[If you're willing to wait until seven, I'll be there. ∠(? "∠)_]
Professor Krugman opened his phone and checked the email again. Though he did not really understand the emoticons young people used, he could understand the line before it.
"Five minutes until seven." Professor Andis lifted his sleeve and glanced at his watch. "Are you sure he meant seven in the evening?"
A bitter smile appeared on Professor Krugman's face as he shook his head.
"Honestly, I'm not sure. I'm not even sure whether he meant today or tomorrow."
"You should have asked him clearly!"
Professor Andis muttered under his breath, then sighed and stood up.
"I'll go get something to eat first... We can't just wait forever. You should get something too. They'll stop serving in another hour, and stuffing yourself before bed isn't good for your health."
Just as Professor Andis picked up his tray and prepared to get food, a figure suddenly strode over from the entrance.
The instant he saw that unforgettable face, Professor Krugman's eyes lit up—or rather, widened. He sprang to his feet with both hands braced on the table and enthusiastically extended his right hand.
"Haha, welcome! Professor Lu Zhou, it's a pleasure to meet you!"
Having spotted Lu Zhou in the buffet restaurant as well, Professor Andis immediately abandoned his plans to leave. Beaming, he set down his tray and went over too.
"We've finally been waiting for you!"
"I'm not late, am I?" Lu Zhou glanced at the silver watch on his left wrist and muttered, "That was close. I was one minute away from being late."
Professor Krugman patted Lu Zhou on the shoulder and smiled with the enthusiasm of an insurance salesman. "No need to fuss over a minute or two. We'd be willing to wait even longer.