Chapter 85
The next morning, they woke up early and prepared for the surgery. Once everything was ready, Song Ling wheeled Li Xinjun into the operating room. Li Xinjun looked at Song Ling and Mark, nodded, and then allowed Song Ling to administer the anesthetic. The surgery began.
The procedure went smoothly, taking less than an hour and a half. Mark and Song Ling’s surgical skills, combined with the fact that Li Xinjun wasn’t an ordinary human, made the surgery relatively straightforward.
After Mark extracted the arrowhead, Song Ling handed him the skull fragment they had removed the previous day. Mark carefully placed it back in its original position and then sutured the scalp closed. Song Ling then bandaged Li Xinjun’s head, and they wheeled her back to her room.
“Now we just have to wait and see,” Mark said, his voice laced with hope.
“Yes, I hope everything goes as planned.”
“Don’t worry, even if it doesn’t, at least the arrowhead is out, and she won’t lose control again. Isn’t that a good thing?”
“You’re right. It’s a step in the right direction.”
“Okay, I’ll leave you two alone. I’m going out.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going crazy being cooped up here with you two lovebirds! I’m going to take a break, relax for a couple of days, and then I’ll come back and check on her.”
“Okay, that’s a good idea. We wouldn’t want you to be a third wheel.”
“Is that how you repay me for helping you?”
Mark rolled his eyes at Song Ling, who smirked at him.
“Am I wrong? Hee hee hee.”
“I regret helping you, you ungrateful wretch! I’ve helped you time and time again, and you just keep hurting me! What did I do to you in a past life to deserve this torment?”
“Just accept your fate.”
“Tsk! I’m leaving!”
“Go, go, go! Get out of here!”
Mark, exasperated, stormed out of the room. Song Ling, watching him leave, smiled triumphantly and then went to sit beside Li Xinjun’s bed, her expression softening as she gazed at her sleeping face. She waited patiently for Li Xinjun to wake up.
Meanwhile, Mark, driving Song Ling’s silver Maserati, arrived at a bustling street in Shanghai, lined with nightclubs and bars. He parked in front of an upscale bar.
Fan Weiqi, who happened to be walking by, recognized Song Ling’s car and approached it, hoping to say hello and inquire about Li Mo’s condition. Since their sudden departure from the film set, the director had only told her that Li Mo was on a two-week medical leave due to an unspecified illness.
She walked up to the car and knocked on the driver’s side window. The tinted windows prevented her from seeing inside, so she didn’t realize it wasn’t Song Ling behind the wheel.
Mark, startled by the knocking, looked at Fan Weiqi curiously. He had met her on set and recognized her. He guessed that she was looking for Song Ling or Li Mo, so he rolled down the window and smiled politely.
“Hello, Miss Fan. Are you looking for Song Ling or Li Mo?”
“Huh? It’s you! I remember you! You’re Ms. Song’s friend! Isn’t this her car?”
“Yes, I’m Mark. And yes, this is her car. I’m just borrowing it today.”
“Oh, I see. Do you know where they are?”
“Yes, I do. Are you looking for them?”
“Yes, I’ve been trying to contact Mo Mo, but I haven’t been able to reach her.”
“Excuse me, sir, madam, are you waiting for someone?”
A valet from the bar approached them. He had been waiting for them to finish their conversation, but seeing that it might continue for a while, and noticing the growing line of cars behind them, he decided to interrupt.
Fan Weiqi stepped back apologetically, allowing Mark to speak to the valet. Mark, seeing the situation, turned to Fan Weiqi and asked politely,
“Miss Fan, would you like to join me for a drink inside? We can talk there.”
“Sure, that sounds good.”
“Okay, young man, I’ll leave my car with you.”
“No problem, sir. Just give me your keys, and here’s your claim ticket. Present this ticket at the counter when you leave.”
“Okay, thank you.”
Mark took the claim ticket, got out of the car, and smiled at Fan Weiqi, gesturing for her to precede him into the bar. Fan Weiqi smiled back and entered the bar.
It was a jazz bar, with soft, mellow music playing in the background. Mark followed Fan Weiqi to the counter and spoke to the bartender.
“A table for two, please.”
“Certainly. Would you prefer a private booth upstairs or a table near the stage?”
Mark glanced at Fan Weiqi.
“A booth, please.”
“Okay, one moment, please.”
“Thank you.”
“Alright, please follow the waiter to your booth.”
“Thank you.”
They followed the waiter to a booth on the second floor. It was a semi-private booth, with a large window overlooking the stage. It offered a good view of the performance while still providing some privacy for conversation.
Mark pulled out a chair for Fan Weiqi and then took a seat himself. The waiter brought them menus. Mark handed one to Fan Weiqi and then took one for himself.
“What would you like to drink?”
“Hmm… It’s my first time here. Do you have any recommendations?”
“Do you like red wine?”
“Yes, I do.”
“How about a bottle of 1982 Lafite? It’s quite good.”
“Okay, I’ll trust your judgment.”
“One bottle of 1982 Lafite, please.”
“Certainly, sir.”
“And could you also bring us some cheese?”
“Of course, sir.”
“Thank you.”
The waiter left, leaving them alone in the booth.
“Miss Fan, you said you were looking for Li Mo, right?”
“Yes, I was wondering if you could contact her.”
“I can. I’ve been with her and Song Ling this whole time. The reason you haven’t been able to reach her is that we left in a hurry and accidentally left her phone at the hotel.”
“Oh, I see. How is she doing? I heard she wasn’t feeling well.”
“She was, but we took her to see a doctor, and she’s doing much better now. You don’t have to worry.”
“Oh, that’s good to hear. I was worried about her.”
“I understand. We should have informed you before we left.”
“It’s okay, as long as she’s alright.”
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Mark called out, “Come in,” and the waiter entered, carrying a bottle of wine, two glasses, and a plate of cheese.
He placed the items on the table, opened the wine bottle, poured a small amount into one of the glasses, and handed it to Mark. Mark offered the glass to Fan Weiqi for her to try. She took a sip, smiled, and nodded approvingly. Mark then nodded at the waiter.
The waiter filled both glasses with wine and then left.
“Miss Fan, I hope this wine is to your liking.”
“It’s delicious. You have good taste, Mr. Mark.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
Mark raised his glass, and Fan Weiqi clinked her glass against his.
“Cheers.”
“Cheers.”
They each took a sip of their wine and then put down their glasses. Mark placed a piece of cheese on Fan Weiqi’s plate and then took one for himself.
“Try this.”
“Okay.”
Fan Weiqi took a bite of the cheese, savoring the rich flavor, which complemented the wine perfectly.
“It’s delicious! It goes well with the wine.”
“Have some more if you like it.”
“Thank you.”
They continued chatting, and soon, the live music began downstairs. They went to the window, each holding a glass of wine, enjoying the mellow jazz music.
Mark, watching as Fan Weiqi swayed to the music, her eyes closed, lost in the melody, put down his glass and extended his hand to her. Fan Weiqi, putting down her own glass, took his hand and joined him in a slow dance.
He held her hand in his, his other arm around her waist, leading her in a graceful waltz as the music filled the air.
Fly me to the moon, and let me play among the stars~
Let me see what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars~
The music ended, and they stopped dancing. Mark smiled at Fan Weiqi, and she smiled back. They exchanged contact information, and then Mark escorted her home before finding a hotel for himself.
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