Chapter 101: 101 – Making A New Friend
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And thus, when it was time for the lunch break at SIMS the next day, Fang and Ren got their trays from the smiling canteen lady and went off to find Ash, who was sitting by herself at a much smaller table today – perhaps the advent of so many people (thanks to the presence of Ren and Fang on her table) yesterday had made her uncomfortable. Or, perhaps, she was generally unsocial by nature.
"Hi, Ash," Fang greeted politely as he and Ren sat down next to her. Now, fortunately or unfortunately, Ash had chosen a small table that could only fit four people today – so it was only one of the Blue Wolves who could join them – much to the disappointment of a lot of the students who were hoping to get close to the great Chairman Fang or the prodigious Fang.
Ash looked at Fang awkwardly. "Hello," she murmured.
Ren greeted her as well, and so did the member of the Blue Wolves who had managed to join them.
Ren cut through the chase and got straight to the point. "Ash, you mentioned that you are interested in Thalassemia, right?" he asked quietly.
Ash's head whipped up and her dark eyes fixed on Ren, her gaze intense. "I am," she said.
Ren looked at Fang, and Fang immediately handed the notes which the two of them had prepared the previous night.
"If you don't mind a bit of extra research work, we have some material here, and we have also spoken to Professor Klaus about this. He is starting a new research team for this, and if you would be interested, you can join it," Fang said.
Professor Klaus was one of the renowned international experts who Pax had lured into SIMS with great effort (and a lot of money and the bait of path breaking research work) – and he was known to be the utmost authority on the subject of Thalassemia. Ash was looking forward to working with him more than anything else in the world – he was the ray of hope that she worshipped in her heart and he was probably the one person in the world who could help her little brother!
Ash's eyes widened in shock and her dark eyes sparkled in excitement for a moment, before her eyes dimmed and lost the excited sparkle that had just propped up. She looked conflicted, instead. "I want to," she said, and the look in her eyes was full of desperation. "But I – my little brother – I – I can't leave him alone at home for so long," she said, her voice full of tears.
Ren frowned. "Why don't you have him transferred to SIMS for his medical care? As a student, you are entitled to a full discount on the treatment of a family member – and Professor Klaus can also keep an eye on him," he suggested.
Fang nodded. "Yes, what Ren said is right. Not just the discount, but there's also the creche and activity centre for the children of the staff members who work night shifts and the younger patients who would want to interact with children their age. You can pick up your little brother from school and bring him here, so he can spend his time at the activity centre – we have professional care givers and teachers here. And Professor Klaus can take a look at his treatment plan and make modifications as required as well," he informed Ash.
Ash started at Ren and Fang in shock and then burst into tears.
Ren panicked immediately. "It's just a suggestion – you don't have to feel pressured to do it at all!" he said in a rush and then shot a pleading look at Fang to help out.
Fang almost rolled his eyes. He knew that Ren couldn't handle people crying in front of him at all.
So, he asked Ash gently, "Is there a problem? As Ren said, it's just a suggestion – we absolutely don't want to force you into anything."
Although Fang said this to back up Ren – but he was almost one hundred percent sure that the girl was not crying because she was feeling pressured at all, but she was actually crying tears of relief and gratitude – because Fang knew how he had felt when he was still at the Orchid Orphanage and then, one day, someone in a cool business suit had suddenly turned up to announce that all the children in the Orchid Orphanage had been enrolled in a good school and all their fees and everything had been paid, and that even their breakfasts and lunches would be taken care of at the school – he remembered how many of the children had burst into tears immediately, and these had been tears of joy. The man had also announced that they would be supporting the Orchid Orphanage to provide nutritious dinner for the children as well – but that money had probably been embezzled by the terrible villains who had been in charge back then. Later on, Fang had learnt that this was Ren's doing – and that Ren was supporting not just Orchid Orphanage, but quite a few orphanages in Cosmopolis through Sirocco. It was just that the children didn't know who was helping them – they just knew that help was being given to them when they needed it the most. And later on, when Fang had learnt about these projects of Ren, Pax had involved Fang in the planning and strategy for these projects as well, and where there would be chances of embezzlement or the benefits not actually reaching to the orphaned children they were intended for. And with Fang's help in identifying gaps and improving the overall situation, things had improved very much. The children were doing well, and it was something Fang was very proud of.
