Li Xiuying: "Time's up."

Hu Yín Tao: "Thank you for today Dr. Li."

Li Xiuying: "More confidence. More reading."

Hu Yín Tao nodded and walked away exhausted. She would go and have a good cry to relieve some of the exhaustion from the teaching session.

Li Xiuying went to go and get changed.

...

Li Xiuying had changed back into her street wear. Today she was wearing a dark grey polar neck with black ankle grazers.

She was slowly making her way through the hospital foyer. Li Xiuying took her phone out of her coat pocket; she had received a message from Ren Daiyu. Li Xiuying had tapped the message and was about to read it when she heard someone loudly clearing their throat behind her.

Li Xiuying looked over her shoulder and frowned when she saw Qin Song.

Li Xiuying turned back around and kept walking.

Qin Song increased his pace and cut in front of her, blocking her path: "Dr. Li may I have a moment of your time?"

Li Xiuying came to an abrupt stop. She looked at Qin Song expressionlessly.

Qin Song could feel Li Xiuying's annoyance radiating from her even thought her face was expressionless.

Qin Song cleared his throat. "I wanted to discuss something with you, on Sat.u.r.day.."

A male voice called out to Li Xiuying: "Dr. Li, there you are. I've rescheduled the booking for the restaurant. I hope you don't mind me coming to the hospital to pick you up." Xǔ Junjie walked up to Li Xiuying he was dressed in a custom made charcoal grey suit, paired with a white s.h.i.+rt and black shoes. He was carrying a thick brown A4 sized envelope. He stood beside Qin Song.

Li Xiuying looked at Xǔ Junjie: "I drove."

The temperature around Qin Song dropped drastically as he a.s.sessed Xǔ Junjie from the corner of his eye. Qin Song felt the same bitter feeling that he felt when he had first heard that Li Xiuying was engaged. He instantly disliked Xǔ Junjie.

Qin Song had never formally met Xǔ Junjie before; he had seen him at various events and business functions but never took much notice. Also, Qin Song had several credit cards with orchid... that he would no longer be using.

Xǔ Junjie felt the cold aura emanating from Qin Song's, so he chose to completely ignore him. His sole focus was on Li Xiuying.

Xǔ Junjie shamelessly asked: "Could I get a lift with you? There's no point in taking 2 cars if we're both going to the same place."

Qin Song wrinkled his brow in annoyance: "Mr. Xǔ I have important matters to discuss with Dr. Li."

Li Xiuying looked at the annoyed Qin Song and then spoke to Xǔ Junjie: "Fine."

She didn't know why but it brought her a little bit of happiness to irritate Qin Song.

Li Xiuying spoke to Qin Song: "My work hours have ended."

She then side stepped Qin Song and walked off.

Xǔ Junjie smirked at Qin Song before following behind Li Xiuying.

The temperature around Qin Song dropped further as he watched Li Xiuying and Xǔ Junjie walk away in matching grey outfits.

....

3 Clawed Dragon- j.a.panese restaurant

Li Xiuying sat opposite Xǔ Junjie. She had the menu opened wide in front of her blocking her from Xǔ Junjie's sight.

There was a knock at the door. Xǔ Junjie was about to tell them they did not wish to be disturbed, but Li Xiuying spoke first: "Come in."

The door opened revealing Ren Daiyu. She wore a sea blue woolen Cheongsam with a Mandarin collar that reached just below her knees; it had 2 slits either side that reached mid-thigh. She paired her her Cheongsam with suede nude chunky heeled boots that reached mid-calf and held a nude purse in her hand. Her hair was down with a middle parting and it was draped over her right shoulder.

Xǔ Junjie felt his mouth go dry at the sight of Ren Daiyu. Due to Ren Guiton working for him, he had interacted with Ren Daiyu on many an occasion in the past year at business events held by Orchid.

Xǔ Junjie had also seen her at various events throughout the year. He always thought Ren Daiyu looked beautiful but was always guarded and lifeless. She was like a porcelain doll; beautiful on the outside but empty on the inside.

