Chapter 42 - 42: What Was He Thinking?

Playing chess with these people, for her, was also a master class for her chess skills. As she watched her opponents' moves, she learned. In the next few sets, she felt that her chess skills were getting better and better.

She was glad that she had not met that "M378". That player was adamant. If she met him in this round, with the time limit, she doubted she would be able to get even one point. This kind of competition wasn't just about ability; it was the luck of the draw.

There were many players matched with opponents of their level. They couldn't finish a game in the set time, so they got no points, and would be eliminated in the end. After all, it was just a small game. The system hadn't been perfected.

The game ended at midnight. Sophia came a little late but still got enough points. She had class tomorrow, so she got off the line and went to bed.

Once again, the chat room fired up.

"Am I imagining it, or Is KAP playing faster?"

"Waiting for KAP to destroy the M Army!"

"Looking forward to the big game this weekend!"

There was only one post on Sophia's blog: a chess game promotion message which had automatically been created when she clicked "Share" at the time of registration. She had never checked her blog comments, so she had no idea that there were over ten thousand comments below that solitary post.

The next day, Sophia went to school as usual. During the second recess, she went to deliver her homework. When she came back, Kevin came over and handed her a paper bag.

"Sister, I made some fruit pie. Try it!"

Sophia stumbled. She didn't expect Kevin to make her food. That being said, she did miss his cooking. After the cupcakes sent by Kevin, it seemed quite normal, and she took the bag.

Kevin smiled with satisfaction and said, "Sister, I don't know what flavor you like. There is strawberry pie, apple pie, lemon pie, and banana pie. Which one do you like? I will make more for you next time."

Sophia put the bag away and said casually, "I like lemon pie."

"I'll make more lemon pie next time." Kevin said immediately.

As he spoke, something suddenly occurred to him.

His own sister… preferred lemon pie, too. Every time he had made a fruit pie, he always made more lemon pie to suit his sister's taste.

Ever since seeing the lawyer with Sophia, Kevin had had a strange feeling that the present Sophia Green had some kind of connection with his sister.

He knew it was impossible, but he could not get rid of this feeling. Seeing Sophia Green, he always had this feeling that his elder sister had come back.

Louie came back at this moment. When he walked to his seat and sat down, Kevin gave him a look. He raised his eyebrows slightly as if he were trying to provoke him.

Louie was baffled and wondered how he offended a student who had never spoken to him. He lowered his head to avoid looking at Kevin and got the books for the next lesson from his desk.

Kevin raised his voice and said, "Sister, if there's anything you want to eat in the future, just tell me. I'm good at cooking. The food I make is more delicious than any you can buy!"

Sophia was confused.

The atmosphere seemed… weird! Was Kevin competing with Louie?

Kevin's fruit pie was really delicious. He had made a lot. After school, Sophia shared them with girls of the Sister Alliance.

Fruit pie was difficult to make. Sophia didn't want Kevin to spend much time on it. After all, he was in 11th grade, and studying was the most important thing for him. So, she told him not to do it again.

Kevin frowned slightly, "Do you prefer cake?"

Sophia was confused, "It's fine. Why?"

Kevin smiled. "Nothing, I see."

Sophia was even more confused.

What did he know? Why was this kid so strange?

After class, Sophia rode home as usual. As soon as she left the school gate, she saw someone waving at her.

She knew this man. When Albert Pearson had got drunk in the karaoke bar, it was his assistant Ryan Sampson who had come to pick him up.

"Hello, Sophia Green?" Ryan came over with a smile, "I'm Ryan. We met the other night briefly. I have something to discuss with you, okay?"

As he was a friend of Pearson, she thought he was probably okay.

"What is it?" She asked.

Ryan smiled, "Well, let's grab a coffee, and I'll tell you in detail!"

"All right."

Sophia followed him into a coffee shop, where he ordered two cups of coffee.

Ryan then explained what he had come for.

His purpose, however, sounded like a sarcastic joke.

"My boss, Albert Pearson, heard you sing when he was drunk last time we met. Afterward, he asked me to inquire about your identity. He wants you to sing to him… Of course, we will pay you!"

Sophia was lost for words.

Pearson wanted to pay her to sing…

What was he thinking?

"Are you making fun of me? This is cruel!" Sophia stood up, intending to leave.

Gosling hurriedly stood up, "No. Mr. Pearson was sincere. I haven't heard you sing. But Mr. Pearson said that though he was drunk that day, he still remembered your song. He said it was the most beautiful song he had ever heard... Please, he'll be really annoyed with me if you don't say yes. You can ask for whatever you want. How about one thousand dollars for a song?"

He had never heard Sophia sing, but since Pearson was willing to make so much effort to invite her to sing, her song must have been… truly amazing.

Sophia was startled by the money he offered, "Are you kidding me?"

One thousand dollars for a song? With that kind of money, he could invite a top singer to perform. But he invited her, someone with no musical talent at all; what normal person would do that?