"Klein?" Klein almost blurted out Lin Chuan's name. Hadn't he said he was going to "find a friend"? How had that brought him to Tingen University?
But he stopped himself in time before committing that breach of etiquette and first greeted the silver-haired elder who had called out to him:
"Good morning, Professor. It's a pleasure to see you, but what brings you here?"
The elder was Quentin Cohen, a senior associate professor in Khoy University's history department and his mentor. But this was where Tingen University was holding its lecturer interviews. Why was Mr. Cohen here?
Cohen nodded and said in an unhurried tone:
"Azik and I are here for an academic conference. What sort of job did you find?"
"A security company that searches for, collects, and protects antiquities. They need a professional consultant. Three pounds a week."
Klein repeated what he had told his sister yesterday, then explained, "As you know, I prefer exploring history to summarizing it."
Cohen nodded slightly.
"Everyone has their own choices to make. I'm pleased that you remembered to come and inform Tingen University rather than simply failing to show up."
He turned toward the corridor behind him. Only then did Klein notice a bronze-skinned, middle-aged man of average build emerging from the stairwell. It was Azik, whom Professor Cohen had mentioned.
Azik was clean-shaven and wore a top hat. He had black hair, brown eyes, and gentle features, with an indescribable sense of world-weariness in his eyes. Below his right ear was a black mole that could only be spotted upon close inspection.
He seemed to be discussing something with Lin Chuan. Hearing Cohen speak, he first nodded gently to him in greeting, then looked at Klein, a trace of an elder's fond approval appearing in his eyes.
"Mr. Azik." Klein