Chapter 196

Evelyn gently swirled the test tube between her fingers. Her eyes remained fixed on the changing solution as she rapidly recorded data. "Arrived half an hour ago. Natalie, could you check this ratio for me?"

Natalie set down her pipette and leaned closer. "Extend the reaction time by ten minutes. You can reduce the catalyst by 0.5 milliliters."

Camille walked past in her high heels, casting a disdainful glance at Evelyn's focused profile. A mere undergraduate trying to make waves? Just putting on airs.

The lab clock showed 12:30 when Evelyn finally noticed the empty workspace. Rubbing her stiff neck, she considered grabbing a quick lunch at the cafeteria.

As she pushed open the lab door, Adrian appeared carrying a takeout bag.

"Picked this up on my way." He handed her the steaming container. "Beef noodles. I remember you like them."

Evelyn's fingers brushed against condensation droplets on the bag as she accepted it. "Have you eaten already?"

"Yeah." Adrian nodded. "How's the data coming?"

"Almost there." She lifted the lid, releasing an aromatic cloud.

In the break room, Evelyn wolfed down her lunch and chased it with black coffee. Natalie's suggestion had improved the results, but they still fell short of her expectations. The data would suffice for her paper, but she wanted greater precision.

At least she had access to Adrian's lab. Tossing the cup into the trash, she hurried back.

The conversation inside died abruptly when she entered. Vincent pretended to organize reagents, Oliver fiddled with a microscope, and Camille simply turned away.

Evelyn paused briefly before continuing to her workstation. She'd long outgrown caring about others' opinions.

Human relationships resembled hunters and woodcutters in a forest—one chasing living prey, the other gathering dead wood. Different goals meant different paths. Temporary companionship was serendipity; parting ways was inevitable.

Starting the experiment anew left little time. Sampling, statistics, analysis—the workload pressed down on her alone. From dawn till midnight, her lab light always burned last.

After a week, Evelyn finally returned to her apartment to freshen up. The succulents on her balcony remained plump, but the orchid had withered. She fed the fish, did a quick clean, then began packing.

Her phone suddenly blared. Seeing the caller ID, her hands trembled, scattering clothes across the floor.