Chapter 378

"Look, isn't that the older grad student from our department?"

Audrey Escent suddenly stopped walking.

Sophia Frackett stumbled as she was pulled along, following Audrey's gaze.

Under the sunlight, a tall, well-built man stood holding yellow roses, offering them intently to Evelyn Langley.

Audrey curled her lip. "Pretty girls have all the luck. School just started and she's already got suitors."

"Sophia, you're not bad either. How come no one sends you flowers?"

Sophia's lips curved slightly. "Is this really something to compare?"

"Stop acting so aloof!" Audrey sneered. "I don't believe you're not jealous."

Sophia's smile remained unchanged.

Audrey tossed over her shoulder, "Fake it too much and it becomes obvious," before striding away.

Sophia stood still, her smile gradually freezing.

Nearby, two male students were conversing.

Victor Dimucci adjusted his glasses. "...Did you remember all these precautions?"

Zachary Omelas scratched his head, then suddenly widened his eyes. "Senior, look!"

Victor turned and saw the flower-giving scene, his brow furrowing. "If you want academic success, don't get distracted by such things."

"...Got it, senior!" Zachary nodded earnestly.

"That girl is Professor Eleanor Roland's student," he added. "Really impressive."

Daring to challenge Professor Beatrice Merouin in class and making Shane Evlanch lose face.

So cool!

Victor showed no interest, barely glancing before looking away.

"Let's go. I'll take you to buy daily necessities."

Zachary hastily waved his hands. "No need, I brought everything."

Victor sighed. "You mean the toothbrush with no bristles left, or the towel full of holes?"

Zachary's dark face flushed red. "I...I think they're still usable..."

New things cost money.

Victor saw his younger self in Zachary.

They came from the same mountain village, though Victor had entered Harvard earlier.

Zachary only got into a regular 211 university for undergrad and took two tries to get into grad school.

As fellow villagers, Victor always wanted to look out for him.

In this cold city, warmth was a luxury for rural kids like them.

"My treat."

"Really not necessary," Zachary blurted in dialect, "Ma and Pa gave me money."

Victor said nothing, heading straight for the supermarket.

Roses, confessions—none of that concerned them.

A casual bouquet to some was half a month's living expenses for them.

The world was never fair.

......

Evelyn sidestepped the yellow roses. "I have class."

Without looking back, she walked toward Hannah Flores and Liam Kalmien.

Nathan Evans stood holding the flowers, a bitter smile forming on his lips.

Only when the crowd dispersed did he snap out of it.

The yellow roses were tossed into a trash can, stained with grime.

He turned and left.

Under the shade of a tree, Sophia watched Nathan's retreating figure pensively before gathering her books and departing.