Chapter 339: Elias Mercer Pointed Ahead

"Go straight down this path. There are signs every fifty meters." Elias Mercer pointed ahead. "The north campus has a circular layout. The left leads to Diligence Hall, and the right goes to the library."

Daniel Whitmore memorized the route carefully, nodding occasionally.

As the trio reached the stairwell, they nearly collided with Clara Whitmore coming upstairs.

"Mom? Dad?" She blinked in surprise. "It's about to rain outside..."

Her gaze landed on Elias, and she froze. "Professor?"

Helen Whitmore quickly explained the situation.

Clara immediately thanked Elias.

The man simply waved it off. "No trouble at all."

On the way back, Daniel enthusiastically extended an invitation. "Elias, you should come over for dinner sometime. I'll cook!"

Helen chimed in agreement.

This family shared an identical habit of inviting people to meals—though their motivations differed.

Daniel wanted to show off his culinary skills.

Helen was just being hospitable.

Clara genuinely enjoyed cooking and wanted someone to share it with.

Elias's gaze flickered toward the girl before he readily accepted.

The moment they stepped inside, Helen teased her husband. "Look at you, preening like a peacock. Can't wait to flaunt your cooking."

Daniel grinned proudly. "Good skills deserve an audience!"

"Vain!"

Clara changed her slippers and asked casually, "Dad, when did you and the professor get so close?"

"You wouldn't understand." Daniel's eyes sparkled. "Elias and I both study physics and love chess. We hit it off."

Helen mercilessly exposed him. "He just wanted someone to discuss his paper with."

Daniel was the only physics expert in the household.

Back when Clara lived at home, she'd humor his ramblings. Now he lacked even that.

Until Elias came along.

"Elias is truly exceptional," Daniel remarked sincerely.

Helen joked, "Why don't you two become sworn brothers? Make the academic exchanges easier."

Daniel actually considered it seriously.

Two days later, he suddenly brought up the dinner invitation again. "Clara, did you invite Elias?"

"Huh?" She stared blankly. "I thought that was just politeness?"

"Since when do we break promises?" Daniel scowled before turning to his wife with an ingratiating smile. "Right, honey?"

Clara watched her father's rapid mood shift with exasperation.

"This task falls to you." Daniel patted his daughter's shoulder. "We'll go buy groceries."

He promptly dragged Helen out the door.

Leaving Clara standing there in bewilderment.