"I didn't expect you to be so good at basketball. We all thought we were going to lose for sure." Nora's eyes curved into crescents, her smile sweet. "Thanks to you, Noah."
"Just luck. I have something to do, so I'll head out first… thanks for the water."
He didn't say anything more, walking straight around Nora and quickly approaching Evelyn behind her, obedient and compliant. "Let's go, Eve. I'm starving."
"Mmm…"
Evelyn gave a cold response. Once the crowd had dispersed and the two of them had melted into the unnoticed night, she pushed the sports drink in her hand to Noah and snatched away the bottle of water Nora had just given him.
"Eve."
"What? Can't bear to part with it?" She opened the plastic bottle, letting the clear liquid pour out onto the bushes beside them.
"After all, it was someone's kindness. Isn't it a bit much to just dump it like that?"
Noah really disliked when Evelyn acted this way. Logically and emotionally, it was someone else's goodwill, and pouring it out felt too vicious—just like last time with the spicy savory crepe and bubble tea Lila had bought him, which she had casually ruined.
But no matter how dissatisfied he was, what could he do? When Evelyn insisted on something, there was never any room for him to argue. This time it was only a bottle of water, so there was no need to ruin her mood.
"Then next time tell her not to give you any."
Noah said nothing more. He opened the sports drink and took a large gulp. The winter night was cold, and the sweat on his body cooled quickly. The sticky, hot feeling disappeared, leaving him much more comfortable.
He was starving, his stomach practically sticking to his back. Fortunately, it was fairly late, so the main dining hall at Loane University wasn't crowded. There was no line, and though the food wasn't as warm anymore, there was still plenty left.
Noah and Evelyn both disliked noisy, eye-catching places. As usual, they sat in a quiet, secluded corner where no one would notice them.
The meal was generous. He ate without much regard for appearances, driven by hunger.
After all, in front of Evelyn, there was no need to be overly proper. Being casual was fine.
"Go back, take a shower, and get a good night's sleep. You have an early class tomorrow."
"Got it. Eve, did you see how cool my last shot was?"
"So cool, Nate. You were great." Evelyn responded perfunctorily, her tone indulgent, as if praising a naive child.
She would much rather Noah had blended in unnoticed among the crowd, just filling numbers, finishing the game ordinarily without drawing any eyes or anyone's covetous interest.
She didn't see those superficial girls fantasizing about his face as any real threat. They couldn't touch what was hers, couldn't take him away.
But those buzzing, flirtatious pests freely discussing him, making all kinds of delusional jokes—their trivial words grated like annoying mosquitoes on a summer night. It made her want so badly… to tear their chattering mouths apart.
Especially after that final shot. Amid their cheering and shouting, they had grown restless, daring to reach for what belonged to her.
When Nora stepped in front of Noah, she had nearly lost control. All sorts of violent, vicious thoughts had surged up at once. The girl had acted so openly, almost provocatively. Fortunately, he had been obedient enough and hadn't wasted any time on her.
She shouldn't have allowed him to go at all. Shouldn't have agreed to let him participate in such a pointless game. Why should she let those bitches fantasize about and covet what belonged to her?
"Be good and head straight back to the residence hall, Nate. Don't go out again before I return."
"Aren't you coming back with me, Eve?"
"There's something I need to handle at the counseling office. I'll come back early. If anything comes up, message me."
...
The door to the room was still open. Evelyn knocked. The sound stood out sharply in the quiet atmosphere. The woman still working with her head down looked up and smiled gently at her.
"Professor Brooks, you wanted to see me."
"There are some things I'd like your help with. Come in, Evelyn."
Professor Emily Brooks stood up and placed a stack of envelopes along with several blank sheets of paper on the round table in front of Evelyn. "Some letters from students. There are quite a few, and I can't get through them all myself."
"Alright, I'll take a look."
With that, she returned to her seat. Evelyn opened the envelopes one by one and began replying to the various problems and worries inside—roommate conflicts, relationship issues, academic pressure…
They were all the most common troubles college students faced. She had seen plenty of them and responded with practiced ease.
"Have you been busy with work lately?" Professor Emily Brooks asked while still focused on her own paperwork, her tone casual and conversational.
"Same as usual. My class is so dry and difficult—how many students actually listen attentively?"
"Advanced math, yeah. It's probably the most dreaded class for students." She glanced up at Evelyn for a moment. "By the way, your brother should be studying hard, right?"
"Noah is pretty diligent. After all, I keep him on a tight leash."
"If only my little troublemaker were as good as your brother. That kid gets into something every other day. Evelyn, how do you discipline your brother? Mind giving me some pointers?"
"That's your son, right? I remember he's only in middle school."
"Middle schoolers are the hardest to handle. You have to watch them closely."
Evelyn smiled faintly. Noah had been fairly obedient back in middle school and hadn't caused her too much worry. She hadn't needed any special methods.
Besides, the way she controlled her brother now was definitely not something she could share.
"I don't remember it too well. I was in high school when he was in middle school, so I wasn't around much."
"And now?" Professor Emily Brooks set down her pen, folded her arms, and looked directly at her. "Are you quite strict with your brother these days, Evelyn?"
"Just a reasonable amount. I wouldn't call it overly harsh."
"Really? I thought you kept him under pretty tight control." She took a sip of water, her expression warm, kind, and gentle, radiating an approachable friendliness. "Controlling someone too severely really isn't good. Sometimes you need to give them a little space and freedom."
"Professor Brooks."
Evelyn suddenly put down her pen and straightened up, gazing at Professor Emily Brooks with cool, detached eyes. Her voice was calm and indifferent. "Did my brother come to see you?"
"A couple of boys came by early this morning. I'm not sure if one of them was your brother."
That morning Noah had been in his ideology class, so he shouldn't have had time to come here. But Evelyn didn't fully believe her. As a psychology professor, it was common to help students keep matters private. Moreover… Noah had indeed left the faculty housing that afternoon.
"If my brother comes to you, I hope you won't engage with him." Evelyn's tone was flat and serious. "He's recently become addicted to online games. His studies have been slipping, and he's been slacking on assignments. I had no choice but to be stricter with him."
"I see. In that case, some discipline is necessary."
Professor Emily Brooks ultimately found Evelyn's explanation more convincing.
After all, as fellow faculty, in her mind Evelyn was mature and rational. She shouldn't be the type to excessively control others and could probably maintain proper boundaries.
"The replies are all done." Evelyn straightened the papers on the table. "I'll leave them with you. If there's nothing else, I'll head out first."
"Mm, thank you so much for your help, Evelyn."
"It's no trouble. I'm part of the faculty here too."
She turned around and left the room, her figure disappearing into the dark, desolate night. Her footsteps gradually faded away down the hallway.