Over the short lunch break, Luo Jingyi and Dr. Bai shared the table at the corner, away from the scrutiny of everyone. Maybe because Luo Jingyi never attended a gathering like this so everyone was curious and every now and then, some would approach their table and exchanged a few words. As they ate their lunch, the two discussed current issues in the medical industry which eventually ended up on the Chen family.
"Chairman Chen finally let go of GM General Hospital. After all the refusal and noise he made about keeping the business within the family hands. He made the right decision by selling his shares and giving the money to the victims. Everyone is saying he is a hero."
'If you only know what I had to do to achieve that.' Luo Jingyi answered in her head. Like the public, Dr. Bai didn't have an idea about it. Luo Jingyi didn't correct the woman.
When she was silent, Dr. Bai continued, "But people won't forget his son and grandson's crimes. Minister Chen's political career is now in shambles. The evidence against him was astounding. Meanwhile, his grandson is awaiting his trial. I can't believe that Dr. Chen did all that. Some say that his research would have been considered ground-breaking if it was completed."
An edgy, twitchy feeling gnawed inside Luo Jingyi. Flushing it down with water, she put down the glass and expressed her distaste, "There's nothing on his research will be considered heroic. We took an oath to protect and save people. Thus, using humans as test subjects violated all the medical ethics we abide by."
"That's why I could never understand what motivated him."
"There are many. Greed for one. It could also be power. One's desires could never be quenched by a drop of water." Luo Jingyi answered, noticing the subtle shift of the casual conversation to pointed questions. Dr. Bai was very smart in using the Chen family's case to sound her out.
Pausing to examine her, a slow smile built up at the corner of the other woman's lips. Using her eyes, she pointed to someone. "Like him you mean?"
Luo Jingyi swept across the room and found who it was directed to. It was the current Minister of Health who was having a conversation with Chairman Jin and a few important people in the industry. His laughter suddenly broke inside the dining hall, catching everyone's attention.
Withdrawing her gaze on him and showing a bored look, Luo Jingyi spooned her dessert and placed it inside her mouth. The sweetness of the cake lingered in her tongue.
"Since he sat on his position, he had been supporting laws that would benefit businesses rather than solve the current predicament our healthcare industry was facing. He is leaning more to profit than anything else. So yes, he is an example of a greedy person." Luo Jingyi stated her views truthfully. There was no reason for her to hide her animosity towards the man.
"I like your honesty."
"I've been taught that way."
Dr. Bai put down her utensils and reached for her glass, swirling it around. Melancholy settled on her face.
The original's only memory of Dr. Bai was during Luo Xiaofei's funeral. Dr. Bai slapped the original's father. She fussed during that time that police had to be called to subdue her.
Hence, when Luo Jingyi returned to the country three years ago, she had Dr. Bai's background investigated. She found out that Dr. Bai and Luo Xiaofei both belonged to the same graduating class. They were very close friends however, they drifted apart when Dr. Bai moved to the US to pursue her studies. After that, their communication dwindled down due to busy schedules.
"Your mother is a wonderful woman." Distress was audible in her voice. Her stare was empty like she was millions away.
"She is" Luo Jingyi agreed. Luo Xiaofei's character was very similar to her own birth mother.
"I heard that you will be starting another job. Why Medlife?" Dr. Bai's tone resumed to casual. She had ditched herself from the previous emotion she'd shown.
"I don't know why everyone is making it a big deal." Luo Jingyi complained, pondering why every person she encountered lately had the same prodding question.
"Only you think differently. Since you are suddenly appearing in public after years of being elusive, the people in the circle are curious about you. As someone who considered the youngest surgeon with two specialties, people desire to get inside your brain and learn more you."
"Or it would be something else." Luo Jingyi gave out a wry smile.
Dr. Bai clamped her lips together, fighting the urge to laugh. "That's where you are different from your mother. Never to assume people's intentions. Your mother was the one who taught me not to assume that people approach because they needed something from me."
'Look at where it got her.' She retorted inside.
"You have trust issues. I heard that you don't have many friends in the circle." Dr. Bai continued when she was silent.
"Whoever gave you that information, they've got it wrong." Luo Jingyi gave out a half-shrug. Although she didn't rebuke her assessment on her, it didn't mean she agreed. It was more of her laziness to lengthen the conversation about herself. Additionally, that wasn't really the problem. She was just careful around people to avoid the repercussion of betrayal: pain.
Dr. Bai studied Luo Jingyi. On the surface, Luo Jingyi and Luo Xiaofei were very much alike but in terms of personality, they had differences. Luo Jingyi strike as someone who would never cower in fear. She was strong-willed. There were many unexplained mysteries surrounding Luo Xiaofei's being ousted from her position to her death. Thus, she was worried that Luo Jingyi's reasons for going to that hospital were due to her mother. If that was the case, then she needed to do something about it.
'Xiaofei, be at peace. I will keep my promise to protect your child.' Dr. Bai vowed.