Huo Yao followed up with another text message after she was done sending the screenshot. She requested Assistant Wang to help her prepare these Chinese herbs.

Assistant Wang was probably busy. After waiting for some time, she did not hear back from him.

Huo Yao did not take it to heart and simply put away her phone.

…

Lei Xiao got off the car halfway through. He felt bad about making Min Yu send him all the way back home.

After getting out of the car, Lei Xiao wanted to go straight back to his residence, but he changed his mind and headed instead to the Virus Research Institute.

Director Wang was still thinking about how to get the Ministry of National Security to release Lei Xiao. When he heard Lei Xiao was back in the institute, he was stunned.

“How did you manage to come out?” asked Director Wang quizzically after calling Lei Xiao into his office.

Lei Xiao pondered briefly but decided not to tell his boss about Min Yu’s involvement. Instead, he replied. “A friend of mine had the right connections and got someone to vouch for me, so they released me.”

“Which friend?” Director Wang could not help wondering about who helped him. “Was it your genius friend?”

Lei Xiao cleared his throat and nodded

“Your friend is certainly well connected then.” Director Wang was caught by surprise. In the past, he never asked Lei Xiao about his friend in detail. He had a small interaction with Lei Xiao’s friend when Lei Xiao was taken by the ministry.

In any case, Director Wang did not get to see Lei Xiao’s genius friend in person.

Lei Xiao’s friend was a remarkable researcher and was very well connected. Director Wang paused briefly before he continued. “Oh yes. If you don’t mind, I’d like to buy your friend dinner. Since he agreed to help analyze the virus for us, the least I can do is thank him.”

Lei Xiao contemplated briefly and said almost to himself, “Would she agree?”

“Why else do you think I will disturb the academy for someone I didn’t know?” Director Wang glanced at Lei Xiao sideways.

Lei Xiao went quiet briefly. Huo Yao did not bring up the subject when they left the ministry. After some time, he replied. “I can ask, but I suggest you don’t get hopeful. I reckon my friend might not want to do it.”

Even though Lei Xiao’s boss said it was just dinner, he would probably pounce on the opportunity to hire her permanently.

Lei Xiao might not have had much interaction with Huo Yao, but he knew her personality well enough.

“Uh huh. I won’t take it to heart if your friend is against it.” Director Wang smiled. He proceeded to drop the subject and asked. “Why were you reading up on radiation?”

Lei Xiao touched his nose without daring to make eye contact with his boss. However, he managed to keep up a solemn look as he said, “I swear I didn’t do it.”

Director Wang sighed softly, but he did not expose Lei Xiao. “Fine. Go on then.”

Lei Xiao sighed and quickly left his office.

**

Meanwhile, Min Yu had already gotten back to the estate. When he turned and looked at the front passenger seat, he saw Huo Yao fast asleep with her eyes tightly shut.

He contemplated briefly before driving the car back to his villa.

After parking the car, Huo Yao continued sleeping.

Min Yu frowned. He checked Huo Yao’s temperature on her forehead, cheek, and hand. Even though her temperature was a little higher than previously, it was still lower than normal.

Ever since she regained consciousness, her condition had remained the same. Also, she was always tired. He could tell that she had lost some weight just looking at her face.

Min Yu pulled aside some stray hair from her cheek and sighed inwardly. After quietly looking at her for a few minutes, he pulled his hand back and got out of the car.

He opened the front passenger seat door and quickly carried her in. When he leaned sideways, Huo Yao’s jade pendant slid out from her collar.

Min Yu lowered his eyes. He quickly placed the jade pendant back under her collar and went home.

After entering the villa, Min Yu paused briefly when he saw a pair of women’s shoes at the door. He changed into his indoor slippers and headed inside the villa.