Chapter 469
Another Butterfly Flutters In!
Alexander Laurent thought this was incredibly childish.
Sophia Sullivan frowned.
That couldn't be right.
She had picked each one carefully. They all looked sweet.
Perhaps… he was just unlucky and got the sour one.
Alexander Laurent and Sebastian Evans picked two full baskets and handed them to Sophia.
After everything was bagged and packed, the three began walking back.
They spotted Florence Atlante and Caleb Watson crouched by the edge of the field, speaking in low tones.
As they got closer, they saw Caleb loosening the soil with a small hoe.
He worked as he explained.
"Strawberries aren't overly picky about soil, but it's best to choose fertile, loose, well-draining sandy loam."
"A pH between 5.5 and 6.5 is ideal."
"This soil is actually not bad. It just drains a bit worse than sandy loam."
"No wonder so many roots rotted before," the old lady said, suddenly understanding.
"The seller swore it was sandy loam when I bought it. He actually dared to cheat an old woman!"
"Mr. Watson, have you grown strawberries before? You know so much."
"My family didn't, but our neighbors did. I borrowed his books to read."
"I see… You handle the hoe so skillfully. Do you often help out at home?"
"Yes. My mother's health isn't good. My father works alone."
"I have to lend a hand with the spring planting and autumn harvest."
"What a good child…"
Florence had sensed Caleb came from a modest background the moment he arrived.
Hearing this and seeing the thick calluses on his fingers, she couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Just then, a servant came to deliver a message.
A guest had arrived.
The old lady was surprised. "Who?"
"It seems to be the young master of the Shaw Family."
The Shaw Family?
Florence frowned.
The two families were on good terms. The entire Shaw Family had come for the old master's birthday banquet.
This young master Omelas had even been introduced to the old couple by his father.
Why was he visiting so suddenly?
"Is he alone?"
The servant nodded. "Yes."
"Let Isaac handle it. I won't go."
"Sir is in his study having a video conference. He gave orders not to be disturbed."
"The steward sent me to find you and Young Master Evans."
"I see… Then I'll go meet him."
In the living room—
Ling Shuo Omelas sat on the sofa.
A servant respectfully offered him hot tea.
He politely accepted it, took a sip, and gently placed it back on the coffee table.
His manners were impeccable, without a hint of arrogance.
His eyes wandered curiously around the room as if searching for something.
Seeing Florence enter, he immediately stood up. "Grandma Yi—"
"Ling Shuo! What a rare guest! Please, sit, sit! Make yourself at home!"
"Alright."
"Is there… something you needed today?"
"My grandfather's ninetieth birthday is on the sixth of next month. This is the invitation."
Florence took it with a smile. "Congratulations, congratulations. We will certainly attend Old Master Omelas's joyous occasion."
"It's too kind of you to deliver such a small matter personally."
"The Yi and Omelas families have been friends for decades. Grandfather said it must be delivered personally to show sincerity."
"That's very thoughtful."
Ling Shuo Omelas glanced around. "Are you the only one home? Is Miss Sullivan not here?"
The old lady didn't think much of it. "Sophia is here today."
"Then she…"
Ling Shuo Omelas quickly explained. "My cousin is preparing for her MIT entrance exams."
"I heard Miss Sullivan is a graduate student at MIT, and she got in on her own merits."
"My cousin asked me to see if Miss Sullivan had any exam preparation tips she could share."
"I see… I'll have a servant fetch her. Please wait a moment."
"Alright."
Soon, Sophia Sullivan entered the room.
"Grandmother, you asked for me?"
"Sophia, this is the young master of the Shaw Family, Ling Shuo Omelas. You probably met at the birthday banquet."
"Hello." Sophia took the initiative to greet him.
She had a slight impression of him.
This young master Omelas had performed a magic trick for the old master that night.
He used an apple to produce two large characters for "Longevity."
One for the old master, and one for the old lady.
This gesture…
He had certainly put thought into it.
"Hello!" Ling Shuo Omelas shot to his feet the moment she entered.
His expression was a mix of anticipation and nervousness. He seemed unsure what to do with his hands and feet.
Hearing Sophia speak first, his breathing even sounded flustered.
The old lady interjected at the right moment. "Ling Shuo has something he'd like to ask you."
Sophia looked at him.
Ling Shuo Omelas stated his purpose. "...Would it be possible to add you on WhatsApp?"
"I could introduce you to her, to make communication easier."
"Don't worry, my cousin is very sensible. She won't bother you constantly."
Put on the spot like this, Sophia had no choice but to take out her phone.
After adding her as a friend, Ling Shuo Omelas immediately forwarded Sophia's contact to his cousin.
Soon, a friend request from the cousin came through.
It really did seem like he added her for his cousin's sake.
Sophia didn't overthink it. "I'm in the lab most of the time."
"When I'm busy, I don't look at my phone for long periods. My replies might not be timely."
"It's fine, it's fine! Just reply to her whenever you have time."
"That lab… is it the university's?"
Sophia said, "No."
The conversation naturally turned to the Aetheria Lab, how the lab came to be…
His questions came one after another.
Out of politeness, Sophia answered them one by one.
Meanwhile, Alexander Laurent and Sebastian Evans, noticing her prolonged absence, grew restless.
They came over from the strawberry field together.
Caleb, seeing this, quickly followed.
Who knew that upon entering, they would see "a butterfly" fluttering around Sophia.
Sebastian Evans was inwardly furious.
Another one?!
Was there no end to this?!
Alexander Laurent's eyes darkened.
They both looked at Ling Shuo Omelas.
The man, who had been staring intently at Sophia, sensed their gaze.
That kind of stare was too intense to ignore.
He turned and first met Sebastian Evans's death glare.
Then he plunged into the depths of Alexander Laurent's dark, profound gaze.
Ling Shuo Omelas's breath hitched. A chill ran down his spine.
Caleb, who entered last, shivered abruptly.
Why… why did it suddenly feel a bit cold?
He swallowed hard with difficulty, stopped walking, and quietly retreated a few steps.
"Heh…" Sebastian Evans suddenly chuckled lightly, breaking the strange atmosphere.
"Young Master Omelas, what a rare guest. Do you have so much to talk about with Sophia?"
Ling Shuo Omelas choked. "I-I just asked some questions."
"Oh? Does Young Master Omelas also understand scientific research?"
"..."
"Also involved in academia? Writing papers?"
"..."
Ling Shuo Omelas forced a dry laugh. "Well… no."
"Oh, I forgot. You graduated long ago. You've started taking over the family business now, right?"
"...Yes."
"Our Sophia doesn't understand business. Please don't ask irrelevant questions. It would save everyone's time. Don't you think?"
Ling Shuo Omelas frowned.
He looked at Sebastian Evans with confusion, seemingly unable to understand why he was being targeted.
He didn't think he had offended him, did he?