Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The speech ended in an absurd manner, just as James had anticipated. The host enthusiastically thanked him in the closing remarks and shook his hand, but it was clear that the host's attention had already shifted to other trivial matters. James quietly packed his belongings. To him, the speech felt like a dismal play that had long lost any meaning. He hurriedly stuffed his notes, manuscript, and laptop into his briefcase with brisk and indifferent movements, eager to leave the humiliating venue as soon as possible.
As he finished packing and lifted his briefcase, preparing to slip out through the back door, he suddenly felt a gaze fixed on him from behind. He turned around to see a plump student standing there. The student's appearance was so unremarkable that it was hard to remember; his hair was greasy and unkempt, and the acne on his face combined with uneven skin tone made him look like a typical nerd—somewhat disheveled. He clutched several heavy books in his arms, their spines revealing they were all from the Department of History, some even authored by James himself.
James froze for a moment, a wave of disgust washing over him. The student's appearance was truly hard to appreciate—his bulky frame, greasy hair, and vacant expression made him seem utterly unappealing. If one were to rate his looks on a scale of ten, he probably wouldn't even score one. What annoyed James even more was that such students always seemed to appear at the most inconvenient times in his life. This kind of repulsive, overly devoted academic admirer often harbored fantasies but could offer no valuable insights into his work. Just another boring admirer seeking inspiration or guidance from him.
A strong sense of displeasure surged within James; he almost wanted to turn around immediately and escape this loathsome scene. However, years of socialization and his professional ethics as a professor quickly helped him regain control over his expression. He took a deep breath, suppressing the feeling of nausea, and managed to put on a calm and polite smile, softening his voice.
"Is there something you need?" James asked gently, though his tone carried an underlying sense of distance and coldness. He was already weary of such tedious questions but maintained his usual composure on the surface, hoping to wrap things up quickly to end this unnecessary exchange.
The student appeared somewhat nervous, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he clutched the heavy books tightly, looking awkward and uneasy. James couldn't help but furrow his brow slightly but patiently waited for the student's response. He knew this scene was just another performance for him, with this student merely serving as another prop in this tiresome act.
Standing before James, the student was so anxious that he struggled to articulate his words clearly. His eyes sparkled with a kind of admiration as he stammered, "Professor James, I have always admired your research... Your works are like a bible to me. I read your 'The Evolution of Ancient Religions and Civilizations,' and it is truly... an unparalleled masterpiece!"
Upon hearing this, James's brow furrowed almost instantly. He instinctively glanced at the student—a greasy, overweight nerd whose speech was laced with panic and uncertainty. A strong wave of revulsion surged within him; how could someone like this be reading his great work and treating it as a sacred text? He felt as if his creation had been sullied. His painstakingly written academic work was meant for elite scholars to read and appreciate, yet it had fallen into the hands of such an ignorant and repulsive reader, filling him with intense discomfort.
"This person doesn't deserve to understand my work," he thought coldly, barely able to suppress the contempt and disdain threatening to surface on his face. Yet years of socialization forced him to maintain a calm demeanor. He knew that no matter how much he loathed this moment, as a scholar he still had to uphold an appearance of grace and politeness.
"Thank you for your support," James said dismissively, lacking any sincerity in his voice; it was merely a routine response. He nodded slightly with a forced smile while his eyes revealed indifference and impatience. "I'm glad my work has inspired you."
After saying this, James prepared to turn away. He only wanted to escape this nauseating scene and return to his lofty world. However, just as he lifted his foot to step out the door, the student suddenly spoke again.
"Professor, there's one more thing... I've encountered some issues in your book regarding details about ancient civilizations; I hope you can clarify them for me..."
James's footsteps came to an abrupt halt, and the forced smile on his face froze. His teeth clenched almost immediately, a surge of anger rising within him. He didn't want to waste time on such a meaningless conversation, especially with a student he found utterly detestable. However, in this situation, he couldn't afford to lose his temper or ignore it. As a professor, his image and dignity were under scrutiny; he couldn't allow himself to be embarrassed over something so trivial.
Taking a deep breath, James made an effort to suppress his irritation and turned around, forcing another strained smile at the student. "Alright," he said, his tone calm as he tried to mask his inner frustration. "So, what is your question?" Internally cursing under his breath, he maintained a facade of politeness and composure as he awaited the inevitably tedious question to come.
Comment 0 Comment Count