Sizi was still wide eyed, but refusing to look at her, as a result failed to notice the blush on Anning's cheeks. Meanwhile, Anning composed herself and reconsidered whatever she has to say.
"I mean, your fever has just receded. Moreover, it's better for one to not jump the instant they woke up." Anning said slowly, but gently. She was looking at Sizi's face, discerning if she blamed her for whatever happened.
But Sizi was refusing to meet her eyes, instead after some minutes, Anning felt flustered and again said, "Since its all fine, I will take my leave-"
"You can rest for a bit, now-"
Both froze mid sentence, having started speaking at the same time. They stared at each other, Sizi looking away first with some hurt in her eyes. Anning realized what the other wanted to say and faltered for a moment, hesitant what to say now.
"You can leave, I'm fine now. And thanks." Sizi broke the silence first.
"Mn."
Anning padded out of the tent, and breathed out a sigh of relief. She reminded herself not to overthink this situation and set off for her own tent.
Who would've known that secretly, a pair of eyes were watching this whole spectacle.
Anning reached her tent, but her mind was still there. What would've happened if she actually stayed there. She knew she was overthinking, but it was a trait of introverts, she can't help it. There was no one in the tent, and the surroundings were also silent.
After a while, she plugged her ears and fell on her bed to pass the moment till everyone comes back. She also messaged professor Lu that everything's fine and she is already in her own tent. The staff were cleaning the area, and taking care of the timbers that would burn at night.
Obviously, they can't send the students to gather it again at night.
On the other side, where everyone was busy taking notes and inquiring about this and that, a certain professor was trying to evade his own colleagues. Professor Qing tried to talk with Mr. Lin, but he was avoiding him at every opportunity.
He was always reminded of the disgusting look, Miss Lu has thrown at him. It's not like he has never faced discrimination, and was never judged, but this time it all felt different. He was even scared that she will tell his father about all this, but fortunately or unfortunately she hadn't said anything.
Currently, he was with a group of students, answering them about the fungi mushrooms growing on tree barks. It's types, reason to grow, how it affects the trees, if it is beneficial or not, etc etc.
These were architect students, so obviously the should know about these types of parasites and saprophytes. So that in the future, they can make some improvements to protect not only the buildings but nature too.
It was already past rainy season and occasionally a drizzle was nothing. Because of that, many areas were still slippery including barks of trees. The greenery was also abundant. The chattering of students, amusing them with little rodents here and there between laughter.
Amidst these curiosities, no one noticed how the time passed by, and already the departing time was approaching. The students took their notes and made some groups to discuss before setting off. The faculties were also free now.
But... professor Lin was nowhere to be found.
The first to notice his absence was of course professor Qing, since he was the one seeking him at every corner. He tried to call him, but his phone's tower was gone.
Searching here and there to find the tower, he told other faculties about this too. Professor Lu who didn't know he was searching for tower, said mockingly, "Why don't you call him ? Surely, its not like you don't have his phone number, right ?"
"I already tried, but the network is gone." Professor Qing seethed in response, but couldn't say more in front of others.
She didn't care, and from the looks of it, no one seemed to care if Lin Huang was there or not.
Oh yeah, he doesn't have many friends. But as colleagues, shouldn't they at least show some concern ? His mood suddenly went gloomy. Just how lonely is he?
He himself set off to look here and there. Other members thought he was just overacting, after all professor Lin wasn't a kid to get lost in here. They continued their packing work.
---------------------------------------