Chapter 33 (2/2)

As Mei Xiawen spoke he led Gu Nianzhi to the elevator in the specialist building He produced a card and accessed the 18th floor with it

The elevator steadily rose Gu Nianzhi looked at Mei Xiawen and said, “Class Rep, why do you have an access card?”

The elevator in the specialist building could only be used by those with an access card, and only stopped at the floor of the card owner’s unit Going to another floor required getting the necessary approval fro one of the service staff in the specialist building to escort you Security was tight here

Gu Nianzhi’s original plan was to call He Zhichu’s place from the first floor, or perhaps stick around to see if she could catch hih the front door

Mei Xiawen put his hands in his pockets as he watched the floor number steadily increase on the elevator display He sirlfriend Naturally, I have to show you Ithe access card for this place is the least I can do to show my sincerity”

Gu Nianzhi’s face was red, but luckily for her the elevator had reached the 18th floor The doors opened and she walked out, relieved that she did not have to give a reply

Mei Xiawen followed her out, pointed to the last room down the hallway on the left and said, “Professor He Zhichu lives there You can call him from here”

There was a payphone on each floor of the specialist building

Once again, it was Mei Xiaho took the initiative: he walked to it and helpfully dialed the number for her

Gu Nianzhi accepted the receiver nervously After ringing twice, someone picked up the phone

“Who is this?” The man who answered the phone had a clear and brisk voice, but there was also a hint of weariness in it, having matured there over a period of years it seemed

Gu Nianzhi’s heart pounded in her ears as she hastily asked, “Is this Professor He Zhichu? My name is Gu Nianzhi”

As soon as she said that, the phone went dead silent Even the sound of shallow breathing had disappeared

Gu Nianzhi waited for a while, astonished by the sudden silence The call was still connected, so she decided to press on

“Is this Professor He Zhichu? My naraduate student, but I fell really sick It was all very sudden, and I missed the interview I just wanted to ask—”

Clack

Whoever it was on the other end had actually hung up on her

Gu Nianzhi looked at the phone, bewildered and unsure She tapped the receiver, said a few “hello’s”, then looked up at Mei Xiawen and said, “Does Professor He live alone?”

“Yeah He has a teaching assistant, a woether” Mei Xiawen had done everything in his power to help Gu Nianzhi, and that included extensive research on He Zhichu He knew

“Well, thatup onup “I’ain!”