Chapter 315
The second snow of December fell upon Kyoto.
It snowed for two days and two nights.
The entire city was blanketed in white.
Early morning.
Sophia Sullivan stood at Alexander Laurent's doorstep.
She knocked gently.
"Professor..." Her voice was hesitant.
Alexander opened the door in his pajamas.
His hair was slightly disheveled.
"What's wrong?" He looked concerned.
"Nothing, nothing!" Sophia quickly waved her hands.
She glanced at the time.
"Am I too early?"
Alexander rubbed his temples. "I was already awake. What is it?"
"Those snow play tools from last time... can I borrow them again?"
He looked out the window.
The snow had stopped.
"You want to play now?" He sounded surprised.
Sophia's eyes sparkled. "The snow hasn't been touched yet."
Alexander chuckled. "Like a little child."
"Is there an age limit for playing in snow?" She pouted.
"Only the distinction between southerners and northerners."
"Wait a moment."
He turned and went inside.
Soon he returned carrying a small bucket.
Inside were duck-shaped molds.
Along with little bears and dinosaurs.
Shovels and rakes were all included.
"Thank you, Professor!" Sophia took the bucket.
She quickly ran downstairs.
Ten minutes later.
Alexander appeared downstairs fully dressed.
Sophia was playing with a group of children.
Her white down jacket.
And red knit cap.
Stood out vividly against the snow.
"Professor! Come play with us—" She waved with a smile.
Alexander stood at a distance. "You play."
Sophia humphed softly.
She crouched down to make a snowball.
Suddenly she turned.
The snowball flew straight toward Alexander.
He stood frozen in place.
The snowball hit his shoulder.
Shattering into powder.
"Professor, why didn't you dodge?" Sophia ran over.
"I didn't react in time."
"I'm sorry..."
"It's fine." He smiled faintly.
The children pulled at Sophia. "Sister! The snowman isn't finished yet!"
She was dragged back to the snow pile.
Carefully she placed the nose on the snowman.
"Done!" She patted her hands with satisfaction.
"Sophia Sullivan!"
Alexander suddenly called her name.
She instinctively turned around.
A snowball flew past her neck.
"Professor!" Her eyes widened.
Alexander curved his lips. "Almost."
"I thought you weren't playing?" She stamped her foot.
"Suddenly felt like it."
"Sneak attacks don't count!"
"Learned from you."
...
The monthly departmental symposium arrived.
All faculty and students gathered in the auditorium.
Administrators sat on the podium.
Each research team presented their reports.
Caleb Watson from Professor Victoria Lowell's team published an SCI paper.
Ashley Lowell also had a paper published.
Though not SCI.
It was still in a core journal.
"Professor Lowell's team is too strong."
"Caleb is always so outstanding."
"Didn't Ashley just publish an SCI last month?"
"The speed is incredible."
"And she still participates in club activities regularly."
"Truly capable people excel at everything."
Blake Cunningham tapped the microphone. "Next group."
Sophia Sullivan stood up.
"Laboratory fire safety renovations."
"No research achievements this month."
As she was about to sit down.
Shane Holloway snorted dismissively.
"Zero output for a whole month."
"Is it really about renovations or capability issues?"
Hannah Morse jumped to her feet.
"You know exactly why we're doing renovations!"
"What does that have to do with us?" Shane raised an eyebrow.
"Your own fire safety failures are someone else's fault?"
"Does being fat make you talk nonsense?"
Hannah's eyes burned with anger.
Ashley crossed her arms with a cold smile.
"Your own incompetence affects results."
"But shifting blame comes naturally."