Chapter 28: Professor Miriam Caldwell Adjusted Her Reading Glasses and Motioned for Her

"Perfect timing. Help me check if these materials are correct." Professor Miriam Caldwell adjusted her reading glasses and motioned for her to come closer.

Clara Whitmore set down her bag and approached the desk. Spread across it was an English edition of Genetic Sequencing Technology, a cutting-edge work in bioinformatics.

"I remember this series has a volume specifically about genetic testing. Where did it go?"

Clara scanned the bookshelf, her gaze suddenly landing on a blue-covered book. "Professor, is this the one?"

"Yes, yes!" Miriam tapped her forehead. "Right in front of me, and I searched forever."

"Owen, come here." The professor beckoned. "Take these materials for reference. Let me know if you need more."

"Thank you, Professor." Owen Parker accepted the book.

He was preparing his thesis and had come specifically to borrow original materials from Professor Caldwell.

Miriam finally remembered to introduce them. "This is Clara Whitmore, my former star student. Soon to be my student again."

Owen blinked. "She's applying for your graduate program?"

"Exactly." The professor smiled. "This is Owen Parker, a second-year master's student planning for his Ph.D. You two can study together."

Clara nodded. "Nice to meet you, Senior. I'm Clara Whitmore."

Owen pulled out his phone. "Let's exchange contacts. We can discuss any questions."

They swapped numbers. Owen, rushing to class, left in a hurry.

Clara brought out a plate of glistening water chestnut cakes from the kitchen.

"From the shop in East Market?" Miriam's eyes lit up. "You waited in line forever, didn't you?"

"I passed by and grabbed them." Clara downplayed it.

The professor saw right through her. "Nonsense. That place has hour-long lines." She pinched Clara's cheek. "Don't bother next time. Just come."

Clara looped her arm through the older woman's. "It's no trouble. It was quick."

"Stop sweet-talking." Miriam pulled two practice tests from the shelf. "Do these."

"You called me here just to supervise my test-taking?" Clara fake-pouted.

"Less sass, more work."

Clara spent the entire day at the professor's home. By evening, she'd cooked a table of her signature dishes and cleaned the kitchen before leaving.

During her nighttime review, her phone buzzed.

Owen: Library tomorrow?

Clara replied: Sure.

The next morning, Owen was already waiting at the library entrance.

"Had breakfast?" He handed her soy milk and steamed buns.

"Thanks." Clara ate quickly, and they entered the library.

As the elevator doors opened, a figure suddenly rushed forward, squeezing in ahead of them.

It was Paige Lawson and her friend.