The man paused for a moment, then a smile broke across his face.


    "Why do you ask?”


    “I just have a feeling it was you," Roseanne said earnestly. “So, was it?"


    After a long moment, Owen nodded. "Yes."


    Roseanne''s lips curved into a smile. “I knew it... No wonder you said to let things y out a bit. You had this nned all along, didn''t you?"


    "I''d thought about it, but I wasn''t sure it would work."


    That''s why he hadn''t said anything. There was no point in giving someone hope with


    an uncertain promise, only to let them down in the end.


    “I have a question for you, too," Owen said.


    Roseanne blinked. "What is it?"


    "Why did you assume it was me, and not Corley? Or did you ask him as well?"


    "No, I didn''t ask him."


    "Then how were you so sure it was me?"


    Roseanne paused. They had reached the top of the stairs and were now standing in front of their respective apartment doors.


    "Because-" she said, looking directly into Owen''s eyes, her words slow and deliberate, "I think you could see the struggles of the Smith family, and you could sense the ignorance and backwardness of the vige. You couldn''t just stand by."


    Corley had seen it too, and he had told Carlson what to do. But he had only advised, with no intention of getting involved in the Smith family''s fate. In his eyes, it was their destiny, not his to interfere with. After giving his advice, he considered his duty done.


    Owen was different.


    He saw the problem, knew the solution, and also understood that Carlson couldn''t achieve the best oue on his own. That''s why Roseanne had stepped in to solve the money problem for Carlson, but she knew she couldn''t change the situation in the vige by herself.


    "The news also said the government is going to invest in a new highway to improve the vige''s transportation and heavily promote local agriculture... Was that your suggestion too?"


    Owen nodded. "More or less. Was it a good one?"


    Roseanne beamed. "It was more than good, it was perfect!"


    The man rubbed his nose, a hint of shyness in his gesture.


    "Professor, have you had dinner?"


    Owen nodded. "I have."


    "Would you mind having ate-night snack, then?"


    His eyes lit up. "Is that..... an invitation?"


    "If you want it to be, then it is." Roseanne took the shopping bag from his hand, turned to unlock her door, and walked inside.


    Owen followed obediently, expertly slipping into a pair of slippers. "It would be rude


    to refuse such a generous offer. Don''t mind if I do."


    Once again, they cooked together, ate together, and cleaned up together.


    Before he left, Owen asked, "Are you going to theb tomorrow?"


    Roseanne nodded. "I have to."


    "Shall we head out together?"


    "Okay."


    The next morning, Roseanne woke up early to make fresh soy milk and fry some pastries.


    On their way out, she handed a portion to Owen. "Breakfast."


    "Thank you."


    They went to the garage to get their cars.


    ????


    "I have a meeting in the main auditorium today," Owen said. "I noticed it''s not far from the East Suburb campus. Want to have lunch together?”


    Roseanne replied, “Sure.”


    It was Sunday, so neither Mamie nor Scales was in theb.


    After arriving, Roseanne changed into herb coat and got straight to work.


    When she next looked up, it was already eleven o''clock.


    She stretched her stiff neck, nning to get a ss of warm water.


    Suddenly, her phone rang.


    "Hello? Grandma."


    “Anne, dear, it''s Sunday! Don''t forget toe over for lunch. The food is almost ready!"


    Roseanne froze.


    "Anne? Are you there? Is the signal bad...?”


    “Grandma, I''m here,” she said quickly. “Lunch...”


    "Yes! Have you left yet? Do you want Corley toe pick you up?"


    "N-no, that''s not necessary..."


    Oh, God! How could she have forgotten about this?


    Her grandmother had calledst week, also inviting her to a meal. At the time, she was testing a model''s functionality,pletely absorbed in the data, and had casually replied "I''m busy this Week, I can''t


    away."  s?novels


    ge


    The olddy had immediately responded, "Next week is fine, too."


    Thinking she wouldn''t be as busy, and since it had indeed been a long time since she''d visited her grandparents, Roseanne had readily agreed.  ?wnovels