Chapter 81 Then… What About Zhao Jinzong?

Chapter 81: What About... Zhao Jinzong?

Outside in the corridor, the wind swept through, silent and dead.

So much so that Chen Su's voice was too clear.

Chen Su moved away from Zhao Jinzong. In the empty corridor, each other's breathing sounded unusually distinct. He hung his head, avoiding Zhao Jinzong's eyes, his gaze landing on Zhao Jinzong's hand.

Zhao Jinzong cared about him, had brought him dinner. On his slender fingers, he was still wearing the ring.

Chen Su had said that once Zhao Jinzong was done with his work, they would consider getting married.

Zhao Jinzong took that as a yes, and had put a ring on Chen Su.

They were supposed to get married, but now, Chen Su was breaking up with him.

Chen Su said he didn't want Zhao Jinzong's concern, that he regarded it as a burden.

When did love become such a burden?

It was as if the draft felt like it carried razor blades, the wind slicing through his bones, hurting like hell.

General Director Zhao, a crack shot with perfect scores in every category, his hand trembled slightly. The noble-born, supremely honored Zhao Jinzong pulled back his hand that had been hovering in mid-air for ages, the hand that had wanted to touch Chen Su's head, and put it into his pocket.

"The gland source has already been found. The matching test passed, with an 87% compatibility rate. Surgery will be scheduled in the next few days." Zhao Jinzong's voice was husky and magnetic, mature and steady.

Zhao Jinzong did not talk about the breakup.

Chen Su froze for two seconds. "Thank you."

The two stood like that in the corridor, silent for a while longer.

Chen Su spoke again: "What I just said, I thought it over seriously. Zhao Jinzong, we are actually not suitable. I can't make you happy, can't make you satisfied. I have my own plans. I need freedom, I need space."

"Let's break up."

Every word Chen Su said was crystal clear.

Zhao Jinzong didn't agree. "When you face a problem, you just want to break up instead of solving it. Who taught you that?"

When encountering a problem, not proposing a solution but only wanting to break up—the meaning was too obvious: the desperate need to get rid of him.

How could the shrewd Zhao Jinzong not see it? It was that he didn't want to understand, couldn't understand, and wasn't willing to let Chen Su have his way.

Chen Su stayed silent.

Zhao Jinzong said, "You're worried about Xiao Li. He's important to you. But what about me? Chen Su, I worry about you too."

"You've been under a lot of stress lately. Let's not discuss this right now."

"Do whatever you need. I won't get in your way. I'll give you space."

Zhao Jinzong backed down in compromise, taking the dinner into Chen Su's office. When he came out, Chen Su was still standing rigidly in place, lifting his head to look at Zhao Jinzong with a conflicted look.

"Get some rest. Eat on time."

Zhao Jinzong urged. He fished a cigarette out of his pocket, put it between his lips, and lit it. A wisp of smoke rose. Chen Su called after Zhao Jinzong's retreating back, "Zhao Jinzong, don't come back anymore."

Chen Su's meaning was clear.

The breakup was serious.

No point in talking about it later.

Zhao Jinzong took a deep drag of the cigarette. The cigarette tip turned to gray ash, which the wind blew away.

Zhao Jinzong left. Maybe this time, he was really gone for good.

Chen Su didn't have time to grieve or eat. He returned to the laboratory.

While doing experiments, Chen Su burnt the back of his hand multiple times, distracted. Meng Suizhi also noticed that something was off with Chen Su. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Have you been up too long?" Meng Suizhi said worriedly, "I've got this covered. You go home and rest tonight. We'll take turns."

Chen Su had barely rested during this time. Over four days, he'd slept less than 18 hours total, and eight of those hours were only because Zhao Jinzong had given him sleeping pills.

"Nothing."

Chen Su insisted he was fine. Meng Suizhi couldn't talk him out of it.

While the experimental equipment was running and waiting for results, Chen Su left the lab and returned to his office. He finally opened the cold meal on the table and took a photo.

How could Chen Su not care... how could he be angry at Zhao Jinzong...

Chen Su just didn't have time. He was too anxious.

As Chen Su ate this dinner, his eyes started to well up.

No one breaks up with their partner for being too caring. Zhao Jinzong hadn't overdone anything; it was Chen Su who wanted to break up too badly but couldn't come up with a reason.

Would Zhao Jinzong not see through it? No. Zhao Jinzong just didn't call it out, afraid it would be impossible to completely fix the relationship.

Chen Su finished it all, then returned to the lab. He worked until three in the morning, then organized data and did analysis reports in his office. He fell asleep at five, and the alarm went off at seven-thirty. Chen Su went to the office building to punch in.

On the first day after breaking up with Zhao Jinzong, at noon, Xiao Li called him. Exhausted, Chen Su took a taxi to the hospital.

Xiao Li said the doctors had found a gland source, with a high compatibility rate. He was going to have a physical exam in the afternoon and could have the surgery the day after tomorrow. He told Chen Su not to worry.

Chen Su touched Xiao Li's head, accompanied him for the check-up in the afternoon, fed him some fruit, and reminded him to eat on time.

Xiao Li looked at Chen Su's haggard face. "Brother, you should also eat on time and rest well."

Chen Su was stunned for two seconds and nodded.

In the evening, Chen Su stayed up late again. At around four in the morning, he was in the office, leaning over the desk and falling asleep.

On the second day after breaking up with Zhao Jinzong, Chen Su had a headache and his whole body was hot. He had caught a cold. Meng Suizhi urged him for a long time, and only when Chen Su could barely stand did he go home to rest.

He took his medicine and lay down, sleeping for ten hours straight.

Chen Su woke up hungry.

As soon as he woke up, he subconsciously reached for the side of the bed. There was no Zhao Jinzong. There never would be again.

They had broken up.

Chen Su propped himself up and got out of bed. The empty home was pitch black. He went downstairs, cooked himself a bowl of noodles, took his medicine, and then went to the Drug Supervision Bureau.

Chen Su's health was deteriorating, and the pain in his gland grew sharper.

He took painkillers and just kept pushing through.

On the third day after breaking up with Zhao Jinzong, Xiao Li could have the surgery.

Meng Suizhi brought a bouquet of flowers. Xiao Li looked toward the elevator entrance and raised his hand; Chen Su took it.

Xiao Li asked, "Where's General Director Zhao?"

"He's busy."

Xiao Li nodded and entered the operating room.

The surgery was successful, but gland replacement is a major procedure. Xiao Li was already in poor health. He only woke up in the evening, when the sky outside the window was dark. Meng Suizhi had already gone back to the Drug Supervision Bureau. Chen Su sat by the bedside, peeling and cutting an orange for Xiao Li.

Xiao Li's pale, thin lips moved slightly. "Bro, did you break up with Zhao Jinzong?"

"..."

Xiao Li stared at Chen Su's hand; the ring was already gone.

Zhao Jinzong and Chen Su hadn't been in touch for three days.

As Zhao Jinzong had said, he wouldn't interfere—he gave Chen Su the freedom he wanted.