Back to the present situation – Ash calmed down after a while and then grabbed Ren's hands and shook them vigorously. "Thank you, Chairman Ren, thank you so much!" she said enthusiastically, grinning from ear to ear. Her eyes were still red rimmed, but the spark and eagerness in her dark eyes were very encouraging. Ren had no doubt that this girl would turn out to be an excellent doctor – and probably the most valuable resource in the special research team being created by Professor Klaus.
Ren smiled encouragingly at her in response. "Just call me Ren like everyone else," he said wryly.
We're still classmates, aren't we?"
Ash nodded enthusiastically.
Then she let go of Ren's hands and grabbed Fang's hands as well. "Thank you, Master Fang, thank you so much!" she repeated.
Fang smiled as well. "No need to thank us," he said. "The benefits are already available – we just informed you about these. And as for the research project, I think it is us who will be thanking you soon, rather than the other way round," he said with a smile.
"We have to introduce her to Professor Klaus," Ren said, with a slight frown. "His lectures won't start with us until next week – but he has already arrived in Cosmopolis a few days ago if I am not mistaken," he told Fang, tapping his chin absently.
Fang nodded. "Yes, that's what he mentioned in his email last night when we sent him all our notes," he said. He pointed at the notes in Ash's hands. "We have sent him these as well," he informed her. "We don't know if these will actually work, but Ren thought of these things, and they may be quite helpful. At least, Professor Klaus seems to think that there is quite a bit of good value in this stuff, and can at least point the research for a cure in the right direction. Fang's voice was very casual, but Ash's eyes widened in shock.
"Professor – Professor Klaus has seen these? And he thinks there is a chance for a cure?" she asked, her voice sounding completely dazed – and this matched the dazed look on her face as well. Ash knew better than anyone what a terrible condition Thalassemia was, and she knew very well of the reputation of Professor Klaus as well. He was supposed to be brutally honest – and he was the best expert in this field. If he had said that there is a chance for a cure – then, would that not be likely to be the most correct answer?! Ash restrained her emotions and decided in her heart that no matter what happened, she would always support Ren and Fang in whatever this young couple wanted to do or chose to do in the future!
Fang nodded. "Yes, he said that it looks very promising and that he couldn't wait to start working on it, and he said that it is quite likely that he would be able to find a cure with the right research team. Since you had mentioned Thalassemia yesterday, we wanted to check if you were interested," he said.
Ash nodded like a chicken pecking rice.. "I am! I am! I am in!" she cried happily.
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And thus, when it was time for the lunch break at SIMS the next day, Fang and Ren got their trays from the smiling canteen lady and went off to find Ash, who was sitting by herself at a much smaller table today – perhaps the advent of so many people (thanks to the presence of Ren and Fang on her table) yesterday had made her uncomfortable. Or, perhaps, she was generally unsocial by nature.
"Hi, Ash," Fang greeted politely as he and Ren sat down next to her. Now, fortunately or unfortunately, Ash had chosen a small table that could only fit four people today – so it was only one of the Blue Wolves who could join them – much to the disappointment of a lot of the students who were hoping to get close to the great Chairman Fang or the prodigious Fang.
Ash looked at Fang awkwardly. "Hello," she murmured.
Ren greeted her as well, and so did the member of the Blue Wolves who had managed to join them.
Ren cut through the chase and got straight to the point. "Ash, you mentioned that you are interested in Thalassemia, right?" he asked quietly.
Ash's head whipped up and her dark eyes fixed on Ren, her gaze intense. "I am," she said.
Ren looked at Fang, and Fang immediately handed the notes which the two of them had prepared the previous night.
"If you don't mind a bit of extra research work, we have some material here, and we have also spoken to Professor Klaus about this. He is starting a new research team for this, and if you would be interested, you can join it," Fang said.
