"It's okay, let him come over."

Lin Jie stopped Qin Gang, who wanted to prevent the other party from approaching, and watched Hu Yuanqing walk closer and closer.

The lighting in the underground parking lot was a bit dim. When he got closer, Lin Jie could see clearly that Hu Yuanqing's face was now lined with fine wrinkles, making him look a decade older compared to six months ago.

Being a dean doesn't seem easy.

While feeling a sense of pity, Lin Jie also felt a faint sense of pleasure.

"Lin Jie, congratulations on obtaining your medical qualification, on becoming a special guest expert at the Affiliated Hospital, and on your ever-improving medical skills."

In a faint tone, Lin Jie said, "Dean Hu, waiting here for me, wasn't just to offer outdated congratulations, was it?"

"If there's something, just say it directly."

Hu Yuanqing's expression momentarily froze. He smiled awkwardly and said, "These past few days, I've seen two widely discussed papers, one by Professor Chen Shi, and the other by Dr. Tao Taqing."

"Both papers stemmed from the same research project. A little investigation revealed, Lin Jie, that you are a member of this project team."

"Considering the project's start date and your capabilities..."

Hu Yuanqing confidently stated, "Lin Jie, you must be the true researcher behind this project's results, right?"

Lin Jie rolled his eyes, a little impatiently saying, "Just get to your point. I'd like to go home and rest soon."

"Alright, I won't be verbose!"

Hu Yuanqing moved his left arm and said, "Up until now, I haven't been able to pick up a scalpel again..."

He clenched his left fist and continued, "It's because my left hand experiences intermittent slight tremors, a symptom of nerve damage."

"After all this time in therapy and nourishing my nerves, there's been no effective alleviation."

"Lin Jie, I want to ask you to cure the nerve damage in my left arm, so I can pick up a scalpel again."

Lin Jie was briefly startled, then couldn't help but chuckle softly.

After chuckling for a while, he stopped and said, "Dean Hu, it seems you've forgotten the relationship between me and the Hu Family. And I have a wish, to see your Kangning Hospital go bankrupt or get acquired."

"Under these circumstances, do you think I would help to treat your arm?"

Lin Jie sarcastically commented, "Doesn't your Hu Family still have quite a few connections with medical institutions abroad? Seek help from experts overseas!"

After saying this, he turned and headed towards the elevator.

"Lin Jie..."

Hu Yuanqing called from behind him, "The grievances between our Hu Family and you originated from my father's stubbornness and conduct. As the saying goes, sons do not speak of their father's wrongs, so I don't want to justify."

"It's just..."

He said emotionally, "Didn't we once have a very good cooperative relationship? I know it was my own stupidity that messed up our collaboration."

"Lin Jie, I genuinely want to return to the operating room."

Seeing Lin Jie stop his footsteps, Hu Yuanqing spoke slowly, "These past months as dean, I've deeply experienced the feeling of being overwhelmed and more acutely longed for the sensation of holding a scalpel."

"At that moment, no distractions, just focusing on completing the surgery better and faster, causing less harm to patients, and helping them recover sooner."

"At the moment the surgery is completed, even when I'm sometimes too tired to speak another word, there's a kind of internal satisfaction that envelops the whole body."

"Lin Jie, you are now a surgeon too, you must understand this feeling personally."

"To me now, the operating room is my escape from mundane affairs, my serene and peaceful haven."

"Lin Jie, only you can help me return to the operating room."

Taking a deep breath, Hu Yuanqing said, "Lin Jie, if I could choose again, I'd rather be a pure surgeon than this dean."

"I also understand merely speaking hollow words is meaningless."

He offered, "I'm willing to exchange ten million for a healthy arm."

"Lin Jie, if you have other requirements, as long as I can fulfill them, I will certainly agree."

Lin Jie turned back, looking at Hu Yuanqing with an ambiguous expression, "Are you saying if you had a choice, you would rather choose to be a surgeon than this dean?"

"Yes!"

Hu Yuanqing expressed with emotion, "When I was a neurosurgeon, I ate well, slept well, and lived happily. After becoming a dean, I've realized it's been a long time since I've laughed."

"If I could choose the position of dean, I'd really wish to put it down."

"In any situation, we always have choices!"

With a soft chuckle, Lin Jie remarked, "Your cranial surgery skills are really good, and training an outstanding neurosurgeon is truly not easy. I don't want to waste your talents."

"How about this, if you agree to my three conditions, I can help treat your arm."

"What conditions? Tell me," Hu Yuanqing asked excitedly.

