The expressions of Dong Qiaoshan and others were quite conflicted, and it wasn't just Dong Qiaoshan who was troubled; Lin Bin and others also had rather peculiar looks in their eyes.

Everyone focused their gaze on Xie Yuan'an, as if to say, is this how you Union Hospital people always handle things?

This class opening, although established in the name of Professor Xie Xiao, was actually mostly because people were here for Professor Zhong Junyun.

Professor Zhong Junyun doesn't have to teach the whole time, but he can't just teach one person, right?

Xie Yuan'an felt a bit uncomfortable under the scrutiny but was not cornered: "Actually, it's a good thing. Professor Xie said he would invite Professor Lan back for another session."

"Everyone should be clear about Professor Lan's skills, right?"

After hearing what Xie Yuan'an said, everyone's faces changed dramatically, and Dong Qiaoshan even blurted out: "Teacher Xie, could we not ask for Professor Lan to come back?"

Lan Hualuo's skills were undoubtedly good, but his teaching style was like artillery fire throughout; he almost made them all close up in silence, it'd be better if he didn't come.

"It's hard to listen to earnest advice, Teacher Dong. Professor Lan will treat us all fairly," Xie Yuan'an skillfully classified herself among the victims, seeking empathy from the group.

With that, everyone retracted their questioning glances and began to smile bitterly.

In no time, Lu Cheng drifted in from the operating room entrance. Once inside, he actively said, "Teacher Xie, no need, no need, I'll tidy up the operating table myself."

"You should take a rest first..."

Xie Yuan'an's curved eyebrows arched like a broken bridge, her tone surprised, "Weren't you going to eat with Professor Lan?"

Dong Qiaoshan and Lin Bin also looked over, puzzled.

"I had another appointment; naturally I couldn't just break it." As Lu Cheng spoke, he had already put on inspection gloves and started organizing the operating table.

His tone was polite: "Teacher Xie, you should go rest first. I'll take care of the tidying here."

Dong Qiaoshan's square face turned perplexed, even more puzzled.

Bro, who did you refuse? Lan Hualuo, who has a resume even more impressive than Liu Huanglong the academician 'absolute great man', you refused him?

Just because Lan Hualuo likes to shoot his mouth off doesn't mean Professor Lan isn't good!

If the opportunity were right, Dong Qiaoshan would love to have a few meals with Professor Lan to build some rapport.

However, even though Professor Lan is the head of the hand surgery department at the Provincial People's Hospital, not everyone can invite him. The phrase 'young and promising' couldn't be more apt than in the case of Lan Hualuo.

Xie Yuan'an understood what Lu Cheng meant by having another appointment, although she didn't quite get it, her gaze didn't turn scornful, thinking that both Mu Nanshu and Lu Cheng were worth it.

With Lu Cheng coming back to organize the operating table, Xie Yuan'an and others naturally left the room.

Lu Cheng's words had them all confused, so they forgot to exchange pleasantries with him.

Outside the door, Brother Lin Bin scratched the back of his head, as if in a dream, "Did I hear wrong just now? Xiao Lu refused Professor Lan's dinner invitation?"

"Is it because he's not from E Province, so he doesn't understand the weight of Professor Lan Hualuo?" This was the only reason Lin Bin could think of. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Xie Yuan'an glanced at Lin Bin, her tone a bit dark: "Dr. Lu Cheng's training unit is the trauma department at Zhongnan Hospital."

"Then why?" Lin Bin questioned Xie Yuan'an as if looking at an enemy.

Xie Yuan'an said, "If I knew, it would be Professor Lan inviting me for a meal."

"You ask me, who do I ask?"

"And also, I'm not complaining, Professor Lan just has that personality. He respects teachers and morality, but everyone else, he treats equally, he just wants to criticize people."

Women's hearts are like needles at the bottom of the sea.

These are two different matters, right?

Lin Bin: "..."

Dong Qiaoshan: "..."

...

