Chapter 86

“Alright,” Juniper said, hanging up.
Just then, her WhatsApp buzzed. She opened it to find a message from the old woman she’d helped before.
The old Woman: [My dear, it’s been a while! Best Wishes.]
Juniper smiled slightly. [It has. How is your husband doing?]
The old Woman: [He’s doing wonderfully, thanks to you! But the medicine you gave him is almost gone, and I was hoping to buy some more.]
Juniper was a kind girl; she’d left the medicine last time without taking any payment, and the old woman still felt guilty about it.
Juniper: [It will take some time to prepare more, about ten days.]
The old Woman: [That’s perfectly fine! Ten days from now happens to be my birthday banquet. I was wondering if you would grace us with your presence and join us for a drink?]
A birthday banquet? So many people were celebrating birthdays lately.
Juniper was about to decline when another message came through: [You saved my husband’s life and gave him that expensive medicine without asking for a cent. If you won’t take our money, you must at least let us treat you to a meal to show our gratitude. Otherwise, I won’t be able to sleep at night. I might just kick the bucket from all the worrying!]
Juniper couldn’t help but chuckle. Who jinxes themselves like that?
After a moment’s thought, she replied: [Alright, I’ll bring the medicine over then.]
It was just a meal, after all. It wouldn’t take too long.
The old Woman: [Wonderful! I’ll be waiting for you, miracle doctor!]
Juniper: [I’ll be there.]
After ending the chat, Juniper opened the page for her studio to check on their progress. A staff member quickly sent her a picture.
[Boss, we have all the jewelry materials ready. When will you be coming in to work on them?]
Juniper: [Sometime in the next couple of days.]
She tossed her phone back into her bag, looking utterly drained. Staring out at the city lights, a single thought echoed in her mind: I’m so tired. She wanted to retire, move to the countryside, raise pigs, and grow cilantro. But she still had four years left in Eclara City.
The thought only deepened her gloom. She finally closed her eyes, deciding to just let it all go. Whatever. Let the world burn.
…
The next day, at six-thirty in the morning, her phone rang. It was Rachel, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm. “Master Lunar, good morning!”
Juniper was leaning against the wall, half-asleep, her expression so frosty that Qadir and Queenie didn’t dare speak to her.
Good morning? What student, forced to wake up at 6 a.m., could possibly be having a good morning?
“Master Lunar, we’ve set a time with Mr. Tate. The day after tomorrow in the afternoon. Does that work for you?”
The day after tomorrow was Saturday. “It works,” Juniper replied flatly. “And you’re sure I’ll be meeting this… Jimmie Tate, right?”
“Ah?” Rachel paused for a second before answering with a smile. “Of course, you’ll be meeting the award-winning actor, Jimmie Tate.”
“Then that’s fine.” Juniper gave an indifferent shrug and casually mentioned she had to get back to studying before hanging up.
Rachel stared at her phone, completely baffled. With a face and talent like hers, she could skip school, join the entertainment industry, and make a lifetime’s worth of money in a single year. What a shame. People who weren’t swayed by money and were dedicated to their studies were a rare breed these days.
Done with that call, Rachel immediately dialed Jimmie, her tone hardening. “I’ve arranged the meeting. Are you going or not?”
Jimmie had just gotten off a plane and was exhausted. All he remembered was Rachel rambling about some master dancer.
“If you don’t agree, I’ll jump off the nearest overpass. Your call!” she threatened. “Oh,” Jimmie said, rubbing his temples. “Then jump.”