Chapter 20

Lisa smiled and nodded towards Auntie Mi-kyung, then turned to speak to Jungkook, "Mr. Jeon is really diligent, you came even earlier than I, her wife."

Jungkook seemed unfazed as he smiled amiably and said, "Ms. Manoban sure knows how to crack a joke. The friendship between Jieun and I has lasted for years; I hurried over once I heard she fell sick."

"Oh......" Lisa had an expression of enlightenment, then moved forward with a strange smile and said, "Since you came to visit, you must have brought something like a visiting gift, right?"

Jungkook inwardly cursed "shameless" and said, "I only brought some fruits." He pointed at the fruit basket on the side table, "I know Jieun doesn't like extravagance, so I brought something simple to represent my heartfelt wishes."

Lisa walked to the basket and picked up a red apple. She weighed it in her hand, and spoke in disappointment, "It's a real apple huh."

Jungkook puzzlingly asked, "Of course it's a real apple, what do you mean by that, Ms. Manoban?"

"Hehe." Lisa regretfully said, "I thought that for a rich man like Mr. Jeon, the apples sent by you would be made of gold. Who knew that it would be just an ordinary apple, without any meaning to it."

Jungkook could only feel his lungs expand. How is this woman's brain work!? Golden apple!?

Wicked woman! Lowly person! Trash!

"Ms. Manoban sure knows how to make jokes, haha." Said Jungkook as he laughed forcibly.

Jieun who sat on the bed kept refusing to turn her head to look at the 2 people, yet at this moment she faintly glanced at them. Seeing the appearance of Jungkook forcibly laughing, her lips moved slightly.

If it wasn't for taking into consideration the Jeon family's might and their business cooperation, Jieun hoped that Jungkook would disappear from this world. After all if it wasn't for him pushing her father, he wouldn't make such a mess out of things. He caused her originally exhausted heart to become even more haggard, which was why she is on the hospital bed now.

It was a pity that it was impossible for her to do something overboard to Jungkook. This was why in a sense, Lisa's actions were what Jieun wished to see.

It seemed that Lisa didn't plan to leave the matter at that, she waved her hand and said, "I'm aware of Mr. Jeon's capabilities, something like a gold apple definitely isn't a difficult thing, it's just a question of whether Mr. Jeon is willing. Although something this expensive isn't much to you, in the end it isn't good to casually give it to people you're not close to. Therefore as a couple we will not insist for it, we are deeply grateful to Mr. Jeon for giving us a real apple."

After speaking, Lisa grabbed a tissue, wiped the apple in her hand, and took a big bite out of it. In an enjoyed manner she said, "Not bad, very sweet, Mr. Jeon is even good at picking apples, looks like it wouldn't be a bad choice if someday you switched your job to a fruit farmer."

Jungkook nearly fainted from anger, he had met shameless people before, but has never met someone this shameless! Being spoken to by this trash, and in a few words he became a miser, a scrooge, a selfish person, and-- And even became a fruit farmer.

I came to visit a patient! Not to receive a scolding!

Also, fuck that sweet apple! How can it possibly be picked by me!

Of course, Jungkook wasn't stupid to the point where he would say "I had someone else buy the apple for me." Wouldn't that indicate that he lacked sincerity?

Realizing that he would go crazy if he continued staying, Jungkook smiled with his skin but not his flesh as he said, "I still have a meeting this afternoon, so I'll not disturb you from recovering. Jieun, I will come again to visit when I'm free." He immediately walked out of the room after he finished speaking.

Auntie Mi-kyung who had been enduring for a long time finally couldn't hold back, and with a "Puchi" she laughed out, "Young Master you're really good at talking, that Mr. Jeon would most likely be angry for days."

Lisa munched on the apple while saying, "He won't, if he really stayed angry for a long time over a matter like this, he would've given up on Jieun long ago."

[Sigh] Auntie Mi-kyung turned to look at Jieun, who was so silent as if she wasn't in the room, "I'm going out for a while, Young Master should chat with Miss."

After the thoughtful Auntie Mi-kyung left, Lisa annihilated the apple in her hand, and sat by Jieun's bed. She smiled and said, "My lord wife, this apple is pretty good, how about I peel one for you?"

Jieun remained expressionless as she stared out of the window, as if she didn't hear anything.

