Miranda sighed. “Dr. Jefferson, you’ll turn me into a lazy, gluttonous woman if you keep this up.”
“Don’t worry, I can afford to do that,” Paul replied.
Miranda was at a loss for words,
They spent the evening together until almost 10:00 pm. Before leaving for his own place, Paul prepared ginger and lemon tea for her.
The next day was a Monday. The sun was blazing like fire, and the clouds on the horizon were tinged with red. The weather and temperature grew hotter day by day.
The intense and vibrant summer had arrived in full force.
When Miranda headed out, she handed Paul three shopping bags. “The fishing rod is for Dr. Quinton, the silk scarf is for Sandy, and the headphones are for Dr. Sundale. Don’t inix them up.”
These items were the things they had bought at Luxus Emporium. Paul looked puzzled. “For them? Why?”
“Dr. Jefferson, don’t tell me you’ve never given gifts to the ab members before,” Miranda asked.
“They get salaries every month and bonuses at the end of the year. What else do they need gifts for?”
Hranda explained as they went downstairs, “Salaries and bonuses are the rewards they earn for their hard work.
a leader
, giving occasional perks to the people under you makes them happier.”
“Happier than when they get their bonuses?
“Of course. Try it if you don’t believe me.”
Paul carried the bags to the lab, still skeptical. “Silas, this is for you,” he said.
“Huh? What is this?” Silas asked as he opened the bag curiously. While he pulled out the fishing rod, Sandy and Bryan had also received their respective gifts
At that moment, Silas let out a loud cry, “Oh my god!
He jumped up from his seat. “This… this… this is the Carpenter’s Super Catfish! Am I dreaming? I resisted buying it whenever I walked past the Carpenter specialty store in Lexus Emporium. It’s ridiculously expensive!”
Turning toward Paul, he asked, “Since when are you into fishing? And now you’re showing off this rod to tease me? Is this necessary?”
“Oh, it’s for you,” Paul said nonchalantly.
Silas froze for a full ten seconds before returning to his senses. The first thing he did was to turn his head to check the sky outside. Good, there were no pigs flying,
“For me?” Silas gulped and asked cautiously, “Are you sure?”
“I’ll take it back if you don’t want it,” Paul replied.
“I do! I want it!” Silas immediately hugged the fishing rod and its packaging box in his arms, like a mother hen guarding her chicks. “Once a gift is given, it belongs to the recipient. No takebacks allowed!”
Meanwhile, Sandy had unwrapped her package. “Wow! An Hermès scarf!” She held it up and admired it from every angle. Her eyes lit up with delight. noveldrama
Bryan’s eyes sparkled. “I’ve got Bose’s latest noise–
canceling Bluetooth headphones.”
“Dr. Jefferson, are these really for us?” Sandy asked with a mile.
Paul nodded. “Yes.”
“Goodness! I’ve worked in this lab for so long, but this is the first time I’ve received a gift from Dr. Jefferson. This is rare. I’m going to treasure this scarf!”
Silas nodded eagerly while lovingly stroking his fishing rod. “Exactly. Paul has never bought us gifts before. This is the first time ever!”
Bryan thought, “Not only that, but every gift was perfect.”
Paul was puzzled when he saw their reactions. Was receiving a gift really that exciting?
After a moment’s thought, Silas had a late realization. “Hmmm… This doesn’t seem like something Paul would do. Be honest. Was it you or Miranda who picked the gifts out?”
Paul answered, “Miranda chose them, but I paid.”
“Ha! I knew it. How could you pick out gifts like this? All you know is to give out salaries and bonuses.”
Paul was left speechless.
In the afternoon, Paul said, “Silas, I’m heading to the dean’s office. Keep an eye on this set of data for me.”
Silas looked at him and asked, “Why are you going to the dean’s office?”
“I have something to take care of.”
“Tsk.” Silas clicked his tongue.
Paul was being secretive.