Chapter 164 - Being Ahead Without Getting Started

'It's fun to revert to a more youthful state. Unexpectedly, this exchange of witty words somehow felt delightful. Perhaps, the heavens may have given me another chance to experience this sort of joy,' Sofia mentally noted after sharing an easy smile and giggles with Stephen. With her last life focused on academics and business seminars and training, it was rather a dull yet, far more satisfactory life. On the other hand, she thought that in this new life, she had finally gotten the chance to appreciate the normal life of a teen.

Another thought suddenly crossed Sofia's mind. 'If it was me in my last life, let alone having the kind of conversation, I would never allow myself to engage in small talk. In my last life, it just felt that it was a waste of time and complete nonsense. But with my present state, I finally realized how wrong was I.'

However, Sofia was not to be blamed of this past mindset of her too. Since the environment where she had once grown was full of rivalry, it had influenced her greatly. And in the past, she valued too much extreme competition.

In a way, it was not the same as her present life. Although she also indulged in competition now, it was only in the game. Her desire to compete was only limited in the virtual world. 

As for the real world, Sofia was fully confident that with all her skills and knowledge, there was no need for her to compete. She will just do all her plans. 

Ironically, it was also true that she was already ahead of everyone else even though she had not yet started.

The two sighed and settle down when the response of Grace lit up on Sofia's mobile phone.

The response was also one word. But it carried a lot of emotion on it. "Yes!"

Sofia softly laughed again while Stephen leaned closer to her. Then, the man whispered his confusion, "What does it mean? That Brent had actually fallen into her palms?"

Stephen's expression resembled that of full disbelief. Even though it was to his advantage if Brent and Grace would tie in a relationship, he still felt a little bit for the man. He remembered Brent's reaction during their lunch when he met Grace, thus, Stephen did not fully expect the man to agree.

"I don't really think that lady Grace is that bad. Brent's father won't also allow him to be the leader of their Lee Clan if he is still a naive boy. So, yeah, given the benefits of your doubts, Brent is not vulnerable if in case Grace would try to manipulate him," Sofia held on to her belief. 

"That is also reasonable. With his position in their family, Brent surely is a wise man. Perhaps, he will manipulate her," Stephen chuckled.

"Why is your mind so malicious? Can't they be a couple with the pure intention of being companions till old? Brent is not manipulative," Sofia argued.

Stephen shrugged. "You are too optimistic about that them. How about us? Are you optimistic?"

Hearing this question, Sofia's eyes slightly widened. It could be seen as though, Stephen had really been very straightforward of his feelings.

"Are you?" Sofia returned the question with a sharp smile on her face. She had met so many people in her last life that she could easily deal with this kind of direct confrontation.

Stephen stared at her eyes for a long time. "I'd be frank, Sof. You are truly interesting! Most girls would blush and felt shy. But could talk to me like an expert. If you don't mind me asking, have you been in a relationship before? Do you have exes?"

It suddenly occurred to Stephen that Sofia's way of responding to his advances was too strange. It felt as though, she was on the lead no even if he was the one who took the step to advance! He could sense that there was a gap in their level of eloquence!

"Exes?" Sofia tilted her head and was in deep thought. She tried to scan all the memories of the original Sofia to see if there was. 

"I'm just wondering if you have ex-boyfriends?" Stephen emphasized after seeing that Sofia seemed confused about his question.

"Ohh... I don't plan to have an ex. So, if you are serious about your feelings towards me, you better think of it as many times as possible. There is no turning back," she finally found the right statement to respond to Stephen. She did not just tell him that there was no ex. She also included a warning for him to ponder about how serious his feelings were.

"Oh, I'll carve them in my mind. I'll definitely not be your ex. Anyway, aren't you going to ask me about my past relationships?" Stephen muttered. He took the initiative to let Sofia asked this matter too for it to be fair.

But to his disappointment, Sofia's expression did not change apart from the amusement that flickered briefly in her eyes. 

"I could tell that you have the charisma of a playboy, Steph. But, I don't think if you have the heart to play a girl. In any case, let me give you a good scolding, on behalf of the ladies that shed tears for you... Feelings are precious and fragile. You must not play with it," Sofia responded.

"Ah, I'm just making it fair to both of us. I won't play your feelings, Sof." Stephen spoke and paused for a few seconds before he continued, "Since I asked you about this subject, I will also tell you my exes. I do have two relationships that ended badly. One is during my freshman year. The second is when I was in sophomore. All of them just used me for my money. So, I was traumatized. Then, I met you."

"What about me? Could it be love at first sight?" Sofia playfully asked, teasing Stephen. But she doubted about it too. In terms of appearance, there was no striking and remarkable about her.

"It could be. I'm not sure if you are aware, but, the way you talk is so refined, it's flawless," Stephen complimented.

"Thank you! That's so nice to hear, Steph," Sofia responded.

"You're welcome! Hehe, I'm not yet done. So, after I noticed your composed bearing, you also spoke about the plans of engaging in the commercial world. I like it that you are decisive. You have all the attitude that I want for my girl. But now, I also realized that it's actually hard to deal with for it felt like you are few steps ahead of me. And no matter how I advance, I am still behind you," Stephen expressed what she truly felt. As a man, it was not flattering to be able to feel that way. But, he felt the need to release these feelings, and the most suitable person to hear him complaining should be the main reason why he felt that way in the first place.

"Hahaha, don't be too hard on yourself. It is difficult to know a person in just a year. It's better not to rush things that involve our feelings," Sofia stated.

"Yeah, I agree. In my opinion, I think that you are the one for me, Sof. So, I am very optimistic of the idea of us," Stephen admitted.

Sofia smiled but did not speak anymore.

Out of the corner where the front desk was located, the librarian could not help but notice the unusual interaction of two students. This librarian was already in her mid-thirties but her natural beauty seemed to be still in her late twenties. 

But despite having a good face, she was feared by almost every student in the school. She had been implementing reasonable but strict discipline on students who do not follow the rules inside the library. 

The moment the librarian stood from her seat, students could feel a cold aura looming in the library. Their skin shivered and they did not dare look in the direction, they stared only to the page of their book while trying to sense if the source of this coldness was approaching their tables.

Only Sofia and Stephen snapped their heads and saw that the librarian was completely glaring at them.

"This time, we might get banished in this library forever! I did not realize that we are so noisy! It says that anyone who breaks the rules would be thrown out instantly!" Sofia said and secretly hinted to look in the direction of the wall.

When Stephen followed the line of sight, he did saw the sign that Sofia was telling.

Since there were only a few students inside the library and most of them buried their faces in the book. Only a pair had made ruffled laughter near the entrance door. They could not blame this strict librarian to spot them easily too.

The librarian stood from her seat and finally sprinted towards them.

"Students, please avoid distracting your fellow learners within the vicinity. They are studying. This is not the place where you indulge in chitchats!" the librarian ordered and did not wait for the two of them to speak. She just turned around and walked back to her desk.