Lisa nodded with satisfaction, "This time you didn't stop me from addressing you this way, there's improvement. Furthermore, you silently consented that you wanted to eat an apple, and even know how to act like a spoiled child, an even greater improvement. To reward you, I will personally peel an apple for you."

Although she had already gained knowledge and experienced the ways of this contracted wife many times over the past few days, in the end Jieun still felt that she underestimated this fella.

I haven't even spoken half a sentence, and became a spoiled child!?

"Can't you speak in a more decent manner?" Jieun sighed, and turned her head back. Hoping to speak with Lisa properly.

"Decent? I've always been decent. What is there indecent about me peeling an apple for her wife?" Lisa smiled as she took hold of a fruit knife, the shiny fruit knife in her hand consecutively spun in a beautiful 360 degrees, as if it was glued to her palm.

Jieun didn't have the mood to speak anymore, but when she saw Lisa reveal this skill, she couldn't help but curiously watch her carefully.

Lisa grabbed an apple which looked good from the outside, and grasped the fruit knife in her other hand. After a brief pause, the fruit knife rapidly peeled the apple's skin.

Lisa's hand was very fast, so fast that Jieun, who was in close proximity couldn't see her movements clearly. She could only see the small fruit knife turn into countless lights surrounding the apple and circling it for a short period of time.

It was like peeling an apple became a piece of art, just like a clay sculpture or a wood carving, where before the final moment, you wouldn't know the how the final result would turn out.

In less than 30 seconds, Lisa stopped moving her hands, and moved the peeled apple to Jieun, "Here, I'm giving my wife a prize."

Jieun looked at the peeled apple in front of her eyes, blankly stared for a moment, and soon felt an indescribable feeling well up in her heart. Unconsciously, she became silly......

At that moment, the originally rosy apple lost most of its skin, but on the peeled apple, were some thin leftover skin, forming a few beautiful red words. -- "Wish Wife Good Health"

Jieun noticed her eyes getting moist, and immediately controlled her emotions. She said, "You only know how to do such unorthodox and senseless things, even this apple you peeled is so sappy."

"Hehe." Lisa's thick skin blushed, "Actually I also feel it's a little sappy, so it's better that you quickly eat it, my lord wife. Do you want me to feed it to you?" With that said she moved the apple towards Jieun's porcelain-like smooth lips.

"I'll do it myself." Jieun quickly grabbed the apple off Lisa's hands, but when the apple was in front of her eyes, she saw the bright red words on the apple, and hesitated. She found it somewhat difficult to open her mouth.

Lisa said, "Is it difficult to bite off such a good looking apple? It's alright, I can always peel another for my baby, but what should I write on it?"

"You need not let your imaginations run wild." Jieun immediately replied, "I was just wondering whether you washed your hands."

Seeing Jieun begin to nibble on the apple Lisa peeled, Lisa didn't continue teasing her, and only felt that the way this ice mountain-like woman held the apple with both hands and nibbled on it looked pretty cute.

"Thank you." Jieun suddenly spoke softly.

Lisa suspected that she heard wrongly, "What?"

"I said, thank you, thank you for everything you've done for me." Jieun raised her head, with eyes like the clear autumn, "I realized that I don't hate you as much as before."

Lisa bitterly smiled, "You don't have to thank me, if one day you become fond of me and promote me from a temporary wife to a permanent one, I will thank the heavens."

Jieun didn't get angry from those words, she instead pondered for a moment, and seriously replied, "That'd be very difficult."

The ice queen was after all the ice queen. Although she spoke a few sentences for the first time in forever, after those words were spoken she once again returned back to "Shut Down" mode.

Lisa judiciously left the ward. She felt hungry from not eating lunch and drove to a small restaurant to deal with it. She didn't intend to return to the company and work. Instead, she asked for directions and went to Yi Zhong Highs school to look for Mina.

With regards to that innocent girl, Lisa always felt distressed on how to handle the relationship between the two of them, she couldn't bear to hurt her, and wasn't willing to see her sad. But in the end, Lisa knew that she still hadn't completely given up on Mina in her heart.

In Zhong Hai, Yi Zhong School is considered one of the most elite school, so it could easily be found by simply asking the locals for directions.

