Zhang Liling didn't make it to the gate because Chuanli drove in and met her on the way.
From his tinted car, Chuanli saw Zhang Liling walking toward his car with squinted eyes, and smiled. He had to slow down and parked before honking just as she was about to pass his car.
It was normal since Zhang Liling did not know his car, and it was good that he knew and honked before rolling down his side of the window to greet her with sunshades blocking his smiling eyes.
"Miss Zhang!"
With the car honking and name-calling, it was impossible not to attract her attention.
Zhang Liling heard her name and turned to see the car window of the car she just passed, rolling down, before a familiar head popped out. She almost couldn't recognize the face if he didn't go on to take off his sunshades,
"Dr. Li?" She called out surprisingly before taking a few steps back to come to his side.
"Get in," He said while gesturing for her to come into his car from the other side, which she quickly did since her skin was burning from having been walking in the scorching sun for a few minutes.
She was also perspiring a little.
After she got into his car, she put her backpack next to her feet before securing her seatbelt.
Chuanli had already rolled up the car window and put back his sunshades. "Miss Zhang how were classes today? When are your exams starting?"
"Today's classes went well since we got to get a few areas of concentration for our studies. Exams will begin 2 weeks after our last classes." Zhang Liling smiled at the end.
"Has Mr. Fang taught his last class yet?" He asked with interest as he reserved the car from that spot before heading for the gate.
"Actually, he is to teach us last," Zhang Liling said still with a smile on her face.
Chuanli went on to ask her so many questions like how Mr. Fang's attitude was toward his students and so on. Zhang Liling made sure to give him an honest reply since he requested it.
"I see that he is very strict…" He trailed off.
"Dr. Li, you wanted to meet me urgently, is anything the matter?" Zhang Liling questioned. They were done chatting which helped to make them a little bit familiar with each other, now it was time to talk about the real business of seeking her.
Chuanli smiled and said with his eyes on the road, "I came to meet you regarding the form you filled last time, but we will talk while snacking."
"Oh!" Since he put it that way, she had to be patient then.
SOME MINUTES LATER…
Zhang Liling glanced at the light lunch that was served to her and wondered how in the world it can be referred to as a 'snack'
Chuanli noticed her gazing at the food that was served and asked, "Miss Zhang, is the snacks not to your liking?"
He called them snacks again.
"Dr. Li, I don't see any snacks here, I only see food." Zhang Liling chose to correct him because she felt he was abusing terms and using them wrongly.
"You are just like Mr. Fang who doesn't see light food as snacks. Whichever one you call it as long as you are comfortable, suit yourself."
Then he gestured for her to start eating.
Zhang Liling sighed and picked up her spoon to scoop some soup from her bowl and send it into her mouth. Finding the taste to be appealing, she hummed before sending another one into her mouth.
The soup served was neither hot nor cold. It was warm enough to lighten the mood. It was perfect for the hot weather.
"Do you like it?" Chuanli asked with a smile after watching her take 3 straight spoons of soup.
Zhang Liling nodded and continued to drink her food and eat from the 2 side dishes that were placed on the table. She only remembered the reason he came to find her after eating.
"Miss Zhang, I heard you are aware of Mr. Fang's sensitivity to smell, and the fact that your scent is an exception."
He heard it from Bolin before he went into Mr. Fang's office a few hours ago.
Zhang Liling nodded in response and he continued.
"The form you filled is related to the research I'm doing on this case, and to further it, I need your cooperation since you are a key to it."
Zhang Liling understood everything he said clearly. He was working on the research regarding Mr. Fang's smell sensitivity, and since she was somehow involved in a good way, he needed her help to find answers.
Of course, anything that had to do with Mr. Fang, Zhang Liling would agree to it. She quickly showed her interest and concern for the research.
"I will do anything to help you with this research. What do you need?"
Dr. Li was glad that he did not have to explain too much for her to agree, but now, he had to bring up taking her blood.
"Miss Zhang, I like that you have shown concern for your master. Why don't you follow me back to my hospital to carry out a few tests?" That was a request from him.
Hearing that she would have to go with him to the hospital, Zhang Liling lost her spirit immediately. Her shoulders which were high a few moments ago slumped.
Chuanli noticed this and frowned slightly. "Miss Zhang, is anything the matter? Ate you afraid of hospitals?" He asked in concern.
Zhang Liling raised her gaze and fixed it on him before asking softly, "Is it weird if I admit to that?"
Chuanli regained his humor and smiled. "It's not weird. Someone I know is very afraid of needles."
"I see…" Zhang Liling said in deep thought.
"Miss Zhang, if you agree to follow me back to my office, I promise that you won't have to see or make contact with any other person?"
Chuanli was trying his best to compel her while thinking if Mr. Fang knew about her being afraid of hospitals, and so let him handle her by himself.