As they drove back to the city, a bottled silence filled the car. It was broken by the chime from Luo Jingyi's phone. Unlocking it, she scanned through the message.
WITCH: Sold the property.
Luo Jingyi fired away a reply.
LJY: Really?
Two years ago, with this person's persuasion, they started investing in real estate properties.
Another beep.
WITCH: Yeah. Deposited your share. Check your account.
Opening the message that just got in, it was from the bank. Sliding her fingers to count the zeroes on her balance, she grinned widely.
LJY: Thanks. I am poor as of late.
WITCH: This is considered poor? When you have millions stowed away in
different accounts and a flourishing corporation.
LJY: Stop looking at my financials. That's a violation of privacy.
WITCH: You are telling that to the wrong person. Violation of privacy is never in my
dictionary.
Luo Jingyi could almost hear the scoff from this person albeit, miles away.
LJY: I'll definitely call the cyber police.
WITCH: You can try. But darling, that would be a waste of time. And resources.
LJY: Haha. I know. Anyway, thanks for making me richer again.
She was about to pocket her phone when it dinged.
WITCH: Why do you want to earn money that much?
It took a couple of minutes for Luo Jingyi to answer.
LJY: Being poor is….just terrible.
Getting no response from the other person, she checked her account balance again and the curve that was plastered on her face never faded. Money was desired by everyone. While it provided comfort for others, money for her was like a blanket of security. So she really works hard to earn them.
"Good news?" Yun Jinghan wanted to know why she was suddenly of high energy, humming softly. Her overall visage was radiating happiness. It was much more intense than she was with the Lacroix. Thus, he was curious about who was sending her messages.
'A man?' A tinge of jealousy warmed his blood. Yet, he reigned down that idea when it came to mind, she has no male friends.
"Yes." She answered with a grin that couldn't be contained.
"Want to share?" He baited.
"Hmm. A return of investment."
Yun Jinghan mouthed an 'Oh,' relief flooding him.
Still reeling into that feeling of euphoria, Luo Jingyi shifted her body, leaning on the armrest between them. She asked, "What do you want? I'll give you."
"Really?"
"Yes." She nodded.
"I want that building." He pointed outside, laughing at the same time.
Glancing briefly to where his finger had pointed, she returned to her original position, crossed her arms on her chest and complained. "You are too expensive."
"I am sweetie.. I am.."
'Tch.'
Finding her petulant expression funny, he requested, "Then, treat me a meal."
She nodded in agreement and told him she knew good places in the city. She was telling him names but he cut in, "I want to taste your home-cooked meal."
Just this morning, he didn't have a chance to try her soup because by the time he arrived at the dining table, the two people who wanted to make him drunk last night, wolfed it all down. And they kept on mentioning how good it was, blatantly making him jealous.
"Oh." Silence pervaded between them.
'Then it meant, he would come to my apartment.' Tapping her fingers on her leg, she deliberated if it was wise to allow that.
"Okay. Come to my place the day after tomorrow then." She invited, letting go of her cautious nature over letting other people to her place.
…..
Luo Jingyi asked K2 to drop her off near the hospital entrance. As she was getting ready to leave, Yun Jinghan called her out gently. "I will take you home later."
"There's no need. I need to bring my car home anyway."
With her refusal, he no longer insisted. She hopped out of the car and said goodbye. Watching from the window, he waited till she got inside before he sank back to his seat.
"Drive." He closed his eyes, pondering on things.
K2 gave Amy a look which she returned with an-I-don't-know-shrug.
'I'm not a mind reader.' Amy mouthed.
Whatever Yun Jinghan was thinking, he was the only one who knew.
....
At the hospital lobby, Luo Jingyi saw the pregnant woman she helped last time. There was an older woman pushing the wheelchair she sat on and an older man holding the baby. She deduced they were her parents.
"Dr. Luo." Seeing her from afar, Lin Qing waved her hand.
"Going home now?"
"Yes." Lin Qing turned to her mother.
"Mom, this is Dr. Luo. She's the doctor who delivered my baby."
Stepping forward, the woman grasped her hand. "Dr. Luo. I finally met you. Thank you for helping my daughter."
"It just happened that I was there. Moreover, it's my job."
"Mom you are making Dr. Luo uncomfortable." Lin Qing stopped her mother from bowing profusely.
"If Dr. Luo is free today, our family would like to invite you for a meal."
Luo Jingyi smiled before politely refusing the woman. "Thank you for the kind intention but I'm busy today."
Disappointment crossed the woman's face. Knowing her mother's intention, Lin Qing explained, "Actually, my mom just wanted to show her appreciation by preparing a meal for you."
"I am not sure if—"
Lin Qing cut in. She boasted, "You know, my mom's the best chef in the world. After tasting her food, you'll even forget to go home."
The expectant expression on the other woman made Luo Jingyi sigh inwardly and promised. "Perhaps when I am free. The next few days are really hectic."
Lin Qing nodded happily. "Give me your phone number."
Luo Jingyi had always resisted requests like this from patients. Still, she keyed in her number on Lin Qing's phone.
"I'll call you in the future." Lin Qing waved as she was exiting the door.
Luo Jingyi waved back without giving much thought of this intersection. All the while, she was thinking that since she would soon leave the city, they would never have an intersection in the future. That's why she never hesitated in giving her number.