Granting You A Second Life

Qin Jingfei was nervously shuffling around at her desk whilst on the phone to Madam Qin.

Qin Jingfei: "Auntie I think we need to rethink this mission. I"m not strong enough to face Dr. Li."

Madame Qin: "Jingfei. You are the director of Unity hospital. Your role allows you to a.s.sign members of your staff to a project."

Qin Jingfei: "But it"s Dr. Li. DR. LI. DR.LIIII!"

Madame Qin: "Jingfei. Stop repeating Xiuying"s name. It"s just a simple task. It"s not like your life is on the line. Okay I have to go now, I have a lunch date with your uncle."

Qin Jingfei: "Auntie, h.e.l.lo Auntie." She looked at her blank phone screen.

She got up from her chair and started nervously pacing.

Qin Jingfei gave a self depreciating laugh: "It"s not like my life is on the line."

Qin Jingfei heard a voice coming from behind her.

"Your life?"

Qin Jingfei nodded: "It"s not on the line." Then she realized she actually heard a voice and it wasn"t just in her mind. She turned around to see Li Xiuying by the door.

Qin Jingfei yelped. "Ah Dr. Li fancy meeting you here hehehe. Come in come in."

She awkwardly tried to sit on the side of her desk but kept slipping due to the silky material of her skirt.

Li Xiuying quirked a brow at Qin Jingfei"s odd behavior, Qin Jingfei was the one who had set up this meeting to talk about the project. "She"s hiding something."

Qin Jingfei finally gave up on trying to sit on her desk. "Why don"t we sit on the sofa"s?"

Li Xiuying quietly walked over to a sofa and took a seat.

Qin Jingfei sat opposite Li Xiuying.

Li Xiuying: "Hiding something?"

Qin Jingfei: "Dr. Li I don"t understand what you mean."

Li Xiuying frowned.

Qin Jingfei cleared her throat. She told herself it"s now or never.

Qin Jingfei: "Dr. Li there was actually something I wanted to talk to you about today. It"s actually regarding the programme and the co-lead."

Li Xiuying leaned forward slightly.

Qin Jingfei: "I initially told you that I would be the co-lead however my schedule doesn"t allow me to do so. However, I am happy to say that we have found a replacement. You"re co-lead will be..."

A knock interrupted Qin Jingfei"s nervously chatter.

Qin Jingfei rushed to the door as if she was given a lifeline. She pulled the door open. Qin Song stepped into the room.

Qin Jingfei turned to Dr. Li: "Dr. Li your co-lead is here, CEO Qin Song. I would just like to inform you both that your positions are non-negotiable, non-changeable, non-swappable, non-exchangeable."

Li Xiuying began to protest: "Contract clause number..."

Qin Jingfei: "I realize you are not specifically contracted to lead this programme. However Dr. Li it does state that you will take part in any activities and projects conducted by Unity hospital. The reasons for not partic.i.p.ating are A. you have a moral/ ethical objection, B. it is purely for the promotion of the hospital or C. if it involves any photography or filming.

I would like to address all these issues. I will remind you that this project was your idea so I believe you don"t have a moral objection. Additionally I believe you didn"t suggest this project to purely promote the hospital. We will ensure no one takes any pictures or video clips during the sessions. However, we will have a professional photographer at each session to take pictures of those who have given permission."

Li Xiuying stared at Qin Jingfei a cold aura emanating from her. She had been checkmated.

Qin Jingfei saw Li Xiuying remain quiet so she continued: "The hours you choose to work will also be up to you and the itinerary of each session will also be at your discretion. I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that Mr Qin Song is a successful businessman in the corporate world and he has the qualifications to work on this project and allow it to fulfill its full potential. He is also an integral part to changing the culture of Unity hospital."

Qin Jingfei looked at her watch: "Would you look at the time. I have to go do some directing elsewhere. I"ll leave you two alone to get to work." She then briskly walked to her desk s.n.a.t.c.h her bag and practically ran out of her office.

Li Xiuying never imagined that the contract would allow for such a loop hole. However she couldn"t be blamed there was no way she could have foreseen that she would work with someone as annoying at Qin Song.

Qin Song sauntered over to the empty sofa and took a seat: "Dr. Li shall we get started and discuss the project? I"m on a tight schedule."

