Don't Mess with the Girl with Candy novel Chapter 592

"Alright, come on in," the old man said, deciding his master couldn't possibly have come back from the dead. He was overthinking it.

"Okay." Juniper walked in obediently, her eyes once again drawn to the snacks.

"How much do you know about computers?" the old man asked, his back to her as his fingers flew across the keyboard, filling the screen with a dizzying array of code.

"I…" Juniper started to speak, but he cut her off. "Computer science isn't just about tapping on a keyboard. If you chose this major and came to my lab, you have to be prepared to work hard. If you can't handle it, you can go find another advisor right now."

He'd had several students before who thought they were gifted, but they were fragile flowers who couldn't take a bit of criticism. They'd all run off crying within a few days. He was here to train talent for the country, not to babysit.

He glanced over his shoulder at Juniper. With her delicate features and slender frame, she looked like she'd burst into tears if he so much as raised his voice. He hoped she wouldn't waste his time.

"Professor…" Juniper began quietly after he had finished his speech.

The old man paused, looking at her expectantly. He knew it. She couldn't take the pressure.

"If you want to leave, you can go now…" he started, but Juniper cut him off.

"Can I try one of those?" she asked earnestly. Her gaze was fixed on the box of snacks on his desk. Spicy jerky sticks.

Shanley said they were unhealthy, so he never kept them at home. They looked pretty good, though.

"What?" The request threw the old man for a loop. When he recovered, he defensively pulled the snack box away.

Juniper shot him a look and, with lightning speed, snatched two of the largest bags.

"Hey! You took an extra one!" the old man yelped, unwilling to be shortchanged. "That'll be three slices of cake! Three!"

"Fine." Juniper tore open a package and took a bite. The flavor exploded in her mouth. Amazing! She had to secretly buy some for herself.

The old man watched the girl, a nagging feeling of familiarity growing stronger by the second.

Sensing his scrutiny, Juniper quickly changed the subject. "I think there's an error in this code."