Sheng Ting returned to the apartment and saw a box of unopened cold medicine on the table with a note underneath. He reached out for the note, recognizing the handwriting that detailed the dosage and how to take it.
It also reminded him to remember to take the medicine on time.
Then he went to the kitchen, where there were steamed pears with rock sugar, already cooled.
Sheng Ting took a sip, it was very sweet.
The courses in sophomore year were fewer than in freshman year. After finishing two specialized courses in the morning, Shen Weiyi went to the porridge shop she mentioned yesterday, packed a serving of medicinal porridge, and headed to the lab.
She happened to run into Mu Sui coming out.
"Senior Mu," Shen Weiyi greeted.
Mu Sui stopped and looked at her with a smile, "Junior Shen? Are you here to see Sheng? He just left because he had something to do. You might have to wait for a while. Why don’t you give him a call?"
"It’s okay, I can wait for him a bit," Shen Weiyi said with a smile.
"Alright, then go in and sit to wait. I’m going to have lunch," Mu Sui said, opening the lab door for her before leaving.
However, there was no one in the lab, so to avoid suspicion, Shen Weiyi didn’t enter and stood at the door waiting.
It was more than ten minutes later that Sheng Ting came back. Seeing her at the doorway, his steps faltered and he asked, "When did you arrive?"
Shen Weiyi replied, "Just a little while ago."
"Come in," Sheng Ting said, leading the way into the lab.
Shen Weiyi, carrying the items, walked behind him, acutely feeling the distance in his demeanor.
As Sheng Ting walked ahead, occasional coughs reached her ears, causing Shen Weiyi to frown and ask, "Did you not take your medicine yesterday?"
"I did, but maybe it just hasn’t taken effect yet," Sheng Ting said, suddenly turning around, "By the way, thanks for the medicine."
"It’s no problem," Shen Weiyi almost didn’t stop in time, nearly bumping into him.
Then she heard Sheng Ting point to an empty desk next to them, "You can sit over here!"
Shen Weiyi glanced at the desk. It wasn’t his personal one, and she couldn’t quite tell if it was disappointment or loss she felt.
Indeed, he was different toward her than before.
She placed the packed porridge on the table and took out a disposable bowl and chopsticks.
Though the weather was hot and there was a delay, the porridge was still warm.
Shen Weiyi served a bowl of porridge and handed it to Sheng Ting, explaining, "I packed radish beef rice porridge. Radish is good for relieving coughs, beef for replenishing energy and treating deficiencies, while rice is good for the spleen and clearing the lungs. The ginger and cinnamon powder can also promote blood circulation and drive away cold. It’s really suitable for a cold. Give it a try!"
Sheng Ting tasted it. He wasn’t picky about food and found it acceptable. Seeing that Shen Weiyi had served him but not herself, he looked at the remaining porridge and said, "Why aren’t you eating?"
"I’m not hungry!" Shen Weiyi responded.
In truth, she didn’t like beef.
But she bought it anyway because the attendant had recommended it for colds.
After finishing the porridge, Sheng Ting cleaned up the trash on the table and said to Shen Weiyi, "Let’s go. I’ll walk you back to the dorm."
"There’s no need..." Shen Weiyi was about to decline, but Sheng Ting had already picked up the things and walked out of the lab.
After throwing the trash in the bin outside the lab, Sheng Ting turned around only to see a girl approaching him. The girl had a shy face; she was obviously a freshman who had just finished military training.
"Senior Sheng, hello, I’m Cheng Anan from the freshman class of Chemistry. I saw you during the freshman registration. Can I add you on WeChat?"
Sheng Ting: "Sorry, I have a girlfriend."
The girl’s face visibly fell in disappointment. A step behind, Shen Weiyi, who was walking towards Sheng Ting, also paused in her steps.