"You rascal! It's been so long since you visited. Did you forget this old woman?" The elderly lady was reading a medical text. Seeing them enter, she set the book aside and looked at the young woman beside Erik.
"And this is...?" She'd never heard of a girl in his life before. Bringing her here meant the relationship was certainly special.
"Grandma Qin, this is the girl I like. Her stomach isn't well. Since I was coming today, I hoped you could examine her for me." Erik didn't mince words or try to hide it. Calling her his girlfriend? Well, the girl hadn't agreed yet!
Grandma Qin smiled warmly. "So you finally found a girl you like? Work hard, then." She gestured for them both to sit.
"Janelle, this is Grandma Qin." Erik introduced her.
Faced with the kind, elderly woman, Janelle retracted her usual prickliness.
"Grandma Qin, hello. I'm Janelle."
"Give me your hand. Let me have a look." Grandma Qin was a renowned TCM master. Now retired, she was rehired by the hospital but only saw patients two days a week. Getting an appointment with her was near impossible for most.
Janelle extended her wrist. Grandma Qin felt her pulse, then asked to see her tongue.
"Your stomach condition is indeed quite severe. Haven't been eating properly, have you?" The girl's stomach had been very bad before. It was somewhat better now, but not cured.
"Mm." When she first arrived at the border, she had no money. A fifteen-year-old working multiple jobs just to afford her mother's care in the sanatorium. Saving every penny, skipping meals, irregular eating... that's how her stomach was ruined.
"Stomach ailments are hard to cure completely. They need slow, careful nurturing. I'll write a prescription. Get the herbs and brew them."
"Thank you." Grandma Qin's gentle demeanor reminded Janelle of her own grandmother.
"How old are you, child?"
"Almost twenty." Seeing echoes of her grandmother in Grandma Qin, Janelle softened considerably.
"Grandma Qin, is Janelle's condition serious?" Stomach pain could be excruciating. He was worried.
"Slowly regulate it. The medicine is best brewed at home for better effect."
"Alright. Tell me how to brew it. I'll do it myself."
"Mm. I'll write down the steps for you later. Since it's the girl you like, take good care of her." Treating the one you liked well was essential.
"Okay. I understand."
Janelle felt distinctly uncomfortable. What was Erik doing? Did he really like her that much? Perhaps people in Hua Guo didn't know Erik, but at the border, the name Mr. Lorenz struck fear. Could such a man truly fall for someone? And for her? Or... did he want her to fall for him first, only to abandon her cruelly later? As revenge for stabbing him?
Erik chatted with Grandma Qin for a while longer. Once he had the prescription, they said their goodbyes.
Leaving the Qin villa, Erik drove straight to the airport. Bryan had already filed the flight plan. They could board immediately upon arrival.
"You're still coming back to Graham City with me?" He hadn't even visited Haoting Group since arriving in Imperial Capital! Was he truly neglecting such a massive conglomerate?
"Mm. I'm seeing you back. Besides, don't I need to brew your medicine?"
"Erik, don't waste your time on me. I could never fall in love with you." Asking someone who didn't believe in love to love him was impossible.
Erik frowned. "Janelle, right now, I just want your stomach healed. We'll talk about the rest later."
"..."
Erik owned a private jet, allowing him to file custom flight plans. He escorted her aboard.
"Next time you need to go anywhere, just tell me. I'll arrange transport or take you myself." He held a pilot's license and could fly the plane. But today, he wanted to sit beside her.
"Good morning, Mr. Lorenz." The flight attendant greeted him, her smile exceptionally bright.
Erik merely nodded and guided Janelle inside.
The flight attendant's mood plummeted. She'd long harbored feelings for Erik. After university, she'd had better job offers, but chose to be a flight attendant on his private jet.
The jet's interior was spacious and well-appointed. Janelle chose a seat casually. Erik promptly sat beside her.
"Tired? Rest if you are." The girl looked better today, but concern lingered.
Janelle simply didn't feel like talking. She closed her eyes, feigning rest. She wore only the white sundress. The cabin temperature felt cool. Erik instructed the crew to raise it slightly and fetched a blanket to cover her.
The flight attendant watched, her heart aching further. Erik was always aloof, untouchable. She'd never seen him treat any girl with such care.
Soon, the plane took off. During ascent, they hit turbulence. The aircraft shuddered.
Janelle opened her eyes.
"What's happening?"
"Nothing serious." Erik took her hand, interlacing their fingers. "It's fine. The pilot is highly skilled. We're safe."
Looking at their joined hands, Janelle felt exasperated. Was this man overly familiar?
The turbulence quickly subsided. Janelle closed her eyes again, silent. Her hand remained clasped in his larger one.
After a while, the flight attendant approached with two cups of coffee – Erik's favorite brand.
"Mr. Lorenz, your coffee." Her voice was soft as water, her eyes filled with naked resentment.
"She doesn't drink coffee. Bring her freshly squeezed juice instead." Erik took one cup.
"Of course." Throughout, Erik's attention never shifted to her. The flight attendant felt even more dejected.
Soon, she returned with a glass of juice. Seeing it, Erik frowned. "Is this freshly squeezed?"
The flight attendant's heart skipped a beat. "Mr. Lorenz, I..."
Hearing the commotion, Janelle opened her eyes. Her captivating, fox-like gaze settled on the flight attendant. "It's fine. I don't want it."
The flight attendant bit her lower lip, overwhelmed by humiliation.
"You may go." Erik dismissed her coldly and got up to personally squeeze juice for Janelle.
The flight attendant shot Janelle a look brimming with jealousy and resentment.
"You like Erik?" Janelle stated bluntly.
"Don't like him. He's a man without a heart." Janelle remained utterly indifferent to the hostility.
Erik returned with the freshly squeezed juice just in time to hear the girl's assessment of him.
"..."