Lei Xiao held onto Huo Yao’s data, and procedures as if they were extremely precious. While walking upstairs from the basement, he put on a brave front and asked her. “Erm… Can I make a copy of this data sheet?”
Although he was unaware of what the antidote was for, judging from the Chinese herbs used, it was extraordinary, so he wanted to study it.
It might be useful for his research.
Huo Yao glanced at the paper and replied nonchalantly. “It’s fine. Just keep it. I don’t need it anymore.”
Lei Xiao looked stunned. After he recovered from the pleasant surprise, he quickly placed the papers inside a cabinet on this side as though he was afraid that Huo Yao might change her mind. “Thanks then!”
Initially, he thought she would never agree. Since he was a researcher as well, he knew it was impossible for any data to reach perfection without researching for a long time.
No one would give away the results of their labor for free.
“Don’t sweat it.” Huo Yao pursed her lips.
Huo Yao was not trying to be generous when she gave the prescription away. She felt that he would have little use for it. Obtaining all the Chinese herbs was a huge hurdle, let alone refining it.
Moreover, this kind of prescription was a normal antidote for her, so she did not mind doing Lei Xiao a favor.
Lei Xiao checked his wristwatch to see that it was almost 8:00 pm. He realized that they had been so busy that they were yet to have dinner. He anxiously said, “I usually work alone and forget to check the time when things get busy. You must be starving, right? Let’s eat first…”
Before he finished his sentence, Huo Yao waved her hand and interrupted him. “It’s okay. I have to go. Thanks for everything.”
Although Lei Xiao was disappointed about the tiny amount of time they spent together, he knew his boundaries.
He didn’t insist. Instead, he picked up his car keys. “Sure. I will send you back. It’s too late for a girl to go back on her own.”
Huo Yao glanced at him quietly.
*
Huo Yao did not let Lei Xiao take her back to the hotel. Instead, she gave him another address. However, Lei Xiao did not give it much thought and assumed that she was living there.
Huo Yao had actually asked Lei Xiao to send her to a night market in the old city district.
After Lei Xiao’s car disappeared into the streets, Huo Yao walked towards the night market slowly.
Only bicycles and scooters were allowed to enter, no cars.
Both sides of the road were lined with shops, and most of them were decorated in vintage style and appeared quaint.
It was peak hours for the night market, so the place was teeming with people. Huo Yao put her mask on and went all the way into the night market. In the end, she sat down outside a noodle shop, next to an antique shop.
The shop owner was a 60 year old man. Although the shop was small, it was very clean, and there were no other patrons when she walked in. The shop owner walked over with a smile and took Huo Yao’s order.
Huo Yao removed her mask. “A big bowl of minced pork noodles. Remember to add that special chili sauce of yours.”
The old man looked at Huo Yao a couple of times. Only his regulars wanted his chili sauce, but it was clear that this young lady had come here for the first time.
Huo Yao simply smiled when she detected the quizzical look on his face.
