Rhodes Island's Psychologist

Ch 20: Time Does Not Wait

When Lin Yie opens his eyes, he can see Shining standing next to his bed. She says, "Hello, panda."

(Do I have eye bags now?)

He blinks a few times to get rid of his sleepiness.

The sun is already up. Warm sunlight spills inside through the window, outlining Shining's perfect body.

"Uh..." Lin Yie holds his forehead and struggles to get up, "What time is it?"

"Ten." Shining says softly, "Did you always wake up at this hour in Chernobog?"

"No. That's not the case at all. We worked at 8." Lin Yie sighs, "I know what you want to say. Do you think I don't want to wake up early? If not for all the grind-... I mean, I had a toothache, so I didn't sleep well."

Perhaps it is best not to bad-mouth his roommate. He believes Ansel didn't intentionally kill off his sleep. He seems like a too nice of a person to do that.

"Where is Ansel?" Lin Yie looks around, but he doesn't see Ansel. He can see Ansel's blanket is folded neatly though, "Did he leave?"

"Rhodes Island doesn't have strict working hours." Shining says, "But we usually wake up early because there are too many things for us to do and it is especially true for Ansel who is an intern here."

"I thought you are part of the medical group too."

"Yes but there's nothing left for me to learn about." Shining says, "Unless there is something really troublesome, I don't need to be there."

"Alright." Lin Yie stops delving into the details of her job so he asks, "What should I do today?"

"Entry test."

Lin Yie asks, "But didn't you say Amiya and the doctor haven't come back yet?"

"They only need to sign their names," Shining looks at the wall clock, "But isn't it about time you get up now? We have fewer than 20 minutes left."

Lin Yie is shocked. This is critical for his employment, so he gets up quickly and rushes towards the restroom to get ready.

When he is getting ready, he bombards by lots of bottles of cosmetic products like facial cleansers.

Didn't Ansel say he is male? And he was willing to prove his manhood. Then why does he use these many cosmetics?

Lin Yie thinks for a moment.

If he knew better, he should have let Ansel prove himself. What a waste.

After a few minutes, Lin Yie is ready. They wait for the elevator.

"Will there be an interviewer?" Lin Yie is nervous, "Do you think I look good in this shirt? Or does it make me look fat?"

Shining gives him a weird look, "I really don't understand the way you think."

Lin Yie smiles awkwardly. To be honest, it is a bit embarrassing for him to act so nervously in front of a lady but he can't help but feel nervous like a college student worrying about the kind of person his interviewer is.

Especially before his first interview. It shouldn't be a problem. If he already experienced this several times before but for Lin Yie, who died before graduation, this is still a new thing to him.

His last interview was to apply for a summer job in a bakery. He was well prepared at that time. Just for introduction, he spent five minutes, which stunned everyone. Even his boss admired his effort and hired him on the spot.

But when he saw the uniform, he realized that he would spend the summer moving around as a mascot.

(That was not a fun experience at all.)

So, Lin Yie feels really nervous. He tries to find something to talk about, "So about Ansel..."

"Hmm?"

"Is he... really a boy?" he really wants to make sure..

"Of course, don't you know?" Shining looks at Lin Yie in a way that makes him question his intellect, "That should be obvious."

"... But I saw all those beauty products in the bathroom. Are they for someone else?"

"No, they all are for Ansel. Why you ask"

Lin Yie opens his mouth, but he doesn't know what to say.

**Ding** The elevator is here. When they are both inside, Shining tells him, "They are gifts."

"From who?"

"Hmm, men who confessed to him." Shining says, "Ansel is not only part of the reserve and medical groups, but also a diplomat for Rhodes Island. He is really popular. Whenever he negotiates a deal outside, there are always men confessing to him, hence the gifts. Isn't that weird?"

Lin Yie is speechless.

When they leave the elevator, Shining quickens her pace, "We only have five minutes left."

Lin Yie follows her.

After a few turns, they arrive at a large hall.

"Is the interview here?" Lin Yie looks around, "Isn't this place too big? How many interviewers are there?"

Shining ignores him and walks towards a window.

(Hmm?)

Lin Yie sees that there is a chef behind the window.

(Wait... Isn't this place the cafeteria?)

Why is his interview here?

Shining says, "I want three pineapple buns."

The chef says, "I have just enough for you, but aren't you always on time? If you came two minutes later, I would have left work."

"..."

(I felt I been cheated.)

After a few minutes, Shining and Lin Yie stand under the plaque that says "Rhodes Island Cafeteria."

"When you said I was out of time, you meant this?" Lin Yie looks at the buns in her hands.

"Breakfast ends at 11, so we had to hurry." Shining gives him a pineapple bun, "When you finish eating, you will get your interview."

"Thanks. Is the other bun for Nearl?"

Shining shakes her head, "Nearl doesn't like it. Plus, she woke up early, so she already had breakfast."

"... Is that so?"

Shining turns around and leaves, "The reception room is at 3A. You will be looking for a person named Orchid. She will conduct your entry test."

"Alright." Lin Yie looks at her back, "I hope I will be able to help Nightingale."

Shining doesn't say anything. She just waves her hand.

Her robe flutters in the wind.

Lin Yie takes a deep breath and walks in the opposite direction.