Chapter 342
Alexander Laurent set down the file in his hand.
"Have you had lunch?"
Sophia Sullivan shook her head.
"Not yet."
Alexander chuckled softly.
"Perfect. I haven't eaten either."
Their eyes met.
A silent understanding hung in the air.
Half an hour later—
The barbecue restaurant was filled with smoke and sizzling sounds.
Alexander picked up a slice of pork belly.
The fat crackled on the hot grill.
He carefully turned the meat.
Until the edges were slightly crisp.
He wrapped it neatly in a lettuce leaf.
Then offered it to Sophia.
She was typing a message on her phone.
She looked up, slightly startled.
"Professor, I can do it myself…"
Alexander didn't withdraw his hand.
"Open your mouth."
Sophia froze.
Amusement sparkled in Alexander's eyes.
"Your hands just touched your phone. Are you sure you want to handle food with them?"
Sophia immediately put her phone down.
"I'm finished replying."
She reached out to take the wrapped meat.
Alexander placed it on her plate instead.
"Wipe your hands first."
Sophia looked at her fingers.
They had indeed just been on her phone.
She smiled sheepishly.
From then on, Alexander took charge of the grilling.
Sophia focused on eating.
He continuously placed perfectly cooked meat onto her plate.
Sophia finally spoke up.
"Professor, don't just focus on me."
Alexander nodded.
"Alright."
But her plate remained full.
A piece of beef scalded the tip of her tongue.
Sophia inhaled sharply.
Alexander handed her a glass of iced coconut milk.
"Drink it slowly."
The cool liquid soothed the sting.
Alexander asked with concern.
"Feeling better?"
Sophia nodded.
"My tongue is still a bit numb."
"Let me see. Open your mouth."
His tone was so natural.
Sophia instinctively stuck out her tongue.
A few seconds later, she realized what she'd done.
Her cheeks flushed instantly.
She immediately sat up straight.
Alexander examined it carefully.
"The mucosa is a bit red, but not broken."
"Some cold drink will help."
Sophia murmured her thanks.
She gulped down two mouthfuls of ice water to cool her face.
She pointed to some mushrooms on the grill.
"What are these?"
Alexander picked up a few.
"King trumpet mushrooms."
"They look so small…"
Alexander placed them on her plate.
"Hmm."
Sophia looked up.
Alexander was watching her.
"They are indeed very cute."
Sophia was stunned.
She had been talking about the mushrooms.
Yet her face grew warm nonetheless.
…
The meal lasted until two in the afternoon.
Alexander had no urgent matters.
Sophia had been relatively free lately.
They strolled along the street.
The winter sun was unusually warm.
The streets near Stanford University were complex and winding.
Bustling with life.
Besides restaurants and food stalls.
There were also vendors selling handicrafts.
Sophia examined each one with curiosity.
Occasionally picking up a small item for a closer look.
Alexander followed behind her.
His gaze never leaving her.
Time seemed to turn sweet.
Every second made his heart beat faster.
This novel feeling.
Was something he'd never experienced in his twenty-eight years.
He wanted to resist it, yet couldn't break free.
It felt like something was sprouting deep in his heart.
About to break through the soil.
"Professor, look at this—"
Sophia suddenly waved him over.
Alexander collected his thoughts and approached.
Sophia pointed at a clay figurine.
"What do you think this looks like?"
Alexander studied it carefully.
The figurine had only a vague humanoid shape.
Devoid of any details.
He answered honestly.
"Can't tell. It's sculpted too abstractly."
The other clay figures on the stall shared the same style.
Each uniquely ugly.
The stall seemed unattended.
Only a phone on a stand faced away from them.
Sophia pondered for a moment.
"From this angle, it looks a bit like Cupid?"
As soon as she spoke.
A young man suddenly popped up from behind the stall.
"You actually recognized it!"
The man's eyes shone with excitement.
He had finally found a kindred spirit.
Sophia was surprised.
"It really is Cupid?"
The man nodded repeatedly.
"You're the first person to recognize my work!"
Sophia said tactfully.
"Although the shape and features are a bit abstract…"
The man's expression instantly darkened.
"Are you here to cause trouble?"
Sophia was speechless.
Alexander added calmly.
"She's not wrong. It is very abstract."
The man was rendered silent.
But the live stream chat was roaring with laughter.
[This girl is so blunt!]
[Zack's confidence took another hit]
[This couple is so good-looking!]
…
The vendor, Zack, wanted to keep them.
"Let me sculpt a double portrait of you two?"
Sophia declined.
"No, thank you."
"Why not?"
"I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to show my face afterward."
Zack was stumped.
The live stream erupted in laughter again.
Zack refused to back down.
"I'm really good at double portraits!"
Sophia looked at him skeptically.
"Can someone who doesn't eat green onions finish a whole bowl of them?"
Zack had no retort.
[She's a logical genius!]
Zack rolled up his sleeves.
"Today, I'm going to show you my skills!"
"For free!"
Sophia became interested.
"Alright."
Zack directed them to pose.
"Move your heads closer."
"A little closer."
"Turn your heads slightly."
Sophia and Alexander turned at the same time.
Their noses touched.
Their lips brushed lightly against each other.