After parking the car at the large outdoor car park in the school, Lisa got off the car, and realized that she had forgot to set a location for meeting up with Mina. However, she didn't panic to make a phone call, since it's always better to give a pleasant surprise.

Perhaps it was because they saw Lisa drive a BMW into the school, the security guards at the entrance didn't obstruct her, and only glanced before amicably letting her pass.

Yi Zhong's campus was fresh to Lisa. In fact, Lisa had never spent much time in school. The school's orderly layout, the many wooden plaques of famous sayings, as well as the occasional teachers and students walking past with books, all these were completely fresh in Lisa's eyes.

After asking an elderly teacher along the way, Lisa found the building that was the teachers' office. Recalling that Mina teaches English, based on that clue, she quickly found the office which had the door with the sign "Mina" on it. Above it contained a picture of a girl wearing a smile, appearing to be brimming with youth.

After knocking on the door thrice, the words "please enter" came from the inside. It was precisely the familiar voice of Mina.

Lisa opened the door, and the first thing she saw was the two seated people. The first was naturally Mina with a long ponytail tied up, wearing a white short-sleeved blouse, and a pair of mid-length jean shorts that covered her thighs, looking fresh and beautiful.

The appearance of the other person astonished Lisa, it was actually the "Land Rover lady" she met by chance at that night, with hair that was long, sexy and wavy, a black suit that gave off a heavy impression of accomplishment, her smooth and fair feet stepped on a pair of crystal-like textured silver high heels. Sitting on the chair, her entire figure was like a meticulously sculpted piece of art.

The two ladies that had completely opposite styles yet were equally enchanting sat opposite of each other, and turned their heads to look at Lisa who was at the door at the same time. However, the expressions they revealed were completely different.

Mina's delight was displayed through her words as she stood up and called out "Lisa!" She happily moved up and pulled Lisa into the office, and moved a chair for her to sit, "Why have you come so suddenly yet didn't give me a call?"

Lisa awkwardly laughed, and said, "A surprise, surprises are better." Then, she looked towards the lady that had an expression of enlightenment, "What a coincidence, we meet again."

"Yeah." Tzuyu sized Lisa up, then looked at the contented Mina, and a weird yet ambiguous smile appeared on her face, "So you are acquainted with Teacher Mina?"

Mina curiously asked, "Ms. Chou do you know her?"

"One fateful encounter." Said Tzuyu, and she added-on, "Not familiar."

Mina didn't think much of it, and nodded, "I never thought Lisa would come so suddenly, but since everybody is acquainted then it's fine. Please tell me if there's anything Ms. Chou still wishes to know, or need me to help with."

Tzuyu shook her head with a smile and said, "I have already disturbed Teacher Mina by chatting for a long time, it's about time I returned to my office. Moreover, since Ms. Lisa is already here, if I still insist on staying, that would be too inconsiderate of me." As she said that, she gave Lisa a profound look.

Lisa wouldn't dare look at this lady face to face. At that time, she made it clear that she wanted her to be her one night stand. The tragedy was that she failed, and now they met when she came to look for Mina, so it couldn't be helped that her thoughts drifted in that direction. As a result, she glanced all around the room, refusing to chat more with Tzuyu.

These words made Mina blush, but she felt sweetness in her heart, "Ms. Chou is overthinking things, we are not in that kind of relationship."

"Then let's leave it as me overthinking things." Tzuyu didn't bluntly point out anything. She gracefully stood up and picked up her white Chanel handbag, "I would have to trouble Teacher Mina with taking care of my daughter in the future. I shall take my leave now, thank you."

"You're too courteous, goodbye Ms. Chou."

After seeing Tzuyu off, Lisa breathed a sigh of relief, thinking of the conversation before, she bafflingly asked, "Mina, that Ms. Chou asked you to take care of her daughter?"

Mina nodded, smiling she said, "Yes, Ms. Chou's daughter is in my class, and I am the new form teacher, so she came to chat with me regarding her daughter. Actually her daughter is pretty intelligent, and obtains good results. However, she is just too naughty, her previous form teachers were all rather worried, and made her change classes quite a number of times. Ms. Chou was afraid that I would do the same, so she specially came to chat with me for a long time."

"Oh......" Lisa was a little shocked inside, she never thought that Tzuyu was someone who had a daughter because she looked so young. Since she was a mother, it's no wonder she didn't succeed that night.

