Paul cleared his throat awkwardly. "Um... Silas mentioned you should visit the lab more often when you have time. Everyone misses you."

Miranda blinked. "When did Dr. Quinton say that?"

"A week ago," Paul replied honestly, without thinking much.

"Oh..." Miranda dragged the word out, her tone teasing. "So, Dr. Quinton asked you to pass on the message a week ago, and you’re only telling me today?" Yet he still claimed he wasn’t avoiding her?

Realizing he’d said too much, Paul quickly retreated. Miranda watched him flee and couldn’t help but laugh.

The afternoon sun was bright and warm, and the sky a brilliant blue dotted with lazy clouds. Everything seemed perfect.

With no classes scheduled for the afternoon, Miranda decided against spending more time in the library. Her course load had been heavy lately, and her home hadn’t been cleaned in a while.

With the weather being so nice, she thought it was a good time to do some laundry and clean up. Maybe even cook herself a nice meal. The thought made her smile.

But that smile quickly vanished when she saw the man standing at the school gate with flowers.

Dressed in a suit, Hansel already stood out, but the large bouquet in his arms made him even more conspicuous. Students and professors passing by couldn’t help but glance curiously at him.

"It’s that guy again, right?"

"This time he’s got blue roses! Such a big bouquet must’ve been expensive."

"I’m so jealous of the girl he’s going after. He’s handsome and romantic! If it were me, I wouldn’t last a second."

"Too bad he probably wouldn’t even look at you, haha..."

Miranda felt her headache intensifying. She thought she’d made herself clear the last time they spoke. After that, Hansel had stopped coming around, and she had assumed he’d finally gotten the message. But now, here he was, pulling this stunt again.

It was really so annoying.

Miranda, who had been about to step outside the gate, quickly turned back around and headed toward the library instead.

House cleaning didn’t have to be done today; it could wait until tomorrow. The weather had been nice, so laundry and cleaning could easily be done later.

Hansel waited for an hour, but when Miranda never appeared, he realized she wasn’t coming. A bitter smile tugged at his lips.

The beautiful blue roses in his hands now felt like they were mocking him for his foolishness. He walked over to a trash can, intending to throw them away.

"Isn’t it a shame to throw away such beautiful flowers?" a voice called out.

Hansel looked up to see Willow smiling at him. And then, without hesitation, he snapped, "What does it have to do with you?"

They were his flowers. If he wanted to throw them away, that was his business.

Willow’s smile faltered, clearly not expecting such a blunt response.

Today, she was wearing a dress, with her long hair falling softly around her shoulders. With light makeup and a well-practiced, gentle smile, she looked graceful and poised.

But Hansel spared her only a glance before looking away, uninterested in her beauty.

Willow was momentarily stunned, but a flicker of intrigue flashed in her eyes. This man was clearly different from the men she was used to dealing with. Beyond his striking appearance and mature demeanor, there was an air of untouchable arrogance about him.

Like a fruit perched on the highest branch – the harder it was to reach, the more enticing it became.

Willow smiled faintly. "True, it’s none of my business. But feeling it’s a waste? I’d say that’s just as valid."

Hansel glanced at her again. She stood there, composed, letting him scrutinize her without flinching.

Suddenly, he let out a mocking chuckle. He then shoved the bouquet into the trash right in front of her. "If you like them, you’re welcome to pick them out of the trash."

With that, he turned and walked away, his figure exuding defiance.

Willow glanced at the discarded roses, then at Hansel’s retreating figure, frozen in place.

At the end of every month, the university would hold a review and summary meeting. Representatives from all 26 research groups would take turns giving academic presentations.

It was known as the “monthly meeting.”

During these meetings, each group sent a delegate to stand and present their progress. As per tradition, the mentors would also attend, seated beside their groups.