Zhongheng Plaza in Binhai Lower District.

At noon, Lin Jie came here specially to have lunch with An Kexin, who was still working.

Looking around at the noticeably smaller and rather simply decorated office, Lin Jie shook his head and said, "Kexin, compared to the previous one, this office is much worse."

"How big can the office space be that the other party provided for free?"

An Kexin calculated carefully and said, "Besides, this is a transitional office location, a basic renovation will do."

"The company has already gained some recognition in the industry, so there's no need for an office building or luxurious decorations to show off the company's strength."

She looked at the dining box Lin Jie was holding and laughed, "Ah Jie, what delicious food did you bring?"

"It's the food I ordered in advance from the Crown Holiday Hotel, all dishes you like."

Lin Jie set the food on the coffee table in the reception area and said, "Come over quickly and let's eat together, I'll tell you something interesting that happened this morning."

An Kexin brought over two glasses of water, handed one to Lin Jie, and asked, "What is it? There's something I want to tell you too."

"You go first."

"This morning, I saw a patient at the hospital who had made an appointment a long time ago…"

While eating, Lin Jie told An Kexin about Shu Jiaxiang and his mother.

"Ah, such a thing happened! What was the outcome?" An Kexin asked with great interest.

"I don't know either."

Lin Jie took a sip of water and said, "During the time the mother and son were having a heart-to-heart talk, I told that Zhu Junying that if they ultimately decide to accept treatment, then go on with the tests. Or, they could just leave directly. Then I left."

"This is a matter between them, I am a doctor and will avoid it if I can."

An Kexin softly said, understanding, "Actually, I quite understand that mother."

"If our future child…"

As she said this, her face turned slightly red, and she glanced at Lin Jie, continuing, "If our child also refuses to listen and insists on engaging in high-risk activities, I would break his leg."

"I'd rather take care of him for life, even if he's disabled, than one day receive tragic news and endure that despairing pain."

Seeing that Lin Jie seemed to have no reaction, An Kexin felt a bit dissatisfied and huffed, "Lin Jie, what do you think about this?"

Lin Jie picked some food for her and smiled, "Our child will definitely be smart and well-behaved, and won't do things that make us worry."

"You're right." An Kexin admitted joyfully.

This made Lin Jie deeply understand the rumor that women in love have zero IQ.

He then asked, "You said you also have something to tell me, what is it?"

"Oh, here's the thing."

"Previously, we signed a supplemental agreement with Director Tao Taqing, clearly stating that the Sports Injury Research Center would be established by Anlin Hospital."

"He and his organization cannot establish a similar research institution under the guise of the project's results."

An Kexin happily said, "These days, a company with quite a background came to contact us, wanting to buy this agreement."

"I naturally won't sell it. I'm trying to talk to them to see if we can establish a deep partnership."

Lin Jie furrowed his brows lightly and asked, "What company, with what background?"

"Guoxin Company!"

An Kexin said excitedly, "This company is affiliated with the National Sports Administration, mainly responsible for promoting professional sports events like the Super League and CBA."

"Ah Jie, if we cooperate with them, there are so many professional athletes domestically."

"Our hospital, all of a sudden…"

Seeing Lin Jie's face becoming grimmer, An Kexin stopped the topic and cautiously asked, "Ah Jie, is there a problem with this cooperation?"

Lin Jie exhaled and said, "There sure is a problem. If my guess is correct, the person behind this is likely Qiao Hongzhen."

"Him, that jerk? He has so much power?" An Kexin was a bit surprised.

Lin Jie pondered and said, "Professional athletes are a high-income group, but the intense training and competitions make it hard for any of them to avoid various kinds of sports injuries."

"To save their careers, these athletes are willing to spend generously.

"So, the sports injury medical field is a big piece of pie."

He thought and said, "Qiao Hongzhen might not have that much power, but he can use his expertise to persuade those with backgrounds and influence to come on board and push this."

"As it stands, this Guoxin Company is one of the entrants."

Lin Jie didn't have such insight.

This was deduced by him and Shen Lanruo when they discussed the possible countermeasures Qiao Hongzhen might employ.

Using considerable benefits as bait to attract influential and well-connected people to participate is what Lin Jie fears the most.

In the Capital City, people like that are everywhere.

These people have money and connections; what they value more is profit. Although Qiao Hongzhen shared most of the benefits, as the initiator and specialist, he naturally became the organizer of this matter.

