Sounds of things being moved aside echoed inside the room as Luo Jingyi frantically searched for a particular painting. When she found what she was looking for, she pulled it out from the collection and set it down on the desk. Running her hand on the frame to wipe the dust that settled, she studied the image. It was her family. Luo Jingyi didn't want to forget their faces so she painted them on a canvas.
In her past life, she didn't have any interest in painting but her brother patiently taught her. Making use of this talent, all the other frames inside this room contained every beautiful memory she had on her family. While she was aware that they were already dead and there was nothing she could do to revert the time, she wanted to remember them.
Her heart ached. She had already come to terms of their death but there were just times when she couldn't help reminiscing especially when the anniversary of the day she came to this world neared. There was always that surge of melancholic emotions in her.
"You've got to continue living Jingyi." She advised herself. She let out a forced smile.
After cleaning up the kitchen and changing her clothes, she carried the files Song Hia brought in earlier to her study room.
Powering her computer on, she waited for it to boot up. The first thing she did was to open her mailbox and check if the file she requested was sent. She released her grip of the mouse when she saw it, hesitant to download the attachment.
The scene two nights ago crossed her mind.
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Two days ago...
Xu Wei was mumbling incoherently. She kept repeating: "Why—am I drunk?"
Pushing the door with her left foot, Luo Jingyi dragged Xu Wei inside the bedroom.
"I don't like—this feeling."
"What feeling?"
"Burning in—my stomach. I—"
Luo Jingyi immediately pulled her to the bathroom before she made a mess. Luo Jingyi rubbed her nose as the nasty smell permeated inside the bathroom.
Grabbing an elastic band next lying on the sink countertop, Luo Jingyi tied the woman's hair so the hair won't get dirtied.
Xu Wei seemed to be in a daze as she stared at what she spewed out.
"I am dr-drunk. It was supposed—to be you."
Luo Jingyi found it odd that she kept mentioning the same phrase.
So, she questioned. "Why should it be me?"
Xu Wei straightened up and gave her a very child-like smile.
"That drink—that drink in the bar... "
"The green-colored drink? What about it?" Luo Jingyi plucked a towel from the cupboard, wet it and wiped Xu Wei's face.
Xu Wei was silent before she urged her to move closer.
Playing along, Luo Jingyi followed. In a soft voice, Xu Wei revealed in her ear, "I added—truth serum."
A flash of anger glinted on Luo Jingyi's eyes before it disappeared. Her mouth curved up. "Really? Why did you mix it with alcohol? That could kill you know."
Xu Wei waved her hand in a gesture that meant 'It's okay.'
"Don't worry. It—was only— " she showed half an inch distance between her thumb and forefinger, "—like this."
It was a safe amount if added to liquor but that little amount could make even a tight-lipped criminal confess sins without realizing it.
Distracting the woman by pulling her clothes up, Luo Jingyi subtly interrogated her, putting the drug's purpose into use. Her voice was normal and friendly.
"Why did you use it? "
"I followed you—for three years but I—still have nothing." Xu Wei complained, swatting her hand as Luo Jingyi removed her dirty clothes.
"Why were you following me?" She went on even Xu Wei wasn't allowing her.
"Because I want to be friends with you!"
"Really? I don't think you should to that to a friend."
Xu Wei looked at her before she squirmed away from her.
"Why don't you tell me what you want?"
Xu Wei leaned on the glass that separates the toilet and the shower. She started crying. "The truth. You—" she suddenly broke out into tears which grew into loud whimpers. She was speaking incorrigible, repeating the word truth over and over again. Like someone in their manic state, she was pulling her hair up and scratching herself repeatedly.
That was one of the side effects. It affected her state of mind. Worst case scenario, her central nervous system would break down. Xu Wei could lose her muscle strength or her mental ability could be impaired.
It was useless to prod further. Luo Jingyi hit her on the neck, catching the woman before her head slammed on the marble floor.
Luo Jingyi covered Xu Wei with the floral blanket. The drug's effect would wear off in an hour so letting her sleep would be the best choice.
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Remembering the moment Xu Wei confessed what she added in the drink, she reflected on what truth did Xu Wei want from her. For the woman to use underhanded tactics meant she was never a friend, to begin with. It would be a lie to say she wasn't disappointed with how things turned out between them. And there she was, partly convinced Xu Wei could be a friend. Letting go of whatever hesitation left in her, she opened the document.
Luo Jingyi rapt her gaze on her computer screen and skimmed over Xu Wei's employment records and file. There's nothing notable except the gap between her previous employment and present. She had found the reason why she couldn't completely trust her. Xu Wei's travel history coincided with every place Luo Jingyi been to before taking up the post at GM General. The three years that Luo Jingyi spent in Europe was a very sensitive topic.
The ringing phone distracted her.
"Is it convenient to talk?" Ji Min inquired immediately, thinking she would be in a teleconference with the directors at the moment.
"Yes. What's wrong? Did you find out who tampered the system?"
Ji Min sighed. "Not yet. Someone's working on it. But I called you for another reason. You are close to Dr. Xu, right?"
"Not really. Why?"
"She handed her resignation just now." She informed her.
"Just let her be. She has the least cases anyway. The hospital is just losing money on her."
"You were aware?" Ji Min was surprised. She thought Xu Wei was special to her boss because she was the only one she interacted within the hospital. Hence, when she took the post to head the hospital, she didn't touch Xu Wei even if she was annoyed at that woman.
"It's been like that for 3 years. But she's valuable to Director Song."
Director Song was a pesky shareholder in the hospital. When Chairman Chen transferred his shares, he begged to let Director Song keep the shares he had.
"I don't like her." Ji Min confessed her unhappiness.
"Who? Xu Wei?"
"Yes"
"Well, she's bearable." Luo Jingyi simply said.
"No, she's not. I don't like her."
Luo Jingyi laughed. "What had she done to irate you that much?"
Ji Min didn't want to make a mountain out of a molehill so she just told her, "Nothing."
Luo Jingyi sensed she was withholding something but she ignored prying.
"Did you know she's going to Medlife too? "
'Of course, she will. Xu Wei wanted 'truth' from her.'
"I know."
Silence ensued before Ji Min gave her inference. "I have a hunch she's following you."
"Even if she is planning something sinister against me, do you think I'll let her off?"
Her words zipped Ji Min's mouth. Again, she had forgotten who she was talking to. Luo Jingyi's motto in life was: No enemy shall remain victorious.
"Don't worry. Let her bring forth what she has in mind."
After exchanging a few more words, Luo Jingyi pressed the end button.
Setting her phone down, Luo Jingyi locked her hands together and rested her chin on them.
'Is this the reason why she kept urging me to try behavioral therapy?'
'Why?'
'Is it Wang Hua?'
'No.' she refuted. Her stepmother would rather hire goons, not a psychiatrist.
'Han Peng?'
'Possible but why a psychiatrist?'
None of the two made sense.
'If it's not the two of them, then who?'
After moments of contemplation, Luo Jingyi yelped in annoyance when she was unable to narrow it down.
All she wanted was to live in peace, but it seemed an impossible feat to achieve. There were always people standing against her.