Ji Ting did not leave the Laboratory until five that afternoon.
"Sit with me at dinner later. We can finish checking that last set of parameters for the magnetoresistance compensation algorithm while we eat."
Academician Tang paused, puzzled. "Chief Engineer, aren't you eating with your older brother today?"
Ji Ting stopped dead in his tracks. Oh no.
He immediately hurried to the cafeteria, but when he arrived, Ji Yanzhi was nowhere to be seen.
Ji Ting turned and headed outside, taking out his communicator. But the moment he dialed Ji Yanzhi's number, the screen showed that the contact ID had been canceled.
Ji Ting's heart sank, and he broke into a run toward the dormitory.
"Ji Yanzhi..."
When Ji Ting pushed open the dormitory door, a draft swept through the room, lifting a sheet of stationery into the air before it fluttered back onto the desk.
The scent of Ji Yanzhi's usual cologne still lingered in the room, but everywhere Ji Ting looked, all traces of the man himself were gone.
Ji Ting drew a deep breath, his disappointment mingled with guilt. Once again, he had parted with Ji Yanzhi this way.
He closed the door and turned around, catching sight of the stationery on the desk out of the corner of his eye.
Ji Ting walked over and pulled the sheet of paper out from beneath the insulated cup.
"Ji Ear:
The seasons will be changing soon. I've already hung your winter coats and sweaters in the wardrobe. Your trousers and thick socks are in the two drawers below, respectively.
I've left two pots of mint on the windowsill. When you have time, take them upstairs to get some sun.
Remember to take your nutritional supplements and vitamins. I'll be very angry if you forget."
Ji Ting suddenly smiled