Granting You A Second Life

Li Xiuying: "Mmm"

Elder Qin: "You can tell us any conditions you want and we'll do our best to accommodate you. You can state the amount you want for your salary, your work hours and which departments you would like to work in."

Li Xiuying: "Preliminary contract?"

Elder Qin signaled to a well-dressed man who suddenly appeared behind him: "Shan hand the contract to Dr. Li."

This man was Elder Qin's assistant Cao Shan. His family had been loyal worker's to the Qins for generations. In fact, they were also related through marriage as Cao Shan's aunt had married Elder Qin's younger brother.

Cao Shan stepped forward and handed the contract over to Li Xiuying.

Li Xiuying: "Pen and paper?"

Cao Shan handed over the prepared items to Li Xiuying.

Li Xiuying pushed her plate and bowl to the side and placed the contract and paper side by side. She crossed her legs underneath her and started going through the contract jotting thing's down as she read.

Elder Qin was watching every move Li Xiuying made. He couldn't remember a time when he was this nervous.

Zhou FengMian was annoyed by Li Xiuying's attitude. She didn't believe someone like Li Xiuying could possibly get a better job offer. She should be grateful that Elder Qin was even willing to hire some second rate no name doctor.

Zhou FengMian: "Elder Qin is making you such a good offer, you should be more respectful and just accept. What's the need to go through the contract so meticulously? Do you not trust Elder Qin? Are you questioning his integrity?" Her eyes no longer contained tears and were now replaced with righteous indignation.

Elder Qin: "Miss Zhou, this is Qin family business and you currently do not have the surname Qin, so do not interfere. Do you think people just sign a contract without reading it?"

'Why is my son so adamant about marrying this banshee?' Elder Qin couldn't figure out why his eldest son would want to marry someone he could barely tolerate.

Seconds turned into minutes. Elder Qin's heart was racing in his c.h.e.s.t. He watched as Li Xiuying continued to circle, crossed out and noted things down.

20 minutes had gone by and Li Xiuying was finally done.

Li Xiuying: "Elder Qin, I will work for a three month trial period. I will only work from 9 until 2. No night shifts, no on-call shifts. If I am contacted out of my work hours then I will detract the time from my regular hours."

Elder Qin nodded. Dr. Li could work so quickly, she could even do two appendectomies in the time it took a regular surgeon to do one.

Li Xiuying continued: "I'm willing to work in different specialties I'll submit a list in order of preference. In general, I would prefer doing surgeries instead of working in medical specialties. I want an apartment it doesn't need to be expensive or big, I would prefer small and private. I would like a car something small with as little mileage as possible. Please deduct the cost of housing and vehicle from my salary."

Madam Qin: "We have the perfect place for you to stay! We'll get you a cute little car later today."

Li Xiuying nodded. " As for my salary..."

Zhou FengMian sneered 'How much did this woman think she was worth?'

Li Xiuying: "I'm happy to be paid $10 million a year. I would like to perform private surgeries at the hospital and the cost of any surgeries I undertake privately will be taken out of my salary."

Elder Qin nodded again, he thought this was an acceptable sum. After all, Dr. Li was famous in the medical field, her name alone will draw people to Unity hospital. Additionally, the personal clients that she had were probably noteworthy names that could add to the prestige of the hospital.

Zhou FengMian spoke indignantly: "$10 million Li Xiuying aren't you overestimating your capabilities? Your just one surgeon and you want the pay of 5 doctors? Aren't you worried that people will think you're a snake trying to swallow an elephant?"

Qin Song: "Stop talking now or get out." Zhou FengMian finally quietened down and sat back in her chair with a huff.

Li Xiuying: "I will teach 1 hour every Friday, this lecture will be open to any professional that would like to attend. I will also allow residents to shadow me when I'm working. On Saturday I would like the hospital to arrange an activity session lasting 3 hours for children to come and try various practical skills such as suturing and learn about being a doctor. Underprivileged children will have priority. The sessions will be separated into kindergarten, primary school, junior middle school, and senior middle school."

Elder Qin was pleasantly surprised. He had thought of various ways to improve the reputation of Unity hospital but hadn't thought of something so simple as an activity day for underprivileged children. Elder Qin had a smug look on his face. He felt that his idea to hire Li Xiuying was certainly not wrong.

Elder Qin: "Those are all acceptable, when would you like to start working?"

Li Xiuying: "This Friday. I will start the teaching session next week."

Elder Qin: "Good. Then that's what we'll do. We'll send your schedule to you tomorrow after we look at your list of preferences. We will have to also look at the hospital rota to place you where you will be most needed."

Li Xiuying: "I will be doing a knee replacement for an elderly man this Saturday. Please arrange a theater for 10 am."

Li Xiuying pointed to Cao Shan. "I'll be needing one of him."

Little 4th was unhappy: "Big sister YingYing you have me. You don't need another man."

Li Xiuying gave a fleeting smile.

Qin Xian Jun dropped his chopsticks. 'Did I just think the disheveled frog looked cute when she smiled? I need to go have my eyes tested. Ge was saying something about visiting the doctor for a checkup maybe I should tag along and also have a check-up.'

Li Xiuying: "Personal assistant."

Little 4th was appeased.

Elder Qin: "We can arrange a personal assistant for you."

Li Xiuying: "Thank you for the meal. I have to go and run a few errands."

She left the table and went to collect her rucksack from the room.

Little 4th: "Thank you for the food I'll be leaving now." He looked at his mother, who also excused herself and picked up little 4th. She quickly followed behind Li Xiuying.

...

Elder Qin left with Cao Shan to write up the new contract and fulfill Li Xiuying's requests.

He was humming a happy tune as he left.

Qin Jie: "I have an assignment due on Friday." He also left.

Qin Xian Jun: "Ge we have to go to the company. There's a meeting with the shareholders in two hours. I'll go wait in the car."

Only Qin Song and Zhou FengMian remained in the dining room. The silence was heavy and oppressive.

Qin Song broke the silence with his cold voice: "Let's postpone the wedding."

Zhou FengMian's face dropped. She had never thought she would hear Qin Song say these words to her.

Zhou FengMian: "Song baby why do you want to postpone our wedding all of a sudden? Don't you love me anymore? I'm sorry I was wrong okay? Please don't change our wedding date, I've been dreaming about this day since we were little. The wedding invites are about to be sent out. "

Qin Song: "I think getting married so soon after New Years is too ambitious. We'll have to set a new date. I'll pay for any losses that were accrued for deposits and such." He got up and started leaving.

Zhou FengMian stood up from her seat and screamed after him: "YOU OWE ME QIN SONG, YOU HAVE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY!!!"

Qin Song didn't turn back once.

Zhou FengMian had tears streaming down her face. She was someone who never admitted her faults and could never tolerate anything that caused her to suffer a loss. 'How could he do this to me? Why was he behaving so strangely all of a sudden? It must be because of Li Xiuying! Why was she even here?! She even had the audacity to talk about my face and makeup lies about surgeries. So what If I saw Dr Chi once or twice for a small line or two. Did Li Xiuying think that because she said those thing's Qin Song would look at her 'natural' emaciated face instead? She better think again.'

Zhou FengMian believed she would still be having her fairy-tale wedding on the 15th if it wasn't for Li Xiuying. It had taken her a year to convince Qin Song to finally agree to a date. He was constantly coming up with excuses to avoid finalizing anything.

Zhou FengMian spoke through gritted teeth: "Just you wait Li Xiuying!"