“Young and fearless—that’s what I see in you. It reminds me of my own younger days. As we age, it’s not that our skills diminish, but our courage does.”“I can already feel the fresh energy Professor Wilson has brought to our department. Our field of traditional Chinese medicine sorely needs more talented young doctors like him.” The professors from the TCM department clapped and spoke with admiration, showering Joseph with praise.“Professor Wilson, today you’ve truly opened my eyes,” Leonard Sanchez said as he approached Joseph, extending his hand for a firm handshake. This lecture was undoubtedly a moment of pride for the TCM department, especially with so many attendees from other disciplines and modern medical institutions.“Your courage is remarkable, Professor Wilson. Faced with such a complex case, many of us wouldn’t dare to act,” Geoffrey Harris said as he stepped forward, shaking Joseph’s hand warmly. His tone carried genuine admiration for Joseph’s ability to resolve the
“Alright, enjoy your meal,” Joseph replied, knowing that Heidi was likely already at the restaurant and too busy eating to check her phone.Just as he was about to put down his phone, it started buzzing. Alice’s name lit up the screen.“Joseph, have you eaten yet?” Alice’s sweet voice came through the line.“Uh… not yet, actually. I just finished everything here,” Joseph admitted, momentarily taken aback by her call.“I figured as much! I called earlier, but you didn’t pick up. I knew you must’ve been swamped with students,” Alice said with a hint of concern in her voice.“They were just… very enthusiastic,” Joseph replied with an awkward laugh.“Well, I’m already on my way to the university, and I’ve brought you some food. I couldn’t finish the dishes you made this morning, so I added two simple dishes I cooked myself. Just make do with it,” Alice said warmly.“You cooked?” Joseph asked, genuinely surprised.“Of course! Don’t worry, it’s probably not terrible. I didn’t have much to d
“Well? Do you believe me now?” Heidi said smugly, clutching her lunchbox tightly to protect it from further “damage.”“Alright, I believe you! Does your brother-in-law bring you food every day? I’m so jealous—this is top-tier chef-level cooking!” Daphne asked, her curiosity piqued.“Not every day, but today was a coincidence. Even if it were every day, he wouldn’t refuse. He works at Nova University now, so it’s not a big deal for him to bring me food. Even though he’s divorced from my sister, he still dotes on me. He wouldn’t say no if I asked,” Heidi said, her tone carrying a hint of pride.“Wait, your brother-in-law works at Nova University? Is he a professor?” the short-haired girl asked, picking up on the key detail in Heidi’s words.“Girl, professors at Nova University are all highly educated and usually over forty. They’re basically a bunch of old men. So, which old professor is your brother-in-law?” Daphne teased, clearly enjoying herself.“What nonsense are you spouting? My b
“In psychology, when you’re afraid of losing someone, it’s a sign that you’ve already fallen for them. Let me guess—you feel uncomfortable whenever you see him with another woman, don’t you?” the short-haired girl asked, her tone knowing.“How do you know that?” Heidi asked, her eyes wide with surprise.“Because you have feelings for him. Those feelings may have already blossomed into love. Let me ask you this—if he were hurt, homeless, or in trouble, would you feel heartbroken for him?” the short-haired girl asked gently, testing her.“Of course! He’s my brother-in-law. He’s family,” Heidi answered without hesitation.“But he’s not your brother-in-law anymore. He’s divorced from your sister, which means he’s no longer your family. So… in what capacity are you feeling heartbroken for him?” Daphne pressed, her words cutting straight to the point.“As… a friend?” Heidi ventured hesitantly.“That’s where you’re wrong. If he were just a friend, why do you still call him ‘brother-in-law’ e
"And how do you know he wouldn’t like me?" Daphne shot back with a grin. "Because he just wouldn’t," Heidi retorted, flustered. "Stop overthinking things, okay?" But deep down, even Heidi wasn’t entirely certain if Joseph could resist someone like Daphne. Women like her rarely got rejected by men. "Heidi, we’re just joking. Look at you, acting like someone’s about to snatch your man away," the short-haired girl teased, her tone lighthearted. "Fine, I’ll share my food with you, but only if you promise me one thing," Heidi said after a moment of thought, her expression unusually serious. "What is it?" Daphne and the short-haired girl asked in unison. "You can’t tell anyone about my brother-in-law’s past. It wasn’t easy for him to get this job. If people find out about his history, it might affect his work." "And don’t bring up my connection to him, either. That’s all in the past now. Mentioning it could lead to unnecessary complications." "He’s been married to my sister for year
"Ahem, are you suggesting you’d like to test it?" Joseph coughed lightly, unsure how to respond to her bold statement. He spoke almost instinctively."I didn’t mean that! Don’t twist my words!" Alice exclaimed, covering her face with her hands. Beneath them, her cheeks were burning red, as if they might burst into flames. How did the conversation even end up here? The sheer embarrassment was overwhelming. "Good, as long as you didn’t mean it." Joseph continued eating, his tone casual as if nothing had happened.But Alice, hearing this, felt something was off again. "What do you mean, ‘as long as I didn’t mean it’? That sounds so strange!" she retorted, her voice tinged with dissatisfaction. "Are you saying I don’t have any charm at all? That you’re not even the least bit attracted to me?"Joseph couldn’t help but laugh at her indignant expression. "That’s not what I meant. Can we save this conversation for when we’re not in the cafeteria? This is hardly the place for it." Alice gl
"It’s fine, go ahead and look. My Facebook is a mess—no labels, no organization. I think you’re the only one with a note attached to your name. What kind of privacy could I possibly have for you to see?" Joseph chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, I’ll take a look. Don’t worry, I won’t snoop," Alice said, finally picking up Joseph’s phone and unlocking it. The moment she opened it, her eyes widened in shock—there were over a hundred unread messages. "‘Professor Wilson, want to come over to my place tonight and play some games? My parents aren’t home!’" Alice read aloud, her voice dripping with disbelief. "What the hell is this? Playing games? Is that what they’re really inviting you for? Women these days are just shameless." "Here’s another one: ‘Professor Wilson, my sink is clogged. Can you come over tonight and help clear it? It’s so uncomfortable having the sink clogged; the water’s everywhere.’" Alice’s jaw dropped as she continued to read. "A clogged sink? Why don’t they c
