Cross Lines

Chapter 32: Invitation

"Maggie," Jasmine's smile faded, "Recently, the company has been extremely busy. You might have felt it too."

"Is it because of the IPO?"

"Yes, it's a major event. Also, there will be some changes in the shareholding."

Jasmine glanced at Maggie, "So, I'm feeling quite anxious."

To confide such confidential matters and personal feelings indicates significant trust. Maggie pondered, "Is this something you care deeply about?"

Without hesitation, Jasmine nodded, "I've invested too much into this, so I have to achieve it."

Maggie thought, that’s up to your father, what’s it to me? She couldn’t help but internally criticize.

"Maggie," President Gao suddenly fixed her gaze on Maggie, weighing her words, "Do you know something?"

Maggie was taken aback, blinking as she failed to grasp Jasmine's meaning. After a moment, a realization flickered in her eyes.

Jasmine didn't miss that brief flash, her lips curved slightly as she awaited Maggie's response.

What a sly boss! Clearly probing me! Maggie internally grumbled. But after weighing her options, she felt closer to Jasmine. Still, she was hesitant to be involved in reporting matters.

Jasmine remained calm, sitting still and silent, waiting for Maggie to mentally prepare herself. After a while, Maggie spoke.

"I once… saw Secretary Peng dining with President Peter Gao outside. They seemed… quite close."

Maggie stopped there, feeling apologetic for the potential consequences for Kevin. But given Kevin's constant presence around Jasmine, Maggie leaned more towards supporting the good-natured vice president.

Jasmine seemed surprised for a moment, then nodded.

"Is that all?"

"Yes?" Maggie looked puzzled. Was there something more?

"Ah, it's nothing. I already know about that."

Maggie shrugged, "Then why—?"

"Well, let me put it this way: in a battle, intelligence is more important than high walls."

Jasmine patiently explained. Maggie seemed to understand a bit but wasn’t inclined to delve deeper. It felt good to clear her conscience, at least she was honest with Jasmine. As for Kevin, well, sorry.

Jasmine looked somewhat disappointed. She didn’t press further and closed her eyes again, as if lost in thought.

Before work resumed in the afternoon, Maggie returned to the office. The conversation with Jasmine left her with a peculiar feeling but not enough to dwell on. More important things awaited today.

Half an hour before quitting time, Maggie grabbed her phone and stepped out of the office, leaning on the railing outside to dial a number. Unexpectedly, the call was answered quickly, and Emily Luo’s calm voice came through.

"Maggie?"

"Am I interrupting your work?"

"No, I’m not seeing patients today. What's up?"

"Do you have time after work? How about dinner?"

The invitation was straightforward. There was a brief pause, making Maggie anxious. But it was only for a moment.

"Sure, where should we go?"

"I'll pick you up. The place is hard to find. I'll be at your hospital entrance by 6. Is that okay?"

Emily Luo agreed without hesitation, "No problem. See you soon."

"Okay, bye." Maggie stood there, wiping her sweaty palms and taking a deep breath.

Yes!

Emily Luo was the kind of person who stood out wherever she went. In the dimming rush hour, amidst the bustling traffic, Maggie spotted her immediately despite her simple, understated appearance.

The car glided to a stop as Dr. Luo quickly ran over and hopped in, swiftly closing the door.

"Let’s go. No stopping here, there’s a traffic cop."

Maggie smiled, shifting gears and merging smoothly back into traffic.

"Have you been waiting long?"

"I came out early on purpose. A colleague invited me to dinner, and I didn’t want to deal with them."

Dr. Luo adjusted the sun visor and tidied her hair with practiced ease. Maggie found it amusing; it was hard not to notice someone as attractive as a single, beautiful returnee doctor.

"It’s a bit far, so we might be late. Are you hungry?"

Maggie’s voice was gentle. Dr. Luo blushed suddenly, possibly unaccustomed to such care, and turned her head slightly to clear her throat.

"I’m fine, no problem."

"Okay."

