1-11

[Host, you're not planning to go to the training, are you?]

'Hmm?'

Yu Qingyu stood in the queue in the convenience store nearby his apartment, wrapping his arms around his body. Despite wearing a few layers, he still couldn't stop shivering. Things were so bad he had to clench his teeth tightly so that they wouldn't clatter.

'Yeah, I am, why?' he frowned, not understanding why 520 even had to ask such an obvious question.

For a moment, 520 didn't know how to react. At first, it thought its current host was quite a reasonable person, but now it started to suspect this impression was completely wrong!

[Host, you shouldn't do that. You have a high fever. Intense exercise will only raise your internal temperature even more, worsening your condition.] 520 explained patiently.

Yu Qingyu still wasn't satisfied with the answer. He never skipped work or any other obligations, not if he could help it. 'But-' he tried to protest, but the system cut him off.

[Host, I strongly advise you against it. Missing one training won't affect your mission. Neglecting your health, however, might. You wouldn't be able to keep up today, anyway. You might even faint.]

Yu Qingyu just let out a quiet groan in response, furrowing his brows. He didn't have the energy to argue with the system.

Of course, he knew that he wasn't in good enough condition to exercise. But it wasn't the training he was worried about, but Ye Chaodan! If he didn't go today, he wouldn't have another opportunity to meet him for a few more days. The next training they had planned was only on Thursday…

But, he had to give up on it eventually. Although he took the medicine right after coming back home, when the time to leave for the training came, he was feeling too dizzy to move. Half-conscious, he sent Jiang Lu a message, informing him of the situation, and fell right back into a restless slumber.

He was woken up again a few hours later by a constant ringing of the doorbell, which sounded so loud that it seemed to pierce right through his brain.

Unwilling to part with his warm covers, he wrapped it tightly around himself and slowly walked to open the door, dragging the end of the blanket on the floor like a too-long cape.

"Huh, you look terrible," Jiang Lu declared as soon as he saw the state Yu Qingyu was in, his eyebrows raised high. Not waiting for an invitation, he passed by Yu Qingyu and made himself at home.

"Have you eaten? I got you some stuff you might need." He placed the plastic bags he was carrying on the small dining table in the kitchen. There were some takeaway boxes with steamy-hot food in one of them, and medicines and sports drinks in the other. Although Jiang Lu wasn't the most caring person or a particularly good friend, it seemed he still could show some concern for others at times.

"Thanks…" Yu Qingyu muttered in a hoarse voice, following after Jiang Lu. Feeling slightly embarrassed, he took a seat by the table as his friend unpacked the food. He had absolutely no appetite, but he still grabbed a pair of chopsticks and slowly started to eat. After all, he couldn't let the meal someone else brought for him go to waste!

Although he had to force himself to swallow every bite, having a proper, warm meal made him feel a bit better. "How was the training?" he asked, breaking the silence.

"Alright," Jiang Lu gave a curt answer, shrugging his shoulders. "Same as always."

"…What about Ye Chaodan?"

"What about him?" Jiang Lu glanced at Yu Qingyu, not understanding the question.

"How was he? Did you notice anything… odd?" Yu Qingyu asked carefully.

"Hmm… Not really? Depends what you mean by odd."

Hearing this answer, Yu Qingyu relaxed a bit. Ye Chaodan must have been leading the training properly, otherwise Jiang Lu would have started complaining about him as soon as the topic was brought up. Since he didn't… then maybe the situation wasn't as bad as he thought?

Yu Qingyu couldn't help but sigh. He had no idea what to think anymore. It was just so confusing. At one moment the situation seemed serious, only for everything to get back to normal right after… So what was Ye Chaodan's deal, in the end?

"What were you doing that you got so sick, anyway?" Jiang Lu asked, bringing Yu Qingyu back to reality.

"Well…" Yu Qingyu paused. What was he supposed to say? He didn't have time to think about it yet. "I just fell asleep with my hair wet?" he eventually said, sounding extremely unsure.

Jiang Lu looked at him with disbelief, but thankfully, he didn't question it any further. If Yu Qingyu didn't want to say, then whatever. He didn't care about it that much.

It was a lame excuse, but it was the first thing that came to Yu Qingyu's mind. He decided not to tell anyone what had happened after the party. After all, it would only create more conflicts without the team. The rest of his teammates would undoubtedly take his side, but… They needed Ye Chaodan. And if he was willing to stay on the team, then Yu Qingyu would endure any bad treatment he might receive from him. All for the sake of the mission.

"Anyway, the next training's on Thursday. Make sure you recover till then." Jiang Lu finished eating his meal and got up. He fulfilled his part as a friend, and now was the time to leave. It wasn't that he disliked Yu Qingyu's company, but he didn't want to catch a cold from him. Yu Qingyu should just get right back to bed anyway.

"Oh, by the way." Jiang Lu stopped in the doorway, throwing one last glance at Yu Qingyu. "You remember what we talked about at the party? About sending someone to spy on Su Yongkan's team?"

"Yes… I'll start working on it once I get better…" Yu Qingyu answered with slight hesitation. He wasn't sure if he'd actually do that yet, but all he could do for now was postpone it. He couldn't explain the situation to Jiang Lu, after all.

Thankfully, Jiang Lu took his hesitation as just speaking unclearly due to feeling muddled. He nodded in response, with a satisfied smile on his face. "Great! Now, get some rest."

Alone again, Yu Qingyu dragged himself back to bed. He had no strength to do anything else, not even talk with 520.