"What's going on over there? Why are so many people gathered?"Joseph glanced toward the school gates, where a large group of students was crowded around the notice board, discussing something animatedly."I’m not sure. The math department’s building is near the west gate, and that notice board is specifically for math department announcements."Alice followed his gaze, her curiosity piqued."Is that so?"Joseph raised an eyebrow."Let’s go check it out."Alice, normally not one to get involved in crowds, suddenly felt a surge of interest. It seemed that since Joseph entered her life, even the most mundane things had taken on a new sparkle.Sometimes, things that seem dull when done alone can be entirely different when shared with someone else.Grabbing Joseph’s arm, Alice led him toward the crowd.A group of students had gathered around the notice board, engaged in animated discussions. At the front of the group stood several professors, their faces weary from lack of sleep, their ey

"Lillian Rogers, the math department prodigy, is here.""Lillian Rogers is stunning, but her personality is so strange.""Do you think this new proof for Stokes’ theorem might be her work? Other than Lillian and the professors, I can’t think of anyone else in the math department who could’ve done it.""Who knows? She’s coming this way, so maybe we’ll find out soon."As the students whispered among themselves, a girl with black-rimmed glasses, clutching a stack of books to her chest, approached the notice board. Despite the glasses, they couldn’t mask the intelligence and sharpness in her eyes.As she neared, the crowd parted instinctively, allowing her a clear path to the board.Lillian Rogers stood motionless in front of the notice board, her eyes fixed on the handwritten proof, as if she were frozen in place.The crowd around her instinctively took a few steps back, creating some distance. Only a few elderly professors remained, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with her at the board."

"Alright, don’t concern yourself too much with Mr. Wilson’s background. Just know that having him here is an honor for this university."Geoffrey Harris patted the assistant on the shoulder and then left the office.The assistant stood there, stunned by Harris’s words, unable to process what she had just heard.Nova University, Second Teaching Building, Room 302, Multimedia Classroom.At this moment, the large lecture hall, capable of seating hundreds, was already full."The assistant came by earlier to tell us that Old Mr. Sanchez had a last-minute emergency and won’t be able to make it. The president found a substitute teacher for us.""No way! I came here specifically for Professor Leonard Sanchez. My graduate thesis has hit a roadblock, and I really needed his guidance. What am I supposed to do now?""Why don’t you try asking the substitute?""Didn’t the assistant say the substitute teacher is young? How could he possibly compare to Professor Sanchez?""Is the university seriously

"I don’t know, but I can certainly try."Joseph’s smile remained, offering no definitive answer."Mr. Wilson, I never realized you were such a braggart. I hadn’t noticed before."Fiona’s lips curled into a mocking smile.Joseph merely glanced at her, saying nothing."Why don’t you demonstrate for us, teacher? We’d love to see it.""Yes, teacher, you can’t just talk the talk!""Try it now, Mr. Wilson!""..."The students’ enthusiasm only grew."I can try, but please, everyone quiet down."Joseph agreed, and at once the room fell silent."Mr. Wilson, are you sure about this? Piercing a needle three centimeters into wood—that’s a lot of force. I’ve never seen anyone do it before.""Even if a needle has some rigidity, it’s hard to imagine it could be driven that deep into solid wood."Even Geoffrey Harris, who had been supportive of Joseph, now seemed skeptical."Those in the back, move forward a little; it’ll give you a better view.""Now, take a good look. These classroom desks are soli

He turned to find a stranger approaching him."Why aren’t you in class? Is there something you need?"Geoffrey asked, puzzled."Mr. Harris, my name is Fiona. I’m a graduate student under Professor Sanchez, and I’m very confused right now."Fiona was slightly out of breath, clearly in a hurry."What’s troubling you? Perhaps I can help."Geoffrey nodded, indicating for her to continue."Mr. Harris, do you truly know who Joseph is?"Fiona’s expression was serious as she spoke."Are you suggesting you know Joseph better than I do?"Geoffrey raised an eyebrow, sensing something unusual in her words."Mr. Harris, I’m certain I know Joseph far better than you do."Fiona’s voice was resolute."Oh? And what makes you say that? If you truly know Joseph, then enlighten me—how well do you know Mr. Wilson?"Geoffrey’s curiosity was piqued. There seemed to be more to this than he had initially thought."Joseph is my husband. I know everything about him. Based on what I know, he has no qualification