Chapter 191 The Professor’s Surprise

Chapter 191: Chapter 191 The Professor’s Surprise

​Director Hayes walked side by side with Veyra through the central courtyard of the university campus.

​The warm afternoon sun stretched across the wide brick pathways. Clusters of students hurried past them, carrying heavy backpacks and laptops under their arms while chatting loudly between classes. Surrounding the green lawn were old, imposing buildings built from dark stone, their tall walls covered in thick ivy.

​"The main research facilities are situated right through this section," Director Hayes said gently. "I can take you on a quick tour of the grounds before you head home today."

​Veyra nodded respectfully. "Thank you, Director. I would appreciate that."

​She followed the older woman through a high stone archway that opened into a wide, quiet plaza. Standing directly ahead was a striking, modern building made almost entirely of steel and tempered glass. It had sharp lines, visible solar roofing panels, and heavily guarded security gates at every entrance point.

​"This is our pride and joy," Director Hayes explained, gesturing toward the entrance. "The Etland Medical University Research Institute."

​They stepped through the automated glass doors into the main lobby.

​The interior was flooded with bright, natural sunlight that reflected off polished white floors and spotless glass panels. The air smelled faintly of fresh disinfectant and rubbing alcohol. Nearby, a front reception desk sat next to a digital security checkpoint where staff members scanned their ID badges.

​"This location serves as the central hub where our university cultivates top scientific research talent," Director Hayes said as they walked slowly through the space. "Our teams focus primarily on high-level medical and pharmaceutical projects that impact public health."

​Veyra’s eyes drifted across the framed display boards mounted along the walls. They were filled with detailed charts, clinical trial summaries, drug development pipelines, genetic studies, and advanced cardiac research diagrams.

​"This place is truly incredible," Veyra murmured, her eyes taking in every detail.

​"It stands as one of the top research facilities in the entire country," Director Hayes replied with pride.

​Director Hayes led her further down a quiet, well-lit corridor lined with specialized laboratories.

​"Every single year, our institute conducts an open recruitment drive for dedicated medical and pharmaceutical students," the director explained. "Under normal circumstances, our selection panel focuses almost exclusively on senior graduate candidates, such as master’s students or doctoral researchers."

​She paused near a glass wall, turning back to face Veyra.

​"However, we also reserve a small number of positions for exceptionally talented undergraduate students."

​Veyra felt her pulse quicken in her chest. "Undergraduate students can get accepted as well?"

​"Yes," Director Hayes confirmed with a warm smile. "Provided they display outstanding practical skills and pass our preliminary background reviews."

​They stopped in front of a wide observation window. On the other side, several lab technicians dressed in clean white coats moved methodically around scientific benches. Some were looking through high-powered microscopes, others were typing data into terminals, and a few were monitoring complex filtration machines Veyra had only ever read about in textbooks.

​"Of course, most newly admitted students begin by performing basic entry-level tasks after joining a lab team," Director Hayes noted realistically. "They sterilize glassware, organize raw data sheets, prepare baseline chemical solutions, and assist senior researchers with basic prep work."

​Veyra nodded along, her eyes fixed on the busy scientists inside.

​"Even so, they gain invaluable hands-on research experience early in their careers," Director Hayes added. "And the position comes with a decent monthly salary."

​Veyra’s eyes sparkled with quiet ambition, her heart hammering against her ribs.

​She wanted this opportunity more than anything. She wanted to stand in one of those sparkling labs, wear a white coat, learn advanced techniques, and run real chemical tests. She wanted to contribute her own knowledge, expand her understanding of herbal chemistry, and build a meaningful future through her own hard work.

​Looking at the researchers through the window, she found herself deeply looking forward to her upcoming enrollment at the Medical and Pharmaceutical University.

​Director Hayes observed the intense drive in Veyra’s posture and smiled softly. She reached into her leather shoulder bag and pulled out a clean, thick manila folder.

​"Before you leave the grounds today," Director Hayes said gently, "I believe this officially belongs to you."

​Veyra reached out with trembling fingers and took the folder into her hands.

​Her heart pounded loudly in her ears as she unbuckled the clasp and pulled out the crisp white document hidden inside. The letterhead was stamped with the official, raised golden seal of the board of regents right at the top.

​Dear Mrs. Solenne,

​We are deeply pleased to inform you that you have officially been granted admission into the advanced Medicinal Chemistry program at the Etland University of Medicine for the upcoming academic year...

​Veyra read the printed lines once. Then she read them a second time, her eyes tracing every letter to ensure she was not dreaming.

​She had really been accepted. The admission was official, absolute, and verified.

​She was officially enrolled in Medicinal Chemistry.

​A sudden surge of heat rushed behind her eyes, and warm tears welled up along her lower lashes.

​In that quiet hallway, her mind flashed back to her late mother, the courageous woman who had believed in her potential, protected her from harm, and left behind the strange black stone.

​She pictured her grandmother, the kind woman who had raised her through hardship, taught her how to read her very first words, and eventually passed away alone in a cold hospital room while Veyra struggled to gather funds.

