Practicing Medical Skills in a Small Clinic-Chapter 84: A Midnight Gift from a ‘Thief’

"Alright, I’ll go to the hospital tomorrow and ask him again." Li Jingsheng decided to personally meet this ’Master Xu’ tomorrow. "Thanks!"

"Uh... don’t take it the wrong way if I speak frankly despite knowing you only a little!"

She hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Come on, we’re friends, aren’t we? Just speak your mind, I promise I won’t mind."

Li Jingsheng assured her.

"Haha, I’m not really that close to you." After having a heart-to-heart talk with Li Jingsheng yesterday, her attitude towards him warmed considerably.

Their conversation started to feel more like chatting with a friend.

"I mentioned to Doctor Xu that a friend who owns a clinic wants to learn from him and study some bone-setting techniques to benefit the people. Do you know what expression Doctor Xu had when he heard that?"

"What kind of expression? Did he dismiss it?"

Li Jingsheng could foresee the disdain big hospital doctors had for doctors from small clinics like his.

"His expression seemed to say, ’Are you dreaming!’ So, I advise you not to ask for trouble."

She sincerely advised.

Li Jingsheng’s forehead immediately furrowed, and Doctor Xu seemed to have gone too far.

If he were to become Li Jingsheng’s mentor, it’s guaranteed he wouldn’t be disgraced in the future.

With the strong attribute panel he had, Li Jingsheng was confident he could surpass Doctor Xu in less than three years.

"Hey, you’re a great beauty, can’t you speak a bit more elegantly? Also, have some faith in me. Is he just a skilled but down-and-out attending physician? Tomorrow, I’ll personally handle it and definitely get him on board."

After running his clinic for over nine months, although his medical skills hadn’t improved greatly, he had transformed remarkably in dealing with people and interacting with others.

Everyone has their weaknesses.

He was confident he could persuade Doctor Xu to accept him as a student.

"Tsk! Always bragging, who’s going to believe that!"

Her face must have been smiling, feeling quite amused while chatting with Li Jingsheng.

The sound of high heels could faintly be heard walking on an empty street.

She likely called Li Jingsheng right after work as she headed home.

This scene really resembled a couple in love.

"How is this exaggerating? If I were to blow an even bigger one, I might even get Doctor Xu to work at my clinic someday. Of course, that’s if he really has the skills; otherwise, I wouldn’t want him."

Li Jingsheng indeed had such ideas and ambitions.

For his Sunshine Clinic to someday become Sunshine Hospital, he would have to hire capable people.

An individual alone couldn’t support a hospital.

The most practical approach would be to recruit doctors and nurses who are skilled but unfulfilled at bigger hospitals.

After all, people need dreams to motivate themselves.

A dream is the only thing that can create something from nothing.

If he continued to develop steadily as he was, it wouldn’t be long before his Sunshine Clinic became a prominent entity on the Old Street of South City. By then, he would be quite well-known in the area.

"Hehehe... after interacting with you a couple of times, I didn’t realize you had the potential to be King Li, the king of bragging! I’m looking forward to seeing you conquer Doctor Xu tomorrow. But remember to wear a full-face helmet, so it won’t be too embarrassing if you get your face smacked... haha..."

She was genuinely amused by Li Jingsheng.

The idea that a small clinic doctor would convince a big hospital’s attending doctor was simply laughable.

"Is that underestimating me? How about this: let’s make a bet. If I bring Doctor Xu over one day, you agree to do something for me. If I fail, I’ll do whatever you say. One thing in advance—I’m timid; I won’t do anything illegal."

Li Jingsheng wanted to prove himself.

He wanted her to see whether he was really bluffing.

"Alright! It’s a deal! Don’t try to back out when you lose!"

She was even more straightforward than a man.

Immediately agreeing.

Perhaps she was confident of winning, which is why she was willing to make the bet.

"A gentleman’s word is like a horse running—once given, it’s hard to take back. I’ve never gone back on my word in my life. It’s settled then. If you want to back out and beg for mercy, maybe consider saying a few pleading words."

Li Jingsheng also had the confidence of certain victory.

"Oh, don’t worry. I have integrity and credit; you can be at ease. You better start thinking about how to make Doctor Xu your mentor tomorrow!"

She was quite proud.

...

After hanging up, Tang Ping and her daughter were also sent home.

"Sounds like a young beauty; the boss is impressive, already got a new girlfriend!" Tang Ping took the fruit and joked.

"What are you talking about? It’s just a lady doctor I met a few days ago. I wish she could be my girlfriend, but with her credentials, I’m probably just looking up from the ground."

Li Jingsheng insinuated he felt like a toad on the ground while Ou Qinglan was the swan flying in the sky.

It may have been exaggerated.

But not by much.

Girls nowadays are practical; even if they wish to marry for love, their parents might not agree.

"Boss, be confident! I can tell she definitely has some feelings for you based on her tone. Trust me, women understand women. Go for it! Thanks for driving us home!"

