Chapter 177
David Sullivan set down his teacup.
"Are you conducting a census here?"
"Besides, Sophia probably doesn't know much about his private affairs."
"What's the point of asking her?"
"Next time, just ask Alexander directly."
Isabella Sullivan actually nodded.
"Alright, I'll ask him directly next time I have the chance."
"Wait... you're actually serious?" David's eyes widened in surprise.
Isabella rolled her eyes.
"Sophia, do you have any rock sugar?"
"Yes, I'll get it." Sophia Sullivan stood up and walked toward the kitchen.
Seeing her daughter leave, Isabella lowered her voice and spoke to David.
"Sophia lives alone most of the time."
"And this Professor Laurent is her neighbor right across the hall."
"Plus, they seem to get along quite well."
"Shouldn't I find out more about him?"
"That makes sense." David scratched his head.
"My wife is always so thoughtful, hehe..."
Isabella shot him a look.
"Don't scoot over."
"What will our daughter think if she sees us like this?"
"Ahem!" David immediately sat up straight.
"I'll be more careful!"
The room had been prepared long ago.
Sophia had even bought a new bed for her parents.
The bedsheets and duvet covers were also newly purchased.
She had washed them, sun-dried them, and then made the bed.
"Mom, Dad, you should rest for a bit and take a nap."
"I'll take you out to explore later."
"You've been to Kyoto a few times but never really had the chance to properly sightsee."
"We'll make up for it all this time."
David and Isabella had visited Kyoto before.
During her four years of university, they had come to see her three times.
The first time was for freshman orientation, to help her move in.
The second time was when they heard she had a boyfriend.
Worried, they took advantage of David's summer break to make a trip.
They wanted to meet Ethan Roscente.
They stayed for three days.
Sophia accompanied them for the first two days.
Ethan only appeared on the third day.
After a hurried meal, he excused himself, saying he had things to do, and left.
The third time was for Sophia's graduation ceremony.
They came joyfully to witness this important moment in their daughter's life.
But they learned from others that she had actively given up her combined Master's and Ph.D. program.
To pursue some ridiculous notion of love?
David was deeply disappointed in his daughter.
Isabella also found it incomprehensible.
It ended tragically with "cutting ties and ceasing contact."
The first two visits were not happy memories.
Hopefully, everything would go smoothly this time...
While her parents rested, Sophia went to the market and bought fresh meat, vegetables, and fruit.
All were things Isabella and David loved.
As for towels and slippers, she had prepared those in advance.
After preparing dinner, Sophia went to wake her parents.
Isabella raised an eyebrow at the sight of the full table.
"Not bad. You've really inherited my skills."
David muttered under his breath.
"Clearly inherited from me, how did it become you..."
Isabella pretended not to hear, knowing he wouldn't dare say it aloud.
Sophia handed them chopsticks and sat down.
"Shall we eat?"
Isabella was already eager to start.
David took a few bites and nodded repeatedly.
"My daughter's cooking talent definitely comes from me..."
Isabella couldn't even be bothered to respond.
...
After dinner, the family went for a walk at MIT.
It was evening, the sun was setting, and fiery clouds drifted across the sky.
Interwoven shades of orange-red and brilliant gold created a scene as beautiful as an oil painting.
It was summer break, but there were still quite a few students coming and going on campus.
Sophia led her parents through the tree-lined avenue.
They passed the North Gate and arrived at the library.
The sight of so many books made David stop in his tracks.
In the end, Isabella had to pull him away, reluctant and looking back every few steps.
Back home, David was still preoccupied.
He had never been to the MIT library before.
He did his undergraduate degree at a different university in his youth.
A kid from the countryside, sensitive and insecure.
Every day was just studying and sleeping.
Where would he find the time or spare money to go out and explore?
Before bed, he said to Isabella.
"Come with me to check it out another day?"
Isabella knew his bookworm itch was acting up and agreed immediately.
"Sweetie, you're the best~"
"Stop it... time to sleep."
"...Oh."
It turned out that resting early and conserving energy was the right thing to do.
Because the next day, Sophia took them to the Great Wall.
It was another clear, sunny day.
They started early, so it wasn't too hot when they arrived.
David stood on the ramparts, looking down.
The mountains and rivers were magnificent and imposing.
But Isabella seemed lost in thought.
"What's wrong, Mom?" Sophia noticed her staring fixedly at a spot, as if entranced.
Isabella: "Is that the North 8 Tower over there?"
"Yes."
"It's also called the Sunrise Viewing Tower, the highest watchtower on the Badaling section."
"The 'He who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true man' stele is there?"
"Mmhmm," Sophia nodded vigorously.
"Mom, you actually researched this trip?"
Isabella was a very spontaneous person.
She never planned her trips.
She could sit and enjoy the scenery anywhere.
This time, she actually prepared in advance?
No wonder Sophia was surprised.
Isabella smiled, neither confirming nor denying.
A faint trace of confusion flickered in her eyes.
In fact, she hadn't done any research before coming.
She hadn't even looked up information about this section of the Great Wall.
Yet this information popped into her head the moment she saw it.
Perhaps, in the memories she had lost, she had been here before?
David started out full of ambition.
But after taking a photo at the stele, he was completely done—
"I can't do it, I can't do it. I'm tired and hot. Let's rest before going on."
Isabella teased him.
"Who was it that confidently claimed they'd be fine yesterday?"
"And now? We've barely started, and you're already giving up?"
David said righteously.
"I'm not young anymore."
"I've climbed for this long before needing a break."
"Look at those young people turning back halfway. They're not as good as me!"
On the seemingly endless stairs below them.
Quite a few young people were indeed starting to head back.
Isabella: ""
Fine, she couldn't win this argument.
Watching her parents bicker, Sophia couldn't help but laugh.
She was caught mid-laugh by Isabella.
"Laughing so happily? Are you and your dad ganging up on me?"
David also winked at her.
Meaning: That's right, us two are a team~
Sophia: "Dad, Mom, how about a photo together?"
"Great! Great!" David had been sitting.
Hearing this, he immediately stood up and started straightening his clothes.
Isabella chuckled fondly.
"Quite the peacock."
"Of course! Can't be too sloppy standing next to my wife."
"Sweetie, how do I look?"
Sophia played along, giving a thumbs up.
"Handsome!"
"Ready?"
"One, two—"
David: "Wait a second!"
He just realized his hat was crooked.
He tried to adjust it, but it seemed stuck.
Seeing his fluster, Isabella reached out and fixed it for him, her expression fondly exasperated.
She was wearing a short-sleeved red chiffon dress today.
The fitted fabric outlined her slender, graceful waist.
Her long hair was pinned up at the back, secured with a hairpin.
She looked exquisite and beautiful.
David wasn't nearly as particular.
He was dressed casually. Though past fifty, his features were regular, and he had a tall, straight nose.
Sophia's "handsome" wasn't just empty praise.
They stood facing each other.
Isabella was examining his hat: There, all straight.
David was gazing intently at Isabella, a smile playing on his lips: Mm, my wife is so beautiful.
Sophia pressed the shutter, capturing this moment.
That night, the exhausted family of three slept soundly and deeply.
Sophia woke up early the next morning.
She made breakfast.
Then she told her parents she needed to visit Professor Eleanor Watson's house before leaving.
However, when she returned in the afternoon, she found an extra person at home—
"Professor?!"
Sophia Sullivan pushed the door open.