Chapter 8

Bob returned to his office and saw Frost's message.

[Frost: What does the current distance show on your end? It says three meters here, but I don't see any Americans within a three-meter radius.]

Bob had already noticed Timothy's odd behavior in the classroom. He smirked, imagining the expression on Timothy's face when he would receive the message.

[Cycle: I'm free for lunch today.]

The screen showed that Timothy was typing.

Bob put his phone aside, and after a while, he checked again. Timothy was still typing, but no new messages had come through.

Half an hour later, Timothy was still typing.

Bob suddenly burst into laughter. As he laughed, he glanced at the secretary outside his office, then composed himself, sitting back at his desk to resume work.

An hour later, Timothy finally replied.

[Frost: I think maybe we should forget about the meal.]

[Cycle: Why?]

Timothy was typing.

After several minutes, Timothy replied.

[Frost: I'm pretty broke. I don't have money to treat you to a meal right now.]

[Frost: Really.]

[Frost: It's not that I don't want to eat with you.]

[Frost: It's just that, as a poor student, I don't have the money.]

[Frost: I'll treat you.]

Timothy was seen to be typing. Twenty minutes later, Timothy was still typing. Bob was tired of waiting and called him directly.

After a long time, Timothy picked up and said dryly, "Um... Hello..."

Bob said, "It's noon. Let's go eat."

Timothy stammered, "I... um... I'm already home..."

Bob glanced at the distance on the app and said, "The app says you're 710 meters away. Aren't you still at school?"

Timothy hesitated, quickly changing his story. "I meant... I have a class..."

Bob asked, "What class?"

Timothy tentatively replied, "Regelungstechnik..."

"Professor Berta's class? Isn't that a Tuesday class?"

Timothy was speechless.

Bob said, "Come over. I'll take you to eat."

Timothy asked, "Where should I go…"

Bob responded, "Didn't you say you were going to stalk me? Don't you know where to wait?"

Timothy said, "I know."

Bob chuckled and said, "Get over here."