Chapter 6

In the LRM Department, Bob had just finished a research group meeting with his graduate students and returned to his office.

On his phone were two messages from Frost. The first was a voice message, and the second was a text.

[Frost: Where are you now?]

When Bob checked the message, Frost's distance was 219 meters. That number was steadily decreasing. Two minutes later, it had dropped to 103 meters.

Then, it was 82 meters; 57 meters; 22 meters; 23 meters; 22 meters.

Finally, the number stopped moving. It was probably because Timothy did not have access to the LRM building and could not get any closer.

That was pretty bold. Bob typed a message to Frost.

[Cycle: Are you looking for me?]

[Frost: I'm at the LRM entrance.]

[Frost: Are you working in this building?]

[Cycle: Yes.]

[Frost: You scared me.]

[Frost: Earlier, when I saw the distance was over 500 meters, I thought you were following me.]

[Frost: Are you a graduate student? A professor? Or…]

The department had two American researchers.

[Cycle: Researcher.]

[Frost: What a coincidence.]

[Frost: The professor I mentioned is the head of your department.]

[Frost: Today, I went to plead with him as you suggested yesterday, but he questioned me so much that I froze.]

[Frost: Is he like this with everyone?]

[Frost: Is it a lot of pressure working under him?]

[Frost: Oh, right, I shouldn't be badmouthing your boss in front of you, right?]

Bob's lips curled.

[Cycle: Shouldn't you worry about yourself first?]

[Frost: Worrying doesn't help.]

[Frost: I don't know what else I can do.]

[Frost: I've done everything I could.]

[Frost: If I have to retake the course, there's nothing I can do.]

[Frost: I have to persevere to graduate.]

[Frost: If I run out of money, I'll take out a loan and pay it back after graduation.]

Bob stared at the word—loan—for a few seconds, remembering the first time he saw Timothy before class that day. He was nervous—a little fresh. Perhaps even bright and polite.

Bob's heart softened slightly.

[Cycle: Studying abroad by yourself?]

[Frost: Yes.]

[Frost: Forget about it.]

[Frost: By the way, are you going to the cafeteria for lunch?]

[Cycle: Are you asking me out?]

[Frost: I'm already devastated, and you won't even have a meal with me?]

[Cycle: I have work at noon.]

After sending that, Bob thought for a moment and decided to give Timothy some advice. He continued typing.

[Cycle: Even if the professor doesn't grant you exam eligibility this semester, you can still attend the classes. By doing so, you can accumulate foundational knowledge and prepare for your thesis and exams next year. It's less pressure, and it won't affect your graduation.]

Before sending that lengthy message, Bob saw Frost's new reply.

[Frost: Does your boss even deny you a simple lunch break?]

[Frost: He lacks humanity.]

Bob's finger pulled away from the send button.

[Frost: Looking back now, what kind of professor asks about a student's understanding of the course after just two classes? A normal person will need to review before answering, right?]

[Frost: I'm getting more and more frustrated.]

[Frost: Why did he only question me and not others?]

[Frost: It's not that I'm good for nothing; he's deliberately making things difficult for me.]

[Frost: All because I missed the first class.]

[Frost: He seems sophisticated but is so narrow-minded.]

Bob smiled.

He deleted the lengthy message from the input box and sent another reply.

[Cycle: Do you always shift the blame onto others when you face problems?]

After a while, Frost responded.

[Forst: Why are you suddenly so serious?]

Bob did not reply.

A few minutes later, Frost sent several more messages.

[Frost: Actually, I know it's my fault.]

[Frost: I just thought you'd be on my side, so I complained a bit.]

[Frost: I've been dealing with a lot of frustrating things lately.]

[Frost: I don't know who else to talk to.]

[Frost: I'll stop talking now.]

[Frost: You're busy.]

Bob set his phone aside.

After reading a paper, Bob glanced at the chat interface. Frost's distance from him was still 22 meters. He read Frost's messages again, replaying his comments about thinking he was on his side, how Frost did not know who else to talk to, and how Frost accused him of being busy.

Why did he suddenly feel like he had bullied a child? He had not done that. So, why did he feel responsible for the kid? Bob took off his glasses and rubbed his nose.

Yes, why did he feel responsible for that student?

He put his glasses back on, picked up his phone, and sent Frost a voice message. "Continue attending the classes next week."

Timothy said, "Huh?"

"Study diligently this semester, and prepare for your thesis and exams simultaneously next year. It's not unheard of for students to graduate this way."

"Really?!"

"Yes."

There was no response. Just as Bob was about to put his phone down, it vibrated continuously—a request for a voice call. He tapped his fingers on the desk several times before answering the call.

He heard a young voice. "You… Can I take you out for a meal? In the evening or on the weekend, whenever you're free."