Each "No entry" sign seemed to tell him that he was no longer an exception to Ji Ting.
After waiting a long while without getting a response, Deng Luqing turned his head in confusion and mouthed, "What's going on?"
Wang Mian's eyes shifted, and he stepped forward with a smile. "President Ji, perfect timing. We're all about to have hot pot together. The more, the merrier. Come on, come on."
The three of them pretended not to know anything. Deng Luqing scanned his face, and all four took the elevator up together.
When they reached the Laboratory, Wang Mian pushed open the Lounge door. "Professors, President Ji is joining us for hot pot!"
The professors all welcomed Ji Yanzhi. Then everyone pushed tables together and brought over chairs. The meat and vegetables were already prepared; they only needed to put them on plates.
As the broth neared a boil, Professor Zhang said, "Oh, could someone go get Teacher Ji?"
Several people instinctively looked at Ji Yanzhi, but unexpectedly, he said he needed to use the restroom, so the task fell to Wang Mian again.
A few minutes later, Ji Ting arrived at the Lounge.
As soon as he appeared, the professors invited him to sit. They were asking whether he ate spicy food when Ji Yanzhi pushed the door open and returned.
Ji Ting turned at the sound, and their eyes met without warning.
Ji Yanzhi's heart clenched instantly, his body going stiff and tense. But Ji Ting soon looked away again, so indifferent that he showed not even a trace of surprise at his sudden appearance.
"President Ji, over here. We saved you a seat." Deng Luqing stood to let him pass, and naturally, the seat they had saved was right beside Ji Ting.
Ji Yanzhi's fingers curled slightly