Chapter 119: Quarantine Prologue

"Whoa, I didn't notice it before when she was wearing sunglasses, but Boss Zhao is actually quite pretty."

Yang Tianxing muttered to himself.

Zhao Qingxun is about 25 years old; strictly speaking, based on her facial features alone, she isn't as refined as Tan Zhizhi, but Zhao Qingxun comes with all sorts of "buffs" that add quite a lot to her score.

For example, with other women, men look at the face first, then the figure, and finally reach a comprehensive evaluation.

With someone like Zhao Qingxun, people look at her status first, and only then at her face, and as long as the face is passable, that's enough—not to mention that Zhao Qingxun is a beauty.

The doctor explained the reason for the quarantine to Zhao Qingxun again, and her reaction was very calm: "Thank you for your hard work. I will cooperate fully, but please do not cut the power to the administrative building; I need to keep my computer on to work."

After Zhao Qingxun finished speaking, she gave Yang Tianxing a meaningful look, nodded with a smile, and then turned back into her office; she seemed to have only been receiving them out of politeness, leaving the doctor quite puzzled.

"Did I not explain the situation clearly?"

"You explained it clearly. She just doesn't care; she's just broad-minded."

Yang Tianxing explained helplessly.

Who knew the doctor would turn around and say to Yang Tianxing: "You have the nerve to talk about her? Everyone else is crying and wailing when they get quarantined, and you're the only one still thinking about going on a date."

After the doctor left, the corridor was empty, leaving only Yang Tianxing; the cross-breeze blew with a whoosh, leaving him looking bewildered.

"Am I really being quarantined just like this? Should I call the school or someone I know or something? Otherwise, it seems a bit improper."

Yang Tianxing himself didn't care at all; he never imagined that this incident would stir up a monstrous wave at school, directly affecting his future social circle and the rhythm of his life.

He made his first call to Tan Zhizhi, as the two had already agreed to have dinner together that evening.

Tan Zhizhi had already applied light makeup and was chatting in the dormitory while waiting for the call; her roommates were still teasing her: "Getting ready for a date with your high school male classmate from the Finance Institute again?"

The five words "high school male classmate" were emphasized, because Yang Tianxing had never confessed his feelings, so Tan Zhizhi was so angry that she had pigeonholed Yang Tianxing as just a "high school male classmate."

Some roommates even started joking around.

"During military training, you two still wouldn't admit it, but we just happened to believe it."

"Does Yang Tianxing know that his existence has stung the hearts of how many boys at Jiaotong University?"

"And girls too, alright. As long as Little Zhizhi is on the Chang'an campus for a day, no other pretty girl can stand out."

……………

If this were in the past, Tan Zhizhi would definitely have worn her pride on her face, but after such a long time living in the dormitory, she had gradually learned how to maintain good relationships with her roommates.

"We're still just classmates right now."

Tan Zhizhi said with a smile: "If we were lovers, how could he let his girlfriend wait so long?"

Just as she was saying this, Yang Tianxing's call came through.

"You're still not here after so long? My stomach is growling with hunger."

Hearing this, Yang Tianxing knew that Little Zhizhi must be making a coquettish expression.

"I have something to tell you: I've been quarantined," Yang Tianxing said lightly; he truly felt it was no big deal.

Tan Zhizhi didn't believe it at all: "Yang Tianxing, have you started making up these lies just to avoid eating with me?"

Yang Tianxing paused for a moment, then immediately explained: "I'm not lying to you this time. I'm delivering packages for a Hong Kong-funded enterprise, right? Later, someone reported that there was someone with a high fever in the administrative building, and several doctors came directly and quarantined me... Hello? Hello? Are you there?"

As he was talking, Yang Tianxing suddenly felt as if there was no sound on the other end of the phone.

After a long while, Tan Zhizhi's trembling, tearful voice came through the phone: "Are, are you really quarantined?"

"Yeah, they even put up two police lines downstairs. I reckon it'll be several days before I can get out."

Tan Zhizhi let out a "waa" and started crying directly on the phone.

"I'm coming to find you right now."

Tan Zhizhi said between sobs.

"It's no use even if you find me. Be good in the dormitory. Wait a second, our counselor is calling me, hold on a moment."

After the call was disconnected, Tan Zhizhi's crying attracted the attention of the people in the dormitory, and they crowded around to ask what was happening.

