It stunned everyone when another doctor was handcuffed by policemen. It wasn't even a week since Dr. Chen was arrested. Xu Wei, who was like everyone else, stormed into Luo Jingyi's office.
"Omg, you won't believe this! Dr. Zhao and two more doctors at the oncology department were picked up by the police because they have been prescribing fake medicines to patients." She paused trying to catch her breath before she went on, "Imagine, not just one but 42 patients?! God, what happened to their oaths?"
"Money is the root of all evil." Luo Jingyi said without lifting her head from the documents in front of her.
"I know. But how could it happen under everyone's nose? Why hasn't anyone noticed it? Apparently, it's been going for years. Well, yeah, the successive deaths of patients were suspicious but nobody even connected the dots. What's happening to the hospital? Four of our own doctors got arrested." Xu Wei rubbed her head as though she was going to have a headache just thinking about it.
"Cleaning up." Luo Jingyi mumbled.
"What? Did you say something?" Xu Wei who was resting her head on the backrest of the sofa.
"Nothing."
Seeing that the other woman was very focused on whatever's in front of her, Xu Wei stood to peek but Luo Jingyi closed the file.
"What are you looking at?"
"Nothing." Luo Jingyi stood and walked to the fridge. She took out a box and handed it to the woman. Seeing her favorite brownies, Xu Wei has forgotten whatever what's bothering her earlier. Xu Wei unwrapped one and took a bite. "I'll pay you later." She added later.
"There's no need. It's my gift."
"What for?"
"Nothing."
Xu Wei gave an-okay-shrug on her shoulders and didn't think much of it. The rap at the door made them turn to that direction. A second later, it was pushed and a woman walked in. She was dressed like any other corporate employee, cream blouse, black skirt, and heels. Her hair was pulled up into a perfect updo and not a hair was out of place. Her black-rimmed glasses made her look older than her actual age.
It was Xu Wei's first time seeing her in the hospital. Sensing that the woman has business with Luo Jingyi, Xu Wei exited, closing the door but giving the other woman a once over.
Only when there was two of them did Song Hia speak, "Boss."
Before placing one thick folder on Luo Jingyi's table. At the same time, the door opened and Ji Min breezed in.
...
An hour later, Luo Jingyi glanced up to her assistant, groaning in frustration. "How much more?"
"That's the last one." Song Hia placed another one on her table. Luo Jingyi stared at it and turned to Ji Min.
"This is your job. Why do I have to do this?" Luo Jingyi complained to the woman. The latter lifted her head for a second before she returned her attention to the laptop as she stated, "You are leaving me with all of this headache. At least be a good person and find a replacement."
With everything under wraps, Luo Jingyi was going back to the capital. She never intended to stay in the city but her mission took longer than planned. With many empty positions at the hospital now, Ji Min will need reinforcements to run the place. To streamline the tedious process of recruiting doctors, Luo Jingyi was going over the profiles of possible candidates to take the position of Dean of Medicine. The list was compiled by the NLHC Recruitment team. But so far, the task was turning Luo Jingyi into a whiny child.
Fifteen minutes later, she handed the list to Ji Min. The latter skimmed over. All the names were crossed out with red.
"Why I'm not surprised."Ji Min commented nonchalantly. Ji Min knew how much of a perfectionist the woman was when it comes to hiring people.
Luo Jingyi strutted to the window and gazed out as she pocketed her hands.
" We don't need to look for one. He's already here."
....
Luo Jingyi ambled on the patio leading to the back garden of the hospital grounds. On her hand was a bag of take out. A patient in a wheelchair who was being pushed by her mother waved and greeted her, "Dr. Luo, I am recovering very well."
The little girl was rushed to the hospital a week ago after getting into an accident. If there's one thing that makes Luo Jingyi happy, it's seeing her patients regaining strength and bouncing back after getting through much. Luo Jingyi bent forward, touched the girl's head and rumpled her hair. "That is good. Try to take small steps and increase the number each day."
"Yes, Dr. Beautiful. I will remember that." The girl's grin was like the sun on a cold winter day, full of warmth and sunshine. Unconsciously, Luo Jingyi found herself smiling.
When the parent and child left, Luo Jingyi walked for another minute before she sat on the bench next to a sleeping man. The man stirred and sat upright before he acknowledged her presence. "Dr. Luo."
"Have you been well, Dr. Liang?"
His eyes that spoke of gentleness gave her a surprised look. He was aware that it was Luo Jingyi who always sent him food or coffee but never did it cross his mind that she recognized him. He no longer looked like the dignified Dr. Liang. Now, his clothes are dusty and he's weatherworn face is a sad reminder that he had aged.
"I didn't know that Dr. Luo knows me."
"Who would forget a talented doctor? I recognized you from the videos mom made me watch." In the original's memories, Luo Xiafei forced the young Jingyi to see his videos in the operating room. Before he disappeared in the limelight, he was famed for his impeccable skills. The original's mother, Luo Xiaofei hired him to be the Chief of Surgery in Medlife Medical Center. It was the hospital that Luo Xiaofei started. The impression Dr. Liang left to the young Jingyi was admiration and respect. Unfortunately, after the man stood in court to prove her mother's innocence, he disappeared. All the people Dr. Luo Xiaofei trusted vanished, one by one.
When Luo Jingyi moved to the city three years ago, she instantly recognized him, albeit the unkempt appearance. Luo Jingyi never approached him and simply watched him at a distance, studying his habits. That led her to discover he was into something. So she started investigating and found out that Dr. Liang's wife was one of the unfortunate victims of Dr. Zhao and his cronies. Dr. Liang's wife didn't have cancer but she was told otherwise. She underwent treatment options which were very expensive. Other victims had cancer but were only given placebos, yet, they paid thousands for all of these fake treatments. Dr. Zhao amassed his wealth through this. Hence, Luo Jingyi found satisfaction in extorting back whatever he'd taken.
"The people responsible for your wife's death are going to spend the rest of their lives in prison."
Instead of feeling relieved, the man shook his head. "With the power behind them, they can easily get away."
Luo Jingyi understood where that skepticism comes from. Power can really change the dynamics of everything, including the law.
"No. I will make sure they won't. That's a promise."
"How did you know about my wife?"
"I have my ways."
The man didn't speak. He was fighting back the tears. One world couldn't explain how he feels at the moment. He went to the police but they never believed him. Thus, he took the matter with his own hands. He pretended to be beggar so he could collect shreds of evidence from the trash.
He questioned her, "Why are you doing this?"
"This is to return the favor my mom owes you." The man testified to help her mother without considering the repercussions of his actions on his career. Even if it has nothing to do with her, she is now Luo Jingyi. She has to repay that gratitude.
"If your mom is alive, she will be proud of you." He was happy to see that Jingyi no longer stammers when she speaks and no longer hides behind her older sister. The little Jingyi has outgrown her shyness and become a confident woman.
Luo Jingyi was silent and looked at a distant. "Dr. Liang, would you like to go on an adventure with me?"
The man was startled but found himself asking, "Where?"
"To the pinnacle's edge."
====Extra====
GoodMe: Go, Jingyi! I am rooting for you. 👊👊👊
RomanticMe: Me too. I will find a powerful man to support you. ♥ ♥ ♥
EvilMe: 😈😈😈😈 Count me in. I shall destroy anyone who stands on your way!