Overprotected By My Tsundere CEO-Chapter 472 - 278: Marcus Shaw, Doomed to Be Single [Part 2]

Chapter 472: Chapter 278: Marcus Shaw, Doomed to Be Single [Part 2]
Marcus Shaw: "..."
"Hello, may I take your order?"
The exhausted, sweaty staff member forced a tired smile and asked Marcus Shaw in a friendly manner.
"Grass jelly dessert."
"Two cups of grass jelly dessert."
Almost simultaneously, Marcus Shaw and a girl spoke up together.
Subsequently, the two turned their heads at the same time and glanced at each other.
She was a lively and cheerful girl, not too far in age from Marcus Shaw, with intelligent, clear eyes. Her long hair was tied in a loose high ponytail, exuding youthful energy.
Behind her stood another girl, a bit older, noticeably calmer and more mature. She wore a white dress, exuding an elegant and serene aura, which complemented her pretty appearance, drawing frequent glances from passersby.
"Marcus Shaw?"
After scrutinizing Marcus Shaw for a few moments, the younger girl exclaimed with surprise and called out his name.
Marcus Shaw furrowed his brows slightly.
"You don’t recognize me?"
The girl clasped her hands behind her back, leaned forward slightly, and tilted her head, curiously staring at Marcus Shaw.
Marcus Shaw said flatly, "I don’t know you."
"My name is Diana Johnson. We were in the same freshman class," the girl introduced herself. "But I switched to liberal arts in sophomore year."
Marcus Shaw: "..."
Don’t know, don’t remember.
Seeing the determined unfamiliarity in Marcus Shaw’s indifferent expression, Diana Johnson felt a bit awkward.
In the freshman class, seating arrangements changed weekly, and she had even sat next to Marcus Shaw for a week. Although Marcus Shaw only attended three days that week, she borrowed his pen and books... does he not have any memory of that?
"Little school belle, is there really someone in your school who doesn’t know you?"
At this moment, a teasing voice came from the girl behind.
Diana Johnson pouted and glanced back angrily, "Bella, stop making fun of me."
Diana Johnson, 17 years old, a star kid. She entered the entertainment industry as a child star for over a decade, participated in many film and TV productions, but always remained lukewarm. Last year, she took on the lead female role in a hit youth campus drama and made her mark in the industry.
During the airing of the TV series, Diana Johnson was widely discussed on campus.
In school, labels like "school belle" and "goddess" were naturally associated with Diana Johnson.
However—
There truly were some students who were ignorant of campus affairs and could care less about celebrity gossip, and Diana Johnson wasn’t surprised by it.
Just that, having been in the same class and even sat beside Marcus Shaw, yet not earning a spot in the icy school idol’s mind, was a bit dispiriting.
"I’m sorry, someone just bought dozens of grass jelly desserts. The remaining ingredients left can only make two cups."
The staff girl poked her head out with a troubled expression, apologetically addressing the three of them.
Marcus Shaw wanted one cup.
Diana Johnson wanted two cups.
Which meant, inevitably, one of them wouldn’t get any grass jelly dessert.
Her eyes rolled with a twinkle, and Diana Johnson suddenly looked at Marcus Shaw, her eyes carrying a hint of pleading.
Marcus Shaw pretended she was air, watching the staff girl make tea.
With no other choice, Diana Johnson played her trump card, clasping her hands together pitifully and peering at Marcus Shaw, "Marcus, it’s rare for me and my friend to come out—"
"Take it to go."
Marcus Shaw spoke, cutting off Diana Johnson.
He didn’t respond directly to Diana Johnson, but the implication was clear enough.
"..."
Her usually foolproof trick met its match with Marcus Shaw, leaving Diana Johnson frowning.
The staff girl glanced at Marcus Shaw.
—This boy is handsome, aloof yet cold, but with this personality, he may struggle to find a girlfriend.
"It’s okay, you have it," Rosa Sullivan stepped in to resolve the situation and told Diana Johnson, "I’m on a diet anyway."
"...Alright."
Diana Johnson dropped her head, giving Marcus Shaw a resentful look.
Marcus Shaw scanned the payment, took the grass jelly dessert handed over by the staff girl, didn’t even look at them, and turned back into the bookstore.
Diana Johnson + Rosa Sullivan: "..."
This guy is truly infuriating, couldn’t care less about face.
...
