Zhan Jingrui left. He Yao pulled the curtain aside slightly and watched his receding back from the window.
She was reluctant to look away until he was far, far out of sight.
The heartache was the same as seven years ago; she had hurt Zhan Jingrui again.
He Yao knew that she could hurt him once, but not a second time.
After this, Zhan Jingrui would probably never speak to her again.
Perhaps it was due to excessive grief, or the cumulative exhaustion from recent times, or maybe she was genuinely showing signs of infection.
Two hours after Xu Zheng messaged her that the bid was successful, He Yao came down with a high fever.
When one is alone, healthy, and unrestrained, life is good.
But it was different when one fell ill.
She couldn't even muster the strength to get out of bed for a glass of water. Lying on the bed, feeling miserable, He Yao thought, what good was buying a house?
People like her were destined to be alone for life.
Even with a house, she would probably die in it without anyone knowing.
He Yao had underestimated her charm; someone still remembered her.
Upon hearing that Yuanzheng Electric had won the bid and that He Yao seemed to be in trouble that day, Engineer Tang called her as soon as he got off work.
He Yao's phone was in the living room, and she was in bed, delirious from the fever. She didn't hear it ringing multiple times.
Later, Engineer Tang found his way to her home.
Light spilled from the gap under the door, but no one opened it despite his knocking. Engineer Tang guessed if she might be overly distressed.
He had heard that the police had looked for her that day. He didn't believe He Yao would do anything illegal. He was only worried that as a young woman, her psychological resilience might be weak, and she might have been so overwhelmed that she was contemplating something drastic at home.
After knocking on the door for a while, he threatened He Yao.
"Are you alone at home and thinking of doing something foolish? Hurry up and open the door. Tell me what's wrong. Nothing is insurmountable. If you don't open the door, I'll find someone to pick the lock!"
Someone was shouting outside the door, and the door was being pounded with a resounding clang. He Yao was finally roused.
Dizzy and unsteady, she opened the door. Engineer Tang was both surprised and delighted to see she was alright.
"You scared me to death! I thought you were so upset that something had happened to you."
"What's going on? I heard the police were at the company looking for you today. Was there some misunderstanding? I believe you are innocent. Talk to me, don't keep it all inside."
He Yao was grateful for his visit.
Xu Zheng, that heartless man, was so engrossed in the joy of winning the bid that he hadn't even bothered to ask why the police were looking for her.
"It's nothing, thank you for your concern. I just have a cold and don't feel like moving."
He Yao said, "I've been meaning to treat you to a meal, but I kept putting it off. Once I'm feeling better tomorrow, I must treat you."
"You have a cold?" Engineer Tang finally noticed her flushed cheeks and reached out to touch her forehead.
"It's true, it's very hot. Then you should go back and lie down. Don't wander around. I'll go buy you some medicine."
He Yao wanted to say it wasn't necessary, but before she could finish, he dashed out.
She could only sit on the sofa and wait.
Engineer Tang returned quickly, carrying a bag of medicine. He asked He Yao to stay put, then went to boil water, pouring it for her and handing her the medicine.
"Take it, and then get some sleep. You'll be better tomorrow."
"You've been working overtime and staying up late recently; your body must be exhausted. Since the project is secured now, why don't you rest for a few days? Your boss seems quite reasonable; I think he'll agree."
One's emotions are always particularly fragile when one is sick. Coupled with what happened between her and Zhan Jingrui, He Yao felt truly heartbroken.
Being cared for by Engineer Tang like this, her nose began to sting.
"Please don't be so kind to me. I have no way to repay you."
Engineer Tang squatted in front of her, looking at her messy hair and fever-flushed face, and smiled gently.
"I don't expect you to repay me. I'm kind to you without expecting anything in return. Do you still have some emotional burden?"
He Yao didn't want him to look at her that way and turned her face away.
"If you don't want anything, then what do you want?"
Engineer Tang: "Can't I simply want to be friends with you?"
Sometimes, beauty is quite a burden for a woman.
Because of her beauty, He Yao had been harassed since childhood, and the number of incidents was countless.
Whenever a man attempted to establish an intimate relationship with her, her first reaction was suspicion and rejection.
This included Engineer Tang.
Within the bounds of normal friendship, it was acceptable. But once there were other intentions, her alarms would immediately sound.
"You're not young anymore; what's the point of pretending? If you genuinely want to pursue me, just say so. But it's impossible between us, so don't waste each other's time."
He Yao's words made Engineer Tang's face turn red.
Indeed, he was interested in He Yao, but before he could even make a move, he encountered this attitude from her.
"I know I'm not good enough for you..."
"It's not because of that," He Yao closed her eyes wearily.
"I know you might not believe me when I say this, but it's true. I don't like men, and I don't want to have a boyfriend. I will never get married."
Engineer Tang looked surprised and quickly understood the meaning behind her words.
"You mean, you..."
"Yes. We can only be friends, nothing more. Thank you for your affection, but I can't reciprocate."
Seeing He Yao's honesty and with the pressure of becoming a couple gone, Engineer Tang felt more at ease.
"Alright. If that's the case, then I won't say any more. It's truly a shame, but I'm willing to be friends with you. The kind where we can talk about anything, like good buddies. Are you willing?"
He Yao was willing.
Intellectuals were indeed different; their minds were healthier and their character more refined.
Having such a friend would be a good thing.
After drinking her medicine, He Yao no longer felt sleepy. Hearing that she hadn't eaten, Engineer Tang ordered takeout.
They truly chatted like buddies on the sofa for a long time.
The next day, He Yao called Xu Zheng to ask for leave.
Upon hearing she was sick and also learning about the police's visit, Xu Zheng became a little anxious. He told her to rest at home for a couple more days and return only when the project officially began.
He Yao then took three days of stolen leisure, sleeping soundly at home.
Three days later, she was supposed to return to work, but it coincided with the weekend, granting her another two days off.
After sleeping for three consecutive days, she felt almost worn out from sleep. She decided to go out over the weekend.
Before she could decide where to go, Engineer Tang arrived at her place again.
"Can I ask you for a favor?"
"A colleague is getting married on Saturday, and I'm supposed to bring a female companion. Everyone else is bringing their girlfriends, classmates, romantic interests, or wives. I'll be alone, and they'll likely tease me about it. Could you go with me to fend them off?"
Engineer Tang now saw her as a pure buddy and told her everything honestly, without reservation. He Yao was deeply touched and felt it was her duty to help.
"Sure."