CHAPTER 258: CHAPTER 143: FROM 996 TO 007 (FIRST UPDATE)

Kenneth Osborne received praise from the two big shot figures, boosting his self-confidence further.

He knew that there were no precedents to follow in his field, and he didn’t want to imitate any, either.

After sitting in the lab for a while longer, he waited for the computer to finish running the optimization program. The software speed more than doubled, and the results were impressive.

He uploaded the optimized software package to the other party’s site before packing up his things to head home.

Lawrence Winters happened to call him, "Hey Kenneth, when are you headed home? Should we save dinner for you?"

That’s when Kenneth realized he was starving.

He slung his backpack over his shoulder, put on his Bluetooth headset, and said as he walked out, "I just left the office and should be home in about fifteen minutes. What’s for dinner? I’m good with anything."

"How could that be?" Lawrence objected immediately. "I’ll have Mom heat up the soup—it’s free-range chicken stewed with ribs and baby corn, really delicious."

It must truly be delicious because Kenneth could almost hear her salivating.

Kenneth chuckled and said, "Great, thanks, Nora. Once I get home, why don’t you join me for dinner?"

"Sure, sure! I’ll wait till you’re back!" Lawrence happily concluded before hanging up the phone.

She was in an especially good mood tonight. After showering, she flitted around the rooms like a busy little bee.

Her uncle Nick Zeller found her annoying and waved his hand to shoo her away, "Go wait by the door for Kenneth’s return. Stop pestering me, and bother him instead."

"Tch! Kenneth never thinks I bother him. Uncle, you’ve got no familial affection—you’re about to lose your favorite niece," Lawrence pouted and floated away to find her mom again for some affection, waiting until she heard the door open.

"Kenneth is back!" Lawrence leapt up from her mom’s side, running towards the living room.

Gabrielle Winters watched Lawrence’s back with a smile, intentionally not following her out and thoughtfully closing her own room’s door.

She then sent Nick Zeller a message on WeChat: "Brother, keep the door shut and don’t go out unless necessary."

Nick understood and replied: "Got it."

Kenneth had just pushed the door open to find Lawrence standing at the entrance grinning broadly.

As soon as she saw him, she put a pair of brand-new men’s slippers on the entrance mat and said, "Kenneth is back. Hurry, change your shoes!"

Kenneth felt all his exhaustion vanish instantly.

He closed the door behind him, sat smiling on the entryway bench, changed his shoes, and said, "Looks like tonight’s soup must be really good. You’re so eager."

Lawrence laughed so hard her nose scrunched up, "You understand me best, Kenneth! Come on, go wash up, and then let’s eat together!"

Kenneth checked his watch, "It’s half-past eight, are you really up for a second dinner?"

Lawrence waved it off, "Talking about dieting while eating is a buzzkill—we’ll eat first, diet later, won’t miss a beat!"

Kenneth shook his head with a smile, but Lawrence’s energy and good appetite made him very happy.

This indicated her day went well, free from bothersome worries.

Nick Zeller got up to close the door and happened to see Kenneth gently placing a hand on Lawrence’s shoulder, walking together to his room.

Watching the harmonious backs of the pair, Nick unexpectedly felt his eyes become slightly moist.

He closed the door with mixed emotions, sat back at his computer, and sent an email to his mentor.

"Master, when will you be free to come to Capital City to visit your little disciple? — Sincerely yours, True Marvel."

Nick’s Daoist name is True Marvel, which he only uses when writing to his master.

...

Kenneth washed his hands and sat down at the dining table, where a small bowl of free-range chicken stewed with ribs soup awaited him.

The bowl was plain white with a few wisps of bluegrass painted along the edge. The soup was clear and fragrant, refreshing to the taste, indeed very delicious.

He couldn’t help but drink two bowls before starting his meal.

Lawrence had already finished one bowl and was focused on eating the tender corn from the soup.

Kenneth watched as she ate so intently that she didn’t notice a little yellow corn kernel stuck to her cheek.

He smiled faintly, lifted a napkin, gently held her chin with one hand, and softly wiped her face with the other.

Lawrence didn’t resist, obediently tilted her peach-shaped face up until Kenneth finished wiping, then used her chopsticks to offer him a piece of braised meat with yard-long beans as gratitude.

The yard-long beans soaked up the meat juices, blending the rich flavor of the meat with the distinct taste of the beans, reminiscent of the prosperous festive seasons.