However today, Xǔ Junjie felt that Ren Daiyu was absolutely radiant. She seemed carefree and happy and her eyes were full of vitality with a hint of mischief.

Ren Daiyu enthusiastically greeted: "Xiuying!"

Li Xiuying pulled out the chair near her. Ren Daiyu immediately went and sat down.

Ren Daiyu then politely said: "h.e.l.lo Mr. Xǔ."

Xǔ Junjie: "Miss. Ren, it's always a pleasure."

Ren Daiyu turned to Li Xiuying: "Xiuying, have you decided what you're ordering yet?"

Li Xiuying; "Not yet."

Li Xiuying moved the menu towards Ren Daiyu so her menu was now covering both herself and Ren Daiyu.

Ren Daiyu leaned over Li Xiuying's shoulder. Li Xiuying tensed when she felt Ren Daiyu so close to her, but she slowly relaxed when she realized Ren Daiyu stopped before touching her. Li Xiuying reminded herself that it was her friend, so even if she touched her it would be okay. There was no danger.

Xǔ Junjie felt like a 1000 watt light bulb.

Xǔ Junjie: "How about I order one of every dish?"

Li Xiuying and Ren Daiyu remembered that someone else was present. Li Xiuying closed the menu and put it down on the side. They both looked over and finally acknowledged Xǔ Junjie's existence.

Xǔ Junjie didn't know whether to laugh or cry at looking at Ren Daiyu's expression that said: "Oh he's still here".

Ren Daiyu: "That's a good idea. We couldn't decide on what we wanted."

The door to their private room was open because of Ren Daiyu's entrance. There was a waitress hovering outside. Xǔ Junjie called over the waitress and placed their order order.

The waitress left after taking the order, closing the door to the room behind her.

Once the door to the room was closed, Xǔ Junjie took the opportunity to get down to business.

Xǔ Junjie: "Dr. Li I've got the information that you requested." He placed the envelope on the table.

Li Xiuying took the envelope: "Thank you. How much?"

Xǔ Junjie: "Nothing at all. Actually I was hoping that we could perhaps become friends? And this could be a token of my sincerity."

Li Xiuying went quiet. She picked up her briefcase put the envelope inside and took out her cheque book. She wrote a cheque for 200 k and placed it in front of Xǔ Junjie.

Xǔ Junjie looked at the cheque; he was a little surprised that Li Xiuying had guessed the price exactly.

Xǔ Junjie said with sincerity: "Dr. Li I honestly just want to be friends. I don't need you to pay me back I..."

Li Xiuying looked straight into Xǔ Junjie's eyes and spoke coldly: "You don't want to be friends; you want someone with surgical skills at your beck and call. I'm n.o.body's p.a.w.n."

Xǔ Junjie felt like Dr. Li could see into the depths of his soul. He had never felt so exposed before. He wanted to look away but couldn't. This was the first time in his life that he felt like he was the prey.

Xǔ Junjie spoke apologetically: "That wasn't my intention, I..."

Li Xiuying's voice become even colder her gaze became even fiercer: "Don't insult my intelligence."

Li Xiuying wrote another cheque for 100k: "For your time."

Li Xiuying put her cheque book in her briefcase and closed it. She then stood up, picked up her briefcase and walked towards the door.

Ren Daiyu: "Xiuying, you go out first. I'll be out in a moment."

Li Xiuying nodded and exited the room.

Ren Daiyu looked at Xǔ Junjie, her face full of rage: "Xǔ Junjie, I don't care who you are, or who you think you are. If you ever try to use my friend or upset her in any way I'll destroy you." She picked up her bag from the table and stormed out of the room slamming the door behind her.

Xǔ Junjie sat alone at the table. He ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. He had made a completely mess out of the situation.

Xǔ Junjie would have to find a way to appease Dr. Li's and Ren Daiyu's anger.

Even though he should be thinking of ways to apologize to Dr. Li, he couldn't get the image of Ren Daiyu's angry face out of his mind. She had looked so impa.s.sioned when she was putting him in his place. It made his heart race.

Xǔ Junjie's mind became rapidly filled with thoughts of Ren Daiyu...