Mina had no idea her "The great Lisa Manoban" had such thoughts, and continued saying, "I pity all the parents of the world, I think that educating children always require some patience. I plan to make some time to chat with that child. I feel that an intelligent girl like her would definitely understand her parents' labors."

Lisa nodded in approval, "That's true, a person like me that never had a mother or father can't endure the fact that someone is not contented despite having a mother's love."

"Lis, you're not allowed to bring up this matter, it makes people sad." Mina consoled.

"I have been used to it long ago." Lisa laughed, and stood up from the chair. She looked around at the refined office, "This truly deserves to be called an elite school, even the offices are so delightful."

Mina felt cheerful hearing the praises, smiled and said, "This office is only used by me and another female teacher, sometimes I feel that it's quite a waste."

"Little Mina, you work hard for this, it's no big deal for you to use an office like this." Lisa teasingly said.

Mina pouted and said, "Lis, I'm not little anymore-- a-and also according to age, I'm even the same age as you."

Lisa was stunned, and saw Mina's pair of large innocent eyes staring at her. In her heart, she knew what this girl was thinking about, and she felt ashamed about it, but she didn't know what to say.

Right at this moment, the office telephone rang.

Mina glanced at Lisa with bitterness once more, and proceeded to pick up the phone. After listening on the phone, she said, "Thank you, I got it." Before hanging up.

"What's going on? Did something happen?" Asked Lisa who immediately changes the topic.

Mina pursed her little lips bashfully, and looked at Lisa with anticipation, "Lis, can you accompany me to somewhere tonight?"

"Tonight? Where?" Lisa puzzlingly asked.

"Several of the school's young teachers in the English department have prepared a welcome party for me, they say it will be at Bar Street's 'Heavenly Province' and I--I've never been to a place like that, but feel too embarrassed to reject everyone, so I'd like you to accompany me there." Towards the end of her sentence, Mina spoke with lesser and lesser strength.

Fact was, after learning that Lisa had married, Mina was a lost soul. It was only on that day where Lisa helped her deal with the problem of the Sung family's father and son without hesitation, did she come to realize that Lisa didn't discard her.

Although she felt terrible about Lisa's marriage, Mina was unable to resist the urge to see Lisa.

When Lisa said she would come to visit her today, she couldn't sleep well for the whole night. Mina didn't know how to face Lisa, but once she saw her, she realized that nothing had changed. She would still happily smile in front of Lisa, and would still turn shy and blush over little things.

But when she requested Lisa to accompany her to a nightclub, Mina felt afraid. She was afraid that Lisa would reject her because of her change in relationship status, and was even more afraid that from the very beginning Lisa didn't have the intention to agree to a little request like this.

Too many thoughts went through her head in this moment, yet when Mina was getting a little dejected, she heard Lisa straightforwardly agree, "No problem!"

"Really?" Mina was overjoyed by the unexpected good news, and hugged onto Lisa's elbow, "Lis, you'll really accompany me there?"

Lisa tapped on the girl's nose in a pampering manner, and it was a simple action like this that made it all the more pitiful, "Look at how happy you look now, you're supposed to be a role model, pay attention to how you look."

"But somebody is just really happy." Mina stuck out her tongue, and still didn't let go of Lisa's arm.

Lisa took a look at the clock on the wall, it was 2PM in the afternoon, after pondering for a moment, she asked, "Mina, are you busy this afternoon?"

"Nope, I only have morning classes today. The term just started, so it isn't a busy period." Mina honestly replied.

With a profound look, Lisa laughed, "Then you should follow me somewhere now, since they chose Heavenly Province, it wouldn't be good if you went looking this casual."

-------

After dealing with some trivial matters, Lisa brought Mina out of the school, and into her car.

Mina was astonished when she saw the interior of the BMW, "Lis, when did you buy a sports car?" Although she didn't know the brand names of cars, the girl had the insight to notice that this car's price tag definitely wasn't low.

"Oh, now that I've changed my job and needed a car, I bought it." Lisa didn't continue explaining, she couldn't possibly say that she casually took this out from her wife's garage.

Mina didn't continue brooding over the matter, and asked, "Where are you bringing me to, Lis? It's still so early, the teachers said that the party will start at 6PM this evening."

