Chapter 283
Sophia Sullivan knew that once she nodded, all that would remain between them was a transaction.
This was completely different from what she truly wanted.
But if she refused…
The man would undoubtedly turn and leave without a second thought.
This might be her only chance!
"...Alright, I agree." She forced a casual smile, "It's just acting anyway. I suppose I'm getting the better end of the deal."
What was fake now didn't have to stay fake forever.
If only she had time…
Ethan Roscente's gaze was downcast, his expression detached. "My assistant will bring the contract later. Just sign it."
Black and white terms would prevent future entanglements. It was a lesson he'd learned from Isabella Langley.
Fiona Valentine smiled in agreement. "No problem."
Her heart, however, sank like a stone.
He really wanted no connection with her. His defenses were so high.
"Can we exchange WeChat now? For easier communication." Fiona confidently displayed her QR code.
Ethan gave it a cursory glance and sent a friend request.
Fiona accepted immediately. His profile picture was an ink wash painting: a misty river under a drizzling sky, a lone boat adrift in the fog.
"What a coincidence. Your picture is water, and mine is clouds."
Ethan replied flatly, "What does water have to do with clouds?"
Fiona was taken aback. "...They're both natural elements?"
Ethan corrected her. "It's not water."
"Huh?"
"It's rain."
Fiona offered an awkward smile. "I see… I didn't look closely enough just now…"
Ethan's fingertip lightly traced the image on his screen. "'On blue water better than sky, In painted boat listening to rain I lie.'"
Fiona fell silent. Her smile vanished completely.
"By the way, I still don't know your name… Let me send you mine first." Fiona clicked send.
But the man was already putting his phone away. "Ethan Roscente," he stated simply.
Fiona wanted to say more, but he was already rising to leave.
At the door, he suddenly turned back—
"For this cooperation to proceed smoothly, one thing must be absolutely clear."
"...What is it?" The woman looked up at him.
Ethan's face was expressionless. "During the contract period, this is strictly a professional relationship. No emotions involved. I have someone I love. I have no interest in you. You're a smart woman. So—"
"Don't develop feelings for me. It will lead nowhere. Except for Sophia Sullivan, I will never love anyone else."
His voice was calm, yet it carried the chill of icy rain.
...
On Sunday, Sophia Sullivan obtained the consent form signed by Ethan Roscente.
She couldn't process the formalities immediately, so she headed home first.
Just as she reached the alley entrance—
"Professor? Out for a run again?"
Alexander Laurent had been running the previous night too.
Ethan had been seeing her home then, and they encountered Alexander at the alley mouth, dressed in workout clothes, drenched in sweat.
His first words were—
"Are you alright?"
Sophia was puzzled. "Why do you ask?"
Did she seem like something was wrong?
Alexander simply smiled, gave her a once-over, and didn't answer.
"Care to join me for a couple laps?" he invited.
Sophia pointed upstairs. "Let me change first. See you in a bit."
"Alright."
She hadn't expected him to run again this morning after last night.
Sophia blinked. "Professor, are you training for a race?"
"No." Alexander shook his head.
"Then this level of exercise…" Isn't it a bit much? Anyone would think he was training for a marathon…
Alexander chuckled softly.
A closer look revealed a hint of guilt behind his smile.
Sophia asked further, "Is the lab not busy?"
"Not really. I've handed most work over to Quincy."
Quincy Evans, currently toiling away in the lab: Achoo! Achoo! How noble! How impressive!
Alexander asked her, "Have you had breakfast?"
Sophia nodded. "Yes. You?"
"I have too. Any plans for today?"
Sophia thought for a moment. "Nothing much, just reviewing some papers."
"A friend from Yunnan Province sent a case of wild mushrooms. You can have them."
Wild mushrooms?
These were a real treat.
"Give them to me? Don't you want them?"
Alexander laughed. "I rarely cook. They'll go bad if kept too long. You're the best person to have them."
"Okay then, I won't stand on ceremony!"
They went upstairs together.
Sophia entered Alexander's apartment and saw a large foam box behind the door.
Opening it, she found various mushrooms: Termitomyces, Old Man of the Woods, truffles, morels…
It was like a complete collection of Yunnan's winter fungi.
Each type was vacuum-sealed in separate packaging.
They were still remarkably fresh despite transportation and storage.
Sophia treasured them immediately. "Professor, these are so hard to find on the market. Are you sure you don't want them?"
Alexander waved his hand, practically pushing the box toward her. "Take them, take them."
"Great~ Come over for mushroom hot pot tonight!" With that, she happily picked up the box and headed home, not giving Alexander a chance to refuse.
At 5 PM, Alexander arrived punctually to help.
Entering the kitchen, he saw Sophia had already washed and drained all the mushrooms, setting them aside.
Alexander sounded almost disappointed. "Why didn't you wait for me to wash them?"
Sophia replied, "I had time this afternoon. Just took care of it."
"You stole my job," the man said, his tone feigning complaint.
Sophia giggled. "Professor, there's no pay for working here. Why are you so eager?"
"Haven't you heard 'the mouth of a guest is soft'? I wouldn't feel right eating without helping."
"Well, 'the hand that receives is soft' today too. I got all these mushrooms from you."
"So?"
Sophia declared, "We're even."
No soft mouth, no soft hand.
Soon, the hot pot was on the table.
The milky white broth floated with red dates, goji berries, and scallion segments.
Sophia added the first batch of mushrooms, then ran to her bedroom to fetch a timer.
She set it and started the countdown.
The essential Yunnan hot pot ritual was complete!
Alexander waited and waited. "Why does time feel so slow now?"
Sophia watched the mushrooms bubbling in the pot, swallowing saliva. "Almost there, just two more minutes."
Ding!
Time's up!
They both picked up their chopsticks simultaneously and dug in!
On a chilly early spring evening, what could be more blissful than a pot of steaming clear broth with wild mushrooms and a compatible dining companion?
Nothing.
They finished the first pot and started a second.
All the prepared mushrooms went into the pot, eaten cleanly without a single waste.
Finally, a small half bowl of hot broth each—
Alexander sighed contentedly. "A bit full."
Sophia secretly stifled a burp: Likewise.