Chapter 18 He Was Her Professor

Alice had always been accustomed to playing the ostrich. She secretly admired herself for being able to numb her tongue after overeating spicy food. She wanted to act as if everything was numb, and indeed, she could numb everything.

The second day was when scholars from various places came to report. Harvard University also had many veteran scholars, many of whom were Alice's teachers. Mike had arrived a day early and went to the airport to welcome them.

Alice was busy working, staying in her office and not going out, but she still encountered several elderly professors during the morning check-up.

They were in silver-haired elegance. She couldn't help but think that Mike would also be like that when he got old: student-friendly yet respectable.

As she was leaving, she was suddenly startled to see Kate--Nothing changed at all, still that cheerful smile, shouting "Alice!" as soon as she saw her.

A waiter next to her couldn't help but look over, and Alice was delighted and couldn't help but laugh: "How did you come? You weren't on the list!"

"My Professor had something urgent come up, so the institute sent me instead." Kate sat down with her in the lobby bar, "You're getting more and more beautiful! See, am I still the same?"

How could she still be the same? She had clearly gained a natural scholarly aura. Alice laughed and said, "Yes, you're still the same. You are forever young."

She even remembered to remind Kate, "You didn't sign in on the forum, did you?"

Kate was surprised, and immediately smiled brightly, "Would you sign for me then?" They both laughed as if those days were still vivid in everyone's memory.

In the afternoon, the forum opened, but Alice didn't go. She suddenly remembered to bring a book to John, so she quickly sorted out some books and, during the lunch break, walked to Building Four with the books in her hand.

There was the largest meeting room on the ground floor of Building Four, which was now closed, making Alice feel much more at ease.

She approached the front desk, about to ask the receptionist to gently put the books in John's room when he came back when the automatic door of the lobby opened silently.

She was slightly distracted and picked up the books again, turning to John with a smile, "Mr. Williams, I've brought your book."

John hummed an "Oh," then looked back at the banner hanging behind him, with the welcome message to scholars and experts from all over the country in red letters on a white background, topped by the Lemon logo: "Is it held today?" He motioned for her to follow and slowed down his steps, seemingly casually asking, "Aren't you going to take a look? There are a lot of your alumni here, aren't there?"

Alice shook her head slightly, smiling somewhat distantly, "It's been so long since graduation. I've forgotten all the knowledge I've learned. How could I face them?" She was joking, but her face also looked a bit listless, even with extra blush, she couldn't hide that underlying vulnerability.

His gaze held a deep meaning, and after a moment of silence, he suddenly said, "I want to take a look." Alice realized what he meant, and her eyes filled with panic: "For what?"

His face was somewhat serious. He nodded slightly towards the venue and shifted his gaze back to Alice. Alice hesitated; technically, she couldn't refuse a customer's request, but entering that room was simply too daunting.

It seemed like they were in a standoff for a moment before John suddenly started to laugh, taking the book from her hands. His demeanor and sharp gaze seemed to soften naturally. He smoothly changed the topic: "It's time to work. I won't bother you."

Alice felt as if she had been granted amnesty, and she breathed a long sigh of relief, laughing, "Yes, I need to work." She took a step back, and the doors of the conference hall were pushed open by a waiter.

A few words floated out, and Alice turned her head, recognizing that familiar voice, intimate as if in a whisper--she quickly walked away, not looking back.

John stood still, his tall figure cast into shadow by the sunlight against the wall. He called over the waiter and whispered a few words to him, and the young man nodded as he led him into the conference hall, asking softly, "Mr. Williams, is there anything else I can do for you?"

John shook his head slightly, found a seat in the last few rows, and looked up at the man on stage. With just one glance, he recognized it was the same man from last night.

His fingers absently tapped on the chair's armrest, and he suddenly thought of Alice, feeling a bit cold in the room. Yes, he met a strong rival.

The man on stage, even from his perspective, truly deserved the epithet of gentle and scholarly.

He stood up to leave, but only took a few steps before Jack bumped into him, chuckling, "Mr. Williams, what are you doing here? Want to have dinner together? Quite a few respected professors here." John interrupted with the question: "Who's on stage?"

Jack replied, "Oh, it's Mike. He's supposedly Miss Smith's professor." He casually added, "I was just about to call over Miss Smith for a more harmonious dinner." John looked towards the stage with interest. "Where will you have dinner?"