No one knew the awkwardness Tong Yuan'an was feeling at the moment.

As an associate professor at Xiangya Hospital, going down to the countryside ought to be a joyful experience. After all, not only can you flaunt your skills, but you can also be flattered by the local doctors, gaining respect through competence—a definite sense of achievement.

But damn, Tong Yuan'an just extended his training period and got whacked by Lu Cheng with a stick.

The problem was that the stick was a wolf fang club; on the left, there's the original tendon suturing technique, and on the right, the nerve suturing technique learned from Union Hospital, leaving him stuck in the middle, unable to break through either side...

Bearing the title of a countryside doctor, yet being outmatched in technical skill.

Great, now not only can he no longer show off, but he also has to be cautious and careful, lest Lu Cheng starts picking on his faults.

Surgery, ultimately, is a profession that values skill and ability. If you've got the skills, you can walk with confidence.

But an associate professor having to tread carefully even in Long County—what's the point of going to the countryside?

The problem is, Tong Yuan'an has already extended his training period. Once this process starts, it's not up to him to decide if he wants to continue...

Chen Song was smart and went directly on leave.

Only he, Tong Yuan'an, was left as the big fatty to be messed around with.

Tong Yuan'an still didn't say a word, causing Chen Song to notice something was off: "Brother? What's up?"

Tong Yuan'an kept his eyes closed, took two deep breaths, and then sighed, "Sigh..."

"Talk to me," said Chen Song.

"I'm damn embarrassed," Tong Yuan'an opened his eyes, tilting his head, the stubble on his left cheek almost poking his cheekbone.

Chen Song leaned back a little, afraid someone might mistake him for coming back from Chengdu for training: "Speak clearly."

"That kid Lu Cheng..." Tong Yuan'an finally began to leisurely recount the story.

He concluded, "Anyway, this is the situation. I can't face it calmly anymore; I might have to keep a low profile in the future."

Previously, when Tong Yuan'an went to the countryside, he saw unprofessionalism everywhere. A few casual words from him were beyond others' comprehension, making him feel completely at ease.

It was like a graduate student walking into an elementary school classroom—it was so comfortable.

However, Chen Song didn't mock Tong Yuan'an, instead, he frowned and said, "We two brothers truly are in the same boat, down and out at the same time."

"Don't be so sarcastic," Tong Yuan'an rolled his eyes and flexed his biceps as if challenging Chen Song to a duel.

"Xiao Lu's girlfriend trapped me," said Chen Song.

Tong Yuan'an raised his upper eyelid, gazing at Chen Song darkly, not noticing the teasing expression on his face.

"What do you mean?" asked Tong Yuan'an.

"She's definitely not an ordinary young girl. She knows a lot about scientific research."

"From basic cell experiments in scientific research to all the processes of clinical trials, she basically has no blind spots."

"The bit of research our hospital's emergency department has accumulated isn't even worth her notice. In front of her, I realized I'm just a half-baked research newbie."

"Today, I gave Mu Nanshu twenty suggestions, and she pointed out twenty-eight areas that weren't mature," Chen Song said, almost scratching his hairline further back.

"Ahem..." Tong Yuan'an coughed a few times. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"Twenty suggestions, and twenty-eight bad spots? Chen Song, you're quite the talent, aren't you?"

Chen Song replied irritably, "Don't underestimate it. You'll also have to face this little girl at some point. You better pray your research team is stronger."

"Otherwise, it'll be your turn with twenty suggestions and thirty faults."

Tong Yuan'an reached out, grimacing uncomfortably, "Don't say anything yet. Didn't Lu Cheng say that girl is extending her studies too?"