CHAPTER 168: CHAPTER 168: CLASSMATE CROWE, SINCLAIR

Holly was at a loss for words at Grandpa Irving’s suggestion to "relive past experiences."

That was until Blake Sinclair placed a proposal for "Reverting to Eighteen Years Old" in front of her.

"What’s this?" she asked as she opened it.

The proposal came in two copies, and Blake Sinclair explained, holding his copy: "Since we’re reliving experiences, let’s start from our second meeting."

Holly was puzzled, "But I was only sixteen at our second meeting."

Blake Sinclair replied earnestly, "Holly, minors aren’t allowed to date."

Holly: "...."

Sure enough, President Sinclair was always mindful of the core values of socialism.

Amused by his serious demeanor, she eagerly browsed through the proposal.

As expected of Blake Sinclair, the plan was meticulous, well-organized, with every detail clearly listed, including times and places.

They would watch a movie, visit the bookstore they used to frequent, stroll through the old street, watch the sunrise at Mount Avis, see a fireworks show, and visit Beldon University...

Blake Sinclair sat across from her, gazing into her shimmering eyes, feeling a tenderness in his heart.

Holly, this time, I can rightfully take part in your entire eighteenth year.

In the days that followed, they strictly adhered to the proposal’s "dates," creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere, but Holly’s memory showed no sign of returning.

"Sigh...."

She leaned on the sofa in the living room, unable to hold back a sigh.

Blake Sinclair, who had just concluded a video conference in the study, came out and asked, "What’s wrong? You look so glum."

"It’s nothing,"

Holly counted on her fingers, sounding dejected, "I just feel that at this rate, we might really need to wait until next March to seek hypnosis from Grandpa Irving.

We’ve relived everything we should over the past few days; we’ve even tried some new initiatives. Except for going back to school and studying again, why is there not even a hint of memory recovery?"

"Then let’s go back to school again," Blake Sinclair suggested naturally.

"Huh?" She had only said it casually, not meaning to actually go study.

"It just so happens that the Finance Department at Beldon University has invited me for a keynote speech at an academic forum tomorrow."

He walked to the back of the sofa, looking down at her with a faint smile in his eyes, "So, Classmate Crowe, would you care to attend my lecture?"

Holly leaned back and looked up at him.

He had just come out of the study, still wearing his scholarly gold-rimmed glasses; his eyes behind the lenses were deep, and combined with his casually lazy attire, he had a noble sensuality.

Her heart fluttered slightly, and she playfully teased him, "Oh, is President Sinclair turning into Teacher Sinclair for a lecture?"

"Facing this many students for the first time, I am indeed a bit nervous," he followed her lead, his tone playing into a rare sense of vulnerability, as he slowly took off his glasses.

The gesture felt like it was slowed to 0.5x speed, an invisible tension filling the living room.

He tossed the glasses onto the sofa casually, then leaned down, placing one hand over the back of the sofa behind her, and gently lifted her chin with the other, lowering his head to claim her lips.

"I need Classmate Crowe’s encouragement," he murmured, the words muffled against their joined lips.

This kiss, led by him and tinged with a sense of control, forced Holly to tilt her head up to receive it, her waist rising steadily in response.

After a while, her back began to give way, feeling sore and weak.

Just before her waist gave out, Blake Sinclair seemed to have foreseen it.

His strong arms slipped under her knees and around her back, effortlessly lifting her up and heading toward the bedroom in large strides.

"What are you doing!"

"Charging a tuition fee isn’t excessive."

The night outside was tender, and inside, the spring mood was just right.

At Beldon University’s Finance Department, the morning was particularly lively.

The campus was filled with many unfamiliar faces dressed in formal attire, journalists from financial media outlets among them.

The large lecture hall, capable of seating hundreds, was already packed, with extra chairs added to the empty spaces at the back and down the middle aisle, looking around, girls made up the majority.

"Oh my gosh, what good fortune does our school have to actually get Blake Sinclair to come! Today I finally get to see the legendary Prince Charming of the Sinclair Family!"

"It’s true! Our counselor sent out a notification in the group chat yesterday, and people were already lining up for seats at midnight!"

"I’ve been shipping this couple online for ages; today I finally get to see them in person! I wonder if Holly will come?"

The whispered conversations were endless, everyone discussing with eyes full of anticipation.

As they spoke, the door at the front of the classroom swung open, and the department leaders were the first to enter.

The person who followed them caused the whole room to fall silent instantly.

Then, thunderous applause erupted.

The forum officially began, and after the department leader’s speech, it was Blake Sinclair’s turn to present.

He was dressed in a well-tailored ink-colored suit, a white shirt underneath, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses rested on his nose.

As he stood at the podium, slightly nodding, his posture was tall and commanding, an air of noble elegance captivating everyone’s gaze.

The college had also set up a live stream for this presentation, synchronizing online and offline attendance.

However, many people’s attention wasn’t on the PPT slides behind him but rather on his face and the modest yet luxurious diamond ring on his hand.

The live stream’s comment section was bustling:

[Dumplings Without Fillings]: Critics of their marriage can shut up now! The ring is blinding me!

[Sinclair & Crowe Forever]: I’m dying! My ship is not only sailing but they’re openly showing off their love!

[Rich & Fabulous]: I’m here in person! President Sinclair is a million times more handsome than in photos! His aura is impeccable!

[My Readers Are Smart]: Why do I notice that from the second part of President Sinclair’s talk, he keeps glancing to the upper left corner? Every few minutes, he looks there.

[Rich & Fabulous]: Ahhh! I can only say, real-life couples are the best to ship!

[Freedom-seeking Bunny]: Don’t keep us in suspense, lady! Is Holly really there?! Just like I guessed?

Holly hadn’t planned on coming; they had stayed up until late at home last night, and she couldn’t get up in the morning.

But then she realized she’d never really seen Blake Sinclair speak publicly in this kind of setting.

On a whim, she decided to come.

But she hadn’t forgotten the proposal, and dressed up meticulously to fit the theme.

Her plan was to sneak in, blend into the crowd, see him, and leave.

Yet the moment she slipped in, she caught his attentive gaze.

Was he an eagle?

How is his eyesight so good?

With those amused eyes, he glanced over every few minutes.

Soon enough, someone noticed, and fellow students around started turning their heads, causing a stir.

Worried about disrupting order, Holly quietly slipped out again.

As the event was nearing its end, she sent him a location, indicating she was waiting at the café by the library.

Perhaps due to the forum, the café was surprisingly deserted.

Sitting at a window seat in the café, Holly had just put down her phone when a boy in a sports jacket with a buzz cut approached.

He was fresh and sunny, with clear and delicate features, carrying a unique youthful charm exclusive to college students.

Yet the look in his eyes seemed somewhat off.

"Hello, classmate,"

The boy scratched his head, a little embarrassed, "I noticed you’ve been sitting here alone for a while. Are you waiting for someone?"

He originally came to wait for a friend but found himself drawn to her, unintentionally watching for a long time.

When Holly looked up at him, the boy’s ears visibly reddened; he was too shy to meet her gaze.

He hastily took out his phone, opened a QR code, and spoke quickly, "I’m a third-year in the Computer Science Department. You seem unfamiliar; are you from the Arts Department? Would it be possible for us to exchange WeChat IDs and get to know each other?"

Holly was caught off guard by this sudden advance.

Just as she was about to politely decline, a voice sounded from behind her.

"Not possible."