Chapter 140

It appeared that, for a considerable period to come, she would need to seek out David more often to improve her knowledge and scholarly ability.

“Josie, just you wait. I absolutely will not be defeated by you!”

In a restaurant not far from the school, Joseph pulled Adeline aside, picked up a coffee cup, and stood up.

“Josie, let’s have a drink. Thank you for helping me secure my internship placement and for helping Adeline. Thank you!"

Adeline also looked at her with a smile. “Joseph is right. The two of us really need to thank you. If it weren’t for you, we would probably still be arguing about the internship!”

As graduation season coincides with the season of breakups, Joseph’s family hoped that he would return to his hometown to work, ideally in a government-affiliated organization. If his internship at the organization in Aloville proved unreliable, there was an eighty percent chance that he would return to his hometown after one year. By then, breaking up with Adeline would be a sure thing, and she probably wouldn’t even have the heart to prepare for the graduate school entrance exam!

Josie was pleased that she was able to assist them. She also hoped that she had not misjudged Joseph, that he truly surpassed Gavin, and that he would be able to assist her when it mattered most.

“There is no need to thank me; I have my own selfish motives as well,” Josie smiled. “Joseph, to be honest, Professor Delilah has a research project that’s been short-staffed for a while. I hope you can help out.”

“No problem,” Joseph readily agreed. “As long as you do not restrict my research direction, all of my free time is at your disposal!”

Josie, unable to decide whether to laugh or cry, said, “Perhaps we could work together.”

“That would be ideal.” With an appropriate smile, Joseph courteously invited Adeline to take a seat first.

He was from the south. He was a soft and gentle man. His care for Adeline did not appear to be feigned. After sharing a meal, Josie found her impression of him to be fairly good.

Possibly because she suffered setbacks at the hands of Aiden and others, Josie now refrained from making hasty judgments about a person’s character. At times, a person’s true character, whether virtuous or otherwise, could only be discerned after events have unfolded. Otherwise, whatever he presented might always have been embellished. After the meal, a few people exited the restaurant and spotted Kyle from a distance. He sat in front of a roadside stall and ate snacks. That used to be Josie’s favorite stall.

Upon seeing Josie, Kyle stood up and strode over.

“What does he want to do?” Zoey and the others shielded Josie behind them, their brows furrowed as they glared at Kyle.

Joseph took half a step forward, blocking several girls in front of him. Upon witnessing the actions of several individuals, Kyle's face darkened considerably.

“Josie, may we talk?” Kyle stopped moving forward, turned sideways, and looked at Josie.

Josie remained still, her eyelids lifted slightly. “If you want to talk about what happened today in the small auditorium, I have nothing to say. If you want to know anything, you can ask David.”

Kyle’s expression stiffened, fearing that Josie might embarrass him in public once again. He softened his tone and said, “That is not the issue. I just want to say a few words to you; please ask them to leave first.”

“Why should I listen to you?” Of the five people, the one she hated most was undoubtedly Kyle. Josie linked arms with Zoey. “Let’s go.”

A few people clustered around Josie as they walked past Kyle. Kyle tried to stop Josie but was blocked by Joseph.

Only after several girls had walked away did Joseph step back and say, “Was that really necessary?”

“What do you know?” Kyle glared angrily at Joseph.

Joseph smiled and said, “I don’t know anything, but anyone could see that when Josie was still with you, she looked completely malnourished, not to mention, coming out to eat with us. I’m afraid she didn’t even have time to sleep. On the rare occasions I would see her, I'd worry she might suddenly collapse and not get up. Look. She has only been away from you for just over a month, and she has become noticeably more vibrant. This is what a university student ought to be like, isn’t it?”