"My boyfriend has been quarantined..."

Tan Zhizhi's thoughts were in a mess, and she blurted out what was in her heart.

Yang Tianxing had kissed her, held her hand, and snuggled with her; in Tan Zhizhi's heart, he had long been her boyfriend.

Xie Yu'an was also notified by the school.

At the time, he was at home tutoring Xie Silu with her homework; after receiving the call, he felt a bit dizzy. How did Yang Tianxing get quarantined?

He hurriedly asked a few questions on the phone and immediately said he was rushing to the scene, telling Yang Tianxing to follow the doctors' instructions and arrangements.

Only then did Yang Tianxing realize the seriousness of the matter; if the school knew, it basically meant his identity was transparent, and it was very likely his parents would be notified immediately.

Yang Tianxing thought that he must make this call to his parents himself to be at ease.

He immediately called Gao Meilan.

"Speak quickly if you have something to say; the food in the pot is about to burn."

After the call connected, Gao Meilan's tone was very impatient; Yang Tianxing felt slightly relieved—it seemed his parents didn't know yet.

"What are you cooking? Eggplant boxes or red-braised pork?"

"Eggplant boxes. Do you want me to send you some?"

"No need, it'll go bad if you send it. I'll come home to eat another day."

……………

The mother and son chatted aimlessly on the phone for a long time before Yang Tianxing mentioned the purpose of his call.

"Mom, I've been quarantined because of a respiratory illness. I'm telling you first, but don't worry, I'll be out very soon."

"Clang~"

Yang Tianxing heard the sound of a spatula and a Xiaolingtong phone falling to the floor together.

He panicked too and shouted hurriedly: "Mom, don't scare me like that."

After the chaotic and noisy sounds finally quieted down, Yang Jianjun's voice came through the phone.

"Hello, Tianxing?"

"Dad, how is Mom?"

"Your mom's legs went weak and she fell to the floor while on the phone just now; what exactly is going on over there?"

"I've been quarantined."

Yang Tianxing had just finished speaking when he immediately explained: "But I'm definitely fine, just take Mom to the hospital for a check-up first."

Before he could even finish his sentence, the phone was snatched away by Gao Meilan: "You dog, you better not have anything happen to you! Mom only has one son in this life; your father and I are heading to Chang'an tonight."

"There's no need, it's just a misunderstanding here."

Yang Tianxing did not want his parents to go through such trouble.

Yang Jianjun only replied with four words: "Wait, don't be afraid!"

As soon as he hung up the phone, a landline call from the Finance Institute convenience store came through immediately.

This number had been ringing constantly just now; even knowing the line was busy, they hadn't given up. Yang Tianxing knew it must be Liu Jiaoyue.

"Hello, did you know I've been quarantined?"

"Mm..."

"Are you crying?"

"Mm..."

"Can you stay at school?"

"I, I'm worried about you."

Yang Tianxing sighed and hung up the phone, suddenly feeling a sense of powerlessness.

Although he knew he was fine, for those close to him, this was equivalent to a disaster truly happening right beside them, which felt completely different from seeing news reports.

He Yulin was right there keeping Liu Jiaoyue company. Watching the dazed Liu Jiaoyue, He Yulin worried she would do something foolish again and took the initiative to say: "Wait for me, I'll go with you to take a look. I believe he will be fine."

Liu Jiaoyue wiped away her tears and said softly: "I want to go be with him."

He Yulin was startled: "Are you crazy? He's been quarantined! The news says that catching this disease could lead to death!"

Liu Jiaoyue glanced at her and returned to the dormitory to pack clothes.

"Liu Jiaoyue!"

He Yulin shouted from behind: "You can't live your whole life just for the three words 'Yang Tianxing'!"

Afterward, Yang Tianxing's phone didn't stop at all; Shao Ziyang, his dormitory roommates, the Student Union, Zhang Liye, and even Xu Zhizhou, the deputy general manager of Shentong Company, all called...

Yang Tianxing explained himself tirelessly. When he finally had a moment of respite, he looked up and saw Zhao Qingxun leaning against the door, staring at him with great interest.

"It's fine, you go ahead and finish explaining things."

Zhao Qingxun smiled: "I wanted to notify someone, but I didn't even know who to call."