6:40 PM, in the doctors' lounge.

"We're not going. We still have some matters to discuss with Lu Cheng," Chen Song declined Zeng Huanqi's invitation to dinner unilaterally.

"It's fine, Professor Chen, I can wait for you." At this moment, Zeng Huanqi accompanied his words with a smile.

Chen Song took a deep breath, giving Zeng Huanqi a questioning look, but didn't lose his temper: "Zeng Huanqi, I have some important business. You guys go ahead and eat; don't wait for us!"

Of course, Zeng Huanqi wasn't stupid. He immediately understood the implication behind Professor Chen Song's look. With his dark skin, he flashed a big white smile: "Alright, Professor Chen, you go ahead and do what you need to do. We'll catch up another time!"~

Zeng Huanqi quickly retreated out the door. Although he didn't know what Chen Song was planning, Zeng Huanqi knew he had to wake Lin Qianlong. The look from Professor Chen Song clearly wasn't friendly.

Could Chen Song really take Lu Cheng to Xiangya Hospital?

Zeng Huanqi thought it was impossible, but he had to act cautiously.

...

In the doctor's office, after approximately understanding Lu Cheng's situation, Tong Yuan'an led Lu Cheng into a side alley, then to the door outside the observation ward's fire escape.

He lit another 'He Tianxia' cigarette: "What are your thoughts on the matter?"

Lu Cheng sighed, looking a bit conflicted: "Teacher Tong, to be honest, I feel quite uncomfortable about it."

"Professor Zhong practically did sit-ups on the spot, picking up what he dropped immediately, how could anyone feel comfortable with that?"

"But uncomfortable or not, I'm just a regular person, and it was Professor Zhong who dug a pit for me. I've been extra cautious in proposing improvements to several suturing techniques."

"Without that, I might really have not considered going."

"But? As I told you, Teacher Tong, Professor Zhong later offered too much..."

Tong Yuan'an stroked his round chin, his right index finger rubbing back and forth along the edge of his double chin: "Indeed, a lot."

"First, he allowed you to bring this technique-related project back and work with us, so you wouldn't owe him a favor."

"Such magnanimity isn't something any ordinary professor can achieve, only a grandmaster would dare offer such generosity."

"Secondly, he promised to let you get a promotion before being transferred to Union Hospital, smoothing your contract and related issues, even allowing you to stay at the hospital, skipping the residency phase at a teaching hospital... remarkable."

Lu Cheng was puzzled: "Professor Zhong didn't say that?"

Tong Yuan'an rolled his eyes at Lu Cheng: "Are you kidding? Where have you seen an associate chief physician serving as a resident? Are you crazy?"

"Do I even need to say it? Did you think the demands you made were simply granted because they were your demands? You thought it was just the requirements you voiced that were met for your own good, huh?"

"We've all come through the ranks from being junior residents, haven't we???"

"If Professor Zhong intends to let you earn an associate title before pursuing further studies, he's clearly not planning for you to do a residency stage!"

"Skipping the residency stage, that's genuinely delightful, isn't it?"

Lu Cheng fell silent. Indeed, he hadn't considered this point. Although Professor Zhong hadn't explicitly stated it, Lu Cheng realized that others would eventually point it out to him.

"And naturally, the third point is something people like us can't accomplish."

"A grandmaster is indeed a grandmaster, seemingly lending you convenience, but in reality, checkmating us, and it's an unsolvable kind." Tong Yuan'an continued his analysis.

"Don't say more, Chen Song isn't his match."

Lu Cheng said that it's about Professor Zhong subtly indicating for Lu Cheng to bring his girlfriend back for the project, to which Tong Yuan'an acknowledged Professor Zhong's arrangement.

Your Xiangya might be mighty, right? No matter how mighty, can you help Lu Cheng on a project?

Can you have Union Hospital's gastroenterology lab staff follow Lu Cheng?

That's simply impossible because that is Union Hospital's internal matter.

While being generous, he also made an unsolvable move, causing no harm to Lu Cheng.

Lu Cheng glanced at Tong Yuan'an, seeking advice: "Teacher Tong, Teacher Chen is angry. Can you give me some relatively good advice?"

Analyzing the situation, Lu Cheng considered that among the teachers he's encountered, Professor Chen Song might be the only one without ulterior motives.

Others, including Tong Yuan'an, were essentially exchanging favors one way or another.

"Me? If I had such means, I'd have long since subdued Chen Song. And you're asking me what to do?" 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Tong Yuan'an swayed his thick neck: "All I can think of now is to apply for an extended countryside service, to stay with you and complete the project data, publishing it as soon as possible."

"After that, it's up to Xiao Lu to think of something."

"Oh, yes, and apply for project funding. Your girlfriend is here; she surely won't let me freely supplement research funds."

"What you don't know, she surely understands."

If Tong Yuan'an had to use his project funds to support the project, then Tong Yuan'an must lead the project.

Otherwise, spending those funds would be unjustifiable and Tong Yuan'an wouldn't be able to explain.

Lu Cheng nodded, responding in a low voice: "Then we'll just have to take it step by step..."

Lu Cheng understood this unsavory nature, so he wasn't being hypocritical.

Currently, although he wasn't very willing to give up following Professor Zhong, the offer was substantial, and Lu Cheng couldn't say no.

In fact, Lu Cheng hadn't even refused, and thus couldn't manage to please both sides.

"Later on, I will calm Chen Song. You should hold off going to him immediately and let him privately cool down. In a day or two, you can then discuss the matter with him in detail..." After putting out his cigarette, Tong Yuan'an instructed.

"Got it, thank you, Teacher Tong," Lu Cheng said.

Tong Yuan'an chuckled: "Actually, it's I who should thank you. At least you've proven our initial efforts weren't in vain, and the initial funding wasn't wasted either."

"The Tajima Suturing Technique, it's not invincible."

...

Xiangzhou, Ji City, State People's Hospital.

After hanging up the phone from Long County People's Hospital, Xiang Dahong was frozen, his expression exceptionally exasperated!~

"What the hell? Tong Yuan'an extended his countryside period!~"

Tong Yuan'an suddenly came over, extended his countryside service, and now he's extending it again. Isn't this driving me crazy?

Xiang Dahong promptly called Peng Haibo at Long County People's Hospital.

Peng Haibo was still asleep, drowsy: "Hello, who's this?"

"Director Peng, having a good rest, huh?" Xiang Dahong's voice tightened!~

On the other side, it seemed Peng Haibo turned over or something, recognized the voice, and immediately sounded more alert: "Director Xiang... what's the matter..."

Xiang Dahong was at a loss with Peng Haibo.

Did I just hear him wrong? He asked what's the matter?

"Oh??? Nothing, nothing, just calling to check in with you, Director Peng. If you're resting, let's leave it for now." Xiang Dahong didn't utter any harsh words; after all, everyone is an adult.

Throwing harsh words served no purpose; one should wait for the opportunity to show strength.

Peng Haibo had initially invited him to Long County on an assignment, and he had already agreed to another place, but now things turned out this way.

If Peng Haibo was able to be promoted to full professor or if Peng Haibo encountered some medical disputes, yet remained commendably thorough when responsible, Xiang Dahong swore he'd write his name backward.

"Director Xiang, last night some young kids in the county who didn't know better gang-fought with knives. We handled emergency surgeries all night, only coming back at nine in the morning!~ After returning, I just slept, too exhausted," Peng Haibo stated without exaggerating.

Xiang Dahong hung up the phone!~

(End of Volume One)