Zhao Yuhui was absent during that time when Cheng Qi picked her name, so he had to ask for her contact from the professor. After all, they were supposed to work on a project together.
"Yeah! I remember now. I am so sorry for not recognising you sooner."
"No, no worries! I just realised that I never told you my name in the first place." Cheng Qi chuckled and waved his hands. "There is nothing out of the ordinary if you didn't recognise me."
"I suppose we need to discuss the project so why don't we find a place to sit first?"
"Sure. How about the canteen? I am kinda hungry." Cheng Qi pointed at the canteen behind her.
Zhao Yuhui was thrilled at the offer but didn't show it. "That's fine by me." She couldn't even tell how hungry she had been.
Most of the groups by now had already submitted the topic or the outline of the project to stand against plagiarism. Because of her, they were definitely lacking behind.
"If you had told me about this before, I could have arranged a video call for us to talk over it."
"I heard that you were going through a pretty hectic schedule from the professor. I thought I might end up interrupting your filming."
"But I still could have made some time for this."
"It's alright. I didn't want to burden you when you already had been getting a few hours of sleep a day. Moreover, the professor mentioned that you would be taking classes this week so I decided to wait."
It was the first time in three years that Zhao Yuhui was walking while having someone besides her. When they entered the canteen, not many were there so they soon found a place to sit.
Before pulling herself a chair, Zhao Yuhui took a second to give him a deep bow and apologised, "Let me apologise again!"
"I told you there is no need for it. Considering your situation, I'd have been more shocked had you recognised me." Cheng Qi joked as he signalled her to just chill. He meant her being absent most of the days in a year.
"Let me go again. Hello, myself Cheng Qi and I am your partner in this project. It is nice to meet you."
"Oh, then give me a chance too." Zhao Yuhui laughed. "I am Zhao Yuhui and am looking forward to work with you on this project."
"Have you decided what you want to eat?"
"Yea, what about you?"
"Me too, then let me go and give an order." Zhao Yuhui saw him going to the counter.
"Do you have any topic that you would want to work on?" Zhao Yuhui asked as soon as he sat. They had a lot to do, select a topic, do a research, make a thesis, write a report, and then give a presentation. It would be difficult to do it without having an interest in the topic.
"Not exactly. Though I have selected a few topics, I haven't finalised any of them yet."
"Oh."
"I don't have that page with me right now but I will send you that in the evening. Is it fine if I text you through that number?" He was asking since it was her private number, the one that only her close family members had.
Because she was a public figure, he had to be conscious of these little details in order to not affect her in any way. Even the professor had her number just because he would often send her details regarding the important classes.
"Yea, that's fine."
"You really have no problem?"
"Why would I have any problem?" Zhao Yuhui diverted her focus from around the canteen and imperturbably remarked.
She was talking as if she wasn't even scared that he might publicize her number. Cheng Qi blinked, "Nah- nothing. I wondered sinceyou are a public figure."
Zhao Yuhui chortled when she realised what he was inclining. "Don't worry about that! I am not even that popular for someone to take notice of my number even if it gets leaked."
"Not popular?" Cheng Qi couldn't believe his ears. He wanted to laugh, "Do you even know how many fans you have just in our class?"
That made Zhao Yuhui's eyes widen. "Really?"
"Yes, even in the morning after you came the murmurs going around were just all about you. My friends were wondering if they could ask for an autograph from you."
Zhao Yuhui for a second thought he was lying but the sincerity in his eyes indicated otherwise. What? He said that they were her fans? For real? All this time she thought they might not even care if she was studying with them or not.
"I never knew it." She uttered after finding her voice. It was too much for her to believe.
"There are so many things you don't know."
"Like?"
"For exa-" A ringtone interrupted their chat. Cheng Qi got his cell phone from his pocket and looked apologetically at her. She smiled and signalled him to pick it up.
"What do you need now?" Cheng Qi didn't bother with the pleasantries as Zhao Yuhui heard him saying frustratedly. They must be good friends.
"What? Today?? Wasn't it tomorrow though?"
"Why so sudden?"
"I was busy right now."
"Doing what? Well..." Cheng Qi scratched his head and looked at her as if asking what to say. He saw her nodding her head and muttered. "Discussing the project."
"I am not making an excuse and how could I discuss the project alone when I have a partner."
"Yes, she is and am discussing my project with Zhao Yuhui only." As soon as Cheng Qi was done, the line went silent. He took the phone away to glance if the call ended. No, it didn't then why wasn't he saying anything? "Hello?"
"What the hell?? You are in the canteen right now? WAIT FOR ME!!" The voice hit his ears loudly causing Cheng Qi to take the phone away from his ears till what remained was the sound of a beep pealing between them.
Zhao Yuhui was dumbfounded at the ear-splitting voice whereas Cheng Qi was so embarrassed that he facepalmed. "I am sorry! That...that is just unfortunately my friend."
"No worries." From the call, it seemed that he had to go somewhere but because Cheng Qi didn't bring that himself even Zhao Yuhui refrained herself from mentioning it.
She didn't wish to pry as if she was his girlfriend.