Chapter 38

Sophia Sullivan caught the underlying meaning in her words and offered a faint smile.

Amelia Roscente asked, "You did your undergrad at MIT, right? Where are you aiming for grad school?"

"Still MIT," Sophia replied.

"Masters or PhD track?"

"Masters."

"What field?"

"Biology."

Amelia raised an eyebrow. It was the same specialization she had chosen. "Have you picked a target advisor?"

Sophia nodded calmly. "Professor Watson."

"Eleanor Watson?"

"Yes."

Amelia recalled seeing Sophia working as a housekeeper at Professor Watson's home last time. Her expression turned subtle. "You don't actually think... cleaning her house will make her more likely to accept you, do you?"

"That was an unexpected situation," Sophia stated.

"Unexpected? Let me be frank. Professor Watson is a titan in her field. Her standards are extremely rigorous. She's advising many PhD candidates lately, with very few spots for Masters students."

Amelia paused. "It's incredibly difficult to become her student. I'm applying to her program too. You might think I have an ulterior motive, but I'm advising you to consider another advisor. Your scores aren't out yet. There's still time to contact other professors."

She felt she had done her due diligence.

"Thank you," Sophia said with a slight nod. "I should get going."

She turned and left.

Amelia was left speechless. That was it?

...

Warm air circulated through the subway car at five PM. Sophia's frozen fingers gradually thawed.

Her phone rang from inside her bag. She pulled off her gloves and saw the caller ID. A smile touched her lips. "Professor."

"How did the exam go?" Professor Watson's voice was gentle, like a casual inquiry.

"I answered everything I knew," she replied honestly.

"I never worry about your exams," the professor said with a laugh. Sophia's undergraduate major courses were nearly perfect. Her foundation was solid.

"It's cold out. Head home early. Don't catch a chill."

"I'm on the subway now. I heard your leg is acting up again? I bought some medicine. I'll bring it by after my exams."

Eleanor Watson had injured her leg when she was younger. It pained her terribly every winter.

It had improved after acupuncture two years ago, but the pain had returned this year.

"Alright, I'll be home all week."

Professor Watson glanced at her calendar. Saturday would be perfect for dinner.

Sophia looked up. Her stop had arrived.

She ended the call and pushed through the rush hour crowd, exiting through Gate 2.

The moment she stepped out, a bitter wind hit her, nearly knocking her off her feet.

A pair of hands steadied her firmly. A shadow fell over her. She looked up and saw Alexander Laurent. Her eyes lit up. "What are you doing here?"

"Had to pick up some documents from home. The roads are slick, so I didn't drive. Took the subway instead," Alexander said, helping her regain her balance.

They walked side by side.

"How was the exam?"

"It went pretty well," Sophia replied.

Alexander gave a faint smile and didn't say more.

Winter nights came early. The streetlights flickered on before seven, casting a warm glow on the chilly evening.

The walk from the subway to MIT led through a commercial street lined with various small stalls.

As they crossed the overpass, they heard a vendor calling out, selling sweet potatoes. Sophia rubbed her wind-stung eyes and turned to Alexander. "Wait for me a second."

Alexander stood still. Two minutes later, she returned holding two steaming sweet potatoes.

"Here."

The hot potato released puffs of steam as she broke it open. She took a careful bite. It was scaldingly sweet. She blew on it gently, tasted a small piece, and her eyes curved into happy crescents upon tasting the sweetness.

She turned and asked, "Is yours sweet?"

Alexander nodded. It was the first time he'd had a sweet potato this sweet.

Sophia felt a small surge of pride. "I've always been lucky. I always pick the sweetest ones."

Her smile was infectious. The corners of Alexander's lips lifted slightly, a faint warmth shimmering in his eyes.

They reached home by seven. The warmth from the radiant floor heating greeted them as they entered.

Sophia carried her books and pens into the study.

Several books lay on the desk. She organized them one by one onto the shelves. Among them, she found a German original text Alexander had lent her last week.

She took the book and knocked on his door next door.

Alexander had just showered. His hair was still damp. He came to the door at the sound of knocking.

"The book you lent me last week. I forgot to return it," she said.

A faint scent of mint lingered in the air. Sophia's heartbeat quickened inexplicably.

Alexander took the book and noticed a note贴 attached. He was very familiar with her handwriting. A determined-looking Q-version character, wearing a headband, was drawn in the lower left corner.

Sophia saw the smile on his face and noticed the bookmark she'd left. She hurriedly pulled it off. "Just a silly doodle."

Seeing his smile deepen, she changed the subject. "Are you free soon? Now that exams are over, I'd like to treat you to dinner. To thank you for all your help lately."

She hadn't properly thanked him for his help with the grad school applications, or the matter with the mansion before that.

Alexander looked at the girl's earnest expression and didn't refuse. "How about at home? I prefer your cooking."

Sophia smiled. "How about tomorrow? My last exam is in the afternoon. I'll go grocery shopping after, and you can come over after you finish at the lab."

"Alright."

The rain had stopped the next day. As Sophia emerged from her final specialized exam, she saw a few rays of sunlight breaking through the clouds.

She went to the supermarket first, then took a cab home.

At six o'clock, a knock sounded at the door.

Sophia opened it. Alexander changed into the men's slippers she had prepared and walked familiarly into the kitchen to help.

Sophia handed him the vegetables that needed washing. "Same as always. Your department."

She turned to start chopping.

Alexander watched her back, a slight curve forming on his lips. "Okay."

He suddenly realized that this kind of life, though unfamiliar, felt strangely... anticipated.