand.

"What's that?"

"Just a small thing I picked up."

She didn't think much of it.

They walked through the pedestrian street.

Sophia checked the time. 4 PM.

Alexander spoke up. "I have a conference in Hainan in a few days. I need a lightweight suit. There's a mall ahead. Could you help me pick one out?"

"Sure."

The men's section was on the fifth floor.

The elevator doors opened. Sophia saw a familiar back.

"Mr. Valdemar?"

Sebastian Evans turned.

His eyes brightened upon seeing Sophia, then dimmed slightly when he noticed Alexander.

"What a coincidence." He smiled. "What brings you two here?"

"Helping the professor pick a suit. And you?"

"Buying shoes for my father, but I'm not great at choosing." He gave a light, helpless laugh. "Could you offer some advice? The old man would be delighted knowing you helped pick them."

Sophia thought of the kind Isaac Atlante and nodded in agreement.

The duo became a trio.

Sophia walked in the middle, flanked by two tall, handsome men, drawing countless glances.

She stopped.

"Suits and dress shoes are from different brands. Why don't you each decide on your usual brands first? Then I can help with the styles."

It would be more efficient.

Alexander and Sebastian exchanged a look, reaching a silent agreement.

Sebastian went to look at shoes. Sophia started helping Alexander choose a suit.

She selected three simple, classic styles.

Alexander changed into the suit. His posture was ramrod straight, more striking than any model.

All three suits fit him perfectly.

Sophia held the jackets up against him, comparing, unable to decide.

The gray was stately, the blue refined, the charcoal sophisticated.

"Which one do you prefer, Professor?" she asked, looking up.