A Billion Dollar Exchange

''I…''

''I…''

The both of them said at the same time. Jin Yue glanced at her for a second. ''You should go first. ''

Xin Yong did not argue with him, she just continued. ''I'll go see the doctor to know when if are able to go in now. '' she said and walked off, not waiting for his reaction.

Jin Yue could not explain how he felt. That was the first statement she had made to him that wasn't a scream. Although he couldn't say that she had forgiven him, it was a great improvement. A smile widened his lips.

After a moment, Xin Yong returned with a nurse and a doctor, who walked into the ward and checked on Liling. After a moment, they came out.

''You are free to go in now, but the patient needs some quiet until she wakes. When you are ready, you can come in for the prescription. ''

The doctor smiled and walked away, the nurse trailing behind. When they left, Xin Yong pushed open the ward and entered followed by Jin Yue.

As she approached Liling, she started having flashbacks of the child she lost. It was painful, and knowing that you are the one who killed your baby, would be brain chattering. She prayed Liling would be strong enough to take it.

''I'm sorry. ''

Just at that moment, as though they were thinking the same thing, Jin Yue apologized. One thing he was sure of was the fact that Xin Yong would not scream at him there because Liling needed some quiet.

Xin Yong was pulled back from her thoughts by Jin Yue's statement and she lifted her gaze to look at him briefly.

His head was bent low and he looked sad and distressed. For a brief moment, she felt like pulling him close and hugging him tight, but she dismissed that thought as soon as it came. Why was she feeling sorry for him?!

''Jin Yue, this is not the right time for that. ''

She replied curtly, not looking at him again. Jin Yue nodded but didn't reply.

They sat down, looking after Liling for a while, when it was past twelve, Jin Yue left the ward. When he stood up, he did not say a word to her, he just left.

As soon as he walked out the door, Xin Yong turned to glance at the closed door. Just now he was sitting beside her, she hadn't realized that she missed him so much until he left. It was crazy but then she couldn't control her heart__ the heart always wants what it wants.

She had thought he left because he was busy but after a moment, he returned. When Xin Yong heard the door pull open, she didn't glance back, she knew his footsteps enough to know it was him.

''This is for you. ''

Jin Yue stood by her side for the longest time before stretching out his hand. His voice was a bit shaky and the way he fondled with the take away bag, showed that he was nervous.

He went out to get something to eat and he had even gotten for her. She felt her heart softening and she immediately tried to harden it back but at that moment it had a mind of its own.

When Jin Yue saw her staring at the bag, he cleared his throat;

''I saw that you've not eaten anything since morning and I felt you might be hungry…''

His voice derailed; his hand was still outstretched but Xin Yong was not making any effort to take the food from him.

As time passed, Jin Yue's head fell slowly. Maybe he did wrong by buying her food. Maybe he shouldn't have, he had hurt her; how was he expecting that she would take the food he got for her? He must be delusional!

Just as Jin Yue's hand was about to drop, Xin Yong took the bag from him, and in the process their hands brushed.

If Jin Yue hadn't been shocked by electricity before, he knew what it felt like that moment.

And as though they felt it at the same time, Xin Yong withdrew her hand immediately.

The atmosphere became awkward suddenly. Jin Yue rubbed on the part that just felt her skin and he literally felt like kissing it but he held himself. Xin Yong's heart was beating frantically against her chest, as though it was going to break out any moment.

She slowly took in a deep breath to steady herself. What was he doing to her?

She kept the take away bag by her side and tried to pretend as though nothing happened although it was impossible to do so.

When Jin Yue came back to himself, he sat back down on his seat.

Almost at that moment, Liling stirred on the bed, opening her eyes. 𝐟r𝒆ℯ𝘄𝑒𝒃𝚗𝒐𝘃e𝗹.c𝘰𝐦

The both of them, at the same time, rushed to her side.

''Liling, you are awake? ''

Liling's eyes fluttered open, and she stared blankly at the ceiling for some time;

''Liling, are you okay? Go get the doctor! ''

Xin Yong said to Jin Yue without thinking, totally forgetting what happened a moment ago.

When Liling heard her, she lowered her gaze and stared at her for some time.

''Where am I? ''

Liling asked, trying to stand but her hands hurt, so she immediately stopped moving.

''You are okay now. You were rushed to the hospital so you are safe now. ''

Xin Yong said, adjusting her head on the pillow.

Just that moment the doctors walked in and Xin Yong gave them space to check on her.

''She's stable now but she needs rest. She'll have to stay for seven days more for us to be sure that the surgery went well. For now, her closest relative should see me in my office for the prescriptions.''

''What happened? and why is she talking about a surgery? ''