​She thought of Professor Julian, the eccentric old man who had recognized her raw gift for chemistry when everyone else ignored her, gave her private lessons, and offered his messy basement for her experiments when she had nowhere else to go.

​She had not let a single one of them down. She had survived the pain and carved out her own path.

​Veyra pressed the thick paper letter tightly against her chest, holding her breath as a single tear escaped and rolled down her cheek.

​"Thank you so much, Director Hayes," Veyra whispered, her voice tight with emotion.

​Director Hayes offered a soft, motherly smile. "You do not need to thank me, Veyra. You earned every bit of this with your own mind."

​A short while later, Veyra stepped out of the university gates into the late afternoon sunshine.

​She didn’t ask Leon to drive her back to the Thorne estate, nor did she visit her small herbal medicine shop. Instead, she had him drop her off near a quiet, older neighborhood on the edge of the district.

​She walked down a narrow, leafy lane until she stood before Professor Julian’s house. It was a modest, two-story home tucked quietly behind a row of overgrown oak trees, looking somewhat neglected compared to the modern structures downtown.

​Veyra walked up the creaky porch steps and knocked firmly on the front door.

​No answer came from inside.

​Knowing his habits all too well, she turned the brass knob. The door was unlocked, as usual, and she pushed it open to step inside.

​The front living room was in a state of absolute disarray. Piles of reference manuals were stacked unevenly across the ground, loose notebook pages covered every chair, and a cold, half-empty mug of coffee sat forgotten on the side table.

​Walking through to the kitchen, she spotted Professor Julian sitting at a small wooden table, hunched over a steaming bowl of instant noodles.

​The small kitchen trash bin beside his chair was practically overflowing with discarded yellow instant noodle packaging.

​Veyra stood near the kitchen doorway, staring at the scene in disbelief.

​"Professor," she called out flatly.

​The old man jumped slightly in his chair, dropping his plastic fork. He turned around, his messy gray hair sticking out in every direction and his thick reading glasses sitting crookedly on his nose. A faint sauce stain was visible on his faded shirt collar.

​"Veyra!" His tired eyes lit up with genuine surprise and joy. "What are you doing here at this hour of the day?"

​Veyra walked straight past him toward the overflowing trash bin. She reached down, picked up one of the empty cardboard boxes, and held it up right in front of his face.

​"Instant sodium noodles again," she stated, raising an eyebrow. "Is this what you eat for dinner every single night?"

​Professor Julian rubbed the back of his neck nervously, giving a weak shrug. "Well... they are quick to prepare, and I don’t have to waste time washing heavy pots."

​"They contain zero actual nutrients," Veyra pointed out firmly.

​"They are also very cheap," he added under his breath.

​She shook her head, letting out a small sigh. "You are one of the brightest chemical minds in this city. You really need to start taking proper care of your physical health."

​Setting her handbag down on a clean spot on the counter, she pulled out a bag of fresh groceries she had picked up along the way, filled with fresh vegetables, lean chicken, and rice.

​"Step away from that table," Veyra instructed gently. "I am going to cook a real meal for you."

​Professor Julian sat back in his chair, quietly watching her move around his small, cluttered kitchen.

​Veyra moved with familiar ease, opening the wooden cupboards, washing a fresh pot under the tap, and carefully slicing vegetables on the wooden cutting board.

​Looking at her slender back, a heavy, familiar knot of guilt tightened inside the old professor’s chest.

​For years, he had carried a quiet sorrow regarding Veyra’s life. He had recognized her rare genius for medicinal formulation early on, taught her everything he knew, and given her full access to his underground laboratory. Yet, despite her incredible talent, he had lacked the wealth and social standing to shield her from the harsh realities of the world.

​He had watched helplessly when she was forced to drop out of formal schooling, when she had to work grueling hours just to survive, and when she ended up in a complicated marriage with a powerful man just to secure her family’s safety.

​He had always felt that if he were wealthier or held more political influence, he could have helped her earn the recognition she truly deserved years ago. That persistent guilt had weighed on his heart for a long time.

​After twenty minutes of quiet cooking, Veyra finished preparing the food.

​She placed a large, steaming bowl filled with fluffy white rice, stir-fried vegetables, and seasoned chicken directly in front of the old professor.

​"Eat it while it is hot," she commanded softly.

​Professor Julian picked up his chopsticks, took a large bite, and chewed slowly. His eyes widened slightly at the rich, comforting flavor.

​"This is remarkably delicious, Veyra," he admitted honestly.

​"Of course it is," she replied with a faint smile.

​She reached down into her handbag, pulled out the manila folder, and laid it flat on the wooden table right beside his bowl. She unbuckled the top flap and slid the official document out.

​The raised golden seal of the university glistened under the warm kitchen light.

​Professor Julian stopped eating, his chopsticks freezing in mid-air. He stared at the bold print stamped at the top of the page, his lower lip trembling slightly.

​​"I have been officially accepted," Veyra said softly, her eyes shining with absolute clarity. "I am officially enrolled in the Medicinal Chemistry program at the Etland University of Medicine.”