Eleanor Winslow received a notice from the college to resume the direct Ph.D. program. Starting from publicly showcasing her resume and accepting supervision and reports from all students, to finally passing the interview slot. Eleanor consistently held the top position, leaving no doubt she would be the undisputed candidate unless she voluntarily gave up this guaranteed spot. "Student Winslow, this is my last year guiding Ph.D. students; how about becoming my student?" The dean approached Eleanor, clearly with a sense of compensation. Eleanor smiled politely, "Thank you, Dean, I will consider it." Seeing her cold attitude, the dean sighed, "Indeed, the college previously mishandled the situation, and Pearl Morgan has also been duly punished. I believe you will continue to be our college’s most outstanding student in the future." Since the last open meeting, several students anonymously reported Pearl for plagiarism and misconduct. Feeling disgraced, she chose to take a leave of absence. "Professor, I have debate practice, so if there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving." Eleanor didn’t really want to say much more; the incident had left a thorn in her heart. Aethelgard University’s debate team ranks among the top nationally, and Eleanor is a key member this year. The group practiced for over four hours, and by the time they finished the review, it was already eight in the evening. Someone shouted they were hungry, and someone suggested having barbecue, quickly arranging to go out. "I’ve heard it’s hard to find jobs this year. Several seniors haven’t secured positions yet. Only the first three years of college are fun!" a student suddenly said. "Looking for jobs? I’m just hoping not to fail at the end of term!" The guy said, quickly bowing to Eleanor, "Goddess of Knowledge, please don’t let me fail this term! It was awesome how the Knowledge Goddess challenged the college, a true role model for us!" The others followed suit and bowed to Eleanor. Eleanor couldn’t help but laugh. "Senior Jacobs, have you decided which company to join?" someone asked. "You have several patents and many companies are eager to hire you!" Julian Jacobs, a senior studying bioengineering, is the only graduate among them. Casually wearing a black T-shirt and jeans, just sitting there he stands out, with handsome features, tall and slender build, a clean aura, and a steady character— the perfect college heartthrob. "Not yet." Julian’s fingers were long and strong, remarkably attractive. He pushed a plate of peeled crayfish meat towards the others. The others immediately made a fuss: "Oh! Eleanor loves shrimp the most here!" Eleanor’s chopsticks awkwardly froze mid-air. Check latest chapters at NoveIＦire.net She only got to know Julian formally a year ago, mostly through the debate team and a few club activities, so they weren’t really close. Julian chuckled, charming and easygoing, "Whoever doesn’t love it, just don’t eat it." "Love it! Who wouldn’t love peeled shrimp!" Julian deftly eased the awkwardness, as if everything was just silly chatter. Eleanor glanced at Julian and unintentionally locked eyes with him. Julian’s heart skipped a beat, but he found Eleanor’s gaze to be very clear, showing no signs of romantic tension. Julian recalled hearing that she had a boyfriend. The message he sent her on WeChat hadn’t been answered yet— perhaps she forgot. "Eleanor, my friend saw you on the snack street with an incredibly handsome guy the other day. Who was that?" a student suddenly asked, eyes full of gossip. Everyone looked at Eleanor. Eleanor was momentarily stunned, not expecting the gossip to reach her, though unsurprised. With so many people on the snack street that day, she had prepared for the possibility of being seen by acquaintances. "Eleanor, was that your boyfriend?" another eagerly asked. "Yes," Eleanor replied, "but we are about to break up." A soon-to-be-divorced husband and almost-ex-boyfriend are not much different; they’ll soon be in the ’ex’ category anyway. Julian’s expression didn’t change, but his previously clenched hand slowly relaxed. "Oh——!" a guy dragged out his tone, nodding while sneaking a glance at Julian. Julian gave him a cold look, and the latter immediately stopped teasing. "Junior Winslow, since you don’t live on campus, let me walk you home; it’s not safe at night," Julian offered at the end. Eleanor nodded in thanks, saying it was fine. Watching Eleanor and Julian walk side by side, several people whispered: "Senior Jacobs is handsome and has a great personality. Those who pursue him could form a class, so why is he always single?" "Maybe because he likes Eleanor! Senior Jacobs was last year’s national debate champion; he never came to guide us before, but after hearing Eleanor was here, he came willingly!" "Eleanor must have good feelings for him too; otherwise, would she agree to him walking her home?" "Isn’t that like jumping straight into another relationship, kind of heartless?" The midsummer evening breeze was gently warm, urging hearts to beat faster. Julian offered to carry Eleanor’s canvas bag filled with books. Eleanor glanced at his left chest and shook her head to refuse, "Senior, you’ve had a heart transplant, it’s best not to overexert yourself." Julian was surprised, "How did you know?" "Sorry, I accidentally saw it while organizing information earlier," Eleanor lied, shifting her gaze from his left chest to his face, "Have you recovered well since the heart transplant?" "Very well, the surgery was a success. I’m really grateful to that anonymous donor for giving me the chance to live a normal life." Eleanor was slightly lost in thought. That anonymous person was someone she knew! Julian swiftly pulled Eleanor into his arms. The unfamiliar male scent and warmth made Eleanor uncomfortable, and she instinctively wanted to pull away. As soon as Julian sensed her resistance, he let her go immediately and naturally took her canvas bag from her hand. "Are you really breaking up with your boyfriend?" Julian asked, feigning indifference, "I heard he’s quite handsome, seems like an impressive guy." "Yes, he’s actually quite nice; we’re just not a good fit." "Have you decided on the direct Ph.D. slot? What are your plans?" Julian smoothly changed the topic after getting the answer he wanted. "Still considering, worried about being unhappy staying at the college," Eleanor glanced at her bag, feeling it was impossible to get it back. "You should think it through. Although relevant people in your department have been punished, and many professors, including the dean, like you, it indeed bothers people," Julian said. "What about you, Senior? Continuing with studies or working?" Eleanor returned the courtesy with a polite question. "Also still considering." Julian was in a good mood, smiling with charming, curving eyes, "I want to be closer to someone." "Is it a family member?" "No. It’s someone I like."