Chapter 479
Moonlight streamed down like water.
The banquet was held in the hotel's largest ballroom.
Attendees could return to their rooms to freshen up before proceeding directly to the event.
There was no red carpet.
No flowers.
Simple drink stations and food areas defined the banquet space.
Men wore blazers or suit trousers.
Some even arrived in plaid shirts straight from the forum.
The women were noticeably more polished.
Their hair was neat, their attire appropriate.
There were casual outfits, elegant dresses, and modern interpretations of classic styles.
Men significantly outnumbered women in the room.
A few young faces were also present.
Most were students accompanying their mentors to gain experience.
Sophia Sullivan entered with Alexander Laurent, invitation in hand.
Their arrival immediately drew numerous gazes.
Professor Eleanor Watson was already there.
She paused briefly upon seeing the pair enter together.
Alexander wore a relaxed-fit suit, less formal and more approachable.
Sophia was bare-faced except for a touch of lipstick for color.
A camel coat over a cream knit sweater was simple and comfortable.
But she was too young.
Too beautiful.
No one believed she belonged at such an event.
Fewer still thought she was an academic.
Alexander cleared his throat softly.
His gaze swept the room, calm yet imposing.
The staring eyes quickly turned away.
Sophia breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
Eleanor approached and linked arms with her. "Nervous?"
"A little."
"Don't worry. Let me introduce you to some old friends."
"Alright."
Alexander watched Sophia being led away and sighed almost inaudibly.
A hand clapped his shoulder.
"Quite captivated, Alexander?"
"Professor Anderson."
The older man followed Alexander's previous line of sight.
He saw nothing remarkable and turned back, clearing his throat.
"Alexander, how is your recent research progressing?"
"Well."
"You see…" Professor Anderson rubbed his hands together, choosing his words. "A student from my lab, Wu Huiqing, just finished her Ph.D. She secured a postdoctoral position here this year."
Alexander raised an eyebrow, waiting.
"You both attended the International Physics Exchange in Los Angeles. Remember?"
Alexander remained silent.
Dozens of scholars had attended from the country.
His memory was good, but not photographic.
Professor Anderson coughed lightly to mask the awkwardness.
"Perfectly normal not to remember everyone… Huiqing remembers you quite well. Perhaps you could exchange contacts? Get to know each other?"
Alexander was caught off guard.
He hadn't expected a matchmaking attempt.
"My apologies…"
Professor Anderson was stunned.
Alexander paused.
"I'm interested in someone else."
"...What?"
The professor had prepared for rejection.
Countless people had tried to set Alexander up over the years, always met with a polite "not considering it at this time."
He hadn't even wanted to ask.
But his student was stubbornly fixated on Alexander.
He had braced for the usual refusal, thinking 'what's the harm in trying?'
But this—
Interested in someone?
Professor Anderson stood frozen in shock.
He was still rooted to the spot long after Alexander had walked away.
Who could it be?
Meanwhile, Sophia followed Eleanor and met several senior academics.
She stood quietly, listening to their conversation.
Eleanor leaned in and whispered, "Hungry? Go get something to eat."
"Okay."
She could follow the professional discussions.
But when the talk turned to personal matters and family gossip, she made her escape.
She feared hearing too much and accidentally letting something slip.
Some of the gossip was far too explosive.
She browsed the drink station and dessert area.
She picked up a hot beverage and selected a few pastries.
She felt about seventy percent full after eating.
Seeing Eleanor deep in conversation, she didn't interrupt.
She quietly made her way toward the ballroom's rear exit.
It led to a small garden.
The night air was cool.
Pushing the door open, crisp air washed over her, clearing her mind.
The noise faded as she walked down the corridor.
Quiet settled around her.
She strolled through the garden, hands behind her back.
Breathing the fresh air, feeling the gentle evening breeze.
All her constraints melted away in that moment.
The summit and forums had been a relentless cycle.
She hadn't dared relax for a second.
Only now did she truly unwind.
She looked up at the sky.
City lights drowned out the stars, leaving only faint glimmers.
In the distance, countless lights and neon signs glittered.
A garden path led to a glass conservatory.
A shell wind chime hung by the door.
It tinkled softly in the night breeze.
Sophia stopped at the steps, not venturing inside.
A light chuckle sounded behind her.
"It's you."
Sophia turned.
A man in his forties stood not far away.
He had regular features and was dressed in a well-tailored suit.
His wine glass held a third of its red wine.
He looked at her with an amused smile.
"...May I ask who you are?" Sophia used a polite form of address.
"Song Wei. Professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology."
His Mandarin carried a distinct Cantonese accent.
"Professor Song." Sophia nodded in acknowledgment.
She prepared to leave.
He stopped her.
"Wait a moment."
Sophia turned back.
"Was there something else, Professor Song?"