Chapter 82 Just Schedule an Appointment with the General Administration

Chapter 82: Just Schedule a Time with the Director General

"Brother, why? Is it because of me?"

"No, don't overthink it." Chen Su changed the subject, "Does it hurt? Is there any discomfort?"

Xiao Li shook his head and hung his head low. Chen Su had raised Xiao Li for nine years and knew exactly what he was thinking.

Ever since Chen Su found Xiao Li, every step he had taken was for Xiao Li. He had no social life, no circle of his own, like a mad scientist obsessed with experiments. In those nine years, no one had truly gotten close to Chen Su—not even Sheng Beiqing, whom he had once married.

Xiao Li didn't know why Chen Su had married Sheng Beiqing.

If Chen Su was a withered tree, then that nearly two-year marriage had not a single drop of moisture; Chen Su remained that same withered tree.

Until Zhao Jinzong appeared—

Xiao Li had seen how Chen Su treated others and knew his stubbornness. No one could change Chen Su's decisions, no one could control Chen Su—not even Xiao Li. Only Zhao Jinzong could.

Xiao Li knew that Zhao Jinzong was special.

Chen Su truly liked Zhao Jinzong.

Zhao Jinzong was also very good to Chen Su. Xiao Li thought that Chen Su should have his own life. After the New Year... Chen Su had indeed briefly had his own life, but now, for some unknown reason, it had suddenly ended.

This relationship ended so abruptly that probably no one could guess the reason.

Only Chen Su knew that this was an inevitable outcome.

That night, Chen Su stayed in the hospital to accompany Xiao Li and did not go to the lab.

The hospital brought in a folding bed, and Chen Su lay on it to rest.

After the rounds ended and Xiao Li’s IV drip was finished, the nurse came to remove the needle. Chen Su turned off the lights. Once the lights were out, silence enveloped everything.

Xiao Li chatted with Chen Su like he always did. "Brother."

"Mm."

"After my surgery, will my body get better?"

"It will."

"Then you won't have to work so hard anymore... you can really rest up." Xiao Li said with a smile.

With the gland replaced, Chen Su wouldn’t have to work so hard anymore, wouldn’t have to spend every day in the lab. He would also have time to talk and spend time with Zhao Jinzong.

"Mm."

...

On the fourth day after breaking up with Zhao Jinzong, the second day after Xiao Li's surgery.

In the morning, when Chen Su woke up, there was an extra wool blanket on him.

The blanket had a faint incense scent—an Enigma's pheromones.

Zhao Jinzong had come last night, at some unknown time.

Chen Su carefully folded the blanket and placed it on the folding chair. He bought breakfast for Xiao Li and then went to work at the Drug Supervision Bureau.

He still buried himself in the lab.

Meng Suizhi was puzzled. "Xiao Li's surgery went smoothly; you don't have to race against the clock anymore. You've been burning yourself out. You can take a good rest."

"It's fine." Chen Su lowered his head to jotting down data. "Although this batch of medication showed clear results, I still haven't figured out why the gland suddenly failed so severely in the later stage. This latent risk will eventually show up in Xiao An... I just can't sleep."

"Alright, I'll stay with you."

Meng Suizhi pulled all-nighters with Chen Su. When he got sleepy in the afternoon, he used cooling balm to refresh himself; in the middle of the night, he drank instant coffee—unsweetened.

On the fifth day after breaking up with Zhao Jinzong, Chen Su stayed up all night in the lab again.

On the sixth day after breaking up, Chen Su went home to get some change of clothes. He dropped them off to Xiao Li and, on the way, rented a short-term apartment in a hotel near the Drug Supervision Bureau and moved his suitcase in.

On the seventh day after breaking up, Chen Su called Uncle Wen and asked: Did Zhao Jinzong still want the things he left at Chen Su's place? If so, he would bring them over.

Uncle Wen was silent for a long time, not daring to speak. Via the rearview mirror, he looked at the Enigma in the back seat. After a while, he replied, "I'll ask the Director General."