Professor Klaus was one of the renowned international experts who Pax had lured into SIMS with great effort (and a lot of money and the bait of path breaking research work) – and he was known to be the utmost authority on the subject of Thalassemia. Ash was looking forward to working with him more than anything else in the world – he was the ray of hope that she worshipped in her heart and he was probably the one person in the world who could help her little brother!
Ash's eyes widened in shock and her dark eyes sparkled in excitement for a moment, before her eyes dimmed and lost the excited sparkle that had just propped up. She looked conflicted, instead. "I want to," she said, and the look in her eyes was full of desperation. "But I – my little brother – I – I can't leave him alone at home for so long," she said, her voice full of tears.
Ren frowned. "Why don't you have him transferred to SIMS for his medical care? As a student, you are entitled to a full discount on the treatment of a family member – and Professor Klaus can also keep an eye on him," he suggested.
Fang nodded. "Yes, what Ren said is right. Not just the discount, but there's also the creche and activity centre for the children of the staff members who work night shifts and the younger patients who would want to interact with children their age. You can pick up your little brother from school and bring him here, so he can spend his time at the activity centre – we have professional care givers and teachers here. And Professor Klaus can take a look at his treatment plan and make modifications as required as well," he informed Ash.
Ash started at Ren and Fang in shock and then burst into tears.
Ren panicked immediately. "It's just a suggestion – you don't have to feel pressured to do it at all!" he said in a rush and then shot a pleading look at Fang to help out.
Fang almost rolled his eyes. He knew that Ren couldn't handle people crying in front of him at all.
So, he asked Ash gently, "Is there a problem? As Ren said, it's just a suggestion – we absolutely don't want to force you into anything."
Although Fang said this to back up Ren – but he was almost one hundred percent sure that the girl was not crying because she was feeling pressured at all, but she was actually crying tears of relief and gratitude – because Fang knew how he had felt when he was still at the Orchid Orphanage and then, one day, someone in a cool business suit had suddenly turned up to announce that all the children in the Orchid Orphanage had been enrolled in a good school and all their fees and everything had been paid, and that even their breakfasts and lunches would be taken care of at the school – he remembered how many of the children had burst into tears immediately, and these had been tears of joy. The man had also announced that they would be supporting the Orchid Orphanage to provide nutritious dinner for the children as well – but that money had probably been embezzled by the terrible villains who had been in charge back then. Later on, Fang had learnt that this was Ren's doing – and that Ren was supporting not just Orchid Orphanage, but quite a few orphanages in Cosmopolis through Sirocco. It was just that the children didn't know who was helping them – they just knew that help was being given to them when they needed it the most. And later on, when Fang had learnt about these projects of Ren, Pax had involved Fang in the planning and strategy for these projects as well, and where there would be chances of embezzlement or the benefits not actually reaching to the orphaned children they were intended for. And with Fang's help in identifying gaps and improving the overall situation, things had improved very much. The children were doing well, and it was something Fang was very proud of.
Back to the present situation – Ash calmed down after a while and then grabbed Ren's hands and shook them vigorously. "Thank you, Chairman Ren, thank you so much!" she said enthusiastically, grinning from ear to ear. Her eyes were still red rimmed, but the spark and eagerness in her dark eyes were very encouraging. Ren had no doubt that this girl would turn out to be an excellent doctor – and probably the most valuable resource in the special research team being created by Professor Klaus.
Ren smiled encouragingly at her in response. "Just call me Ren like everyone else," he said wryly.
We're still classmates, aren't we?"
Ash nodded enthusiastically.
Then she let go of Ren's hands and grabbed Fang's hands as well. "Thank you, Master Fang, thank you so much!" she repeated.
Fang smiled as well. "No need to thank us," he said. "The benefits are already available – we just informed you about these. And as for the research project, I think it is us who will be thanking you soon, rather than the other way round," he said with a smile.
"We have to introduce her to Professor Klaus," Ren said, with a slight frown. "His lectures won't start with us until next week – but he has already arrived in Cosmopolis a few days ago if I am not mistaken," he told Fang, tapping his chin absently.