Tang Ping cheerfully encouraged him.

"Niuniu, say goodbye to Uncle Li."

"Goodbye, Uncle Li! Thank you for treating us to KFC!"

Niuniu waved at Li Jingsheng.

"Haha, Niuniu is so well-mannered! Goodbye!"

Li Jingsheng waved back and turned to leave elegantly.

The clinic’s business was surprisingly good, and with his medical skills constantly improving, everything seemed promising, and his mood was naturally sunny.

Returning to the clinic, he spotted a figure sneaking around the entrance from afar.

Li Jingsheng suddenly felt tense and slowed his steps.

It’s already close to nine-twenty, not to mention the Old Street of South City, even the main road outside has only a few cars.

This man looks suspicious, could he be a thief?

Just as his small clinic has been quite busy these days, it really is possible to attract the attention of a thief.

Upon closer inspection, the man’s height is not very tall, less than 1.7 meters. In this hot weather, he’s actually wearing a hat, wrapping his face tightly.

He doesn’t look like a good person at all.

"Damn, I’ve only just started making money for three days, and a thief has set his sights on me. This is not a good thing."

Li Jingsheng took out his phone and opened the video recording feature.

Maybe he felt this wasn’t enough, as many thieves carry knives, and if he gets stabbed a couple of times, it’s no joke.

Just then, he saw half a broken floor tile sticking up by the roadside.

He picked it up with his left hand and hid it behind his back.

He learned from novels that the most reliable weapon in a street fight with thugs is a brick.

As he kept approaching, the suspicious man also noticed him.

He gave him a guilty look, then turned and walked in the other direction.

"Friend, what are you doing loitering in front of someone else’s clinic late at night?"

Li Jingsheng asked sternly.

The man became noticeably more nervous upon hearing this.

"No, nothing."

He sped up and walked away without looking back.

Seeing this, Li Jingsheng became even more convinced that this person is a thief, probably here to scout or ready to strike.

He checked the door lock, it was undamaged, and his anxious heart finally relaxed a bit.

Today’s sales were around thirty thousand, even though most payments were made via QR codes, at least six or seven thousand in cash was inside. If it got stolen, he wouldn’t know where to cry. That money is being saved up for rent.

He took out his key, unlocked the glass door latch. Just as he was about to push the door open, he noticed the suspicious man had returned.

Li Jingsheng’s heart tightened, maybe this person wanted to rob him instead since theft didn’t work out?

He quickly picked up the half brick, ready for anything.

He was contemplating whether to strike first and hit this person’s head with the brick.

But what if the police determine it as assault rather than self-defense? That would be quite unjust.

"Excuse me, are you the owner of the clinic?"

The man asked in a sneaky way, lowering his voice.

"What do you want?"

Li Jingsheng’s voice was cold, his left hand gripping the brick, right holding the door lock, always ready to defend himself.

"Don’t misunderstand, don’t misunderstand, I’m a doctor, a doctor. I came specifically to see the owner of the clinic for a private matter."

The man smiled ingratiatingly and reached inside his coat, feeling around.

Li Jingsheng stepped back cautiously.

He was mainly afraid the man would suddenly pull out a knife.

Unexpectedly, what the man took out was a red envelope and an ID.

"This is my work ID."

The man handed the ID to Li Jingsheng, his attitude extremely humble.

Li Jingsheng did not take it, but instead glanced at it under the dim streetlight.

Second Hospital, Pulmonary Medicine, Resident Physician Tang Weilin.

There’s a serial number and hospital seal on it.

"Oh... So it’s Dr. Tang from Second Hospital, sorry, please, have a seat inside!"

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Li Jingsheng put the brick down in a corner.

He nearly greeted a fellow doctor with a brick.

Coming over late at night, what could a doctor from Second Hospital be looking for with him, a small clinic doctor?

He opened the door and invited the man inside.

Once seated, the man finally removed his hoodie, revealing a somewhat delicate face.

"Have some water!"

Li Jingsheng poured him a cup of plain water.

But in his heart, he was still wondering about the man’s intentions.

"Thank you!"

The man slightly stood up, appearing respectful.

He took the cup, sipped it to cover up, and then looked at Li Jingsheng.

"I guess you’re the owner of Sunshine Clinic?"

"Yes!"

"Are you the only doctor here?"

"My small clinic supports one doctor well enough, but can’t afford a second one."

Li Jingsheng said with a smile.

The somewhat tense atmosphere eased a bit.

Tang Weilin became less reserved.

"I came specifically today to ask for your help. This is a small token of my appreciation, please don’t think it’s too little."

A fairly thick red envelope was pushed toward Li Jingsheng.

What is this person up to?

Coming to his door late at night with a red envelope, and acting like a thief. Li Jingsheng is just the owner of a small clinic, it seems he should be the one asking for help instead. Why would Dr. Tang Weilin need his help?