Chapter 296 First Day Living Together
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The aircraft testing required adapting to complex environments–strong winds, numerous obstacles, wind resistance, obstacle avoidance, and mapping accuracy–all of which meant venturing into the mountains.
Anneliese had often accompanied the team into the mountains before, and a flash of nostalgia crossed her eyes as she quickly spoke up.
“It’s nothing, really. It’s just… with this cold weather–and I saw Westrough got heavy snow a few days ago–you all need to stay warm and stay safe. Are you still in the mountains? Has Professor Clocke gone with you?”
She was concerned and reached to put her phone on speaker to check Westrough’s live weather report, when a familiar, aged voice suddenly spoke up.
“Hmph. Brat, you actually still have a bit of conscience–remember to worry about me once in a while.”
That voice–it was unmistakably Alexander’s.
It had been so long since Anneliese had heard it, and she hadn’t spoken to Alexander in ages. Her phone nearly slipped from her hand.
After a long pause, she finally whispered nervously, “P–Professor Clocke…”
She had told Henry not to mention her plan to go over to Alexander. She feared that if Alexander knew, he would be angry and outright forbid her from coming–and she had planned to beg him in person once she got there.
But now, Alexander seemed to know everything.
“You still remember I’m your teacher? And yet, you don’t even give me a heads–up that you plan to come? If I hadn’t overheard your seniors talking, would I still be in the dark, waiting for you to act first and explain later?”
“No…. no, it’s just… I’ve disappointed you so many times, I didn’t know if you even wanted to
see me…”
She couldn’t see Alexander’s expression, didn’t know how he was reacting, and suddenly the tears welled up uncontrollably, her voice trembling.
Alexander listened to Anneliese’s trembling voice and recalled someone saying that she was ashamed and that he shouldn’t make things harder for her. He couldn’t hold back a smile.
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Chapter 296 First Day Living Together
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“Alright, alright, stop sniffling before a certain clueless person thinks I’m being harsh on you. Didn’t you say you were coming?”
Anneliese’s face lit up with surprise. She wasn’t entirely sure who he meant by clueless, but she clearly heard Alexander agreeing to let her come.
Yet, thinking that the call was meant to explain why she couldn’t go, her excitement quickly turned to nervousness.
“Professor Clocke… I… I was supposed to board tomorrow, but I… I can’t make it now…”
“Hmph. So, you’re standing me up again?”
“No, no! Absolutely not! It’s my grandma–she just had heart surgery and is still in the hospital, she-”
Hearing the hint of his frustration, Anneliese hurried to explain, but before she could finish, Alexander interrupted again.
“Then don’t come.”
It felt like a hammer hit her chest. Her face went pale.
“Oh, Professor Clocke! You really scared Anne! Anne, don’t mind Professor Clocke—he’s not forbidding you from coming. It’s just that we’ll be heading back to Oceaton soon!”
Henry had clearly grabbed the phone to explain and calm her down.
“Huh?” Anneliese still felt a little confused.
“The lab was set up in Westrough at first because, one, funding was limited, and two, Westrough is a pilot city for low–altitude economic reform. But you probably noticed, Oceaton is launching its low–altitude airspace this year. The government is pushing to make it a model zone for the low–altitude economy.
“Policy support is strong. The lab recently received a huge investment, and the investor has already built a new facility in Oceaton. So, our work here is wrapping up. Next week, Professor Clocke will take Chris and the others over first, and by next month at the latest, we’ll all be in Occaton.”
Anneliese hadn’t expected things to turn out this way, and a small, genuine smile curved her lips.
She had been worried about what would happen to Nishay if she went to Westrough—but now,
that concern was gone.
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Chapter 296 First Day Living Together
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She only wondered which generous person had had the foresight to invest so heavily in their
lab.
The next morning, Anneliese woke up to find it was already past eight. Remembering that Jonathan was still staying next door, she sprang out of bed.
The apartment was quiet. After washing up, she opened the door and looked around. Jonathan was nowhere in sight, but Meatloaf came running across the balcony, a frisbee clamped in her mouth, looking up at Anneliese expectantly.
“Where’s he?” Anneliese asked, taking the frisbee from her.
“Woof! Woof!” Meatloaf barked twice, wagging her tail as she trotted toward the dining table.
Anneliese followed and noticed a note weighed down on the table.
Jonathan’s handwriting was elegant and fluid, confident yet minimal. The message was brief: ‘Breakfast’s in the microwave. I’ve walked Meatloaf.‘
Looking at the note, Anneliese felt the sunlight falling on her seemed even brighter.
It was her first day living with Jonathan.
She had to admit–it felt really, really good.
