That night, Deanna packed her luggage and contacted her master's friend.
"Hello, is this Mr. Lionel Grant?"
"Yes, who is this?" Lionel Grant's deep voice came through the phone.
Deanna introduced herself, "My master referred me to help you with some issues related to traditional and Western medicine. My name is Deanna Jones."
"Ah, Miss Jones, I know about you. Have you already arrived?" Lionel asked excitedly.
Deanna chuckled, "Not yet. I plan to come tomorrow. I'm calling now to confirm the time."
"That's fine. When you land, contact me, and I'll pick you up. We'll head straight to the research institute," Lionel explained the plan for the next day.
Deanna agreed and mentioned her arrival time before hanging up the phone.
Seeing her put down the phone, Lance came over and hugged her, asking, "What did he say?"
"He said to call him after I land tomorrow," Deanna recounted the conversation.
Lance, concerned, reminded her, "Don't forget to contact me after you land. Reach out if anything happens, okay?"
Deanna found his worry amusing but sweet. She nodded in agreement.
The next morning, after breakfast, Deanna said goodbye to her two little ones and her grandmother.
"Mommy, come back soon. I'll miss you," the children waved their little hands at Deanna.
Deanna hugged them one by one before getting into the car with Lance to head to the airport.
At the airport, Lance was reluctant to let her go, holding onto her hand.
Deanna laughed, "Alright, the plane is about to leave. I promise I'll come back as soon as possible."
"Don't forget to call me every day," Lance reminded her again.
Deanna nodded and urged him to let go.
However, Lance wasn't in a hurry. He gazed at her and softly said, "One last request, a goodbye kiss."
"Don't be silly, there are so many people around," Deanna replied with a smile.
Lance persisted, looking unsatisfied and unwilling to let her go.
With no other option, Deanna looked around and seeing no one nearby, quickly stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the lips. "Now can I go?"
"Yes, you can," Lance said with a smile but didn't seem entirely satisfied.
Even so, he let go of Deanna and allowed her to leave.
After a four-hour flight, Deanna finally arrived in Sealand.
As she walked out of the airport with her suitcase, she took out her phone from her handbag to send Lance a message that she had arrived and then prepared to contact Lionel.
Before she could dial his number, a familiar male voice called out, "Miss Jones."
"Are you Mr. Lionel Grant?" Deanna asked hesitantly as she looked at the man in a formal black suit standing before her.
The man appeared young, not as strikingly handsome as Lance but still quite attractive.
"I am Lionel Grant. You can call me Lionel," he said, looking at Deanna with admiration. She looked even more beautiful in person than in her photos.
Deanna nodded but didn't address him as Lionel. She was still puzzled, "How did you recognize me?"
She hadn't even made the call yet.
"I asked your master for some information about you before you came. I hope you don't mind," Lionel explained honestly when he saw her confusion.
Deanna raised an eyebrow but understood. "I see. Shall we head to the research institute now?"
"Yes. As for your luggage, I'll have someone send it to the hotel later," Lionel nodded and led Deanna to the car.
Remembering her master's instructions, Deanna asked once they were in the car, "Mr. Grant, could you tell me about the research institute? Of course, if it's confidential, you don't have to share those details. Just tell me what I'll be working on."
"There's nothing I can't share. Besides, you're your master's disciple; I trust her judgment," Lionel said, giving Deanna a lot of trust which made her feel both flattered and a bit strange.
Curious, she asked, "You trust me and my master so much; you must have known each other for a long time?"
To her surprise, Lionel shook his head. "Actually, I've known your master for less than four years."
Lionel then recounted how he met Deanna's master while studying at a renowned medical school abroad. Their discussions on medicine led him to admire Deanna's master greatly.
He even wanted to become her disciple back then. But no matter how much he pleaded, Deanna's master refused, saying she already had a disciple.