Chapter 310
"Alexander, you recommended her. What's your take?"
Feng Yuchun finished speaking and tossed the question to him.
Alexander Laurent was silent for a moment.
"First, I don't believe Sophia did anything wrong."
"A flower blooms on a branch. It doesn't attract bees or butterflies, yet people still want to pick it. Can you blame the flower?"
"Second, the student quality at Stanford needs improvement."
"Fighting in public over a trivial matter will damage the school's reputation if it gets out. So—"
"Improving the quality of both faculty and students is urgent."
He emphasized the quality of both teachers and students.
"Finally, I trust Sophia. She is not a frivolous girl. No one considered her feelings in this matter. She is also a victim."
Feng Yuchun was hearing Alexander speak so much for the first time.
"Yes, yes, Miss Sullivan is not at fault. Being beautiful and attractive isn't her problem. How can we blame her?"
Alexander's expression softened slightly. "I'm glad you understand."
Feng Yuchun glanced at him, surprised. So protective?
"These boys at Stanford, they see a pretty girl and get all worked up, falling over themselves to impress her. Times are different now. If you like someone, just pursue them boldly!"
"If Sophia doesn't have a boyfriend, perhaps she could consider someone from our school? MIT and Stanford are close. Dating would be convenient. She could also use my lab long-term..."
Feng Yuchun found the idea more plausible the more he talked about it.
A marriage between the two schools would be a great story, wouldn't it?
Alexander's face darkened. "You called them monkeys yourself. Let's drop it."
Feng Yuchun: "?"
I was just being polite. Did you take it seriously?
Feng Yuchun wanted to say more, but Alexander had already stood up and left.
A voice came from the stage—
"Now presenting the winner of the National Special Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress, Alexander Laurent..."
Feng Yuchun was momentarily dazed.
In these three years, Alexander had won the Nature Prize, the Progress Prize, the Invention Prize... Next would be Academician, right?
The youngest Academician in history.
...
Night fell. Sophia finished her experiments and returned to her residence.
The cold wind was biting. She pulled her scarf up, covering half her face.
Just as she reached her door, before she could take out her key, the neighboring door opened.
Alexander stood behind it.
"Sophia."
"Professor!"
"Just finished your experiment?"
"Yes."
"Have you had dinner?"
She shook her head sheepishly. "Not yet."
"Come eat at my place."
"Ah?" Sophia was stunned. "You cooked?"
"Just made a couple simple dishes. Learned from you. Care to try them?"
"Learned from me?" She didn't remember teaching him how to cook.
"It's cold outside. Come in first."
"Okay." Sophia stepped inside. Warmth enveloped her.
She took off her scarf and removed her down jacket. Alexander naturally took them and hung them on the coat rack.
Sophia noticed a deep black suit hanging next to the coat rack.
It was impeccably straight, almost severe.
Alexander usually wore suits, but none looked as dated as this one.
She walked to the dining table.
On the table were two meat dishes, one vegetable dish, and a soup, all still steaming.
Alexander: "The braised pork ribs and shredded pork with green peppers, I learned from you. The stir-fried cabbage, I learned from a video. The tomato and egg soup, I already knew how to make."
He clearly explained the origin of each dish.
Sophia laughed. "Did I really teach you? I don't remember."
"No. But I observed secretly."
Alexander filled two bowls with rice. "Sit."
He then handed her the chopsticks.
"Thank you."
Sophia picked up a piece of rib. Under the man's expectant gaze, she put it in her mouth.
"This taste..."
She noticed the man's back was straight, his expression tense.
Sophia: "It's very fragrant. Even better than how I make it!"
The man visibly relaxed. A smile reappeared. "It's not as good as yours."
"Professor, don't be so modest!"
Sophia wasn't just being polite. It really did taste good.
"You just watched while helping and learned?"
Alexander: "I memorized the steps."
Smart people learn everything quickly.
The shredded pork with green peppers and the stir-fried cabbage were also delicious.
"Really?" Professor Laurent also had moments of insecurity.
Sophia couldn't help laughing. "No."
"?"
"Just kidding."
"..."
After eating, Sophia moved to collect the bowls. The man firmly refused.
"Go rest on the sofa. Play on your phone or watch TV. I'll handle the kitchen."
Sophia blinked. "At my place, we always cleaned up together."
Alexander: "That was your place. This is my place. My rules."
"? What logic is that?"
"Then next time you're at my place, I won't let you do anything either."
Hearing this petulant remark, Alexander couldn't help but curve his lips. He wasn't in a hurry to clean up. He sat back down. "Do you know why a research group needs a leader?"
Sophia: "?" What does this have to do with the current topic?
Alexander: "Everyone works on the same project. They do the same work. They get the same pay. So why have a leader? Sometimes the leader might even do less than the members."
"Why?"
"Because a team needs a core. A project needs a leader. This person doesn't need to do everything. They just need to steer the direction at critical moments. Like on a ship. The sailors work. The captain steers."
Sophia raised an eyebrow. "So... I'm the captain?"
Alexander nodded. "Good. The sailor is going to work now!"
He stood up and walked into the kitchen.
Sophia was stunned for two seconds, then couldn't help but laugh. She called out towards the kitchen:
"Professor—You're too modest! How could I possibly be your captain? You are the captain. You should be the one giving orders!"
"Mm, okay. Then I order you not to do any work. Next time we eat at your place, you cannot stop me from working." The man's voice came from the kitchen.
Sophia: ???
Somehow, he always has the last word.