Chapter 196
Morning light filtered through the gap in the curtains.
Sophia Sullivan woke up early.
She went to the registrar's office first to check in.
Then she proceeded to the school to complete her enrollment procedures.
The opening ceremony was scheduled for the next day.
Since she wasn't living on campus, she avoided the hassle of moving into a dorm.
Her afternoon was free.
She decided to go to the School of Information to find Professor Benjamin Murphy.
"Sophia?" Professor Murphy's eyes lit up. "What brings you here?"
"I came to see you. To prevent someone from blaming me for not visiting, throwing a tantrum, and deliberately testing me with questions that turn out to be for the final exam."
"Ahem!" Professor Murphy cleared his throat lightly. "That was me making the most of the questions! Waste not, want not!"
They chatted for a while.
Midway through, Sophia received a call from Professor Eleanor Watson.
She was asked to come to her office.
Sophia had to say her goodbyes.
"Eleanor called you?"
"Yes."
Professor Murphy hummed lightly. "Knew it was her. Watching so closely, as if afraid someone will snatch you away."
Sophia arrived outside Professor Watson's office.
She could hear voices inside before even entering.
She stopped and raised her hand to knock.
"Sophia's here? Come in." Professor Watson smiled and waved her in. "Perfect timing. You three should get to know each other."
Professor Watson had accepted three graduate students this year.
Sophia was one of them.
The other two were a man and a woman.
The man was Marcus Lawrence, 22, a local from Kyoto, admitted through a guaranteed graduate program.
He was 180cm tall, handsome, the typical good-looking guy you'd see on campus.
But his expression was cold, exuding an air of detachment.
Hannah Morse, sitting opposite, was the complete opposite.
She had a round face, a healthy glow, and grinned at Sophia, revealing two small dimples.
She was a bit plump but very cute.
"Everyone acquainted? I hope you'll work well together for the next three years. If not... it might be tricky, as there won't be any other options..."
Sophia's heart stirred.
Professor Watson sighed softly. "I'm getting older, my health is declining. I've already applied to the school to stop accepting graduate students."
The three of them would be Professor Watson's last students.
If she hadn't been waiting for Sophia, she would have stopped recruiting years ago.
A person's energy is limited.
Especially for an academic like Professor Watson, who is getting older, in poor health, and dedicated to her research.
Supervising students distracted and affected academic work.
But she persevered for Sophia...
Meeting her teacher's kind gaze, Sophia pressed her lips together.
She had returned too late...
But thankfully, she had returned...
Midway through, Professor Watson received a phone call and left the office.
The three newly acquainted students remained in the room, the atmosphere slightly awkward.
A rustling sound broke the silence, and a box of biscuits was offered to Sophia.
Hannah: "Chocolate flavor. I've tried them; they're not too sweet. Want one?"
Sophia's focus, however, was elsewhere—
"Are you from Guangdong Province?"
Hannah wailed: "Is my accent that obvious, ah?"
Sophia paused: "...Maybe my ears are just sharp?"
"Wuwu... Sister Sophia, you're so nice."
It wasn't her accent; it was Sophia's sharp ears.
Marcus spoke up quietly: "Oh, then maybe my ears are sharp too."
Hannah: "...?"
Sophia took a biscuit: "Thank you."
"How is it? Good?"
She looked at Sophia, eyes full of expectation, like a child seeking praise.
Sophia: "It's good. Not too sweet."
"See? I've tried many brands; this one is the best!"
After a moment's thought, Hannah looked at Marcus—
"Would you like one?"
Marcus: "No, thank you. Too high in calories. Easy to gain weight."
He swore he didn't mean it sarcastically; he was just watching his diet while working out lately.
However—
Hannah, 160cm tall and weighing 145 pounds: "!"
What did the new classmate mean?
Could they even get along?!
Sophia spoke up in time: "Hannah, could I have another one?"
Hannah immediately scooted closer, like a wronged big dog. "Sister Sophia, you're the best to me."
Marcus: "?"
Soon the packet of biscuits was finished.
Sophia had three pieces; Hannah devoured the rest.
So there was a reason the kid was so healthy.
Loved to eat and laugh, cheerful and plump.
Just then, Professor Watson returned with their school IDs and student cards.
"It's 5:30. How about we all go to the cafeteria for dinner?"
The three naturally had no objections.
...
With many people, they opted for stir-fried dishes.
The fifth floor of the cafeteria had private rooms with large round tables seating about ten.
Considering Hannah was from Guangdong, Sophia specifically ordered a sweet dish when choosing the food.
Hannah's eyes started sparkling with little stars again when she looked at Sophia.
Marcus didn't like to talk and had no particular preferences or dietary restrictions, so Sophia left him be.
Mindful of Professor Watson's taste, Sophia picked two more dishes she liked and could eat.
Two meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, and a soup—she had taken care of all four people present.
After eating, Professor Watson paid with her meal card: "This one's on me."
None of the three argued.
As they were leaving, they ran into another group coming out of the room across the hall.
Professor Victoria Lowell was surrounded by five students, like the center of attention, her laughter audible from afar.
The moment she saw Professor Watson, her smile froze, then quickly reappeared as she walked over with her students.
"Eleanor, having dinner with your students?"
Professor Watson's expression was neutral. "Yes."
"I heard you applied to stop accepting students?"
It was true; Professor Watson had nothing to deny.
"What a pity. Students are like bamboo shoots; they need to sprout in batches to continuously produce results. Look at you, only three this year..."
Her gaze swept over Sophia, Marcus, and Hannah. "...and no more after this. It's not just a gap; it's like the field has gone barren entirely."
Her eyes shifted, as if deliberately showing off. "Here, let me introduce them. These five are my new graduate students this year: Ashley Lowell, Jude Granger, Shane Holloway, Amelia Roscente, and Fiona Valentine."
"We're all in the same school, same major. We'll run into each other in the teaching buildings and labs.