Once this is accomplished, he will likely get what he wants and become the leader of this research institution.

An Kexin held Lin Jie's hand and said, "Ah Jie, don't worry. Initially, I didn't plan to sell this agreement. Since that bastard is up to mischief, I certainly won't sell it now."

Lin Jie smiled bitterly and said, "Sometimes, with all the pressure coming in from all sides, you can't help but sell. This Guoxin Company finding you shows that they've clearly been in contact with Han Wenbin."

"This guy hasn't shown any movement, nor has he informed us, so I guess he's already compromised."

Saying this, Lin Jie took out his phone and said, "Let's just ask him directly."

He found Han Wenbin's number and dialed it.

After a few rings, it was picked up, and Han Wenbin's voice came through, "Hello, Expert Lin!"

Lin Jie got straight to the point, "Guoxin Company, Sports Injury Research Center, Boss Han, let's not beat around the bush; can we talk openly about what's happening between us?"

There was a moment of silence on the phone, and after a while, Han Wenbin chuckled bitterly, "Expert Lin, I'm in a tough spot too. The person I'm dealing with is someone with significant clout and connections."

"Although he doesn't have much ability to achieve things, he has plenty of ways to mess things up."

"Expert Lin, my company is big, and it's inevitable to have some oversights, being watched by some departments. They come to check every now and then, and the company's losses aren't small."

"So, though I know that bastard surnamed Qiao is here to reap rewards, I still had no choice but to agree with them."

Han Wenbin apologized, "Expert Lin, I'm really sorry, this is my fault to begin with, and however you decide to handle it, I won't mind."

The situation was exactly as Lin Jie predicted, the worst-case scenario.

Lin Jie took several deep breaths and asked, "What are the specific agreement terms you reached?"

"Collaborate to establish a sports injury research center. The other party will find a way to have it labeled as a 'national' center."

"Although it's termed collaboration..."

Han Wenbin added angrily, "Not only are we providing the land, but we are also responsible for constructing the buildings, yet we have no say in the center's operations or finances, just a mere shareholding certificate."

"What about Dean Tao Taqing?" Lin Jie pressed on.

"Since he's the nominal head of the project, besides continuing as the dean of the West Courtyard, he'll also serve as the deputy director of this research center."

"I guess his position as deputy director is also nominal, without any real power."

"Expert Lin..."

Han Wenbin suddenly lowered his voice and said, "The so-called ownership of the project's results and Dean Tao Taqing's role are fictional. We all know you're the soul of this project."

"In the current situation, only you can materialize the project's outcomes."

"I guess that bastard Qiao is well aware of this fact too."

"Right now, they're launching attacks from the outskirts. I reckon their ultimate target is still you."

"Expert Lin, you have to be very careful."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Jie and An Kexin both wore heavy expressions.

At that moment, they both felt the winds of a coming storm.

After a long silence, Lin Jie spoke, "Since they want to proceed slowly from the outskirts, let's sell that agreement to them first and try to get a high price for it."

"Who knows what tricks the other side will use, but it's always good to have some cash on hand."

He chuckled and said, "This agreement only prohibits Tao Taqing from establishing a similar sports injury research center under the project's name, but it doesn't forbid us from starting a similar institution ourselves."

Lin Jie confidently said, "Even if they're on a national or even an international level, so what?"

"Those seeking medical treatment want real results. Ultimately, it's all about reputation."

An Kexin nodded slowly and said, "I'll handle this carefully. This agreement certainly won't be sold cheaply."

She comforted, "Ah Jie, under any circumstances, I and the An Family will stand by your side."

An Kexin analyzed, "The company currently has two hundred million in liquid assets."

"This amount is enough to ensure the successful construction and operation of Anlin Hospital for some time, allowing the hospital to enter a virtuous cycle of self-sustained development."

"We don't have to rely on others now, so we won't fear their tactics."

"If you do not leave me, I will by your side until the life end."

After saying a line in English to express his feelings, Lin Jie stood up and said, "I am a doctor and a very capable one at that. I'm quite interested in seeing what methods they'll eventually use."

An Kexin thought for a moment and said, "I'll persuade my father not to hold onto the shares so tightly and to bring in several significant partners."

"I believe their main goal in wanting to buy shares in Anlin Hospital is to build a deeper relationship with you, not just for the hospital's minor profits and control."

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