Chapter 362

Is "silly girl" meant for her?

Alexander Laurent pushed open the lab door.

He saw an opened shipping box placed by the entrance.

Sophia Sullivan had been discharged from the hospital.

He knocked on the door across the hall.

Sophia hopped on one foot to answer it.

"How's your foot?" Alexander stood outside the door.

"The doctor said it's not serious." Sophia leaned against the doorframe.

"Just apply the medicine on time."

She lowered her eyes.

"That day... thank you and Sebastian."

"I couldn't have made it without you both."

Her voice was very soft.

She had even developed a high fever later.

She heard the fever reducer was brought by Alexander.

Though groggy, she remained conscious through the later part of the night.

She knew Alexander had moved her to a sheltered spot.

She knew he and Sebastian had huddled around her for warmth.

She knew they used alcohol to cool her down.

She remembered all of it.

Including everything at the hospital.

Every word was etched in her memory.

Alexander was silent for a moment.

"Hannah called me that day."

"But I didn't answer."

"So I was late."

"Sorry."

His voice was low.

Sophia looked up.

"But you still came."

She gave a slight smile.

"Professor, there's no need to apologize."

"You weren't obligated to save me."

"I'm the one who should be thanking you."

"You've helped me too many times."

"I've lost count."

Her gaze was clear.

Alexander nodded.

"Let's not mention it then."

He turned to go back to his apartment.

He soon returned carrying a shopping bag.

The bag was large but couldn't contain its contents.

A corner of a black plastic bag peeked out.

"What's this?" Sophia blinked.

Alexander handed it to her.

"Open it and see."

Sophia invited him inside.

Alexander changed his shoes with practiced ease.

The black plastic bag was unwrapped layer by layer.

A complete, intact keteleeria fruit appeared.

It was larger and darker in color than the previous one.

Perfectly preserved.

Sophia's eyes widened in shock.

"Professor, where did you find this?"

Her voice trembled.

"Near where we found you."

"There was a grove of keteleeria trees."

Alexander's tone was calm.

Sophia looked down, embarrassed.

"Finding a specimen can add twenty points..."

She explained quietly.

"Pretty smart."

"Knowing to just take the seeds."

Alexander raised an eyebrow.

Sophia didn't dare mention the real reason.

If the fruit had been intact, she might have truly taken the risk.

She looked at the fruit.

"Amidst the withered vines."

"It was well protected."

Alexander paused.

"Then what?" Sophia pressed.

Alexander gave a light laugh.

"I picked it up on my way back."

"Impossible." Sophia shook her head.

"You didn't have anything in your hands then."

"Your bag couldn't have held it either."

Alexander laughed out loud.

"Silly girl."

"Who had time to pick up fruits then?"

He had noted the location and gone back for it later.

Sophia was stunned.

Silly girl?

Was he calling her that?

...

Marcus Lawrence and Hannah Morse came to visit Sophia.

After climbing seven flights, Hannah was panting heavily.

She was also carrying ten pounds of fruit.

Marcus offered to help but was refused.

Hannah glared.

"Who do you think you're looking down on?"

Marcus had no choice but to relent.

He was carrying two large bags himself.

Hannah was drenched in sweat as if it were summer.

Marcus only had a slightly faster heartbeat.

His complexion was normal, his breathing steady.

Sophia hopped on one foot to answer the door.

She had already prepared slippers.

The doctor said she could walk but should avoid putting weight on it.

She hopped into position before carefully setting her injured foot down.

Hannah quickly steadied her.

Marcus copied Hannah, supporting her other side.

Sophia was both touched and amused.

"I just sprained my ankle, I'm not an invalid..."

"Shh! Shh! Shh!" Hannah immediately cut her off.

"Quick, knock on wood! Don't say such things!"

They helped Sophia to the couch.

Sophia tried to get up to fetch water.

Hannah hopped anxiously.

"Don't move with your foot like that!"

"We'll get our own water!"

Marcus nodded vigorously in agreement.

He nodded every time Hannah spoke.

More diligently than a woodpecker.

"Sophia, your foot isn't better yet?"

"Didn't the doctor say it was fine?"

Hannah looked at her worriedly.

Sophia explained softly.

"I can walk, but it's best to rest it for a couple more days."

"Don't dare put too much weight on it."

She pointed to her injured foot.

Marcus looked at the shopping bags.

"What about all these groceries?"

He seemed a bit lost.

They had agreed on this visit earlier.

Sophia had invited them for dinner.

Hannah had agreed immediately.

She had been craving Sophia's cooking for ages.

Naturally, Marcus stayed too.

They had bought groceries on their way.

But now Sophia's foot was不方便.

Hannah, despite her cravings, felt too guilty to let the patient cook.

After a moment of silence, she tentatively suggested.

"Maybe... I could cook?"

Marcus's expression instantly turned strange.

"...Maybe better not?"

"Marcus, what do you mean by that?"

"Is my cooking not good?"

Hannah glared at him.

Marcus didn't dare comment.

"You said last time the rice was well steamed..."

He muttered under his breath.

Hannah snorted lightly.

"It's not as good as Sophia's, but it's not inedible."

"Just the presentation is a bit lacking."

Marcus nodded.

"Yeah, and it gave me gastroenteritis."

"Just didn't quite dehydrate me."

He added.

"The medicine I bought last time isn't finished."

"Might as well use it today, don't let it go to waste."

Hannah was speechless.