Watching her hurried figure disappear, Joseph couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head. No matter how much time passed, Alice still seemed like the same little girl he’d always known—gentle, caring, and endearing, yet perpetually scatterbrained and impulsive. Once Alice was gone, Joseph tidied up the table and headed back to his office. He didn’t have any classes in the afternoon, and Leonard Sanchez had scheduled his meeting with Fiona for 4 PM. Joseph decided to take the opportunity to rest in his office for a bit. On his way there, he casually checked his phone. The post Alice had written had already garnered a flood of comments—most of them from girls. What surprised Joseph the most was that the first comment came from Fiona. Instead of writing anything, she’d simply left a single question mark under his post. Joseph stared at it for a moment but decided to ignore it. He scrolled through the other comments, most of which were the usual chaotic mix of admiration and curiosity
"If you want to go, I’ll go with you," Joseph said, smiling warmly. "Really?" Alice’s eyes lit up with delight. "Of course. Why would I lie about something like that? I don’t have any plans for Saturday, and staying home all day isn’t much fun either. A little outing sounds nice," Joseph said with a nod. "Great! It’s settled, then!" Alice declared happily, clapping her hands as if sealing the deal. "I’m almost done eating. Let me know when you’re ready, and I’ll go pack my things. We can head to school after that," Alice said as she finished her breakfast and stood up. "Oh, and don’t worry about picking me up after class. I’ll find my own way back," she added before heading to her room. "Alright. I’ll have lunch ready when you get home," Joseph replied. "Thank you, Joseph! It’s so nice having you around. I get to eat delicious food every day!" Alice said with a giggle before retreating to her room, her face glowing with happiness. Joseph quickly finished his own breakfast, tid
The proximity, combined with the intoxicating fragrance of her body, overwhelmed Joseph’s senses. He felt his blood surge, his pulse quickening as an uncontrollable heat spread through him. It wasn’t just Alice’s teasing words—it was the subtle, almost imperceptible mix of her voice, her scent, and the warmth of her body pressed against his. It ignited something deep within him, a fire he struggled desperately to contain."What smell? I have no idea what you’re talking about!" Joseph’s face flushed a deep red as he stammered, utterly flustered. He struggled to suppress the surge of desire coursing through him, but it was a losing battle. "Ugh, obviously I mean body fragrance! Every woman has her own unique scent. Don’t tell me you can’t smell it," Alice teased, blinking her bright eyes at him mischievously, clearly intent on prolonging his discomfort. "It’s… fine, I guess," Joseph exhaled slowly, trying his best to sound composed. "Fine? Do you like it, though?" Alice leaned in c
"The two bells are only part of the reason I married your sister. There are other factors as well," Joseph began, his voice calm yet deliberate. "My master and your grandfather struck additional deals, agreements that go beyond what I’ve told you. But the most important reason lies in my past. That, above all, is what led to this marriage." "And what exactly is that reason?" Heidi asked, her curiosity piqued. "I… forgot," Joseph said with a wry smile. "You forgot? How could you forget the most important reason? Brother-in-law, your selective memory is incredible. You remember everything unimportant and forget the key things," Heidi teased, shaking her head in exasperation. "I can’t explain it either," Joseph replied, his tone tinged with helplessness. "My master has abilities that defy normal understanding. The fact that I’ve forgotten certain things—it’s all part of his plan." "Why would he do that? Making you forget so much… it’s just too strange," Heidi said, her frustration
"Although I’ve never paid much attention to the Cooper family’s affairs, it’s clear to me that your sister doesn’t have absolute control over the family. She’s still too young, lacking in both the means and the authority to truly dominate the Cooper family. Despite all she’s done for the family over the years, she still relies heavily on your grandmother’s prestige to maintain her position." "Am I wrong about any of this?" Joseph asked slowly. "Brother-in-law, for someone who seems indifferent to everything, you know the Cooper family far too well," Heidi said with a sigh. "You’re absolutely right, especially now. Morgan Group has withdrawn from many of our projects recently, and the Cooper family’s profits have been plummeting." "Those in the family who have been waiting for an opportunity won’t let my sister off the hook so easily. She’s practically a clay idol barely crossing the river herself." Heidi’s tone carried a hint of helplessness. "That’s why I don’t recommend involv
Back in her room, Heidi sat at her desk and opened her phone. She sent all the photos she had taken today to Joseph. “Brother-in-law, take a look at these. I’ll call you later.” After sending the photos, she followed up with a message and set her phone down. With that done, she walked over to her window, drawing the curtains open and pushing the window wide. A rush of fresh air poured into the room, and she took a deep breath. Tilting her head back, she gazed at the star-speckled sky. A flood of emotions surged through her heart. "Brother-in-law, I didn’t protect you before, but from now on, I won’t let them bully you again." "I know you’re capable of protecting yourself, but I can’t help worrying. If it’s possible, I’d like to be your last line of defense." "Because, honestly, I want to eat your cooking for the rest of my life." Her words were soft, almost a whisper, as she spoke to the night sky. After a moment, she closed the window and curtains, then lay down on her bed.
