In the sophomore summer vacation, Sophia's followers exceeded thirty million. She didn't think she did anything in the past few years. She just posted messages about her research or answered questions from her fans occasionally.
On the day her followers hit thirty million, there were many a lot of comments.
"You have thirty million fans, Sophia. Should you do something?"
"Memorize it! Live broadcast, Sophia! We've talked a lot, but you haven't responded."
"Good advice! I want to see Sophia. Live broadcast!"
***
Sophia didn't have much free time. She was working on a big project. As a sophomore, leading such a big project independently was rare in the whole academic world.
But she thought she should do something for her fans, who were lovely people. Sometimes she tweeted something about public benefit, and her fans would help publicize it, which could be popular within a few hours.
When she became popular, many people invited her to shoot. But she didn't want to do that and declined. There were some good public-service ads, which she would help promote free.
Sophia's microblog was recognized as the best platform for public service advertising. Other public-service ads tended to be unknown, but as soon as Sophia tweeted an ad, it would become hot soon.
Advertisers couldn't help but sign that if Sophia was willing to post commercials, the publicity effect would be great.
Sophia thought for a moment and tweeted.
"I'll broadcast live tomorrow night from eight to nine."
Within an hour, the message reached the top of the list.
The fans were so glad that they could see her live. For them, it was more exciting than winning the lottery.
Sophia decided to do it because she thought it was easy and simple without preparations. She could just answer questions to her fans on it. Anyway, it was just an hour.
Soon, "Sophia will live" appeared on the popular search page. Everyone could see it.
Many people joked that it was one of the most anticipated events of the year. After the Super Quiz became popular, many shows had invited Sophia, but she never accepted any of them. Microblog was the only way for netizens to get to know her. However, she didn't often tweet, rarely one message in a month. So her followers were dying to hear from her.
Sophia finished tweeting and went about her business without going online to watch the discussion.
***
"So… you haven't declared your love yet?" On the other end of the phone, Grey was surprised, "Do you know how many years you have known her?"
Albert sighed, "I want to tell her. But every time I was about to tell her, I thought, how could she love me? Would she find it funny if I told her? What was it about me that she liked? I thought about it, but… nothing."
"Don't you find your strengths?" Grey asked.
"I thought for a long time and found that I'm rich. But Sophia didn't care about money. She isn't in a lack of money. Last time, she got one million from the new energy project and she just donated it. Besides, her father is rich, as her brother. Money is nothing to her."
Grey was speechless.
He had been worried about Albert. His son Victor was old enough to go to elementary school, but Albert hadn't got married. What a coward!
He could understand Albert. Albert was deep in love with Sophia, and Sophia was a great girl that Albert considered himself not good enough for her.
"How about this?" Grey said, "I'll have Bridget ask Sophia. Then we can make a plan."
Albert was depressed. "What if she doesn't like me?"
"You can die alone."
Albert was silent.
In the afternoon, Bridget visited Sophia with Victor, saying that Victor missed Sophia and wanted to see her. Also, she brought Sophia some gifts. Sophia thanked her.
"Thanks. But you don't need to bring me any gifts. I'm happy to see you. You can just come next time."
Bridget smiled, then chatted casually with Sophia. As she chatted, she turned the conversation to Albert.
"What kind of person is Mr. Pearson?" Bridget asked, "What do you think is the best thing about him?"
Sophia was helping Victor peel pistachios. "He's good-looking," she said.
"And?"
"I can't think of anything else."
Bridget didn't know what to say.
After leaving Sophia's house, Bridget worriedly told Grey the news she had probed.
Grey also got worried. "Do you think Sophia will agree to be Albert's girlfriend for his beautiful face? I don't think it's possible…"
"Yeah. She's so lean. She didn't seem to be that shallow."
The news left Albert with mixed feelings.
He was glad that he got something Sophia liked. That was not easy. What worried him was that it might not be enough for her to fall in love with him.
"By the way, I heard a piece of news. Booth, you know… he had been trying to woo Sophia recently," said Grey.
Albert got upset. "That ugly guy? How dare he woo Sophia? I'll make him break now."
He had no confidence only when he was with Sophia. When it was about others, he was always confident.
Grey sighed. "Then, just tell her. You know, you can stay still, but you can't stop others from chasing her. By the way, my wife is pregnant again. I'm about to be a father of two. And you… If you don't do anything, Booth will win her. Then you'll die alone."
Albert had a nightmare that night. He dreamed that Sophia and Booth were holding hands and shopping happily.
He awoke in terror.
Just then, he decided to tell his love for her the next day.
For that, he specially made a new look and bought flowers. When everything was done, he began to hesitate again.
What if Sophia refused him?
But at the thought of that dream, he decided to have a try anyway. If Booth came this evening, he would regret it for the rest of his life.
He orchestrated everything. Kate and Andy weren't home this night. He also asked Daniel to leave. So, he planned to make a romantic candlelight dinner. After dinner, he would tell her.
He chose to do it at Sophia's house. Sophia would be more relaxed there. He told Sophia in advance that he would cook at her house.
Sophia agreed without thinking. Albert was used to coming over to cook when Kate was away.
Albert had Daniel place the flowers and candles in the cupboard to keep it a secret. He came into the house and went to the kitchen to cook. Sophia helped, just like usual.
When dinner was ready, Albert asked Sophia to help serve the meal, and he went to the cupboard to get the candles out.
Just then, "Would you like some wine? They are in the right cupboard," Sophia said.
Oh, he was discovered.
It was awkward. He stopped taking out the candles, closed the cupboard door, and smiled, "I thought the win is here."
Sophia did it quickly.
Sophia sat down to eat. It was a quarter to eight. She had to live later, so she ate fast.
When Albert was thinking about how to act next, Sophia stood up and said, "I'm done. Excuse me. I'll clean up later."
Then, she walked to the living room and took out her notebook.
It was different from what he planned, Albert thought.
He got worried. If things went on like this, he might not be able to carry on his plan.
From the distance, he could see Sophia talking to someone on the computer. Was she on a video call with Booth?
No! Even he didn't do that with Sophia.
He gritted his teeth and decided to confess his love like a man.
He took the flowers from the cupboard and walked over to Sophia.
"Sophia, I want to talk to you!" Albert stood by Sophia with flowers in his arms.
He caught sight of Sophia's face on the computer screen. So, it was a video call.
Sophia didn't even look back, "Sorry. I'm a little busy right now."
She was watching the questions posted by netizens and chose some to answer.
At this point, there were more messages appearing on the screen. Her face would have been covered by the messages if she had not set them to the right of the screen.
"It's Mr. Pearson."
"Let him talk."
"We want to see Mr. Pearson!"
Sophia saw the calling from netizens and had to say, "Okay. Just say it."
Albert summoned up all his courage and said, "Sophia, I…, I love you!"
Sophia paused for two seconds and then spoke slowly.
"I know."
Albert didn't say anything.
Then?
It drove netizens crazy.
Live broadcast… the love confession?
That was amazing.
But…
"I know." What was that?
Sophia looked back and saw Albert standing behind her, holding the flowers.
She smiled, stood up, and took over the flowers.
"Thank you. I love them," she said.
"The flower… or me?" Albert whispered.
"Both."
Albert couldn't say how he felt. He did it, did he?
He almost jumped with excitement.
Sophia pulled him to sit next to her. Then she said to the screen, "Mr. Pearson, my boyfriend, and future husband!"
***
After three years, Sophia and Albert got married. All of their fans were happy while watching their wedding live broadcast. In the same year, Sophia got pregnant, and the couple happily waited for their son to come out.
***END***