Westbridge International University — Campus Garden
Ten minutes later.
Sophia was still sitting beneath the large tree.
The book in her hands remained open, but she had barely turned a page since Ryan left.
She glanced toward the university café.
What's taking him so long?
Just as she was about to return to her reading, she noticed a familiar figure walking toward her.
Ryan was carrying two cups of coffee and a small paper bag.
"Sorry for the wait."
He placed one cup on the table beside her.
"Black coffee, less sugar."
"Thank you."
Sophia accepted the cup.
Then she noticed the paper bag.
"What's that?"
"My lunch."
Ryan sat down and opened the bag, revealing two sandwiches.
Sophia glanced at him.
"You haven't eaten?"
"Nope. I spent my entire break in the library."
"Then why did you come here instead of going to the cafeteria?"
Ryan looked at her.
"Because I saw someone interesting sitting under a tree."
Sophia stopped lifting her coffee.
She looked at him with an expressionless face.
"Are you trying to flatter me?"
Ryan laughed.
"No. I was talking about your book."
Sophia looked down at the business strategy textbook resting on her lap.
"..."
For some reason, she suddenly felt annoyed.
Ryan noticed her expression and quickly changed the subject.
"Anyway, do you want a sandwich?"
"No, thank you."
"Alright."
He took a bite.
For a few minutes, they enjoyed the quiet atmosphere.
The wind gently moved the branches above them. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating shifting patterns on the grass.
Sophia took a sip of her coffee.
The taste was exactly how she liked it.
She glanced at Ryan.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Why are you so interested in business?"
Ryan paused.
He hadn't expected that question.
"Money."
Sophia stared at him.
"That's it?"
"Well, money, freedom, and connections."
"That's a rather straightforward answer."
Ryan smiled.
"Would you prefer a speech about changing the world?"
"No."
"Then money it is."
Sophia shook her head slightly.
But Ryan wasn't finished.
"Actually, there's another reason."
She looked at him.
"My family owns a small company. Compared to families like yours, we're practically invisible."
Sophia remained silent.
Ryan continued.
"If I simply graduate and join my father's company, I'll probably live a comfortable life."
"Isn't that a good thing?"
"It is."
Ryan looked toward the distant university buildings.
"But I want to build something of my own."
"Something that doesn't depend entirely on my family's reputation."
Sophia's expression changed slightly.
For the first time, she found herself genuinely interested in his answer.
"That's an ambitious goal."
"Maybe."
Ryan took another sip of coffee.
"What about you?"
Sophia lowered her eyes.
"What about me?"
"What do you want to do after graduation?"
"Join Laurent Group."
"And after that?"
"Learn the business. Take responsibility for different departments. Eventually my father succeeded."
Her answer came without hesitation.
It sounded like something she had repeated countless times.
Ryan nodded.
"And what do you personally want?"
Sophia froze.
She looked at him.
"What?"
"Forget Laurent Group for a moment. Forget your family responsibilities."
Ryan smiled.
"If you could choose anything, what would you do?"
Sophia opened her mouth.
But no words came out.
She had spent years preparing to become the perfect successor.
Business management.
Finance.
Negotiation.
Corporate law.
Foreign languages.
Every part of her education had been planned around her future responsibilities.
But nobody had asked her that question in a long time.
What do I personally want?
She looked down at her coffee.
"I don't know."
Ryan didn't laugh or express surprise.
Instead, he nodded.
"Fair enough."
Sophia looked at him.
"That's all?"
"What else should I say?"
"Most people would tell me I should have a dream."
Ryan shrugged.
"Not knowing what you want isn't a crime."
He took another bite of his sandwich.
"You have plenty of time to figure it out."
Sophia stared at him.
Plenty of time...
If only her father thought the same way.
She quietly took another sip of coffee.
"By the way," Ryan suddenly said, "are you free this Saturday?"
Sophia immediately became cautious.
"Why?"
"There's a business and technology exhibition in the city."
He took out his phone and showed her the event announcement.
"Several startups are presenting their products. There will also be investors and company representatives."
Sophia glanced at the screen.
"You're attending?"
"That's the plan."
"To find business opportunities?"
"Partly."
Ryan smiled.
"And partly to meet talented people."
Sophia studied the announcement more carefully.
She recognized several participating companies.
Some were already working with Laurent Group.
Others were promising startups that her father's investment department had been monitoring.
This could actually be useful.
"Are you going alone?" she asked.
"Probably. Jack would get bored after ten minutes, and Lucas has martial arts practice."
Sophia almost smiled.
She could easily imagine Jack complaining throughout a business presentation.
Ryan put his phone away.
"Anyway, you're welcome to join me."
Sophia considered his invitation.
She had originally planned to spend Saturday reviewing a business proposal her father had given her.
However, attending the exhibition could provide useful information for that assignment.
"I'll think about it."
"Sure."
Ryan didn't press her for an answer.
That surprised Sophia a little.
Most students who approached her tried to extend every conversation or immediately arrange another meeting.
Ryan simply returned to eating his sandwich.
Does he really only want a business relationship?
She glanced at him.
Then remembered his earlier words.
I genuinely want to be friends with you. And there's also an alternative motive.
Perhaps he was being more straightforward than she had initially assumed.
