Chapter 43 - WHO ARE YOU? (1/2)

Luo Jingyi discarded all the lingering questions in her head and went to Ji Min's office.  She told herself to check it out later. There were more pressing things to do.

An hour after the meeting started, Luo Jingyi shoved her annoyance down her throat and ordered Ji Min. ”Contact Skyline Construction.”

It was her first choice anyway but the Board was reluctant to put their bets on this new construction firm to build NLHC's third hospital in the capital. Third, which they built, not acquired. So she was anticipating this venture. Moments earlier,  Ji Min informed her that the construction firm they had chosen backed out.

Ji Min, who was sitting across the table, heard a crackle in her voice closing to anger, so she assented without much complaint and motioned her assistant to note it down. Ji Min was left wondering if it was because of the construction firm refusing them or it was the fact that she couldn't give her a straight answer about the trouble with the hospital two days ago—that was making her boss mad.

”I want it up and running next year. So—” Luo Jingyi glanced down at her phone that vibrated against the mahogany desk. It was a message from Yun Jinghan. Ignoring it, she faced the people across the table.

”Prioritize on that. As for this hospital's second wing, complete the necessary paperwork and send it to the headquarters.”

Another buzz made her pause. Scrolling over the message, it was the same message. He was inviting her for dinner.  She fired a reply.

LJY: No. I'm busy.

YUN JINGHAN: Eat on time then.

Reading his next message, a sigh escaped her lips. For no reason, she calmed down.

Luo Jingyi was about to put down the device when it chimed again. This time, it was a call from her father's secretary. Scowling, she turned it off. Lifting up the pen, she scribbled words on her planner.

When she returned her attention to the other people in the room, she caught Ji Min's quizzical gaze on her. She frowned. ”What”

”You are wearing a ring.” Ji Min gushed unable to sustain her curiosity. She couldn't believe when she saw it seconds earlier.

Ignoring her attempt to fish information, Luo Jingyi turned to her assistant. ”Miss Song, revise the contract and email it to me before the day ends.”

After getting a nod from her assistant, Luo Jingyi closed her planner and threw it inside her bag, ending the meeting. Then she recalled Dr. Liang's request.

”Dr. Liang wants to move to a smaller apartment.” She pushed her chair back and stood.

”I'll see to it.” Ji Min rose from the chair and walked closer to her, wanting to pry further.  But she was stopped on her tracks when Luo Jingyi stared at her.  She understood it fairly well. It meant no asking of personal questions.

Ji Min held her hands up in surrender. She'd rather keep her job.

”I'm going.” Luo Jingyi waved a hand. Ji Min watched her leave before turning to the other people in her office.

Luo Jingyi exited Ji Min's office. Giving her watch furtive glance, she decided to head home first since she had ample time to shower and change before heading to the address Xu Wei sent her.

Outside, the orange and red hues were visible in the sky. As she made her way to her car, she looked over her shoulders because she sensed someone was following her. Halfway to the car park, she spun on her heel but found no one suspicious. A few nurses reporting in for night duty gave her polite greetings which she returned with a nod.

Shrugging that weird sense off her head, she walked to her car, slid inside and drove off.

.....

Luo Jingyi recalled that she clearly told Xu Wei that she wanted to keep the party simple. But apparently, they didn't have a similar definition of the word.  Xu Wei booked the whole restaurant at Luo Jingyi's expense. Aside from her usual OR team and ER nurses who were free tonight, Xu Wei invited those staff at the hospital who Luo Jingyi never worked or even had a conversation with. She didn't even know their names. They were practically strangers to her albeit working in the same hospital. Nonetheless, she was courteous to them.

After the feast, Xu Wei suggested going to a newly opened nightclub.  Luo Jingyi went along to everyone's surprise.

As she listened to the anaesthesiologist whisper the name of the latest drug that won't leave a trace on the blood test, Luo Jingyi paid attention to her surroundings.  The place was crowded. People behind her screamed at each other's ears to be heard as loud music boomed from the speakers on the four corners.