The time soon reach 9 am as the quietness inside De L'amour was replaced with the voices of the workers. Like their boss, a handful of people were still hungover from drinking too much last night, while others felt the same as every other day.
As each person began their usual assignment, on the highest floor, Liu Shan steps out from his office and makes his way for Yue Ling's office.
*Knock knock
"Boss, it's me."
He sounds a soft knock to alert her of his arrival but hears no response. Thinking she might still be asleep he slowly pushes open the door and enters the room.
"Boss, are you—"
His right foot had only stepped inside the room when he saw that both the couches were empty. He quickly enters and searches for her, but to his surprise, he finds her up and sitting behind her desk.
"Did you even rest?"
He couldn't help but ask as he walks over to her with a frown.
Yue Ling was currently going over the supply contract that is going to be discussed with Cloth Co. She wanted to make sure that everything was perfect.
After all, if the meeting goes well, De L'amour and Cloth Co. will be working together for a while.
When she heard Liu Shan's voice, she looks up at him. Only, this time, it was she who was taken back by surprise to see him standing in front of her desk.
Had she been so focused on the contract that she didn't hear him enter the room?
However, not thinking much about it, she places the contract inside a black file folder.
"I rested enough."
She spoke her words and stood up from her seat. Holding the holding in one arm, she grabs her work bag and walks out of the room.
"Let's go."
Liu Shan was left in a dumbfounded state inside her office. He finally returned to his senses and turns around to stare in the direction she had gone.
He can't remember how many times he already did this, but he sighs again and shakes his head before following after her.
"Why do I have a feeling that's a lie?"
As the boss and assistant exit the building, Yue Ling entered the backseat of Liu Shan's car as he takes the driver seat.
Yue Ling tilts her head back and leans against the seat as her eyes close to rest her mind. After Liu Shan left her office, she did rest. However, it was only for ten minutes.
Although it was short, it was enough for her to clear the pounding sensation in her head.
Liu Shan starts the car and drives it out of the parking lot. Once they were on the road, he takes a glance at the rearview mirror to his boss.
He was curious and wanted to ask if she was able to count the stars, but seeing that her eyes were closed, he decides to keep quiet.
Cloth Co. is located on the other side of Imperial and will take a while until they arrive. He knows that she didn't rest properly, so as her assistant, he should let her use this drive to get some rest.
As Yue Ling and Liu Shan head to their meeting with the textile company, neither were aware of the commotion taking place within Imperial Military Hospital.
"How much longer do I have to stay here?"
Inside a private ward, Grandfather Ji sat on the hospital bed with a fury expression. His powerful voice thundered into the hearts of the nurses standing in the room.
However, to Doctor Dong, he felt the old man's voice was like an annoying flea that was asking to be swat.
He stares at his old friend and casually places both hands behind his back. His expression was calm, and he waited for Grandfather Ji to finish nagging.
Grandfather Ji was distraught and fuming with rage. He is doing better and wants to leave the hospital. He didn't want to stay here anymore as there were many things, he needed to take care of.
He looks at Doctor Dong with cold glaring eyes like he wanted to strangle the old man to death.
"Old fart, why are you keeping hostage in this hell hole place?"
Doctor Dong was struck flabbergasted by the almighty General. Sometimes he can't help but wonder what others will think when they find out the respectable man, they look up to is nothing but a fussy child in an old man's body.
He shakes his head with a sigh and moves both his hands inside the pockets of his white doctor coat.
"General, your diagnose test report has not been finalized. Once it comes back, I will determine whether it is safe for you to be discharged or not."
Hearing the doctor, Grandfather Ji's nostrils flare with invisible steam protruding. He growls a 'hmmf' and crosses his arms over his chest as he looks away from the doctor and nurses.
"Why is the report taking so long? Shouldn't it be done already?"
Doctor Dong sighs inside and waves to the nurses for them to leave. Once it was only him and Grandfather Ji inside the private ward, he walks over to the bed and takes a seat on a nearby chair.
"We've been friends for many years, couldn't you give me a little face in front of my workers?"
Grandfather Ji wanted to retort back but abruptly shut his mouth. He couldn't help but feel embarrassed when he thought back to his behavior. Especially at how he called Doctor Dong an old fart.
He had only said it out of comfort since it was a name, they often called one another. He clears his throat and looks at his good and close friend of many years.
"Fine, I admit my behavior was out of line. However, it's only natural for me to be furious. I've been doing better now, why haven't I been discharged yet?"
His eyes narrow as his words fell and he stares at Doctor Dong with a look full of suspicion.
"Why do I have a gut feeling that you are purposely trying to keep me here?"
Like he had been caught red-handed trying to steal a valuable item, Doctor Dong heaves another sigh. However, this time it was longer than the last one.
"I can never keep anything from your sharp eagle eyes."
He raises his hand to massage his temple then looks at Grandfather Ji.
"You had another mild heart attack. It isn't fatal, but I cannot guarantee if you have another one."
The anger that stormed inside Grandfather Ji slowly disappears and he smiles bitterly. He turns his head to look out the window and a wave of mixed emotions crawled inside him.
"I see, so it was another attack…"
His voice was soft and full of guilt. He slowly closes his eyes to take a deep breath and he spoke again.
"Speed up the process of the diagnosis report. I want to be discharged from here as soon as possible."
He pauses after his words, but in a split second, he continues again.
"No, I need to be discharged from here."
Even if others think he is crazy for wanting to leave the hospital than care for his health, he needs to prepare everything for his granddaughter and grandson. He needs to make sure that Yue Ling and Ji Jingxu will be able to live a life of comfort without him.
It is like Doctor Dong said. He may have had another mild heart attack this time, but no one knows how the next one will be as it might be the one to take his life.
His eyes slowly open and as he stares at the early sky outside the window, a determined look flash on his face.
"Once I'm discharged from here, I will tell her about my illness."
