"Generally, the incubation period for this kind of illness is one month. If infected, it can't be detected within a month, and a follow-up test is required after a month."
"Please register your personal information and relax. While it's not a 100% guarantee, under normal circumstances, you shouldn't be infected."
Both the police and the CDC kept records to urge He Yao to return for a follow-up examination after a month.
Then everyone took their leave, leaving her with Zhan Jingrui.
They had arrived in a police car due to the urgency, but there was no car for the return trip.
Standing by the roadside waiting for a car, He Yao eagerly took out her phone to message Xu Zheng, asking about the bidding results. Zhan Jingrui's heart was filled with mixed emotions as he quietly observed her.
She had lost more weight in the month they hadn't seen each other.
Her fingers, pressed against the keyboard, were as thin as two bamboo skewers, almost devoid of flesh.
Looking at her face in the sunlight, her eyes appeared even larger due to her thinness.
Her eye sockets were somewhat sunken, and there were noticeable dark circles beneath her eyes.
Was she not eating or sleeping?
She had looked so vibrant the last time he saw her; how had she managed to make herself look like this in such a short period?
Xu Zheng was slow to reply, and He Yao grew anxious, repeatedly refreshing her phone screen.
As she was scrolling, her phone was snatched from her hand.
She looked up and met Zhan Jingrui's stern gaze.
"The car is here, stop playing with your phone. Get in."
A taxi was just ahead. Zhan Jingrui opened the door and pushed her in before getting in himself, then told the driver his home address.
He didn't know why he gave his home address, nor what he intended to do by bringing He Yao home, but he just wanted to.
The moment he saw He Yao, he couldn't control himself. A complex emotion churned within him, making him anxious and agitated. He desperately wanted to know what was wrong with him and how to stop feeling this way.
When He Yao saw him state the villa's address, her first reaction was surprise.
It was working hours, and they weren't going back to the company. What was the point of going to his house?
Besides, hadn't they made things clear last time? There was no need for further private contact. What was he planning now?
Seeing He Yao's surprised gaze, Zhan Jingrui explained.
"Your current situation is not suitable for going to the company. People have prejudices against this illness. If they find out, it could cause panic."
What he said made sense.
He Yao herself also had prejudices against this illness.
But did that necessitate going to his house?
"In that case, just send me home."
"Where is your home?"
He Yao stated the address of the house introduced by Tang Gong. Zhan Jingrui raised his wrist to check his watch.
"It's lunchtime. Let's eat before you go back."
He Yao didn't understand what he wanted. "No need. The company must have many things waiting for you; I won't delay your time."
Zhan Jingrui remained silent, and the car continued forward.
After a silent standoff of nearly a minute, He Yao felt that this couldn't go on and sighed.
"Then I'll treat you to a meal. We can order takeout and eat at my place."
Zhan Jingrui did not object, and He Yao placed an order on her phone.
By the time the car reached her apartment building, the takeout had also arrived. They took their food and went upstairs together.
The room was clean and tidy.
As Zhan Jingrui entered, he instinctively surveyed the layout of the room. He Yao locked the door, put down the food, and with a "swish," drew the curtains.
He didn't understand why she was drawing the curtains, but He Yao soon made it clear.
Because she began to unbutton her shirt.
Zhan Jingrui's eyes sharpened: "What are you doing?"
"What do you think?" He Yao looked at him expressionlessly, her hands still moving.
"Isn't this what you want?"
"I'm not a good person, and I've been with you before. No responsibility is needed, so why not sleep with me while it's free."
The buttons were undone in moments, revealing a familiar yet strange sight.
Although it was beautiful, Zhan Jingrui still averted his eyes.
"Are you crazy?"
Now he was being a gentleman?
He Yao sneered: "What? Scared because you know I might be infected?"
"Don't worry, I bought condoms."
Zhan Jingrui glanced at the takeout, and indeed, next to the food containers was a pharmacy bag.
He turned back and looked at He Yao with a complex gaze.
"Why do you assume I have that kind of intention towards you?"
"Otherwise? What other intention could there be? Don't tell me you've been deliberately crossing paths with me repeatedly just to pursue me. You still have feelings for me, think I'm better than Chu Xi, are hopelessly in love with me, and want to marry me."
"..." Zhan Jingrui was speechless.
"So it's not that at all, is it? Then you just want to play around. Satisfy you, and once you've got me, you'll get bored and let me go? Then start. I just hope you'll let me go soon."
Although Zhan Jingrui had no intention of pursuing her again or marrying her, he also didn't have those sordid thoughts.
He had clearly hated her before, hated her for ruining his feelings, hated her for leaving without a word.
But now, he didn't know why he was compelled to get closer to her, to see her, to come to her home.
Love, hate, desire, obsession – he had thought of everything, just not those sordid thoughts.
He Yao thinking and acting this way was undoubtedly like twisting a knife in his heart.
He was so angry he wished he could tear apart the woman who had trampled on his sincerity.
But he couldn't bring himself to do it.
"You're overthinking it. I'm merely showing humanitarian concern for you. Since you feel disturbed, I won't meddle anymore."
"Button up your shirt, and keep the food for yourself."
Saying that, he turned to leave, but He Yao grabbed his wrist.
"Can I make a bold guess, that you actually have a question you want to ask me?"
He Yao had hit the nail on the head.
That was right.
The reason he had been preoccupied with He Yao for so many years was that there had always been a question in his heart that remained unanswered.
Before, he thought he would never meet her again, that there would never be an answer, and it was a lingering ache.
Now that he had met her, the question was always on the tip of his tongue.
But he couldn't bring himself to ask.
Because that question carried all his pride.
It was like a thorn stuck in his heart.
Now, with the right time, place, and people, and seeing He Yao's candor, he finally found the courage to speak.
"That's right, I do have a question I want to ask you."
He Yao pretended to look at him calmly: "Go ahead. I'll tell you everything I know."
"Back then, did you get close to me just to have bragging rights in front of your friends? You never liked me, did you?"
Zhan Jingrui's eyes were exceptionally beautiful. When they were gentle, they were like a clear spring, filled with deep affection, making one unable to resist falling in love with just one glance.
He Yao looked at his charmingly sorrowful face and desperately wanted to throw herself into his arms, bury her face deeply in his chest, and tell him with all her might that it wasn't true.
She loved him so much, adored him to the point of madness, and relived every moment they spent together in her dreams every day.
Her greatest dream in this life was to have him.
But she couldn't.
"Don't you already know? Why are you asking? Do you want to settle old scores with me?"
Zhan Jingrui understood, and the knot in his heart was instantly and completely untangled.