Fang nodded. "Yes, that's what he mentioned in his email last night when we sent him all our notes," he said. He pointed at the notes in Ash's hands. "We have sent him these as well," he informed her. "We don't know if these will actually work, but Ren thought of these things, and they may be quite helpful. At least, Professor Klaus seems to think that there is quite a bit of good value in this stuff, and can at least point the research for a cure in the right direction. Fang's voice was very casual, but Ash's eyes widened in shock.
"Professor – Professor Klaus has seen these? And he thinks there is a chance for a cure?" she asked, her voice sounding completely dazed – and this matched the dazed look on her face as well. Ash knew better than anyone what a terrible condition Thalassemia was, and she knew very well of the reputation of Professor Klaus as well. He was supposed to be brutally honest – and he was the best expert in this field. If he had said that there is a chance for a cure – then, would that not be likely to be the most correct answer?! Ash restrained her emotions and decided in her heart that no matter what happened, she would always support Ren and Fang in whatever this young couple wanted to do or chose to do in the future!
Fang nodded. "Yes, he said that it looks very promising and that he couldn't wait to start working on it, and he said that it is quite likely that he would be able to find a cure with the right research team. Since you had mentioned Thalassemia yesterday, we wanted to check if you were interested," he said.
Ash nodded like a chicken pecking rice.. "I am! I am! I am in!" she cried happily.
And thus, when it was time for the lunch break at SIMS the next day, Fang and Ren got their trays from the smiling canteen lady and went off to find Ash, who was sitting by herself at a much smaller table today perhaps the advent of so many people thanks to the presence of Ren and Fang on her table yesterday had made her uncomfortable. Or, perhaps, she was generally unsocial by nature."Hi, Ash," Fang greeted politely as he and Ren sat down next to her. Now, fortunately or unfortunately, Ash had chosen a small table that could only fit four people today so it was only one of the Blue Wolves who could join them much to the disappointment of a lot of the students who were hoping to get close to the great Chairman Fang or the prodigious Fang.Ash looked at Fang awkwardly. "Hello," she murmured.Ren greeted her as well, and so did the member of the Blue Wolves who had managed to join them.Ren cut through the chase and got straight to the point. "Ash, you mentioned that you are interested in Thalassemia, right?" he asked quietly.Ash's head whipped up and her dark eyes fixed on Ren, her gaze intense. "I am," she said.Ren looked at Fang, and Fang immediately handed the notes which the two of them had prepared the previous night."If you don't mind a bit of extra research work, we have some material here, and we have also spoken to Professor Klaus about this. He is starting a new research team for this, and if you would be interested, you can join it," Fang said.Professor Klaus was one of the renowned international experts who Pax had lured into SIMS with great effort and a lot of money and the bait of path breaking research work and he was known to be the utmost authority on the subject of Thalassemia. Ash was looking forward to working with him more than anything else in the world he was the ray of hope that she worshipped in her heart and he was probably the one person in the world who could help her little brother!Ash's eyes widened in shock and her dark eyes sparkled in excitement for a moment, before her eyes dimmed and lost the excited sparkle that had just propped up. She looked conflicted, instead. "I want to," she said, and the look in her eyes was full of desperation. "But I my little brother I I can't leave him alone at home for so long," she said, her voice full of tears.Ren frowned. "Why don't you have him transferred to SIMS for his medical care? As a student, you are entitled to a full discount on the treatment of a family member and Professor Klaus can also keep an eye on him," he suggested.Fang nodded. "Yes, what Ren said is right. Not just the discount, but there's also the creche and activity centre for the children of the staff members who work night shifts and the younger patients who would want to interact with children their age. You can pick up your little brother from school and bring him here, so he can spend his time at the activity centre we have professional care givers and teachers here. And Professor Klaus can take a look at his treatment plan and make modifications as required as well," he informed Ash.Ash started at Ren and Fang in shock and then burst into tears.Ren panicked immediately. "It's just a suggestion you don't have to feel pressured to do it at all!" he said in