Chapter 207 A Trip to M City
Jennifer's startled reaction to James's request drew curious glances from the two interns. She quickly calmed down, and her face returned to its usual indifferent expression. Her heart was still racing from the unexpected intimacy. She shot James a warning glance, silently berating him for his audacity.
"What do you think you're doing?" she hissed, putting some distance between them. His nearness, the warmth of his body so close to hers, sent shivers down her spine.
"About that reward…" James began, his voice hesitant.
Jennifer's cheeks flushed.
'I consented to have intimacy with you, and you refused, but now, you ask it so blatantly?'
She pondered.
Seeing her silence, James mistook her anger for disappointment. "Never mind," he mumbled, turning away. "I'll just go make dinner."
"Wait!" Jennifer blurted out, her cheeks burning. "It's not that I don't want to…it's just…I started my period yesterday." Her voice trailed off, mortified that she was actually explaining herself to him.
James blinked, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Honey," he said slowly, "What are you talking about?"
Jennifer stared at him, aghast.
"James, you idiot!" she exploded, her fists clenching. "Absolutely not!" Just when she thought he was finally making progress, he proved her wrong. She was so furious she could barely speak.
James, utterly bewildered by her reaction, scratched his head.
'Wait a minute…did she think I wanted to…?' he thought.
"Honey," he said, a slow smile spreading across his face. "What are you thinking? I just wanted to ask for a few days off to go to M City."
Jennifer froze, her mouth hanging open. "That's…that's the reward you want?"
James nodded, his smile widening. "What else would it be?"
Jennifer felt a surge of murderous rage. For a fleeting moment, she had believed he was finally making a move, but the result disappointed her.
She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to calm herself. "Why do you need to go to M City?" she asked, her voice tight.
James's expression turned serious. "Dr. Wheeler told me about a Chinese and Western medicine exchange conference happening there. He invited me to attend."
He went on to explain the declining state of traditional Chinese medicine, the dwindling number of practitioners, and the lack of interest from younger generations. His passion surprised Jennifer, echoing her own concerns about the future of their chosen field.
"I know it's a losing battle," he said, his voice tinged with sadness. "But I have to try. I can't just stand by and watch it disappear."
Jennifer nodded, her anger fading into understanding. She had witnessed firsthand the prejudice and skepticism traditional Chinese medicine faced. It was an uphill battle, but she couldn't fault James for wanting to fight for what he believed in.
"Do you need me to go with you?" she asked, her voice softening.
James shook his head. "The clinic needs you here. Besides," he added, his lips twitching into a mischievous smile, "I'll be back before you know it. And then we…"
Jennifer blushed, swatting his arm playfully. "Don't get any ideas," she mumbled, but her heart wasn't in it.
News of the scandal at the Western clinic spread like wildfire, and the Hall of Benevolent Medicine was inundated with patients, many of them returning after their negative experiences elsewhere. Jennifer, overwhelmed but exhilarated, found herself working alongside the interns, and her initial dream of running a successful clinic was finally becoming a reality.
As she tended to her patients, her thoughts drifted back to James and his upcoming trip. She couldn't help but feel a pang of pride for him, for his dedication to his craft, for his willingness to fight for what he believed in. And perhaps, just perhaps, when he returned, she would find a way to show him just how much she appreciated everything he had done.
James, meanwhile, was preparing for his trip. He had received a call from Edwin, his voice a mixture of excitement and anxiety, urging him to attend the conference. "We need you there, James," he'd said, his voice earnest. "Traditional Chinese medicine needs you."
James had also received a friend request from Derrick and a curt message demanding his presence at a specific time and location. Though annoyed by Derrick's arrogance, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of sympathy for the young doctor. He was clearly carrying a lot of weight on his shoulders.
Just as he was about to leave for the station, his phone rang. It was Michael, inviting him to dinner.
"Sorry, Mr. Brown," James said apologetically, "I'm heading to M City tonight."
"M City?" Michael exclaimed. "What a coincidence! Harmony is going there, too. Why don't you two go together?"
James hesitated. He wasn't sure how he felt about spending an extended amount of time with Harmony.
But before he could protest, Michael continued, his voice full of enthusiasm. "It's settled then! I'll let Harmony know. You two have fun!"
With that, James agreed to travel to M City with Harmony, his mind racing with possibilities that were both exciting and terrifying.
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