"There is a region in the temporal-parietal lobe of the human brain that manages mental and emotional functions. If there's a problem in this area, it might cause strange behaviors or hallucinations."

Lin Jie explained to An Kexin in his arms about the possible cause of the old lady seeing ghosts.

He spoke slowly, "Another possibility is brain atrophy, a condition more common in the elderly."

"In the mid to late stages of brain atrophy, hallucinations may also occur."

"However, brain atrophy is a gradual process. It takes a long time to develop to the mid or late stages."

"If it's caused by brain atrophy, Yuan Xianjun should have noticed something..."

Lin Jie lowered his head, only to find An Kexin lightly biting her lip, her brows slightly furrowed, looking conflicted. He hurriedly asked, "Kexin, what are you thinking about?"

An Kexin sighed deeply, sat up from Lin Jie's embrace, leaned against him again, and said, "I'm hesitating whether to take advantage of this opportunity."

"But after all, it's that guy's mother. Using this matter to make him grateful and switch jobs seems somewhat unethical."

Saying this, she raised an eyebrow, made a decision, and said, "Ah Jie, give that guy a call."

"Tell him your diagnosis. Let his mother get checked as soon as possible, so she can recover sooner."

Lin Jie was slightly stunned, then moved, and asked, "Kexin, are you thinking about your own mom?"

An Kexin nodded slightly, saying with some emotion, "Yuan Xianjun is very filial. Otherwise, he wouldn't braved the cold wind, queueing up at midnight to burn incense for his mother's blessings."

"It would be best not to tarnish this mother-son relationship."

Lin Jie agreed, "Let's follow your advice!"

He took An Kexin's phone, found Yuan Xianjun's number, and called it.

"President An, Happy New Year!"

As soon as the call connected and before Lin Jie could speak, Yuan Xianjun's hurried voice came through, "President An, I just learned today that our institute is ending its partnership with your company."

"Knowing this and thinking back on our conversation last night..."

"I finally understood the meaning behind some of your words, President An. You were trying to dig information, planning to poach staff."

Both Lin Jie and An Kexin, who was also clearly hearing the voice through the phone, muttered softly, "His brain isn't that dull!"

Yuan Xianjun's voice continued through the phone, "President An, I can tell you honestly, I am very happy working at the institute and have no plans to leave."

"Please don't contact me about this again."

Hearing he intended to hang up, Lin Jie hurriedly said, "This is Lin Jie, Lin Jie from the University Affiliated Hospital!"

"Ah... Lin Jie!"

This unexpected voice from Lin Jie clearly surprised the other party.

After a pause, the other party's voice filled with apology, "Expert Lin, hello, Happy New Year!"

"I'm sorry, I thought it was President An and just kept talking."

Yuan Xianjun repeated over the phone, "However, I wasn't lying about one thing, I am really happy at the institute and currently have no plans to leave."

Lin Jie chuckled softly and said, "Engineer Yuan, don't worry, I'm calling you not to persuade you to switch jobs."

He added, "Although I had that thought, today's call is not about that."

"Oh, Expert Lin, what's the matter, please go ahead!"

Yuan Xianjun's voice promptly followed, "As long as it doesn't involve switching jobs and doesn't touch on any confidential technology at the institute, I will certainly help if I can."

Hearing this, Lin Jie couldn't help but roll his eyes.

This guy is truly cautious and vigilant, as if I'm setting a trap to deceive him.

Given this, Lin Jie didn't beat around the bush and directly said, "Just now, An Kexin told me about the incense you burned last night, and she also detailed to me about your mother's so-called ability to see ghosts."

He confirmed by asking, "Is what you said about this matter true?"

Yuan Xianjun's tone was somewhat embarrassed and said, "This matter is indeed true. I also know it's a bit absurd, and relying on burning incense to solve it is even more absurd."

"However, many elderly people believe in these supernatural things."

"I did this to reassure my mind and also to comfort my mother."

Lin Jie said sternly, "Engineer Yuan, I called not to discuss this supernatural issue."

"Based on An Kexin's description, I have a hypothesis that your mother's so-called ability to see ghosts might not be due to encountering something dirty but rather due to some changes in the brain."

"I suggest you take your mother to the hospital for a cranial CT or MRI scan."

The other party was silent for a moment, and then cautiously said, "Thank you, Expert Lin, for your suggestion and concern."

"However, I need to tell you something."

"That night, at midnight, we did take my mother to the hospital for a check-up, including a cranial CT scan."

