Chapter 163: Clara Whitmore Almost Thought She'd Miss Helen Whitmore's Birthday

Clara Whitmore almost thought she'd miss Helen Whitmore's birthday. Fortunately, the express delivery arrived on time.

Helen held the collector's edition books with sparkling eyes. "I've been searching for this out-of-print set for three years!"

"You kept mentioning it every time we passed a bookstore." Clara tilted her head. "My ears were about to grow calluses."

Helen huffed. "Who told you not to come home for half a year..." Suddenly, she spread her arms. "Come here."

Clara was pulled into a warm embrace. Helen's fingers combed through her shoulder-length hair. "When did you cut it?"

"Last month." Clara nuzzled her mother's shoulder. "Does it look bad?"

"My daughter is beautiful no matter what!" Helen pinched her cheek. "Have they scheduled your re-examination?"

Clara stiffened slightly. "Next week."

The clatter of a spatula came from the kitchen. Daniel Whitmore poked his head out. "The food's getting cold!"

The next morning, the express train pulled into Bellwether Central Station.

The apartment door lock made a grating sound when turned. Two goldfish darted in panic inside the aquarium before happily blowing bubbles upon recognizing their owner.

The succulents on the windowsill had turned red from sun exposure, thriving unexpectedly.

The underfloor heating hummed to life. Clara rolled up her sleeves and stripped the dusty curtains, tossing them into the washing machine. The pink velvet sofa covers looked fluffy and soft in the sunlight.

At six in the evening, the grocery delivery rang the doorbell.

As Elias Mercer stepped out of the elevator, the seventh-floor hallway was filled with the aroma of sweet and sour ribs. He paused, gazing at the long-unseen door now glowing with light.

Just as his key touched the lock, a soft click sounded behind him.

"Professor Mercer." Clara held up a spatula. "Care to taste my cooking?"

The hem of Elias's lab coat swung as he turned. "Seems I returned at the perfect moment."

"Did Sloane tell you I was coming home today?" Clara arched an eyebrow. "Did she also mention my written exam results?"

"Top of the entire department." Elias accepted the slippers she handed him. "So this is a victory dinner?"

Clara made sparks fly with a flick of the wok. "That'll have to wait until I pass the re-examination."

"You will." His voice blended with the sizzling oil. "Just as spring always comes."