In the parking lot, Lu Cheng rolled down the driver's side window, looking at Mu Nanshu, who was walking over in shorts that showed off her fair legs and carrying a woven bag: "Going to the market or eating out?"

Mu Nanshu replied instinctively: "Let's go to the market, you can get meat and ribs there, and they can slice the potatoes too."

Lu Cheng, hearing this, was slightly puzzled: "Don't you know how to slice vegetables? I remember you can."

Mu Nanshu, usually so confident, suddenly seemed a bit flustered, shaking her head: "I don't want the hassle."

But Lu Cheng, being a professional orthopedic doctor, immediately sensed something, unbuckled the seatbelt, opened the door, and got out: "Let me see your hand."

Mu Nanshu extended her left hand.

"The right hand!~" Lu Cheng sharply demanded, a bit fiercely.

Only then did Mu Nanshu reluctantly extend her right hand.

It could be seen that on Mu Nanshu's right index and ring fingers, there were faint stitch marks on the fingertips. Though not obvious, if you looked closely, you could spot them.

Lu Cheng's tone softened significantly: "Is this why you chose to work full-time in research? How did this happen?"

Mu Nanshu didn't take a clinical position directly, and even abroad, she hardly worked clinically.

She always claimed her focus was on research, and Lu Cheng believed her without much thought.

"During an animal experiment, I accidentally cut myself, and it didn't heal well," Mu Nanshu lightly explained with a smile:

"It's okay, although I'm not good at handling endoscopes or gastroscopes, it doesn't mean you can't survive in gastroenterology without them."

Lu Cheng released her hand: "How could you be so careless?"

Naturally, after asking, Lu Cheng suddenly understood that Mu Nanshu was indeed struggling with academic pressures abroad.

While they emphasize a happy childhood and teenage years, no one ever said there'd be a happy university or happy postgraduate life.

"Let's go, time to buy groceries."

"How was today, able to keep up with the pace?"

"I asked Xie Yuan'an, but she didn't seem to reply," Mu Nanshu tried to shift the topic.

"We got scolded pretty badly in the afternoon, especially Xie Yuan'an, who got an earful from Professor Lan for a good half an hour. She probably wasn't in a great mood." Lu Cheng didn't mention his refusal of Professor Lan's invitation.

Otherwise, Mu Nanshu might think of herself as silly again.

Although Lu Cheng isn't a cook, he has a knack for buying and chopping vegetables. He frequently shopped at markets in Long County, and the vegetable prices in Han City compared to Long County were different, but asking around a few places gives you a good idea of the general prices.

"The chili next door is only three yuan, and you want three and a half? Come on, boss, could you make it cheaper?" Lu Cheng stood beside Mu Nanshu, responsible for haggling.

"The quality is different, young man. You're so young, yet minding the details?" The shopkeeper enthusiastically handed Lu Cheng a bag.

"Young people are under a lot of pressure, low salaries, and they have to save money for buying a house and a car. I'm just a worker who dares only to buy vegetables at the market every day."

"Moreover, once these vegetables are bought, they won't look as good at home. You don't expect us to buy just two, right?"

"Come on, give us a break, auntie, you should throw in a little extra for us, young folks have it tough." Lu Cheng charmingly suggested.

"Alright, alright, three yuan for you! Normally these cost four and a half," the shopkeeper jiggled the bag.

That price was reasonable, considering the peppers looked fresh. Lu Cheng started picking and explained to Mu Nanshu: "For these long peppers, choose the ones that are darker and firmer, the spicier and more fragrant ones."

"What's the price for the loofah?"

"Loofah is six yuan…"

Lu Cheng was taken aback: "Auntie, do you think I'm buying vegetables for the first time today?"

"Just name your price, and I won't haggle any more."

The shopkeeper said: "Four yuan, the wholesale price alone is three seventy-five, young man, you really live meticulously."

Loofahs are cheaper in June and July, but their price spikes in September, so Lu Cheng took just two...