86 The Cloak Of Denial (1/2)

Li Xiuying went to her office to pick up her things. As she entered her office she found Jiang Huan on the phone.

Jiang Huan: ”I'm afraid there are no opportunities to shadow Dr. Li for the next three weeks. If you give me your details and tell me what specialties you're interested in I can tell you the next available date.”

Li Xiuying went to her desk to check her rota for next week. She furrowed her brows at her timetable. The changes she had requested had not implemented.

She patiently waited for Jiang Huan to finish her phone call.

Jiang Huan finished entering the details of the resident into her spreadsheet. She then spun around in her chair.

Jiang Huan: ”Good afternoon Dr. Li.”

Li Xiuying nodded.

Li Xiuying indicated to the spreadsheet that was on Jiang Huan's screen: ”No students next week.”

Jiang Huan said confusedly: ”Dr. Li you have eight students shadowing you next week.”

Li Xiuying spoke coldly: ”I asked you to cancel all my teaching sessions for next week.”

Jiang Huan had completely forgotten. Li Xiuying had even written down the set of instructions for her.

Jiang Huan: ”I'm so sorry Dr. Li. I don't know how this happened. I promise it won't happen again”

Li Xiuying looked at the red faced Jiang Huan before her. She began questioning whether it was worth keeping Jiang Huan around. She wanted to confirm her suspicions regarding the rescuer but keeping her as a PA was more trouble than it's worth.

Jiang Huan: ”I'll immediately contact everyone and change the dates for the teaching session. I'm so sorry Dr. Li.” Jiang Huan began furiously typing on the keyboard. She regretted not staying late the last few days. She had been constantly distracted by Tang Tingzhe.

Li Xiuying wrote down the changes she wanted again and put the piece of paper on Jiang Huan's desk. She also spotted her previous list among the pile of papers on Jiang Huan's desk. She pulled it out and placed the lists side by side next to Jiang Huan's keyboard.

Jiang Huan's ears turned red as she saw the two lists from the corner of her eye reminding her of her incompetence.

As Li Xiuying was half way out the door she said in a cold and low voice: ”The flower has intentions, but the water has no feelings”

Jiang Huan hands froze on the keyboard. 'What does Dr. Li mean? Is she referring to me as the flower? The water has no feelings... Dr. Li couldn't possibly... '

Li Xiuying proceeded to leave the office. She decided to give Jiang Huan a subtle hint about the torturous path she was currently treading down for her rescuer. She wasn't a saint or a do-gooder she just believed that sometimes people needed to be shown the error of their ways.

Besides if Jiang Huan chose not to heed Li Xiuying's words then it would only be detrimental to herself. Later down the line when Jiang Huan regretted her choices she couldn't lie to herself or others and claim that no one had warned her.

Denial is a cloak that many people wear to shield themselves from the cruel realities of the world. Who would want to accept that they had destroyed themselves with their own two hands?

Li Xiuying strolled casually to her car and sat in the driver's seat. She pulled out her phone and searched for elder Qin's number.

Elder Qin answered on the second ring: ”Hello Dr. Li. Is everything okay?” Elder Qin's voice contained a hint of worry.

Li Xiuying: ”Yes.”

Li Xiuying could hear Elder Qin moving around on the phone.

Li Xiuying: ”New Personal assistant required.”

Elder Qin was surprised by the request. He had personally chosen Jiang Huan from the 200 personal assistants that had applied for the role. She had the best qualifications and experience. She also came highly recommended by her former employer.

When Cao Shan had interviewed Jiang Huan he had reported that she was adequate for the role and was compatible with Dr. Li. Elder Qin trusted Cao Shan's judgement entirely.

Elder Qin: ”Has Jiang Huan done anything wrong?”

Li Xiuying: ”Lied about a family gathering to leave work early and meet her boyfriend, lied about her grandmother's illness to meet her boyfriend next week Tuesday, leaving early from work for the last 3 days without permission, failure to adequately follow instructions and complete tasks.”

The lines on Elder Qin's forehead deepened as he heard about Jiang Huan's instructions. She had only been working for 8 days and she had already managed to do so much.

Elder Qin: ”I'll have Cao Shan look for her replacement. You'll have a new personal from next week Monday.”

Li Xiuying: ”No, 1 month.” She would give Jiang Huan 1 month; that's all her patience would allow.