Chapter 20: I’ve Seen a Ghost!

Song Yin had already been through a great deal, and the momentary sense of grievance soon dissolved within her.

Because of this incident, she probably wouldn’t need to go to Lanshan Villa anymore.

After returning home, she took a shower and decided not to dwell on it any longer.

The next day, she went to work as usual. In the afternoon, she suddenly received a phone call.

The moment Song Yin saw the caller ID, her heart skipped a beat.

She found a quiet place and answered, “Doctor Ye, is there a result?”

She tried to keep her voice steady, though a tremor was still audible.

“You sound nervous. I won’t keep you in suspense. Teacher Zhu has agreed to sacrifice his rest time this Saturday to squeeze in three extra surgeries. Among them is your mother’s. So, the day after tomorrow, your mother can come to the hospital for admission and some basic tests. If all goes well, the surgery will be scheduled.”

“Thank you so much, Doctor Ye. I honestly don’t know how to express my gratitude.” Song Yin, usually composed, felt her eyes moist at this good news.

“It was mostly Teacher Zhu’s effort; I merely assisted. If I did help, consider it me repaying a favor.”

Song Yin hesitated a moment before replying shyly, “That matter was really nothing. I hope Doctor Ye doesn’t mind me meddling.”

“I wouldn’t think your kindness meddlesome. Likewise, I only moved my lips; it’s an insignificant favor.”

“You’re too modest, Doctor Ye.”

Ye Huai smiled and said, “Come to the hospital on Thursday. Call me then, and I’ll escort you to the ward.”

“Thank you so much. I won’t keep you any longer.”

“All right, goodbye.”

Song Yin waited until Ye Huai hung up.

Back at her workstation, her tense expression visibly softened, a subtle smile tugging at her lips.

Cheng Zhi asked, “Did you win the lottery?”

Song Yin said, “Better than that. Doctor Zhu agreed to operate on my mother.”

“That’s fantastic news. Congratulations!”

“Thank you.”

“Come shopping with me tonight? I want to pick out a birthday gift for my mother. You can help me choose, give me some advice.”

Song Yin’s clients were stable, so she didn’t need to work overtime.

“Alright, since I’m in such a good mood.”

Cheng Zhi smiled, “I won’t let you down. Dinner’s on me. Think about what you want to eat.”

After work, they walked about ten minutes to a shopping mall.

Their office was in the city center’s CBD, so the area was bustling.

“Don’t scrimp on yourself. We only have these few years to dress as we like. If you see something you want, just buy it. You must be earning decent commissions now, right?”

Song Yin laughed, “I’m not stingy with myself. Once I settle my mom’s situation, I might even outspend you.”

Cheng Zhi scoffed, “You’re just saying that.”

“So don’t expose me, okay?”

Cheng Zhi linked arms with her, smiling.

They entered a luxury store. Cheng Zhi browsed, while Song Yin replied to a few messages from a foreign client on a chat app.

After a sales assistant inquired, she was offered a glass of water.

“Hey, you’re actually here? Hello? I’m talking to you.”

The tone was unfriendly.

Song Yin realized the voice was directed at her.

She looked up and saw Hu Yiyi standing before her.

Not enemies, but the space was too narrow.

“I don’t respond to ‘hey’.”

“Don’t get all high and mighty with me. I know Brother Huai was just lying to me. He doesn’t want you. Look at your poor, shabby appearance.” Hu Yiyi was domineering and called over the sales assistant, “Your place is supposed to be upscale, so why do you let people like them in? The whole mall belongs to the Lou family. Believe me, I can have you thrown out with one word.”

The sales assistant hurriedly apologized, clearly recognizing Hu Yiyi, then said to Song Yin, “Sorry, miss, but we must ask you to leave.”

Cheng Zhi saw this and quickly stepped forward, “What do you mean? We’re here to shop. How can you kick us out?”

“Can you even afford this? One item costs what you make in two or three months. Don’t embarrass yourselves pretending to be rich.”

“I…” Song Yin stopped her and said, “Zhi Zhi, you watch here. I’ll wait outside.”

“No need. I don’t want to buy from a store that looks down on people.”

With that, Cheng Zhi tried to leave with Song Yin, but Hu Yiyi raised her hand to block them.

“They come in and look around without buying anything. I have reason to suspect they stole something. You have to search them before letting them go. Once they leave the mall, it’s harder to pursue.”

The sales assistant glanced at the manager, who nodded.

“You’re going too far, searching people without right. What a lousy store, so unlucky.”

Cheng Zhi couldn’t help but curse.

Song Yin planned to just walk away, too tired to argue.

The sales assistant blocked them, and a brief scuffle ensued.

Suddenly, everything quieted, all eyes turning to the space behind Song Yin.

Calm footsteps approached, as if the world itself made way and paused.

At the moment Song Yin turned, she met a pair of indifferent eyes.

Damn it, how did he manage to appear everywhere she went?

Coincidentally, Lou Yizhou had the same thought, and from Song Yin’s expression, he could tell what she was thinking.

Lou Yizhou’s inner voice: Could it be that I’m the one imagining things?