a rush and then shot a pleading look at Fang to help out.Fang almost rolled his eyes. He knew that Ren couldn't handle people crying in front of him at all.So, he asked Ash gently, "Is there a problem? As Ren said, it's just a suggestion we absolutely don't want to force you into anything."Although Fang said this to back up Ren but he was almost one hundred percent sure that the girl was not crying because she was feeling pressured at all, but she was actually crying tears of relief and gratitude because Fang knew how he had felt when he was still at the Orchid Orphanage and then, one day, someone in a cool business suit had suddenly turned up to announce that all the children in the Orchid Orphanage had been enrolled in a good school and all their fees and everything had been paid, and that even their breakfasts and lunches would be taken care of at the school he remembered how many of the children had burst into tears immediately, and these had been tears of joy. The man had also announced that they would be supporting the Orchid Orphanage to provide nutritious dinner for the children as well but that money had probably been embezzled by the terrible villains who had been in charge back then. Later on, Fang had learnt that this was Ren's doing and that Ren was supporting not just Orchid Orphanage, but quite a few orphanages in Cosmopolis through Sirocco. It was just that the children didn't know who was helping them they just knew that help was being given to them when they needed it the most. And later on, when Fang had learnt about these projects of Ren, Pax had involved Fang in the planning and strategy for these projects as well, and where there would be chances of embezzlement or the benefits not actually reaching to the orphaned children they were intended for. And with Fang's help in identifying gaps and improving the overall situation, things had improved very much. The children were doing well, and it was something Fang was very proud of.Back to the present situation Ash calmed down after a while and then grabbed Ren's hands and shook them vigorously. "Thank you, Chairman Ren, thank you so much!" she said enthusiastically, grinning from ear to ear. Her eyes were still red rimmed, but the spark and eagerness in her dark eyes were very encouraging. Ren had no doubt that this girl would turn out to be an excellent doctor and probably the most valuable resource in the special research team being created by Professor Klaus.Ren smiled encouragingly at her in response. "Just call me Ren like everyone else," he said wryly. We're still classmates, aren't we?"Ash nodded enthusiastically.Then she let go of Ren's hands and grabbed Fang's hands as well. "Thank you, Master Fang, thank you so much!" she repeated.Fang smiled as well. "No need to thank us," he said. "The benefits are already available we just informed you about these. And as for the research project, I think it is us who will be thanking you soon, rather than the other way round," he said with a smile."We have to introduce her to Professor Klaus," Ren said, with a slight frown. "His lectures won't start with us until next week but he has already arrived in Cosmopolis a few days ago if I am not mistaken," he told Fang, tapping his chin absently.Fang nodded. "Yes, that's what he mentioned in his email last night when we sent him all our notes," he said. He pointed at the notes in Ash's hands. "We have sent him these as well," he informed her. "We don't know if these will actually work, but Ren thought of these things, and they may be quite helpful. At least, Professor Klaus seems to think that there is quite a bit of good value in this stuff, and can at least point the research for a cure in the right direction. Fang's voice was very casual, but Ash's eyes widened in shock."Professor Professor Klaus has seen these? And he thinks there is a chance for a cure?" she asked, her voice sounding completely dazed and this matched the dazed look on her face as well. Ash knew better than anyone what a terrible condition Thalassemia was, and she knew very well of the reputation of Professor Klaus as well. He was supposed to be brutally honest and he was the best expert in this field. If he had said that there is a chance for a cure then, would that not be likely to be the most correct answer?! Ash restrained her emotions and decided in her heart that no matter what happened, she would always support Ren and Fang in whatever this young couple wanted to do or chose to do in the future!Fang nodded. "Yes, he said that it looks very promising and that he couldn't wait to start working on it, and he said that it is quite likely that he would be able to find a cure with the right research team. Since you had mentioned Thalassemia yesterday, we wanted to check if you were interested," he said.Ash nodded like a chicken pecking rice.. "I am! I am! I am in!" she cried happily.
