Jonas couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
Meanwhile, Anna strolled through the campus grounds, cradling a pair of books in her arms, with plans to hit the library and check out a couple more. She hadn't walked far when she overheard two female classmates chattering excitedly.
"Hey, did you hear? Our school's invited this wunderkind from Harvard to give a talk," one said.
"Really? Oh my gosh, I need to dash back and slip into something nice! I heard he's not just brilliant academically but also drop-dead gorgeous!"
"Absolutely! My dad, who's on the faculty board, told me he's the youngest general in the States. Impressive, huh?"
"What are we waiting for? Let’s scoot back and freshen up. We can't meet a speaker like that looking like we just crawled out of a coal mine!"
The girls' excited banter reached Anna's ears, and she couldn't suppress a chuckle. It was just a visiting student, after all. What was the big deal? He probably couldn't hold a candle to her brother, Johanson. With that thought, she quickened her pace toward the library.
Arriving at the library's entrance, Anna was surprised to see a large poster hanging on the building façade featuring a strikingly handsome young man with an infectious grin. Below the image, the poster proclaimed, "Warm Welcome to the Genius of Our Generation, Jonas!"
Seeing the dashing figure on the poster, Anna understood the earlier excitement of her classmates. Being so young and already invited to speak at their school meant he must‘ve been something special.
Anna admired the poster once more, noting the young man's good looks with a hint of awe. But why did his face seem so familiar? Where had she seen him before?
After a brief moment of contemplation and coming up empty on recalling the identity of this overseas sensation, Anna shrugged it off and proceeded into the library.
By the time Anna emerged, dusk had crept upon the campus. Clutching her newly borrowed books, she had just reached the school's entrance when she heard someone call out, "Anna, over here!"
Turning, she saw Johanson perched on a bicycle, one foot planted on the ground, waiting for her. With a puzzled smile, Anna approached him. "Johanson, when did you get a new bike?"
Johanson sighed with a mix of exasperation and affection. "Had to, since someone wouldn't let me pick her up in the car. I had to settle for a bike. But I'd do anything for my little princess."
Anna giggled sweetly. "You know our house is so close to the school, Johanson. It seems silly to drive when the walk is so refreshing."
"Alright, your wish is my command. Hop on, let's give this new bike a whirl." Johanson patted the rear seat, gesturing for Anna to climb aboard.
Anna did just that, wrapping her arms gently around Johanson's waist. "Let's roll."
With a confident push, Johanson set off, enjoying the novelty of the ride.
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