"The doctor looked at the cranial CT and clearly told us that there was nothing wrong with Mother's brain."

Hearing the other's doubt, Lin Jie was somewhat displeased.

He explained with an unhappy tone, "Some cranial conditions, such as acute phase cerebral infarction within 24 hours, are very difficult for cranial CT to visualize the ischemic lesions."

"From when your mother showed symptoms to when you rushed to the hospital at midnight, it shouldn't have been more than twelve hours, right?"

"In such situations, it's possible that a cranial CT might temporarily not show any issues."

At this point, Lin Jie took a step back from his insistence and said, "Of course, going to the hospital for a thorough cranial examination again is just my suggestion."

"After all, I've never met your mother, and my judgment is based solely on what An Kexin described to you, which carries a lot of uncertainty."

"Therefore, whether you take your mother for another cranial CT or MRI is a decision you need to make."

After saying this, Lin Jie didn't wait for a response and hung up the phone.

An Kexin reached out to touch Lin Jie's smooth chin and asked, "Are you angry?"

Lin Jie thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Not really angry!"

"I just feel a bit uncomfortable that I kindly called to remind him, and he still has doubts."

"Exactly, Brother Jie is a world-class famous doctor."

An Kemeng, who had been listening intently on the side, said indignantly, "When has Brother Jie ever made a wrong judgment? The answer is always zero."

"This guy should be grateful and immediately take his mother to the hospital for a check-up, instead of babbling about having done some cranial CT."

Lin Jie laughed and said, "Kemeng, if you say that, I'm going to get arrogant."

"Having never made a wrong judgment doesn't mean the new judgment is definitely right. As a doctor, you must always maintain a critical spirit..."

An Kexin lay back down, resting her head on Lin Jie's lap, and softly comforted, "Ah Jie, in this matter, have a clear conscience; at least you sincerely gave a suggestion and genuinely wanted to help the other party."

She smiled broadly and said, "After making this call, I feel much more relieved, without any entanglement."

An Kexin then gave a big yawn and said coquettishly, "Ah Jie, I really need to sleep, don't move!"

Lin Jie obediently kept still, indeed not moving at all!

Luckily, after just two or three minutes, he noticed that An Kexin's breathing had become gentle and even.

An Kexin was really asleep.

Lin Jie took a cushion, gently placing it under An Kexin's head to free his legs, then grabbed a blanket to cover An Kexin, preventing her from catching a cold.

"Happy New Year, Brother Jie!"

An Kemeng, who had remained silent, softly congratulated him after Lin Jie finished and then looked at him with blinking eyes.

Lin Jie casually replied, "Kemeng, Happy New Year to you too, may all your wishes come true!"

Seeing she was still staring at him, Lin Jie couldn't help but touch his face and asked, "Is there something on my face?"

Beside him, Lin Miao chuckled and said, "Brother, Kemeng is waiting for you to give her a red envelope!"

Lin Jie suddenly realized, took his phone, and said as he sent the red envelope, "If you wanted a red envelope, you should have just said so."

"Why keep staring at me? When did you become so reserved?"

When she saw the red envelope appear on her WeChat, An Kemeng quickly opened it and was pleased with the amount, saying, "I'm already a prospective university student, not a kid anymore, and shouldn't directly ask for a red envelope."

"But a red envelope from an elder is a token of appreciation, and I can't refuse it."

Lin Jie couldn't help but laugh and said, "But I'm your Brother Jie; we are peers."

"You are still my teacher, so from that perspective, you are an elder too!" An Kemeng argued.

Lin Jie rolled his eyes at her, dismissing her...

An Kexin slept for a full four to five hours, only waking up at nearly four in the afternoon,

And she was woken up by the incessant ringing of a phone call.

She opened her eyes to find herself no longer on the living room sofa but in bed in the bedroom.

An Kexin picked up the phone and found it was a call from Yuan Xianjun.

She lazily answered, "Hello, Engineer Yuan!"

"Hello, President An! My mother's exam results are out."

"It turns out my mother had a cerebral infarction; the doctor said there was an ischemic lesion in the temporoparietal region of my mother's brain."

"It was the cerebral infarction in that part of the brain that caused my mother's hallucinations. I've arranged for my mother's hospitalization for further treatment."

Yuan Xianjun said sincerely, "President An, I want to express my deepest gratitude to Expert Lin."

"The doctor said if my mother's condition had been delayed further, it could have led to much more serious consequences."

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