Granting You A Second Life

There was a knock at the door.

The table stopped discussing the news article and waited for person at the door.

Ren Longwei: "Come in."

A waitress entered the room carrying a tray of vegetables. On the tray there was an assortment of green vegetables such as ong choy, tong ho, lettuce, snow pea leaves, yau choy and bokchoy.

There was a row of waiting staff behind her. Each carrying a tray with different ingredients, some had trays of mushrooms, others some tofu, a myriad of dipping sauces. Of course there were trays of different types of meat and shellfish.

Two waiters carried in extra burners and pots for the different types of soup base. One of the staff even carried in a small table to hold extra ingredients on the side.

All the waiting staff laid out the table, by the time they were done the table looked fit for a king. All the ingredients glistened, the soup bases simmered on the burners given off appetizing aroma's.

Ren Shirong: "We would also like to order some drinks, what do you all want?" He looked around the table.

Everyone called out the names of the drinks they wanted.

Waitress: "I'll be back in a moment with your drinks."

The waiting staff: "Please enjoy your meal." They all exited the room in single file.

Once the door was closed everyone began cooking various ingredients in the different broths.

Li Xiuying's phone started ringing, she answered the call.

Li Xiuying: "Hello"

Mao Syà: "Good afternoon Dr. Li its Mao Syà calling form City bank. I just called to inform you that your accounts have been successfully switched. All outgoing costs including direct debits, standing orders etc have been cancelled. You will receive your debit card and pin number on Monday. I have also invested two million into core computing for you."

Li Xiuying: "Thank you."

Mao Syà: "Is there anything else you would like me to do?"

Li Xiuying: "No."

Mao Syà: "If you require anything else in the future, please don't hesitate to contact me. Have a good day."

Li Xiuying: "Bye."

Li Xiuying put the phone down and started putting some cooked meat and shellfish, as well as crispy lettuce on hers and Little 4th's plates.

There was another knock on the door, a waiter and waitress carried in a tray of drinks each and placed them on the table. They then turned and left, closing the door behind them.

Minutes later Ren Shirong's phone started ringing. He looked at the number and picked up.

Ren Shirong: "Hello Mao Syà, has everything been arranged?"

Mao Syà:"I've informed Dr. Li that the account switching has been successful. Some of the staff members at various banks gave us a little trouble, I've noted the staff down and I've sent a list to your email along with a call log of what was said."

Ren Shirong: "You've done well branch Manager."

Mao Syà: "Thank you."

Ren Shirong: "Keep me updated with anything to do with the account. Bye." With that he put the phone down.

Everyone was eating enthusiastically around the table. There was talking, banter and laughter.

Initially, even Li Xiuying occasionally joined in with the chatter. However, Li Xiuying became increasingly quiet as the afternoon progressed and started given off a lifeless aura.

Several hours had passed and it was nearing 3 pm. Li Xiuying looked pale. Her usually sparkling eyes were devoid of life and light. She searched for a taxi on her phone and booked one for 3 pm.

No one at the table seemed to sense Li Xiuying's gradual change except Little 4th. After all children can be highly perceptive to emotion and Little 4th was particularly attentive to Li Xiuying. Little 4th kept glancing over at Li Xiuying from the corner of his eye. He was worried.

Big Sister YingYing doesn't look well.

Li Xiuying phone vibrated with a message. She looked at her phone the message read: You're taxi is waiting outside, it is a silver Mercedes licence plate ..."

Li Xiuying stood up: "We'll be going now."

Before anyone could wish her farewell she had taken Little 4th's hand in her gloved hand and was exiting the room.

Ren Daiyu called after her: "Xiuying I'll message you."

Li Xiuying paid the bill on the way out.

Li Xiuying and little 4th entered the taxi waiting outside. She buckled little 4th into the children's car seat.

Little 4th spoke to the taxi driver: "Qin mansion please uncle." The taxi set off using the postcode that he received when the taxi was booked via the app.

Little 4th asked Li Xiuying in a cute voice filled with hope: "Big sister YingYing can I stay with you tonight?"

Li Xiuying absentmindedly answered: "Not tonight Little 4th."

Little 4th could tell that there was something off about Li Xiuying.

When the taxi was in front of the Qin residence Little 4th unbuckled himself from his booster seat opened the car door and stepped outside.

He kept the door open and waited for Li Xiuying to exit.

1 minute had gone by.

Little 4th peered into the back seat: "Big sister we've arrived. Big Sister." He kept calling Li Xiuying.

Li Xiuying snapped out of her memories.

She stepped out of the taxi.

Li Xiuying spoke to the taxi driver: "Can you wait for me here? I'll pay you extra."

The taxi driver's next fare was at 5, so he had some time to spare.

Taxi Driver: "No problem"

There were two guards at the front gate.

Guards: "Welcome home Little master."

Little 4th took Li Xiuying hand and led her in to the estate.

Madame Qin and Elder Qin were already waiting at the front door bursting with anticipation. The security guards had messaged them as soon as they saw the Little master exit the car.

Madame Qin picked up little 4th and cooed: "Baby you're finally back! Mommy missed you!" She started kissing his little cheeks.

She did this every time Little 4th went to stay over at his friends house too.

Elder Qin: "Xiuying come in, come in. It must have been hard for you to have had to look after Little 4th."

Li Xiuying followed Madame Qin and Elder Qin in.

Li Xiuying: "I just came to drop Little 4th off. I'll be leaving now."

Madame Qin chided: "How can we let you leave without even having something to drink."

Li Xiuying was dragged along to the living room. She halfheartedly listened to Madame Qin and Little 4th talking with the occasional statement from Elder Qin. Little 4th tried to include Li Xiuying in the conversation but she wasn't receptive.

The tea in her cup had already turned cold. Her mind kept taking her back to Saturday 13th in her past life.

Qin Song stared down at Li Xiuying: "Dr. Li may I have a quick word with you please? Dr. Li can you hear me?"

Li Xiuying snapped out of her memories. She frowned at him.

When did Qin Song arrive?

Li Xiuying: "Please excuse me Elder Qin, Madame Qin. Little 4th I'll see you soon."

The two elders nodded.

Little 4th: "It's a promise, don't forget."

Qin Song and Li Xiuying faced each other, whilst standing in the hallway.

Qin Song: "Dr Li Xiuying, I went to visit the doctor today and he informed me that I have an allergy to your perfume. I think it's best if you change it." He then proceeded to take the antihistamines out of his pocket.

Li Xiuying brows wrinkled further: "No."

Qin Song was initially nodded then abruptly stopped: "Yes, it's best if you... Sorry did you just say no?" He looked at her incredulously.

Did this woman just say no? Nobody has ever said no to me.

Li Xiuying glanced at the antihistamines then looked into Qin Song's eyes.

Li Xiuying was in no mood to talk about such nonsense, she just wanted to get home: "Firstly, I don't wear perfume, its shower gel, body mist and shampoo. Secondly, from what I'm seeing you're clearly not having any sort of allergic reaction right now. Unless, you have a hidden rash somewhere which I highly doubt. Thirdly, if you feel you have an allergy to me then it's best if you keep your distance." With that said she abruptly headed to the front door.

The butler opened the door for Li Xiuying and she swiftly exited.

Qin Song stood in the hallway looking flabbergasted. He kept staring at the now closed door.

What just happened? I didn't say I wanted her to maintain a distance.

The butler looked at Qin Song. He shook his head and sighed internally.

First master is always so intelligent and usually has a high EQ, how can he tell Dr. Li that he's allergic to her? Did he sell off his IQ and EQ along with the stocks today?