Suddenly being tagged as a "master," Nora Scott couldn’t help but think of Antonio Easton, and instantly felt uncomfortable all over.
"You’ve forgotten, the things you make usually have a ginkgo leaf engraved on them." Boss Alex paused and said, "The industry doesn’t know who you are, and somehow, the value of your works has been absurdly inflated, so they’ve collectively started calling you Master Sliver."
Nora Scott responded nonchalantly, not taking it to heart.
Just a few mechanical gadgets, no matter how overpriced, how absurd could it be?
"His last name is Scott, and he’s from Fenton City—perhaps he has some connection to you. Just letting you know." Boss Alex said, "He seems to be looking for a mechanical master. If you’re interested—"
"Not interested." Nora Scott cut him off.
One, she didn’t want any ties with someone named Scott; two, she didn’t have the time to be that mechanical master.
"Alright then." Boss Alex didn’t interfere with her decision and instead reminded her, "Recently, especially on the Anchel side, your works are too popular. I’m worried there’s something unusual, so I’ve advised them not to auction new ones for this quarter."
Back when she was in Anchel, Nora Scott would make some mechanical items when she was bored, and before leaving, she left them all at the Tofu Shop. Somehow, people started inquiring about Nora Scott’s work, so Boss Alex, seeing the market potential, began regularly auctioning off her pieces.
"You can decide that."
"Yes, also," Boss Alex said, "Young has finished the box you wanted; it was just shipped to Virtue Retreat tonight and should arrive by the day after tomorrow at the latest. My gift will be a few days later."
Nora Scott had no objections and ended the call.
With continuous snowfall, the cold weather made the library seem rather desolate, with only a few figures occasionally in sight.
No one was competing for seats, so Nora Scott occupied an empty table in the corner by herself, flipping through books.
Storyboards and pencils were placed at the corner of the table, and a stack of reference books, heavy and thick, lay in front of her. Though they were obscure and difficult to understand, she read them attentively, pausing at critical points to spread out her notebook and take notes.
Oliver Scott placed a book on the table and waved his hand in front of the boy sitting across, asking, "Lost in thought?"
Steve Singleton, who was staring into space, snapped back to reality.
Nodding toward the corner, he said, "A beauty."
Instinctively, Oliver Scott glanced toward the corner.
A quick look, and he stopped.
In the corner, a woman sat quietly, wearing a high-neck white sweater. Her black hair was loosely tied back, with a few strands falling beside her face. Her head was slightly lowered, revealing her delicate and strikingly beautiful features as she turned a page of a book. Her fingers were slender and well-defined.
Soft light shone on her, and only four words flashed in Oliver Scott’s mind—
His upbringing prevented Oliver Scott from staring; after a few seconds, he tactfully withdrew his gaze and sat down opposite Steve Singleton.
He said, "She is quite good-looking."
Steve nodded eagerly, adding, "Her temperament is also good."
Oliver Scott neither agreed nor disagreed.
Steve chuckled mischievously and quietly suggested, "Campus heartthrob, why not ask for her number? Even if just to recognize her as an older sister."
"Doesn’t hurt to have one more."
Something in Steve’s words seemed to touch a nerve with Oliver Scott, who frowned and gave him a warning look, saying, "Focus on your book, and remember to take notes."
Looking at the books in front of him on mechanics and computers, Steve hung his head, "You mechanical madman, is there anything in your eyes besides machines and mechas?"
"..." Steve was wordless for a moment. He flipped open a book, sighed, then suddenly his eyes lit up, and he asked excitedly, "Hey, lucky guy, any news on God Z’s book and the signed copy by TO?"
Oliver Scott paused, "Not yet."
"Don’t worry. With over a million people watching, he wouldn’t dare default."
Steve pouted, "I’m just excited to see it in person. Gosh, much rarer than one in a million, yet it landed right on you... You must have saved the galaxy in your past life."
Oliver Scott ignored him, immersing himself back into the books he brought.
Flipping a page, Steve watched Oliver Scott seriously reading and couldn’t help but glance back at the corner.
Somehow, a peculiar sense of deja vu washed over him.
The two of them, both had their left hands pressing the pages, right hands resting on the table, holding a pen, occasionally spinning it, and even their unintentional frowns were nearly identical.
The two silhouettes seemed to overlap in an instant.
Steve couldn’t help but wonder: do all people who are serious about their studies share such similar habits?
The phone on the table vibrated slightly.
Nora Scott stopped spinning her pen, turned her head, and saw the lit-up screen.
WeChat message: Henry Chapman.