"SOOOOPHIA!"
A familiar voice suddenly interrupted the peaceful atmosphere.
Sophia closed her eyes.
She didn't even need to turn around.
Emily was approaching them with her usual cheerful expression.
She had a small handbag hanging from her shoulder.
But when she noticed Ryan sitting beside Sophia, she immediately slowed down.
Her eyes moved from Ryan...
To Sophia...
Then to the two cups of coffee.
A mischievous smile appeared on her face.
"Oh?"
Sophia immediately recognized that expression.
"Emily. Don't."
"I haven't said anything!"
"You're about to."
Emily sat beside Sophia and leaned forward.
"Ryan, what a coincidence!"
Ryan smiled.
"Hello, Emily."
"What are you two doing?"
"Drinking coffee."
Emily looked at Sophia's cup.
Then at Ryan's.
Then back at Sophia.
"Together?"
Ryan nodded.
"That's generally how drinking coffee with someone works."
Emily burst into laughter.
Sophia gave Ryan a helpless look.
Why did he answer her like that?
Emily turned toward her best friend.
"Sophia, you didn't tell me you were having coffee with Ryan!"
"It wasn't planned."
"Of course, of course."
Emily nodded repeatedly.
Sophia could already tell that explaining anything would only make matters worse.
She decided to ignore her.
Meanwhile, Ryan checked the time.
"Oh, I have a class in twenty minutes."
He stood up and collected the empty paper bag.
"Thanks for the conversation, Sophia."
She nodded.
"Thank you for the coffee."
Ryan smiled.
"See you in class."
He waved goodbye to Emily and walked away.
Emily waited until he disappeared behind the university building.
Then she immediately turned toward Sophia.
"So?"
Sophia reopened her book.
"So what?"
"How was your little coffee meeting?"
"It wasn't a meeting."
"Then what was it?"
Sophia turned a page.
"A conversation."
Emily leaned closer.
"About?"
"Business."
Emily stared at her.
Then she sighed dramatically.
"Of course it was business."
Sophia finally looked at her.
"What's wrong with discussing business?"
"Nothing!"
Emily smiled.
"But couldn't you discuss something normal for once?"
"Such as?"
"Movies? Music? Your favorite food? Your weekend plans?"
Sophia paused.
Weekend plans.
She remembered Ryan's invitation.
Emily immediately noticed her expression.
"Wait."
Sophia looked up.
"What?"
"You're thinking about something!"
"No, I'm not."
"Sophia!"
Emily grabbed her arm excitedly.
"Tell me!"
Sophia sighed.
"Ryan invited me to a business exhibition this Saturday."
Emily's eyes widened.
Then a huge smile spread across her face.
"HE INVITED YOU OUT?!"
Several nearby students turned their heads.
Sophia quickly covered Emily's mouth.
"Lower your voice!"
Emily nodded enthusiastically.
Sophia slowly removed her hand.
"It's a business exhibition. Nothing more."
"Right, right. A business exhibition."
Emily was still smiling.
"Are you going?"
"I haven't decided."
"Then go!"
Sophia looked at her.
"Why are you so excited?"
Emily's expression softened.
"Because you finally have an opportunity to spend some time outside your usual routine."
Sophia fell silent.
Emily continued.
"You spend almost every day studying, attending classes, or preparing for your family's business."
"There's nothing wrong with that," Sophia replied.
"I know."
Emily smiled.
"But you're allowed to enjoy university life too."
Sophia looked toward the path where Ryan had disappeared.
For a moment, she remembered his earlier question.
What do you personally want?
She lowered her eyes.
Then, almost unconsciously, a small smile appeared on her face.
"Maybe I'll go."
Emily immediately grinned.
"That's my girl!"
Sophia shook her head and returned to her book.
But this time, she had already made up her mind.
She would attend the exhibition.
And perhaps...
She would find out a little more about the strange young man named Ryan Carter.
Meanwhile — Ryan's Perspective
Ryan walked toward his classroom with his hands in his pockets.
A satisfied smile appeared on his face.
That went better than expected.
He had originally approached Sophia hoping to establish a connection.
After all, becoming friends with the future head of Laurent Group would be an enormous advantage.
But their conversation had revealed something else.
Sophia was intelligent, disciplined, and surprisingly easy to talk to when the subject interested her.
There was just one problem.
She really doesn't know how to relax.
Ryan sighed.
Then another thought crossed his mind.
Wait a minute...
He stopped walking.
In the original novel, wasn't there a scene where Lucas accompanied Sophia to a business exhibition?
His expression slowly changed.
He searched through his memories.
Unfortunately, he couldn't remember the exact chapter.
Don't tell me I've accidentally stolen another event from the main character.
Ryan stared at the sky.
First, Jack had unexpectedly met Lyar.
Now he had invited Sophia to an exhibition that might have belonged to Lucas's storyline.
He rubbed his forehead.
"At this rate..."
He sighed.
"Will there even be an original story left?"
The university bell suddenly rang.
Ryan glanced at his watch.
"Oh, damn! I'm going to be late!"
He immediately started running toward the classroom.
And just like that, the side character who wanted to build his own future continued changing everyone else's story without even realizing it.
[Note -: read out my new work Summoned Heroes.]