AM I YOUR FRIEND?

Luo Jingyi arrived on the 3rd floor. There was quite a crowd outside the hall. Words darted here and there. It was hushed the instant Luo Jingyi was seen.  The people parted, creating a gap for her to pass through. Giving them a curt nod, she made her way inside the room and sat on the first empty seat she spotted on the sides, ignoring the fact that she had a designated chair in front. Upon seeing her, the second year surgical resident who was reading, jerked up his chair, dropping the comic book on the floor. 

"I wasn't—I shouldn't be—I—" he spoke incoherently as if he'd been caught doing something wrong.

Luo Jingyi bent to pluck what had fallen on the floor and handed it back to him.  "Sit down."

The surgical resident, scared to be Dr. Luo's next target, returned to his seat, scooting a little farther to the other side.  Luo Jingyi—keenly aware that the ongoing conversation on her front, sides and back abruptly stopped—ignored what was happening. She always had that effect.

"This is Dr. Liang. He will be the new Dean of Medicine. I think he doesn't need an introduction as you all probably heard his name in medical conferences and even read his papers in medical journals." Ji Min, the Vice President of New Life Healthcare Corporation stated.

Everyone's curious eyes fell to the man beside Ji Min. Most of them heard of him while others didn't. Most couldn't connect him at all to that beggar because he cleaned up nicely. His hair had been trimmed short and he was back to wearing a perfectly starched shirt and trousers. There were visible signs of aging, yet he looked ten times better compared to how he appeared a few days ago. 

 After Dr.  Liang gave a short speech, everyone returned to their post. Luo Jingyi waited near the door while she exchanged a few words with other doctors. Most requested for a farewell party which Luo Jingyi returned with a half-shrug.

"Dr. Luo shall show you around because I still have another meeting to catch." Ji Min informed Dr. Liang. That was shortly after she told Luo Jingyi that their scheduled meeting was pushed back 2 hours later. Groaning in her head for the changes, Luo Jingyi agreed. Rather than being idle, she took on the favor. 

"How was your apartment?" Luo Jingyi started as they passed through the long corridors leading to NICU.   

"It's grand. Could I stay somewhere smaller?" Dr. Liang appealed. He pocketed his hands in his coat, nervously peeking at her before explaining further. "You see, I'm alone. I have no use for a three-bedroom apartment. I will just miss my wife and child more."

His downcast gaze fell to Luo Jingyi's eyes. The mention of his dead child tugged something in her heart. Luo Jingyi wanted to tell him something but at the same time, reluctant to pique his interest then be disappointed with uncertainty later.  She knew that the facts needed to be validated first.

"I'll tell Ji Min to look into it." Was all Jingyi could tell to appease him.

He nodded, putting away that melancholic expression earlier.  As they visited one department after another, they discussed matters regarding the hospital. Only when they found a quiet spot, earshot away from people did Dr. Liang expressed his apprehension. 

"You have been living fairly well for the past years, why do you suddenly want to return to the capital?"

Luo Jingyi took up space on his right. Crossing one leg over the other, she folded her hands against her knees. "It would be nice to go home."

Her lazy demeanor made him all together nervous and unhappy. He was convinced she had a different purpose and if she does, he was determined to convince her to do the opposite. 

"Your mother wasn't satisfied just being a surgeon, so she ventured into research and development. When I met her, I was astonished about how brilliant she was.  She had me agreeing to work with her after one meeting. That dedication made the life of others better. At the same time, it created enemies.  You see, she fought for everything, yet she ended up tragically." 

Luo Jingyi blinked, pretending to be confused. "I don't understand."

"If you want to take back Medlife, then stop. There are other hospitals you can acquire.  But don't touch that hospital." 

Dr. Liang paused and took a deep breath.  

"Although he no longer owns it, Medlife is still controlled by him. So you must absolutely stay away from his radar. He is a monster. " The way he curled his hand into a fist showed agitation and anger at the same time.  

The "he" was Luo Xiaofei's business partner who eventually took control of Medlife.  Then, five years ago, he sold his shares. At present, he was the Minister of Health.

Luo Jingyi sat in silence, digesting his words even though she already knew that. 

"Treasure the life your mother gave you. She protected you with all she had."  He persuaded. 

Luo Jingyi smiled to ease his worries away.  "Don't worry. My dream is just to build my own hospital empire. Nothing else." 

'What can I do?  The more you tell me to stop.  The more I am curious.' She mused.  

Dr. Liang peered at her closely, finding truth in what she said. He gave a sigh of relief when she seemed genuinely uninterested. 

"Shall we finish the tour?" Luo Jingyi rose. She stepped forward while Dr.  Liang stood for a second, watching her from behind.  

"Sorry Jingyi, some things are best hidden." Dr.  Liang uttered in a soft voice.  

Arriving at their last stop, they ran into the Chief of Psychiatry who was doing rounds along with his doctors.  Requesting to be the one who would show Dr. Liang around the Psychiatry Department, Luo gave a nod.

Because she had her assistant clear her office already, she decided to wait at Ji Min's office. Heading towards the direction of the elevator, Luo Jingyi's steps faltered when someone tapped her on the arm.  She briefly glanced and found Xu Wei, pouting like a child.  

"How could you leave without telling me? If I didn't hear it from the grapevine, would you ever tell me?"

Sighing inwardly, Luo Jingyi turned to face her. "I already said goodbye, didn't I?"

Puzzled, Xu Wei looked at her. "When?"

Ignoring her question, Luo Jingyi moved forward. Xu Wei trotted behind her. For a split second, she remembered the gift she was given the other day.

"A box of brownies?" She asked with uncertainty.

Luo Jingyi nodded. 

"That doesn't count. How could our friendship equate with just a box of brownies? You should have told me." Luo Jingyi heard her whine from behind but she didn't speak because her phone vibrated and seeing the familiar number, she rejected the call. She didn't want to deal with her father now. She was aware of what he was going to say anyway.

Xu Wei thought she was ignoring her. So cried out pitifully as if she was wronged, "Tell me Jingyi, am I even your friend?"

Hearing no answer, Xu Wei turned away crest-fallen.  "I guess I'm not really your friend."

Luo Jingyi watched the defeated figure walking towards the bank of windows on the left. She also asked the same thing: If Xu Wei was a friend. Even she didn't know the answer.  Xu Wei was nice and friendly. Although she never did anything wrong to her, Luo Jingyi always had this feeling that something's not right. She couldn't exactly pin it out. So her attitude towards the psychiatrist was let-us-see-what-happens-in- the- future.

An arm wrapped on her body broke her thoughts. Xu Wei hugged her from the side.  

"I forgive you.  But, you are not allowed to do it again.  For me, you are my friend. So in the future, you have to tell me what's happening in your life. Okay?"

Luo Jingyi's eyes lingered on the other woman as she pondered.  'Am I just really doubting everyone's intentions?'

Trusting other people easily is difficult once you'd been betrayed. Perhaps she's overly wary of people around her so she never gave the other woman a chance.

In the end, to placate the woman, Luo Jingyi simply nodded.

Xu Wei's mood lifted.

"You shouldn't leave the city without having fun with the rest.  How about having a farewell party this evening?"

Luo Jingyi wanted to refuse but seeing the other woman's high spirits, she agreed, giving a reminder. "Just don't do anything excessive."

"Of course."