Chapter 21

I never replied to Cheng Yedu’s message, and he never sent another.

I figured he was just bored and thought of me.

Just like how I would sometimes remember the period when he had such a strong hold on my emotions.

After starting my PhD, I had met a few men. The relationships were sometimes long, sometimes short, but rarely did anyone stir my emotions in the same way.

When either my work or their work got busy, the relationship would naturally end. No one got hurt.

At this university, everyone was single-mindedly focused on their work. Romance was a low priority.

Half a year passed like this. Then one day, a colleague ran into the lab to get me.

“Zhixia, there’s a really, really handsome Chinese guy here to see you!”

I put down my work and went outside.

Cheng Yedu was standing at the door. He was impeccably handsome, looking just a little bit nervous.

“Hey. I’m here on a business trip and was in the area.”

He was wearing a crisp shirt and casual trousers, every inch of him a scenic view.

Passersby were turning their heads. My colleague stood behind him, mouth agape, giving me a look that screamed, “Whoa, what’s his relationship to you?”

I had thought that Western and Eastern standards of male beauty were different, but apparently, Cheng Yedu transcended those differences.

Natural talent is truly something to be jealous of.

I glanced at my watch and said, “I’ll be done in thirty-five minutes. Why don’t you walk around for a bit, and I’ll take you to lunch?”

He nodded, looking surprisingly obedient.

I chose an Indian restaurant.

He picked at a piece of naan with his long, elegant fingers and looked at me.

“I didn’t know you liked this. There was a place right near where we used to live. Their butter chicken was really good.”

But I wasn’t in the mood for a trip down memory lane.

On the way to the restaurant, my eyes had occasionally drifted to him.

His legs were long and straight, his butt was firm and shapely, and his light-colored shirt faintly outlined the contours of his chest muscles.

I kind of wanted to touch.

He had come all this way, after all.

I took a few bites of my food and then said tactfully, “Are you free this afternoon to get a check-up? I can book an appointment for you. You’ll get the results the same day.”

He looked confused. After I explained, he frowned. “I’m not that kind of person.”

I said sincerely, “Oh, I’m sorry, I misunderstood. My apologies.”

But when I finished work that afternoon, Cheng Yedu was waiting for me at the building entrance. He shoved a lab report into my hand, his face stormy. “Here.”

HIV, Hepatitis B, Syphilis, HPV-a long list, all negative.

I breathed a sigh of relief, suppressing a smile as I asked him, “Wanna order takeout and watch Netflix?”