Chapter 473
Lillian Lopez pushed the door open.
Alexander Laurent's tall, straight back came into view.
Her heart leaped with joy.
She was just about to call out to him.
But then, a face turned towards her from beside Alexander.
Sophia Sullivan.
Lillian's smile instantly faded by three degrees.
She quickened her pace and stepped to Alexander's other side.
"You're here too, Sophia." Her tone was distant.
Sophia detected the coolness in her voice.
She simply offered a faint smile and said nothing more.
Lillian turned to Alexander, her eyes hopeful. "Are you heading to dinner, Professor?"
"Yes."
"Perfect! I was just going too!"
The elevator lobby fell into silence.
Alexander did not respond.
Not even a polite invitation was offered.
Lillian seemed oblivious to this silent rejection.
She pressed further. "Professor, why don't we go together?"
Alexander replied, "Sorry, I have plans."
Two elevators arrived simultaneously.
Lillian stiffly entered the one on the right.
Alexander led Sophia into the left one.
The metal doors slid slowly shut.
The last thing visible was Lillian's contorted expression.
"Pfft—" Sophia couldn't hold back a laugh.
Alexander glanced at her. "What is it?"
"Professor, your rejection was way too obvious."
"Ahem…" The man cleared his throat lightly, masking his embarrassment.
The first floor housed several restaurants.
Sophia chose a Cantonese place.
"...Food bloggers all recommend this one. They say it's authentic old-school Cantonese. My treat?"
The conference provided a complimentary buffet.
But specialty restaurants required payment.
"Your choice is fine. I'll get this."
A server led them to a window seat.
It was still early, so the restaurant wasn't crowded.
The ambiance was elegant and quiet.
Sophia ordered a few signature dishes.
She handed the menu to Alexander. "Would you like to add anything, Professor?"
He took it. "Add an order of char siu and two bowls of lei cha."
"Lei cha?" Sophia blinked.
"Have you tried it before?"
"No."
"Try it later. It's a Hakka specialty."
The food arrived quickly.
Sophia couldn't wait to try the lei cha.
Her brow instantly furrowed.
She couldn't get used to it.
Not at all.
Alexander chuckled softly. "So impatient? Just like a child."
"Ahem—"
Sophia choked.
Who was a child?
The trendy restaurant's food was indeed good.
Sophia ate a fair amount of every dish.
Except for that bowl of lei cha.
Alexander seemed to like it quite a bit.
He not only finished his own bowl but also drank hers.
"Hey—" Sophia tried to stop him.
She wanted to say she'd taken a sip and they could order another.
But Alexander said, "No wasting."
Remembering she'd used a spoon and the bowl was still clean, she didn't stop him further.
When the bill came, Alexander paid first.
They walked out of the hotel.
The nightscape of the city was dazzlingly bustling and brilliant.
The iconic tower stood tall and majestic.
Sophia wore a knit sweater paired with a classic patterned shawl.
Dark jeans and nude flats.
She exuded a scholarly air.
Reserved and graceful.
Alexander was momentarily captivated.
Until—
"Professor? Professor!" Sophia called him.
He snapped back to attention. "...Sorry, what did you say just now?"
"Pfft—" Sophia couldn't help laughing.
"I said—is there something on my face? You were staring."
Alexander nodded seriously. "Yes."
"What?"
"Beauty."
"..."
Two seconds of silence.
"Ha ha ha ha ha... Professor, you tell dad jokes?"
"Ahem!"
It wasn't a joke.
It was the truth.
Alexander thought to himself silently.
They continued walking.
"Aren't you cold, dressed so lightly?"
Sophia: "Not cold, I have the shawl."
"It's so small, can it block the wind?"
"It can! It's perfectly enough!"
"...Alright. Tell me if you're cold. You can have my jacket."
"Okay."
Sophia walked to the front of the iconic tower.
She stood at the tourist photo spot and looked at Alexander.
Alexander understood. "Want a photo?"
Sophia's eyes lit up, and she nodded repeatedly.
No girl could resist a check-in photo.
Alexander took out his phone. "Ready?"
Sophia nodded.
"Three, two, one!"
In the photo, the girl stood before the railing.
In the distance were the glittering tower and countless city lights.
Up close, the wind tousled her hair.
With one hand, she smoothed her hair; with the other, she pulled the shawl tighter.
At the captured moment, she was just smiling towards the镜头 (lens).
Alexander took several shots in succession.
Different angles, different focal lengths.
Sophia walked over.
He handed her the phone. "See if they're okay."
Sophia hadn't held out much hope.
Straight men taking photos...
You know how it is.
But upon looking, she was amazed.
"Professor, did you study photography? These are too good!"
He'd even managed a bokeh background effect.
Every single one was beautiful.
"Send them all to me—"
Right now!
Alexander's smile was indulgent. "Okay."
He even knew to send the original files.
Sophia was deeply touched.
She immediately posted a nine-square grid of the beautiful photos on her social media.
Caption: The bustling night city~ lights twinkling~
Hannah Morse was the first to like it.
Comment: 【So beautiful! Slurp... slurp... screen-licking ing!】
Charlie Lowell: 【Come on, let's sing! The enchanting music plays again~ making me think of you~ Can't forget the dance of love~】
Professor Eleanor Watson: 【Out having fun? Don't worry about me, enjoy yourself, it's fine if you come back late哟 (yo)】
David Sullivan: 【My daughter is so pretty】
Isabella Sullivan: 【Went to the city?】
Olivia Lopez: 【Sweetie, I can't hold back, let me give you a kiss!】
Julian Winston replied to Olivia Lopez: 【...】
Alexander Laurent replied to Olivia Lopez: 【...】
Olivia Lopez replied to Alexander Laurent: 【Bro?】
Ethan Roscente: 【Very beautiful. Taken by a photographer?】
Sebastian Evans replied to Ethan Roscente: 【None of your business】
Ethan Roscente replied to Sebastian Evans: 【Oh, you took them? Cousin? [Smile]】
Marcus Lawrence silently gave a like.
The battlefield was chaotic, best not to jump in.