Cross Lines

Chapter 67: Encounter

As dinner drew to a close, Dr. Luo deliberately took some time to leave the table and went to the restroom. Maggie continued eating at a leisurely pace, not glancing at Chen Lu.

"Maggie, do you still hate me?" Chen Lu asked.

Maggie smiled. "Of course not. If I hated you, I wouldn’t have come to have dinner with you. Besides, 'hate' is too strong a word. I don’t have such intense feelings."

Chen Lu raised an eyebrow and nodded. "That’s good. I’m happy to see that you have found your own happiness."

Maggie smirked. "You sound a bit like my mom." She teased Chen Lu, but Chen Lu didn’t laugh. Instead, she reached out and cupped Maggie’s cheek with her hand.

"I truly wish you happiness, living joyfully in the place you like. I know this is what you want." Maggie was taken aback and found herself at a loss for words.

"In the past, I always hoped you could stand by my side, that we could rely on each other. But I ignored your own wishes and whether you were willing to do that," Chen Lu sighed. "We were too young back then."

Maggie didn’t know how to respond and fell into silence.

"Now, seeing that you’ve made it through the toughest times and can manage your own life, I’m relieved," Chen Lu said, patting Maggie’s cheek before withdrawing her hand. Maggie put down her chopsticks and looked at Chen Lu seriously.

"No matter what kind of life you live, who you’re with, it won’t always be smooth sailing. Life is always full of complications. However, I love Emily deeply and hope to spend my life with her. I waited many years to find someone I liked at first sight. That’s the happiest thing for me."

Chen Lu nodded. "Yes, that’s the Maggie I used to know and like."

"Thank you."

After the conversation ended, Maggie took a deep breath. Perhaps time truly is a great healer. Years later, the tears and heartache she once felt for this person seemed to have faded. She could now chat and eat like an old friend, feeling light and natural. Hearing such words from Chen Lu made Maggie feel that her youthful years had not been in vain.

When Dr. Luo returned, she noticed there were no red eyes or awkwardness, and the two at the table were chatting about their alma mater while finishing their meal. Chen Lu saw her return and put her phone into her bag.

"Although it's a bit rude, I have to leave. I only had this short time to come and see Maggie. Now that I’ve seen her, I’m satisfied."

She stood up, "You two enjoy your meal. We’ll have another chance to meet in the future."

Dr. Luo quickly stood up. Before she could exchange pleasantries, Chen Lu walked behind Maggie, put her arm around her neck, and kissed the top of her head.

"Alright, I’m leaving. Goodbye."

She waved and left as abruptly as she had arrived. Dr. Luo felt a mix of emotions, unsure whether to be relieved or displeased.

Maggie, on the other hand, was grinning mischievously, holding a small pig-shaped steamed bun. Dr. Luo gave her a disapproving look.

"What are you laughing at?"

"Just happy. What else could it be?"

"So happy? To see an ex?" Dr. Luo’s tone grew more irritable.

"No, it’s because of a new lover," Maggie replied, pulling out a small box from her bag.

"One of the gifts for my new lover."

Dr. Luo took the box, opened it, and found a business-style watch that was quite attractive. Maggie looked a bit nervous. "Do you like it?"

Dr. Luo's gaze immediately shifted to Maggie’s wrist, noticing it was a different-colored version of the same model.

"You didn’t even ask which color I prefer, just picked it out?" Dr. Luo feigned annoyance, causing Maggie to panic.

"No, no, the sales lady said this color was specially designed for female partners, representing the 'dominant' side..."

Maggie’s voice trailed off as she saw Dr. Luo’s increasingly sharp look. She weakly suggested, "If you like my color, we can switch..."

"I don’t want to wear something you’ve worn as the 'dominant side'!" Dr. Luo said disdainfully. Maggie chuckled.

"Well, you still want the color I picked. Here, let me put it on for you."

Maggie took the box, removed the watch, and gently placed it on Dr. Luo’s wrist, speaking softly but clearly, "Hand in hand, growing old together, like the hands of the clock, second by second."

Dr. Luo’s face flushed. Such a declaration felt childish, but coming from Maggie made even the usually reserved Dr. Luo feel shy.

Dr. Luo withdrew her hand, using a napkin to hide her embarrassment. Maggie smiled widely, clearly pleased. Dr. Luo, feeling a bit self-conscious, tried to change the subject.

"Have you finished eating?"

"Yes, I’m done."

"Great, let’s go. There’s an outdoor concert at the riverside plaza tonight. We can go check it out."

"Okay, okay. Do you think we can still get tickets?"

"Let’s see when we get there."

It was evident that spontaneous plans often get thwarted by reality. The concert was sold out, and even scalpers had no tickets left. Maggie pouted a bit, worried Dr. Luo might be disappointed, but seeing her girlfriend cheerful, she decided not to be upset.

The two of them walked along the riverside in the summer evening, hand in hand, enjoying the moment despite not attending the concert.

Unexpectedly, they ran into Qiqi.

The second daughter of the Gao family was not expected to be at a place like the plaza. She was there because her favorite singer was performing that night. As she was about to leave after the concert, she bumped into Maggie and Emily Luo.

Dr. Luo didn’t see her, as she was gazing at the moon. Maggie also didn’t see her, focused on Emily Luo. Thus, the encounter was so sudden that all three stood frozen in place.

The awkwardness felt like time had stopped. Qiqi’s look was one of thunderstruck disbelief. Her eyes darted between Maggie and Emily’s joined hands and their slightly bewildered faces, unable to speak.

Maggie went from surprised to nervous, feeling her hand growing stiff. She was afraid Dr. Luo might suddenly pull away.

Emily Luo, initially surprised, tightened her grip on Maggie’s hand before slowly relaxing and meeting Qiqi’s gaze calmly.

"So you told me you were on duty at the hospital tonight?" Qiqi pointed at Dr. Luo. "You actually lied to me for this person?"

The second daughter then pointed at Maggie, her words harsh.

Maggie frowned but remained still, waiting for Dr. Luo to respond. Dr. Luo stayed silent, while Qiqi grew more agitated.

"What are you doing? Don’t tell me... you two..."

"Alright, Qiqi, there’s nothing to hide. As you can see, I’m with Maggie now."

Maggie felt elated, like fireworks exploding in the night sky. She wanted to hug Dr. Luo and twirl around to express her joy but restrained herself to maintain composure.

Qiqi’s mouth hung open in shock. "You... you’re together?! What does that even mean? Emily, are you some sort of p*****t? You want to be with a woman?"

Qiqi’s loud outburst attracted the attention of nearby passersby. Dr. Luo furrowed her brow.

"Qiqi, what era are you living in that you still—"

"What era? This is perverted. I even helped you reject my second brother, and I had no idea you were like this?!"

"Manager Gao..."

"Shut up! I’m not talking to you!"

Maggie wanted to slap Qiqi but didn’t. The anger inside her simmered.

"What did you say? Do you dare insult me?"

Qiqi stepped forward to hit Maggie but was stopped by Dr. Luo, who grabbed her hand.

"Qiqi, you’re grown up now. How can you only resort to hurtful words and physical violence?"

"I’m hitting this shameless person trying to seduce you!"

...

A few onlookers had gathered to watch the scene unfold. Dr. Luo held Qiqi firmly, her expression fierce.

"What are you trying to do?! Want to make this a news headline?"