Li Xiuying: "Okay."

Qin Song: "Today"s meeting is to serve as an opportunity for us to discuss the general structure for the programme. I suggest we begin by discussing the first event which will be held in December. I think the first event should be an introductory talk explaining the programme to the children. We should also have some medical gadgets for the children to play with. A tour will be difficult for a number of reasons such as taking the groups around the hospital will be time consuming not to mention that confidentiality issues and potential objections from patients."

Li Xiuying agreed with everything Qin Song had said.

Li Xiuying: "Fine. How long will the day last?"

Qin Song: "The talk will be between 30-45 minutes and then one hour for the children to play."

Li Xiuying nodded: "How many people can we accommodate?"

Qin Song: "We can accommodate a maximum of 100 children at each session. I recommend having more older children as it could help them think about their future. Also the number of adults required to chaperone them will be less."

Li Xiuying: "That sounds fair." Although her expression was as flat as always, she was shocked. Qin Song had clearly thought thoroughly about this project and could see things she hadn"t even thought of.

Li Xiuying nodded: "No parents?"

Qin Song: "No I think it would be better just to create a learning environment for the children."

Li Xiuying: "Lunch?"

Qin Song: "Lunch will not be provided for the first session, but a small bag with the future schedule, a small snack, a mini diary and some Unity hospital stationary will be given out. As for future sessions everyone will get 1 lunch voucher for the canteen."

Li Xiuying: "Introductory speaker?"

Qin Song: "Jingfei since she"s the hospital director. It will show how much importance we place on this programme."

Li Xiuying: "5 Practical sessions: suturing session, knot tying session, Basic life support training, inserting airways into a plastic model, practice using a stethoscope. 5 taster talks: Surgery, anesthetics, radiology, cardiology and pediatrics. Alternate between practicals and talks."

Qin Song: "Fine."

Li Xiuying: "Sessions to start at 10:00 and end at 1:00. 1 lunch break lasting 30 minutes."

Qin Song: "Okay, I think we have covered most things I will contact you with regards to our next meeting. I have a meeting to attend. I"ll see you some time next week. I"ll have my PA talk to your PA."

Li Xiuying was surprised that this meeting had been so straight forward. No rude comments, no talk of allergies or about her girth. This was a pleasant surprise.

Qin Song made his way out of the hospital as quickly as possible.

Once Qin Song got in his car he finally felt comfortable again. He loosened the tie around his neck. He sat in the driver"s seat closed his eyes and put his hand through his hair.

Qin Song muttered: "Step-mother doesn"t know what she"s talking about."

...

Ryokan j.a.pan

Tang Tingzhe stepped out of the shower and dried himself off with a towel.

He wrapped the towel around his waist and picked up another towel to dry his hair.

He was humming to himself as he looked at his reflection in the mirror.

His phone rang. Tang Tingzhe looked at the phone screen and picked up.

Tang Tingzhe: "Yo."

Male voice: "Is it done?"

Tang Tingzhe turned the tap on before he spoke: "Done and Done. I"ve got her eating out of the palm of my hand. She said she"ll get Chung"s mother on the theater list next week Tuesday." He put extra emphasis on Chung"s mother with a slight laugh.

Male voice: "I"ve got the next client lined up. I"ll call you with the details next week."

Tang Tingzhe: "Sure thing. She"ll do anything I ask without question. I"m sad that there wasn"t much of a challenge. It"s never as satisfying when they give in so easily. You know I live for the chase."

Knock, Knock. Knock.

Tang Tingzhe: "I have to go. Seems like someone hasn"t had enough." He hung up the phone and put it on the side.

Jiang Huan was standing outside the door wearing a smile on her face and a bed sheet around her body. She was radiating happiness.

Jiang Huan smiled coyly at Tang Tingzhe: "Morning."

Tang Tingzhe: "Well aren"t you a sight for sore eyes?"

Jiang Huan giggled and walked towards Tang Tingzhe.

Tang Tingzhe wrapped his arms around Jiang Huan bringing her body flush against his. "Why Don"t you jump in the shower, I"ve got a whole day planned for us." He kissed the side of her head and walked out of the bathroom closing the door behind him much to the disappointment of Jiang Huan.