"Generally, the incubation period for this kind of illness is one month. You can't detect an infection within a month; you need to get re-tested after a month."
"Please register your personal information, and try to relax. While not 100% guaranteed, under normal circumstances, you shouldn't be infected."
Both the police and the CDC kept records to remind He Yao to come back for a follow-up examination in a month.
Then everyone took their leave, leaving her with Zhan Jingrui.
She had arrived in a police car due to urgency, but on the way back, there was no car.
Standing by the roadside waiting for a car, He Yao impatiently took out her phone to message Xu Zheng, asking about the bidding results. Zhan Jingrui, with mixed emotions, observed her quietly from the side.
She had lost more weight in the month he hadn't seen her.
Her fingers, pressed against the keyboard, were as thin as two bamboo skewers, with almost no flesh.
Looking at her face in the sunlight, her eyes seemed even larger due to her thinness.
Her eye sockets were slightly sunken, and there were noticeable dark circles beneath her eyes.
Was she not eating or sleeping?
Her complexion had been excellent when he last saw her, but in such a short time, she had reduced herself to this state.
Xu Zheng was slow to reply. He Yao, growing anxious, kept refreshing her phone screen.
As she was scrolling, her phone was snatched from her hand.
She looked up, meeting Zhan Jingrui's stern eyes.
"The car is here, stop playing with your phone. Get in."
A taxi was just ahead. Zhan Jingrui pulled open the door and pushed her in before getting in himself and telling the driver his home address.
He didn't know why he gave his home address, or what he planned to do by bringing He Yao home, he just wanted to take her.
The moment he saw He Yao, he lost control. A complex emotion churned within him, making him restless and agitated. He desperately wanted to understand what was happening to him and how to stop it.
When He Yao saw him state the villa's address, her first reaction was surprise.
It was working hours; why go to his house instead of the company?
Besides, hadn't they clarified things last time? There was no need to contact each other privately. What was he up to now?
Seeing He Yao's surprised gaze, Zhan Jingrui explained.
"Your current condition isn't suitable for going to the company. People are prejudiced against this illness. If word gets out, it could cause panic."
What he said made sense.
He Yao herself held 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 gave him the address of the apartment introduced by Tang Gong. Zhan Jingrui lifted his wrist to check the time.
"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 waste your time."
Zhan Jingrui remained silent, and the car continued forward.
After nearly a minute of silent stalemate, He Yao felt 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 didn't refuse. He Yao placed an order on her phone.
By the time the car reached her apartment building, the takeout had arrived. They both carried their food and went upstairs.
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 closed the curtains, but He Yao soon made it clear.
Because she started unbuttoning her shirt.
Zhan Jingrui's eyes sharpened: "What are you doing?"
"What do you think?" He Yao looked at him expressionlessly, her movements unhindered.
"Isn't this what you want?"
"I'm not a good person, and I've been with you before. You don't need to take responsibility, and since it's free, why not?"
The buttons were undone in an instant, revealing a familiar yet strange sight.
Although it was beautiful, Zhan Jingrui still averted his eyes.
"Are you crazy?"
Now he was playing the gentleman?
He Yao sneered: "What? You're scared now that you know I might be infected?"
"Don't worry, I bought protection."
Zhan Jingrui looked at the takeout, and sure enough, next to the food containers was a bag from the pharmacy.
He turned back to look at He Yao with a complex gaze.
"Why do you assume that's what I intend?"
"What else? What other intention could there be? Don't tell me you've been deliberately crossing paths with me repeatedly just to chase me. You still have feelings for me, think I'm better than Chu Xi, and are hopelessly in love with me, wanting to marry me."
"..." Zhan Jingrui was rendered speechless.
"So it's none of that, is it? You just want to play around? Satisfy you, get bored once you have me, and then you'll leave me alone? Then start. Just please let me go soon."
Although Zhan Jingrui had no intention of pursuing her again or marrying her, he also didn't harbor those vulgar thoughts.
He had hated her before, hating her for ruining his feelings and for leaving without a word.
But now, for some reason, he felt compelled to approach her, to see her, to come to her home.
He had considered love, hate, anger, and obsession, but never those vulgar intentions.
He Yao's thoughts and actions were like needles piercing his heart.
He was furious, so angry he wanted to tear apart the woman who had trampled on his true feelings.
But he couldn't bring himself to do it.
"You're overthinking things. I'm simply showing humanitarian concern. Since you feel I'm disturbing you, I won't interfere anymore."
"Button up your shirt, and keep the food for yourself."
Saying this, he turned to leave, but He Yao grabbed his wrist.
"Can I make a bold guess that you actually have a question for me?"
He Yao had hit the nail on the head with her question.
That was correct.
The reason he had been preoccupied with He Yao for so many years was that a question remained unanswered in his heart.
Before, he thought he would never meet her again, and the answer would remain elusive, causing a dull 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 this 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 frankness, he finally had the courage to speak.
"That's right, I do have a question for you."
He Yao looked at him, feigning calmness: "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 loved me, did you?"
Zhan Jingrui's eyes were incredibly beautiful. When he was gentle, they were like a clear spring, filled with deep affection, making one feel like they would fall with just one glance.
He Yao looked at his captivating, sorrowful face and longed to rush into his arms, bury her face deeply in his embrace, and tell him with all her might that it wasn't true.
She loved him dearly, so much that she relived every moment they spent together in her dreams every day.
Her greatest dream in this life was to possess 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.