It made sense for the message sending to fail since the entire network was deactivated.

Typically, the clan kept the satellite on. Back in the day, she had ruined the clan’s network. Even then, they did not turn off the satellite.

Huo Yao contemplated for some time, but she was unable to wrap her mind around it, so she turned off the laptop.

She hoped everything was fine.

Huo Yao quietly sat with her eyes lowered for some time. She stood up, walked over to the wardrobe, and retrieved her pajamas before going into the bathroom.

*

Huo Yao went to school the next day and canceled her medical leave. Since she had class in the morning, she did not go to the laboratory.

Yuan Xi had started attending school a couple of days before. When Huo Yao saw her, she almost could not recognize Yuan Xi. “What the…?”

Yuan Xi used to look healthy, but she had lost a lot of weight and was just skin and bones now. Also, her face and lips were particularly pale. On the whole, she seemed very tired.

Yuan Xi squeezed a smile as she lay prone on the desk. “I’ll just consider it a free weight loss program!”

Huo Yao’s lips twitched as she shook her head. She pretended to randomly hold Yuan Xi’s wrist and examined her pulse. “You have lost so much weight. Aren’t your parents worried about you?”

Yuan Xi did not resist when Huo Yao held her wrist. A fleeting sad look appeared on her face before she replied. “They don’t have time to worry about me right now.”

In reality, she had disappointed her parents when she reacted nonchalantly after her older brother was thrown into the Ministry of National Security. Her parents felt she was heartless for not being concerned.

Huo Yao narrowed her eyes as she pulled her hand back. Judging by the look on Yuan Xi’s face, she could tell Yuan Xi was depressed. “Did you go for a check-up at the hospital?”

“No, I didn’t. I don’t like going to the hospital.” The moment she saw doctors dressed in white coats, she was reminded of Yuan Huan, so she was instinctively afraid of them.

“Did you take any meds?” asked Huo Yao again.

“Yeah, I did.” Yuan Xi simply assumed that Huo Yao was showing concern about her condition. She replied. “My cold is a lot better now, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

Huo Yao paused briefly before she nodded and said, “I suggest you go for a check-up to the hospital.”

“I’m good. I’m sure I’ll be all better after taking meds for a couple of days more.” Yuan Xi smiled as she spoke.

Since Huo Yao was unable to convince Yuan Xi otherwise, she said, “I want to hang out at your dorm during lunch.” She paused before making an excuse. “I need a place to read.”

Huo Yao did not have a dorm room at school and her place was very far. Yuan Xi was completely unsuspecting as she nodded and agreed.

The two of them went to eat at the canteen at lunchtime before heading back to her dormitory.

Yuan Xi’s roommates were also around. The moment they saw Huo Yao, they turned awkward and did not take the initiative to interact with her.

Huo Yao naturally disregarded their presence. After entering the room with Yuan Xi, she sat down on her bed.

As Yuan Xi offered Huo Yao a bottle of water, she coughed a few times, and decided that it was time for some meds. She walked up in front of the bed, retrieved a small bag hanging by the bed, and took out a pillbox.

Yuan Xi took two pills out and wanted to take her medication. Huo Yao glanced at her before she stood up and bumped into Yuan Xi’s hands inadvertently.

Yuan Xi accidentally dropped the pills on the ground.

Huo Yao apologized before she bent over to pick them up.

Yuan Xi did not take it to heart. She shook her head and said, “Don’t worry about it.”

Huo Yao said with the white pills in her hand. “I’m so sorry. They are dirty now.”

“It’s fine. There are enough of them.” Yuan Xi raised her pill box and retrieved two more.