Even without seeing her face, April was sure she didn''t know the young woman. She smiled and asked, "Youngdy, were you calling me? I don''t believe we''ve met."


    Yvonne froze. How could she have forgotten again? She wasn''t that Yvonne anymore. April was no longer her professor.


    As Yvonne hesitated, wondering how to exin herself, a deep, maic male voice sounded from behind her.


    "Professor Martinez."


    The voice was achingly familiar. Yvonne turned and saw Bet''s handsome face.


    He was in his military uniform today, the cor buttoned up tight, giving him an inexplicably intense and authoritative presence.


    "Bet," April said, her eyes softening into a warm smile when she saw him. Bet exchanged a few pleasantries with April before his gaze fell on Yvonne. His cool, searching eyes made Yvonne''s heart flutter with unease.


    "The youngdy must have mistaken me for someone else," April said, smiling at Yvonne.


    Bet withdrew his gaze from Yvonne and said nothing more, instead opening the car door for April.


    April had been Yvonne''s beloved mentor, and she was on good terms with Bet.


    After Yvonne''s death, Bet would still asionally visit April at the academy to share a meal.


    April got into the passenger seat, and Bet drove her to a nearby upscale restaurant, where they talked over dinner.


    "What have you been up to? I haven''t seen you in ages," April asked with a familiar smile.


    "On a mission. Just got back yesterday," Bet replied casually.


    April was about to ask for details, but Bet picked up a piece of fish with his utensils and ced it on her te Professor Martinez, please try this The steamed sea bass their specialty


    April didn''t press further and began to eat.


    After a few bites of fish and half a ss of fruit wine, she continued, "I ran into your uncle the other day and he mentioned you. Things with Ms. Walker are getting serious, aren''t they? When can I expect a wedding invitation?"


    Bet''s hand paused for a fraction of a second before he calmly continued serving himself.


    When he didn''t respond, April seemed to realize something and sighed heavily.


    "Bet, you still haven''t forgotten Yvonne, have you? Look, the dead can''t be brought back Those who


    ar? stiff living have to move on.


    still young, with a long road ahead of you."


    Bet remained silent, focusing on his food and asionally serving April.


    "Bet, don''t mind my nagging, but you and Ms. Walker are a perfect match. You''re almost thirty; it''s time to settle down. Don''t make your parents worry anymore," April persisted gently.


    "My uncle must have put you up to this. Ever since my cousin passed away, he''s been nagging me nonstop," Bet said with a faint smile.


    "Your uncle is just concerned about you," April said. For some reason, her expression grewplicated when Bet mentioned his cousin, Flora Moore.


    After dinner, Bet drove April back to the academy. Yvonne was long gone.


    Bet didn''t leave right away. He leaned against the side of his car, pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter, and slowly lit one.


    He smoked in silence, his dark eyes inscrutable, hiding his emotions.


    After the cigarette burned down to the filter, he finally opened the car door and drove away.