Chapter 165 - Sofia's Concerns

Upon hearing the retreating sound from the high heels of the librarian, the students they started to carefully take a peek.  They were just pretending to be immersed in their book to avoid getting in trouble.

They first glance at the table where Sofia and Stephen were occupying before their line of vision went straight to the front desk where the librarian was about to take her seat.

After a while of observation, some students who happened to share a table with a friend started to whisper from their seats.

"Isn't that Stephen?" the female who had full bangs covered in her face and long shiny hair inquired. Spotting Stephen was easy for the man was popular across all year levels.

The friend looked up and adjusted the eyeglasses in her face. Then she nodded her head, "That's the Chronos squad members Sofia and Stephen. They are actually in a relationship?"

This question was just an assumption but judging by how close Stephen was while looking at Sofia's phone, they could tell that these two were really familiar with each other.

"Hmmn, Oh, that's actually that squad leader, Sofia? How about we go and let's ask their picture?" the girl with full bangs eagerly suggested. 

Since the Cronos squad had really gained fame on social media platforms, even though they were in the same school other students still felt that the Chronos squad had an air of celebrity around them.

"Ehh, let's not disturb those two. Look at them, they are so sweet," her friend quickly replied.

"Ah! But, I am one of their fans! I could flex it to the others if I get a picture of them," the girl with full bangs insisted.

"Then what? Other students would also approach and ask for pictures... it is an inconvenience for them. Just ask for a picture if they are in official tournaments. They are still students like us and they need to concentrate on their studies too," her friend thoughtfully reminded her. 

"Oh, that makes sense. By the way, our librarian is not in bad mood today. I heard that yesterday, there were a group of sophomores who were thrown out and banned to use the library for a week?" the female student asked while slightly tapped her bangs and gathered all her hair to the right side of her shoulder.

"That's true! I was here yesterday when that happened! Our librarian really transformed into a dragon! Haha... But, it was because those sophomores were playing online games and had yelled some profanities loudly. They truly offended everyone here that time!" the girl said as her attention started to return to the book that she was reading.

"So, compared to my idols, it was actually worse? Who are those Sophomores? Is your boyfriend one of them?" the girl with full bangs asked in a teasing tone.

"No way! My boyfriend does not know how to trash talk!" her friend grumbled. "It's more than worse! They were yelling words like idiot, stupid, and other bad kinds of stuff! They deserved to be banned!" the friend shrugged and also started reading again.

Meanwhile, the alleged couple stood from their seats and then quickly exited the library.

"I'll see you after my class or maybe tomorrow," Sofia told Stephen as they walked side by side.

It was time for Sofia's next class and Stephen received a call from his bodyguard that they were waiting for him. 

"If I crash again in your place tonight?" Stephen asked.

"Have you become homeless? Did your parents kicked you out?" Sofia halted her steps and asked him with a concerned tone. It was fine if Stephen would hang out in her place. But, she suddenly felt that this matter was not about hanging out with her anymore. It would seem as though Stephen had lost his home!

"Ha? Why do you think of that?" Stephen curiously asked with soft touches of laughter escaped from his mouth.

"I don't know. If your parents will kick you out because of me, it's very possible. But then again, you may have your other reasons for you to crash on my place again?" Sofia started. She thought that some parents would never tolerate their children's decisions. And Since she had a bad impression with Stephen's father on their first meeting, the old man might really kick him out to teach him a lesson.

"They won't kick me out. It was me who ran away from home," Stephen admitted. He was suddenly frozen on the spot when he realized how easy he had spoken that to Sofia. It was a sensitive subject for him to talk to yet, it already slipped in his tongue before he could ponder about it.

"You are a run-away. But, how about the place that you had been staying? Did they had you removed?" Sofia inquired. It was not hard for Sofia to make a rough guessed about Stephen's life. 

"It's fine. I still have the place. But, it's boring there. And the students next door are very noisy sometimes," Stephen complained.

"With your reputation, you can easily talk sense to your noisy neighbors. Just tell them to minimize the volume of their noise," Sofia easily said.

"Sof, you don't want me to hang out in your place, anymore?" Stephen looked at her in the eye a questioning look. Because of Sofia's series of responses, he could not help but think that the lady may have given her a decent alibi so that he would no longer come to his place.

"Ah! That's not it! It's just not comfortable to always sleep on the sofa when you have the option to just sleep in your bed comfortably," Sofia replied. Her main concern was not of any rumors about them. She could not be bothered by it. The only thing that she was particularly concerned about was Stephen's comfort.

"I'll be fine. Comparing to the noises in my place and the comfort of your sofa, I will choose the second one," Stephen shrugged.

"Okay. if that's alright with you, then, feel free to come to my place. See you later!" Sofia stated. Then, after their waves of goodbyes, the two of them went in the opposite direction. 

Sofia settled in the classroom at the front seat. It was still early and only a handful of students have arrived yet. Their teacher was not yet around.

"Hi! S-Sofia, I have a proposal for you, sis!" one of the students in the same room chirped from behind.

Sofia looked around and saw a nervous-looking classmate.

"I want to invite you with this great opportunity!" the classmate added after their eyes made in contact.

Sofia's brows knitted together and wondered how come the girl was nervous. There should be no reason for her to be nervous at all!

"Hello, there! What is your proposal, sister?" Sofia asked in a polite manner.

"It's about this business of investments. You can give any amount and it will surely be returned in double after a month. Join me. Since you have the prize money during the tournament, why not use it?" her classmate stated. 

At that point, Sofia realized what was happening. She nodded her head like a bunch of products were introduced to her. She could easily tell that this business was similar to what Jing Jing had suggested to her before. 

"Sister, sorry! But there is already a plan for the prize money. It's not mine alone to invest. It's owned by the entire squad. I wish you good luck in this venture," Sofia refused the lady with a professional tone.

"Ah, just hear me out first of what is this business. And I'm sure you will like it. We have earned thousands every time we invest. So, don't waste this opportunity!" the classmate encouraged. Her tone had changed and sounded confident.

"It's okay. Frankly, I have heard of the investments already. It's sounded too good to be true. So, I won't be joining," Sofia stated calmly.

"It's pretty easy. As long as you give money. It will guarantee to be multiplied after a month," the classmate pursued.

This time, Sofia did not say anything. Only her head shook to indicate that she was not accepting the invitation of her classmate.

This classmate wanted to speak more and did not want to back down. However, Sofia had already become busy on her phone and did not mind her classmates. 

"Tsk! It's really a waste. You could have earned a big income starting today if you want to join. Just tell me if you changed your mind," the classmate finished before she returned to her seat.

Soon after, the classroom was filled with students. The noise gradually became louder. And then, their teacher walked in just in time for the start of their class.

"Hello, night class students! This time, you have to read pages 161-185 in your books and then answer the activities," the teacher announced. 

"Yes, ma'am!" the students chorused. This was not unusual for them to have no discussion.  Most of the time, their teacher would just sit behind her desk while the students were answering their activities.