Two minutes later.
"Bella, it’s such a great opportunity, a major production like ’Twelve,’ it’s something ordinary people would dream of. And they’re looking for you as the female lead."
Diana Johnson spoke as she walked, sipping on her milk tea with Rosa Sullivan, giving her advice.
"To be honest, with ’Twelve’s’ current craze, my company is working on getting me a role in it. Not aiming for the female lead, just a supporting role would do." Diana Johnson raised an eyebrow at Rosa Sullivan, "This is great for you, a fortune falling from the sky, why pass it up?"
Rosa Sullivan remained unfazed, showing no excitement, and said calmly, "It’s not definite yet, they said it was for an audition."
"Director Lawrence has a peculiar taste; it’s not primarily about acting skills, it’s generally about whether the image fits," Diana Johnson said, "Since they reached out to you, it means they’re just waiting for you to say yes."
Rosa Sullivan gave a soft "Mm," her tone still calm, "I’ll think about it."
"You’re so calm. If it were someone else, they’d be over the moon."
"I don’t intend to pursue an acting career."
"..."
Diana Johnson blinked, noncommittally.
Just having the identity of "Julian Linfield’s disciple" set Rosa Sullivan apart from the usual crowd in the entertainment industry. What’s more, Rosa Sullivan herself is very talented, performing exceptionally well academically, praised and taken to various performances by professors despite being just a freshman.
A few days ago, she even appeared in a literary performance on a central stage.
With Rosa Sullivan’s starting point, it’s understandable she wouldn’t value the role of ’Twelve’s’ female lead.
Still, Diana Johnson had to be amazed—
Miss Sullivan truly was indifferent to fame and fortune, not placing weight on fame and profit, exuding the demeanor of a contemporary artist at such a young age.
*
Nora Scott selected two introductory textbooks on the bamboo flute.
Marcus Shaw bought a few books for Andrew Hughes.
He intended to bring back a set of newly released test papers as well, but when Nora Scott caught him and glared, he was left with no choice but to put the test papers back.
—Looks like from now on, when buying reference books, he could only rely on Oliver Scott to purchase an extra set.
They settled for lunch in the shopping mall.
The afternoon was mostly spent in the cinema.
Originally, they planned to watch just one movie, but after exiting, Nora Scott overheard someone praising another concurrently released movie as better. Curiosity piqued, she changed her mind temporarily, bought tickets for the soonest show, and returned to the cinema for another two hours.
Marcus Shaw felt dizzy from all the watching, but didn’t say a word of complaint.
They walked out of the cinema.
"Come here."
Suddenly, Nora Scott’s voice came from behind.
Marcus Shaw paused his steps, came back to his senses, and realized Nora Scott was behind. She pushed her sunglasses slightly down her nose and gestured him to come with a tilt of her chin.
With a sigh in his heart, Marcus Shaw obediently turned back, asking, "What?"
She lifted her elbow, rested it on his shoulder, and raised an eyebrow, "Are you this boring to shop with anyone?"
Marcus Shaw: "..."
When he hangs out with Andrew Hughes, it’s pretty much just as dull.
Nudging her sunglasses back up, Nora Scott glanced elsewhere, speaking slowly, "I’m going to see a friend, need a meeting gift."
"Mm."
Still in the mall, buy something casually.
However, Nora Scott clapped his shoulder, pointing at the claw machine not far away, "Go win a prize."
Marcus Shaw: ???
He looked at Nora Scott in near disbelief.
How old was the friend she was going to meet, needing a "plush toy" as a meeting gift?
Nora Scott sized him up, "Don’t know how?"
"Never tried."
Next door in the arcade, he was familiar with the games, but the claw machine... never held any appeal for him.
Nora Scott urged, "Go on now."
"..." Taking a step forward, Marcus Shaw hesitated, then turned back to look at Nora Scott and asked, "How many do you need?"
—How many?
To ask such a question, one could tell he’s never been tormented by a claw machine.
Raising an eyebrow, Nora Scott casually dismissed, "However many you can get."
Marcus Shaw’s expression turned somber, and he resignedly walked towards the claw machine.
Nora Scott didn’t stay by his side to cheer him on or encourage him; she disappeared somewhere once he started playing.
A full half hour later, Nora Scott reappeared.
Marcus Shaw was surrounded by a crowd of big kids and little kids, leaving no space around him.