Chapter 319

Luna White had just pushed open the hospital doors when the nurse at the station called out to her.

"Dr. White, someone's been waiting in your office all afternoon."

Puzzled, she headed toward the examination room. The moment she opened the door, a familiar figure rushed toward her.

"Luna!"

Lily Clark, cheerful as a songbird, threw her arms around Luna's. Luna's eyes widened—what was this girl doing here?

"You ran away?" Luna's voice rose sharply.

Lily stuck out her tongue, swinging Luna's arm playfully. "I missed you, that's all!"

Luna rolled her eyes in exasperation. Mayor George and Clara Clark doted on their daughter like she was their most precious treasure—there was no way they'd let her travel this far alone.

"Hungry?" Luna sighed in resignation.

Lily immediately clutched her stomach dramatically. "Starving! I almost got kidnapped by traffickers on the way—scared me so much I didn't dare stop to eat."

Jack poked his head in. "Dr. White, should we keep the afternoon appointments?"

Luna waved a hand. "Cancel them for me."

David Moore readily approved a week's leave. The Traditional Medicine Department wasn't short-staffed, and while Luna's acupuncture was well-regarded, her absence wouldn't disrupt operations.

On the way back to the dormitory, Lily gaped at everything like she'd stepped into a wonderland.

The moment they entered, she froze in place.

A 32-inch color TV, a double-door refrigerator, a leather sofa... These were appliances she couldn't even dream of back in the village, yet Luna had them all.

Suddenly self-conscious, she twisted the hem of her shirt. "Luna, I... I should go find a job that provides room and board."

Luna, busy in the kitchen, flicked her forehead. "Nonsense!"

A steaming bowl of noodles with a golden fried egg on top brought sudden tears to Lily's eyes.

"I'm calling your parents," Luna picked up the receiver.

Lily jumped in panic. "Don't!"

"You want them to worry sick?" Luna glared. "Last time you disappeared, your mother cried herself half-blind."

Defeated, Lily quietly recited her home number.

As the call connected, Luna noticed something she'd never seen before—this fearless girl's fingers were trembling.