Lin Jie held up one finger and said, "A fee of ten million. I'm increasingly realizing that money is a good thing, the more, the better."

"No problem with ten million."

Hu Yuanqing assured, "I can transfer the money to you tomorrow."

"There's no rush, keep listening."

Lin Jie held up a second finger and said, "Didn't you say you wanted to be a purely surgical doctor? I'm making this choice for you: resign from your position as dean and focus on being a neurosurgeon."

"This..."

Hu Yuanqing didn't expect the second request to be this and hesitated, "The position of dean isn't just about me."

"This... this..."

It was like severe constipation; even after a while, he couldn't squeeze out a reply. Finally, Hu Yuanqing said, "I need to think about this request."

"What is your third request?"

Lin Jie chuckled lightly and said, "Someone once said I lacked medical ethics and even slandered me for hiring people to injure your arm. Later, certain events occurred, and the mastermind behind it all is known to you."

He said seriously, "I need an apology!"

"The Hu Family must publish a sincere apology statement prominently in the major newspapers of Binhai."

Lin Jie extended a third finger and solemnly said, "This is my third condition."

Upon hearing this, Hu Yuanqing's face turned as dark as a pot bottom.

He shook his head slowly, "Lin Jie, I believe you have heard that the old man in my family is currently paralyzed from a stroke, persevering stubbornly on sheer willpower."

"If a public apology is issued, the spirit in his heart will dissipate, and the consequences are self-evident."

He pleaded, "Lin Jie, could you change the condition?"

"Change it?"

Lin Jie snorted mockingly, "If your Hu Family doesn't apologize and doesn't bow down, under such circumstances, if I cure you, will you try to scheme against me or frame me again?"

"Do you think I'm stupid!"

"Dean Hu, I've laid out the terms, it's up to you to choose. These three conditions are valid for one month; after that, they become void!"

Saying this, Lin Jie no longer paid attention to Hu Yuanqing and left once again...

When he returned home, he found Lin Miao and Zhang Xiaoxiao holding a few brightly colored cartoon pajamas, comparing and measuring them.

"Brother, do you think these pajamas are pretty?"

Lin Miao was holding a pajama against herself and said, "Xiaoxiao and I bought these when we were out shopping at night; there are six different cartoon designs."

"Kemeng has always liked this style of pajama, so I plan to give these as her birthday gift. What do you think?"

Lin Jie nodded and said, "She'll definitely like them; it's a great birthday gift."

Lin Miao chuckled and asked, "Brother, what gift are you giving Kemeng for her birthday?"

Lin Jie casually replied, "I've already given my birthday gift."

"Wasn't her wallet and phone stolen last time? I bought her new ones, and it was agreed that they'd be an early birthday gift."

Zhang Xiaoxiao giggled and said, "That was over ten days ago. Kemeng's birthday is the day after tomorrow; many people will be giving gifts, so how can you, her brother-in-law, show up empty-handed?"

"Kemeng wouldn't mind getting more gifts, Ah Jie, just give another one."

Hearing about giving a gift, Lin Jie felt a headache coming on. Seeing the neatly folded pajamas on the sofa, he had a sudden idea and said, "Miaomiao, let's say these pajamas are from both of us."

"Three from you, three from me, okay?"

"Brother, you're really economical." Lin Miao complained softly but didn't refuse.

The three of them chatted for a while longer before going to their rooms to rest.

After washing up, Lin Jie lay on the bed, picked up his phone, and checked for any emails from students.

To his surprise, there were quite a few messages in the group chat with Chen Lan, Lu Kaicheng, Li Hetong, and others, mostly comforting Chen Lan to forget the past and start anew.

Lin Jie suddenly remembered that Yao Siyuan had mentioned Chen Lan was divorced, and it seemed this news was now public.

He wrote a comforting message and sent it to her.

Before he put the phone down, Lin Jie received a thank-you reply from Chen Lan.

Thinking it was a suitable time, he wrote: "Have you thought about trying a new environment?"

After waiting a while, a message came back, "I've decided to follow Dr. Qi to Phoenix Mountain Hospital."

"Choosing between Anlin Hospital and Phoenix Mountain Hospital, I've hesitated for a long time."

"Lin Jie, you're too outstanding. I feel like even if I keep sprinting, I can't catch up. I suddenly feel exhausted and want a more relaxed life."

"Sorry, Lin Jie."

Although Lin Jie felt a sense of regret, he replied, "It's okay, everyone has the right to choose their own life. If one day you wish for a different life, Anlin Hospital will always welcome you."

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