The call ended. Uncle Wen said softly, "Sir, Mr. Chen called."

Zhao Jinzong's eyes darkened. "Mm."

Outside the car window, wind and rain stirred. Zhao Jinzong leaned one hand on the armrest, slowly opening his eyes, which were bloodshot.

Uncle Wen's voice trailed off. "Mr. Chen asked if you want the things you left at his place sent back..."

Zhao Jinzong's eyes darkened. "Yes, have him bring them over."

Uncle Wen cautiously ventured, "Alright, shall I have Mr. Chen set up a time with you?"

"Mm."

Uncle Wen finally let out a sigh of relief. After sending Zhao Jinzong to the General Bureau, he replied to Chen Su with a text: "Just schedule a time with the Director General."

By the time Chen Su read the message, it was already four in the morning.

He fired back a text: "When are you free? I'll pack your things and bring them over."

Chen Su took a sip of water. By the time he realized it was four in the morning, it was too late.

Even if he retracted the message, Zhao Jinzong would figure out he was still up at four.

Chen Su unsent the message anyway.

Zhao Jinzong asked, "Had a nightmare?"

Chen Su often suffered from nightmares. When he had nightmares or woke up, he would always seek out Zhao Jinzong. If he was curled up in Zhao Jinzong’s arms, he would reach out and grip Zhao Jinzong’s wrist. If Zhao Jinzong wasn't around, he would get upset and want to find him.

This had become a quiet habit he'd fallen into.

Chen Su’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the caller ID and furrowed his brow.

It was 4:37 a.m. Zhao Jinzong was still awake.

Why was Zhao Jinzong still up?

Hadn’t Zhao Jinzong said he usually went to bed before nine?

Chen Su: "No."

Chen Su: "Do you have time tomorrow? I'll pack up the things and bring them to you."

Zhao Jinzong: "No."

Chen Su: "Tomorrow is Sunday." (It's not a workday.)

Zhao Jinzong: "Today isn't either."

Zhao Jinzong was still working, and Chen Su was also still working. Tomorrow would be too.

Chen Su: "Then when are you free?"

Zhao Jinzong: "Not sure. I'll let you know when I'm free."

Chen Su: "Okay."

Chen Su then asked: "Is the butler not home either?"

Zhao Jinzong: "Mm."

Chen Su finished work and planned to head back to the hotel for a rest. He took a taxi back, walked to the elevator—the doors were closed, showing the first floor—and pressed the button.

The elevator doors slid open, revealing a tall figure.

Zhao Jinzong, wearing his uniform, had one hand in his pocket, a cigarette dangling from his lips. He tilted his head back slightly, massaging his neck. As he moved, the silver chain around his neck swayed gently.

The fluorescent light in the elevator fell on his face, backlighting him and highlighting his chiseled bone structure.

Chen Su's breath hitched.

Zhao Jinzong leaned down, held the elevator door, and asked, "Not coming in?"

Chen Su snapped out of it, lowered his head, and stepped inside, pressing the button for his floor.

In the seven days since they broke up, Zhao Jinzong hadn't reached out to him, nor had he come back to the Drug Supervision Bureau.

He lived on the 17th floor, and Zhao Jinzong lived on the 18th.

Zhao Jinzong had gotten to the hotel before him.

It was just a coincidence.

A perfectly normal coincidence, but Chen Su's heart ached like hell.

As the elevator ascended, the car fell silent.

Zhao Jinzong broke the silence: "How is Xiao Li?"

"The doctor said he's doing great. The surgery went well."

"Mm, and you?"

"I'm fine too." The haggardness and exhaustion on Chen Su's face completely belied his words.

Zhao Jinzong didn't call him out on it and didn't push further.

Chen Su asked, "Have you been working this late lately?"

The elevator chimed open, and the 17th floor was there.

Chen Su didn't leave right away, and Zhao Jinzong still didn't answer.

This time, Chen Su never got a reply from Zhao Jinzong.

Chen Su stepped out of the elevator and walked off.