Chapter 79: Clara Whitmore Looked Up with Slightly Reddened Eyes

"Really?" Clara Whitmore looked up with slightly reddened eyes.

Elias Mercer adjusted his glasses. "Mhm."

She exhaled deeply. "Thank you. I feel better now."

Seeing her calm down, the tension in Elias's shoulders eased slightly.

"Hungry? There's a decent Sichuan place nearby."

Clara hesitated before nodding.

The restaurant's signature dish was their spicy hotpot broth.

Knowing Elias couldn't handle heat, they opted for the split-pot option.

The crimson broth bubbled furiously, its rich aroma filling the air.

The steaming atmosphere lifted Clara's dampened spirits somewhat.

Between the tender beef slices and crisp vegetables, she found herself eating more than expected.

Rain pattered against the windows while warmth enveloped the dining room.

The cheerful chatter of other diners gradually dispelled the gloom in her heart.

She glanced up to notice the man across from her had barely touched his food.

His elegant movements suggested he was merely keeping her company.

Remembering how he'd stayed with her during that rainy night, warmth bloomed in Clara's chest.

"Today... I couldn't have done it without you." Her voice was barely above a whisper.

That scene would have been impossible to face alone.

"Like a waking nightmare."

She shook her head with a bitter smile, meeting Elias's clear gaze.

"You're like..." She suddenly chuckled. "A superhero dropping from the sky."

"Inaccurate analogy." Elias's lips quirked.

Clara studied his eyes behind the fogged lenses.

"You're stronger than you realize." His tone held quiet conviction.

This wasn't empty comfort, but simple fact.

Clara blinked, then burst into laughter. "Your glasses are fogged up."

The lenses had completely steamed over.

Elias removed them with a resigned sigh. "Hence why I rarely eat hotpot."

"So even Professor Mercer has weaknesses." She propped her chin on one hand.

"Merely inconvenient."

He replaced the freshly wiped glasses.

Clara recalled how he'd never been picky during meals at her apartment.

"Try this." Elias placed a slice of beef in her bowl.

"I can serve myself..."

After dinner, Elias only walked her to her building's entrance.

The post-rain air carried a crisp chill.

Clara tightened her coat, catching the familiar sandalwood scent.

Only then did she notice Elias wore nothing but a thin sweater.

He wouldn't... catch cold, would he?

Yet the next morning, between intermittent sneezes,

Clara confirmed even professors weren't immune to sniffles.

"Your coat's at the dry cleaners. It'll be ready soon."

Elias waved dismissively. "No matter."

His wardrobe contained plenty of alternatives.