The conversation faded, and the small car’s cabin, insulated from the external noise, created a calming atmosphere. Emily Luo gazed out of the window.

Traffic inevitably slowed down at this time. Maggie turned on the radio, where the hosts were humorously sharing jokes.

"I usually listen to this if I get off work on time. It’s quite fun."

Emily Luo turned to look at her, "Comic dialogue?"

"No, just jokes."

Maggie knew Emily Luo might find her taste in humor trivial, but she made no effort to change it, explaining it was her routine. Dr. Luo, with her refined demeanor, would undoubtedly listen even if she wasn’t interested.

The jokes weren’t groundbreaking, but the hosts’ quirky delivery added to the effect. Maggie laughed at a punchline, and Emily Luo’s expression twisted with effort to control her amusement.

As the car turned a corner and another joke played, Maggie laughed heartily, and Emily Luo finally couldn’t hold back and let out a giggle.

A smile from a beauty is priceless. Maggie turned to her.

"After a long day at work, listening to this is more relaxing than classical music."

Emily Luo glanced at her, not saying anything, but her mood seemed lifted. Maggie hesitated slightly.

"How about dinner and a movie afterward?"

This time, Dr. Luo wasn’t so straightforward, turning to look at Maggie with a questioning expression.

"What’s with this dinner and movie plan?"

Maggie avoided the question, "So, are you coming or not?"

"No."

Emily Luo’s tone was neutral, betraying no particular emotion.

"Come on~~~!"

Maggie, lively and a bit coaxing, got Dr. Luo to face forward again.

"Then you need to tell me what exactly we’re doing?"

"Just having dinner and watching a movie. Do we need a reason?"

Dr. Luo fell silent again. Maggie peeked at her.

"Come on?"

Still silence.

"If you don’t speak, I’ll assume you’re okay with it?"

Silence persisted. Maggie, stifling a laugh, pressed the accelerator, cheerfully speeding toward their destination.

By the time the movie ended, it was quite late. Maggie drove out of the parking lot.

"Shall I take you home or back to the hospital?"

Emily Luo was about to respond when her phone rang in her bag. She gave Maggie an apologetic look, checked the caller ID, hesitated, and then answered.

From the phone came Qiqi’s incoherent ramblings. Maggie, frowning slightly, listened as Dr. Luo asked a few questions before hanging up.

"Has she been drinking again?"

Maggie turned the car around, heading toward Qiqi’s place. Emily Luo sighed.

"Probably, but it seems she’s already been taken back. I’ll go check."

"She was drunk the other day; how can her body handle this?"

Dr. Luo remained silent, her cheerful demeanor fading, and Maggie decided to stop probing.

They arrived at Qiqi’s place in silence. Emily Luo apologized as she opened the car door.

"Sorry for the trouble again. It’s late, so you should head back. No need to wait for me. Thanks for today—"

Before she could finish, Maggie grabbed her wrist. Emily Luo looked surprised and confused.

"Don’t go." Maggie stared into her eyes.

Emily Luo was more shocked, unable to immediately understand Maggie’s intent. She widened her eyes, speechless.

"It’s late, and you have work tomorrow. I’ll take you home."

Maggie held Emily Luo’s hand firmly, shutting the already open car door with a decisive click. She shifted the car into gear and drove away.

Emily Luo stared in disbelief until the car reached the main road. With a cold laugh, she said, "Maggie…"

"I know, you’re probably angry. Why should I interfere in your affairs?"

Maggie, face flushed, didn’t look at her and preemptively said, "I’m just a friend who’s known you for a short time, having shared a few meals. What right do I have to make decisions for you?"

"I—" Emily Luo was at a loss for words.

Maggie didn’t continue. Her anger wasn’t just about the evening being interrupted by Qiqi but also about Qiqi’s habit of calling Emily Luo to babysit when drunk, which she found very annoying. The atmosphere in the car turned icy, and Emily Luo, with a gloomy face, turned away, ignoring her.

Meanwhile, Jasmine, who had witnessed the whole scene from the shadows, remained motionless for a long time.