CHAPTER 34: CHAPTER 34: THE COURAGE TO TRY TO CONNECT (REQUEST FOR MONTHLY TICKETS, REQUEST FOR FAVORITES)

"Contact with Tuantuan."

Li Baiyu murmured.

"Yes, contact with small animals is also a form of touch."

"Daily petting of small animals and the like all satisfy an individual’s need for contact."

Shen Jingqi explained enthusiastically.

"I might not have realized that. I just, simply don’t mind it. Besides, I’m not interested in other small animals."

Li Baiyu pursed her lips.

"Everyone has a need for contact; it’s just expressed differently."

"For infants, it seems natural to receive their mother’s touch and care, feeling warmth, safety, and comfort in their parents’ embrace. When uncomfortable, like rough or prickly clothing materials, the temperature being too cold or hot, or wet and dirty clothes, infants will cry and make a fuss. A mother’s timely response and soothing make the individual feel safe."

"For adults, contact might become more concealed. Usually, it’s present between partners."

"But in daily life, we encourage more contact to meet the inner need for touch."

Shen Jingqi pointed to her face:

"Facial massages, bathing, and the like are ways to meet the body’s contact needs. Petting small animals, dancing, encountering nature, and other outdoor activities are contacts in life."

Li Baiyu’s expression was a bit unnatural.

"I have a card from an aromatherapy beauty salon that I’ve never used."

After a while, Li Baiyu spoke up.

"Whenever I make an appointment, I always seem to find a reason to refuse to go. Every time I cancel an appointment, it feels like a relief."

"So, my card remains unused."

"Recently, I’ve made another appointment, for tomorrow afternoon."

"Based on past experience, I’ll cancel it tomorrow morning."

"Would you want me to go?"

Shen Jingqi noticed that Li Baiyu’s gaze on her was somewhat complex.

It contained both confusion and avoidance, as well as sadness.

Avoidance was the surface, sadness was deeper.

Because there was no longer an expectation, there was no demand, and certainly no tears.

Rejection was the norm, an effective way to protect oneself.

What Shen Jingqi knew was how she should not act.

Don’t give her hope only to let her get hurt.

"I would want you to go, to face everything."

"Accompany me!"

"Okay."

Li Baiyu paused, as if mustering great courage.

Unexpectedly, after making this decision, it seemed there wasn’t the imagined pressure.

"Should we wait until tomorrow morning to make a final decision?"

Shen Jingqi shook her phone showing the time:

"Stick to your usual habit."

"No need. I’m always punctual. Once decided, there’s no changing."

Li Baiyu lifted her eyes, a flicker of determination in her gaze.

Shen Jingqi suddenly felt a bit of heaviness on her heart.

A serious promise is an unspoken burden.

"Okay!"

Shen Jingqi responded with the same seriousness.

"The time is tomorrow afternoon from 2 to 5."

"It takes about half an hour to get there from here without traffic. Uncle Li will pick us up after lunch tomorrow."

Li Baiyu looked at her phone, planning.

Shen Jingqi nodded.

This meant she needed to clear her schedule for tomorrow afternoon.

"Senior, since it’s within hospital working hours, do I need to inform Dean Zhang if I go out?"

"Yes, you can let him know."

Shen Jingqi quickly sent a message to Dean Zhang.

[Shen Jingqi]: Dean, I need to accompany my senior out from 1-5 PM tomorrow. Do I need to apply for leave?

After sending it, Shen Jingqi hoped for a quick response from Dean Zhang.

A few seconds passed without a reply, and a feeling of impatience arose in Shen Jingqi’s heart.

Never before had she felt this way.

Previously, she wished not to be disturbed by anyone, so she never turned on message notifications.

Now, as Dean Zhang hadn’t immediately replied, Shen Jingqi felt a bit impatient.

"Dean Zhang is probably busy."

Shen Jingqi awkwardly smiled, easing her mood.

"Is the testing of the Sensory Paradise app going smoothly?"

Li Baiyu casually asked.

"The testing team was formed this morning. Nurse Qin and Technology Zheng are recruiting patients at the hospital to be the first batch of experiencers. Specific testing arrangements will be notified in the group."

"Hmm, the efficiency is quite high."

"Dean Zhang has done a lot of work in this."

"This app was almost released at the beginning of the year. Recently, it was a wait for various quality inspections and approval reports to pass. Shen University Third Hospital was willing to provide a research environment and subjects, forming a specialized team, contributing both manpower and resources, a truly dedicated effort. It’s fortunate to have even one such genuine person."

Li Baiyu said slowly.

Shen Jingqi nodded, then thought of Uncle Li, who must also be someone who puts in effort for Li Baiyu.

Curious why Li Baiyu felt this way:

"Senior, you gather many talented young people around you, surely many are loyal and admire you."

"Everyone is a partner, willing to work together. As for other aspects, I have no personal connections."

Li Baiyu shook the water in her cup, the sunlight from outside refracted into beams that momentarily dazzled her eyes.

Shen Jingqi suddenly realized that Li Baiyu seemed to not have a secretary or assistant.

Maybe she hadn’t seen one, but there was no sign or presence of a secretary these days.

Was it possible Li Baiyu handled all her affairs herself?

How could she manage so much alone?

Shen Jingqi wondered.

[Hot Water Reminder] ——

The red bar on the water dispenser flashed.

Li Baiyu placed two small round items into a clear teapot, stood up, and walked to the water dispenser.

While Li Baiyu poured water, Shen Jingqi glanced at her phone.

[Dean Zhang]: Everything is centered around President Yu. This is also part of work, not restricted by location, and doesn’t count as leave.

Shen Jingqi immediately replied.

[Shen Jingqi]: Thank you, Dean.

"Dean Zhang replied. He said everything is centered around you, Senior."

Shen Jingqi called out to Li Baiyu’s back.

He didn’t realize he was saying this very happily.

But he was aware of his eagerness to share with Li Baiyu.

"Dean Zhang really knows how to talk."

Li Baiyu held the teapot.

As the steam swirled, a fresh fragrance filled the entire room.

It was a familiar scent.

Since realizing it in Sensory Paradise, it had strongly filled Shen Jingqi’s mind and body.

Clear tea was poured slowly from the teapot into two teacups.

"Here, a drink for you."

Li Baiyu pushed one of the cups towards Shen Jingqi.

It was the scent of ginkgo leaves.