"Take a look at this." Maria Long handed him the phone, her voice urgent. Stephen watched the video in silence, his expression growing darker with every passing moment. Finally, he spoke. "Fiona, what’s going on? Is this really Joseph?" "It is," Fiona replied simply, her tone steady. Maria Long quickly recounted everything she had learned, her words rapid and disjointed. When she finished, Stephen’s face was etched with disbelief. "How is that possible? Someone like him, with such talent?" Stephen’s voice was filled with doubt, as if the reality before him was too difficult to accept. "Do you think he conned his way into Nova University?" Maria’s voice dripped with suspicion as she voiced her theory. "Regardless of how he got there, his abilities are the real thing. Nova University’s hiring process is incredibly strict. If there were any issues, there’s no way he would’ve been brought on." Fiona’s tone was dismissive as she refuted Maria’s suggestion. "So, does that mean h
“You sound disappointed.” “No wonder Grandpa has always valued you so highly. You’re just like him—a calculating merchant who only cares about profit.” “Selfish. Ruthless. Utterly unprincipled.” Heidi’s words were laced with venom, her disdain evident. “You’re absolutely right. That’s exactly who I am.” Fiona admitted it without hesitation, showing no intention of defending herself. “What’s wrong with you today?” Heidi shot her a sidelong glance, her tone dripping with sarcasm. She found Fiona’s behavior strange—completely out of character. Normally, Fiona would’ve at least argued back, but tonight she seemed utterly indifferent. “Haven’t I always been like this?” Fiona retorted, her voice calm and unaffected. “Looks like you’re really sick.” Heidi rolled her eyes, unable to resist a parting jab. Just as she was about to retreat to her room, Maria Long’s voice stopped her in her tracks. “Hey, Heidi, you’re back!” “Any progress on that thing I mentioned yesterday?” “Wha
“Cough, cough… I think that’s enough. Just endure it a little longer.” “Your neck is quite stiff. You’ll need to take better care of it going forward.” Joseph cleared his throat lightly, deliberately adding more pressure to his hands, hoping it might help Alice regain a bit of composure. “Mmm…” Alice let out another soft, breathy moan, her previously closed eyes fluttering open slightly. “Alright, that should do it. How do you feel now?” Joseph withdrew his hands and gently helped Alice sit upright. “It feels amazing, like all the tension in my neck has just melted away.” “But… there’s this strange sensation all over my body. I feel so warm, and I’m sweating so much.” “And… and I even felt that kind of sensation!” Alice lowered her head slightly, her cheeks burning red as she stammered. It was just a neck massage—so why had it felt so much like… that? The sensation was overwhelming, far more intense than anything she’d ever experienced before. As the memory of it lingered
“You’ll get used to it. I don’t reply to them anyway. You can just ignore or decline them if you want.” Joseph sighed and smiled helplessly. “Let me read some of their messages to you.” “‘Darling, are you free tonight? Can I treat you to dinner?’” “Listen to that—‘darling’? Even I haven’t called you that! How shameless! I’m blocking her.” Alice’s outrage was palpable as she quickly took action. “And this one—I already rejected her at noon, and she’s trying again.” “Her message is still about inviting you to her house to ‘fix her plumbing.’ Seriously? This is too much. I’m not just rejecting her; I’m going to teach her a lesson.” “‘If your pipes are clogged, call a plumber. Mr. Wilson doesn’t fix plumbing!’” Alice muttered indignantly as she typed. “Do whatever you want.” Joseph could only smile wryly—he was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of his former classmates. “And this one—oh my God, this is even more absurd! Joseph, listen to this!” “‘Mr. Wilson, my mom saw your photo