"Tomorrow, I have to go out and meet with the boss who wants to hire me as a tutor, so I won't be able to accompany you to the library in the afternoon," Tony Snow said to Clara Quinn after they left the library that evening.
"Hmph. Who needs your company? You're always the one insisting on coming anyway," Clara replied with a hint of playful defiance.
Since the two had confirmed their relationship, although Clara had said they wouldn't officially date until after her exams, their interactions had clearly become more intimate.
The next day, after lunch and a short nap in his dorm, Tony made his way to the coffee shop where Mr. Mason had scheduled their meeting.
The trip from the university to the shop took about an hour. Immersed in his phone, Tony didn't notice the time pass until he arrived.
"Hello."
Standing in front of Tony was a well-dressed middle-aged man in his forties who could easily pass for someone younger. His sharp appearance and confident demeanor suggested both success and discipline.
"Hello," Tony replied politely.
"Please, have a seat," said Mr. Mason as he gestured toward a table. "What would you like to drink?"
"Do they have milk tea? I'm not really a coffee person," Tony asked.
Mr. Mason chuckled. "Sure. Most coffee shops do these days. What kind would you like?"
After placing the order—milk tea for Tony and coffee for himself—Mr. Mason got to the point.
"Let me tell you a bit about my daughter. She used to be a top student, but since the divorce six months ago, her grades have dropped significantly. With the university entrance exams approaching, I need someone who can really connect with her and help her catch up."
Tony nodded silently, listening intently.
"I originally didn't plan on hiring a male tutor, but the female tutors I brought in were all driven away. I think having someone closer to her age might help," Mr. Mason continued.
He paused, then added, "Of course, if things don't work out, we can stop at any time. I pay weekly, so there's no risk to you. Does that sound fair?"
Tony hesitated for a moment. "She must be difficult if so many tutors gave up, even at this pay rate," he thought. Still, three hundred credits an hour was hard to turn down.
"That sounds reasonable," Tony said aloud. "But please, just call me Tony. 'Mr. Snow' feels too formal."
"Very well, Tony. Here's my business card," Mr. Mason said, handing over a sleek card.
Tony glanced at it:
Mason Industries, Director & General Manager
Field: Bioengineering Technologies
Contact: XXXX
"Interesting. Bioengineering. That's my major too," Tony noted to himself.
"I don't have a business card, but I'll send you my number on Messenger," Tony said, pulling out his phone.
"No problem. Let me take you to the house now and get you set up with access. You can meet my daughter today and begin lessons next week."
As they walked, Tony asked, "What subjects does your daughter need the most help with? I'd like to prepare in advance."
"Mainly math," Mr. Mason replied. "Her English and language skills are decent, but everything else—biology, physics, chemistry—has slipped. Right now, we're focusing on the core subjects: language, math, and English."
Tony was familiar with the standardized testing model used in this part of the world: core exams in three primary subjects, plus a broader academic proficiency assessment and a personal development evaluation.
"If she asks questions in English or language studies, feel free to help, but concentrate on math," Mr. Mason clarified. Then, glancing at Tony, he asked, "You're a bioengineering major at Westbridge Technical University, right?"
"That's right," Tony replied.
"Why bioengineering? It's known to be pretty math-heavy. Some even call it one of the four 'mathematical black holes' of study."
Tony laughed. "Honestly, I didn't know much when I applied. I just thought it sounded interesting. What about you? Isn't your company in bioengineering too? Do you think it's a black hole?"
"Not at all," Mr. Mason chuckled. "It has a future. But entry-level salaries in bioengineering aren't as high as in computing or finance. Those industries move fast."
By then, they'd arrived at the entrance to a high-end residential complex called Tianridge Estates. The landscaping was immaculate, and a large decorative stone engraved with the community name stood out among neatly manicured flowers.
The guard recognized Mr. Mason and let them through without even scanning a card.
Tony followed, curious about what awaited him inside—and about the mysterious daughter he was about to meet.