"Shopping for clothes, you are still my baby sister, if you get looked down upon when you go to Heavenly Province, that would be terrible." Lisa smiled and spoke.

"Is it embarrassing that I dress like this?" Mina was a little depressed as she lowered her head.

Lisa helplessly sighed, "Mina, that isn't what I meant. It's just that you've never been to Heavenly Province, and you're not aware of it. From what I know of Bar Street, that place isn't as casual as other KTV and bars, to simply put, it's a high-class nightclub. For your colleagues to choose a place like that, it can be seen that they are all quite rich. It's no big deal if you dress casually most of the time, but if you attend the welcome party that they prepared for you so casually, it'll not just be bad for you, it'll also embarrass them. Of course, for those who are particularly concerned about self-interest, changing into a respectable, and luxurious attire will make them shut up and not affect your mood.

"I feel that the teachers in school treat me pretty well. They probably won't ridicule me." Mina bit her lip, and spoke with hesitantly.

"Mina--" While driving the car, Lisa spoke, "You have graduated from university for quite a while now, and ought to face the reality of society. For some matters, even though you don't care, it doesn't mean everybody else won't. Since you entered this society, you can only do your best to adapt. There is nothing to grieve or feel sad about, and nothing you can reject or loathe."

"I-I understand." Mina nodded, "Lis, thank you. It's not that I don't understand, it's just that I'm still not used to it."

"I will help you get used to it." Lisa gently smiled.

--------

In less than half an hour, the car stopped at Zhong Hai Mall, in the mall, clothing products from all over the world could be purchased, and would save Lisa the effort of going all around Zhong Hai to find clothes for Mina.

This was Lisa's first time entering a large shopping mall after returning to the country.

In the morning, she went to the bank to deposit the "extorted" cheque, and after she cashed it in she had a card made. Now that she finally had a little capital in her wallet, she had a little more confidence as she brought Mina into the elevator to go up.

If it was like before and she wanted to buy clothes, she would have to first borrow some money from others.

Mina had never been to a rich and majestic place like this which had perfumes pervading in the air like this to shop. She nervously held on to Lisa's arm, with her originally lily-like fresh, pure and beautiful face, combined with her current cute and helpless look, many other customers that walked around couldn't help but steal glances at her.

As they walked, they passed by Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Chanel and a few other branded stores. Lisa frowned, and bitterly said to Mina, "Seems like these shops are more expensive than I expected, how about we take a look at Balenciaga?" Although she had some money, it was still not enough to buy those clothes that cost thousands.

Mina simply had no knowledge of the meaning behind these brand names, all she knew was the design of their clothes were extremely beautiful, while some were extremely embarrassing.

At this moment she lovably nodded, "I agree, it's better not to buy something too expensive, I-I'm afraid I don't have enough money." As she said that, she even rubbed her little satchel.

Lisa knowingly smiled, and couldn't help pinching the girl's elastic face, "I will pay for the clothes today."

"But--"

"No buts!" Lisa immediately said, "Just think of it as something you owe me, and you can return it to me once you earn more money in the future."

Mina could only yield and agree to it. She felt secretly happy in her heart.

As Lisa expected, the clothes sold by Balenciaga's specialty store was a little cheaper, this was a Spanish brand with decades of experience, they've always been about the clean, simple, refined and pure style. This brand met the requirements to be the outlet to shop for Mina's clothes.

When the sales lady saw the two enter, she passionately welcomed them, "Hello, is there anything particular you want to look at? This season's new designs just arrived yesterday, how about I introduce them to the two of you?"

"Oh, you do not need to go through that trouble, we can choose ourselves." Lisa politely refused the sales lady's good intentions, and pulled Mina's hand as she entered the ladies department. On one hand she sized up Mina's build, on the other she personally chose clothes for her.

Since it was a work day and also daytime, there weren't many customers in the store. Several of the sales ladies noticed that there was a young woman helping her girlfriend choose her clothes, and all looked over in curiosity.

Mina was sized up and down by Lisa. While feeling a little weird in her heart, she also felt quite touched. Seeing Lisa pick out clothes for her so seriously, all the emotional pain she had vanished into thin air.

At this time, as if she suddenly came to a conclusion, Lisa nodded, she turned around and said to Mina, "Mina, take off your clothes."