On the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, Lin Jie arrived at Binhai Armed Police General Hospital.

In the operating room, he once again saw that unnamed foreigner who needed a complete cosmetic surgery.

Seeing how much thinner he had become, Lin Jie asked concernedly, "How are you holding up? Can you manage? Today's surgery can be postponed if needed."

"I can handle it, don't worry about me."

The unnamed foreigner said with a smile, "Expert Lin, you might think that over the past month, I've been lying in bed recovering and enduring unbearable torment, suffering through hardship."

"But for me, it's not like that at all."

"For over a month, I haven't had to constantly be on edge or maintain high alert to avoid slipping up. I've been able to eat and rest without worry."

"To me, this feels like a mental vacation. I don't feel tortured at all."

These words moved Lin Jie somewhat.

"Your previous work was even tougher than I imagined."

Lin Jie mused, "Today's surgery mainly focuses on reshaping your facial features and a few other body parts."

"I'm happy to tell you that from today onwards, your future cosmetic surgeries will only involve superficial wounds."

"After each surgery, you'll only need three to five days of rest, and it won't affect your ability to sit, walk, or move around."

"However, to get out of bed and be active, you'll need another half a month of recovery until your bone injuries are fully healed."

The smile on the unnamed foreigner's face grew wider, and he said, "Just fifteen more day and nights, the time will pass quickly."

Lin Jie waved his hand, and the anesthetist stepped forward, placed a mask on him, and started the inhalation anesthesia...

This surgery began at almost nine in the morning and ended by four in the afternoon.

After wrapping up, Lin Jie left the Armed Police Hospital in his car, as Qin Gang informed him that Lin Miao had called, saying she was shopping with An Kemeng and that they could have dinner together outside if convenient.

"They're now around Henglong Plaza."

Lin Jie assessed his physical condition—though somewhat tired, he still felt pretty okay physically.

Over the past few days during the Chinese New Year, while his lifestyle had been a bit idle, he maintained regular exercise and managed to keep in good shape.

After all, there was still one extremely demanding marathon surgery, the separation of conjoined twins with cranial connection, awaiting him.

Lin Jie needed to fortify his body and gather strength for this operation.

"Let's go to Henglong Plaza, have dinner outside, and then head home."

Qin Gang switched to the right turning lane and said, "President An also called."

"She asked me to tell you that she's busy with company matters today, preparing for tomorrow's official work, so she won't be joining us tonight."

Lin Jie replied, "I see," and looked through his phone.

He noticed a few messages from Tian Xiangyu, Yan Beichen, and others, reporting that they had safely arrived in Binhai.

The Northern regions experienced significant wind and snow post-Spring Festival this year.

With flights grounded and trains suspended, they had been delayed until today, only to return once the weather improved slightly.

Lin Jie also found a missed call from Xiao Ganghao and asked, "Did Xiao Ganghao say anything when he called?"

Qin Gang replied, "He didn't say much. Knowing you were busy and couldn't take the call, he said he'll contact you at another time."

Thinking of these students reaching out, typically for something important, Lin Jie speculated that perhaps Xiao Ganghao's call was related to Zou Manqing.

Lin Jie had not followed up on the matter since their previous conversation.

With the Lunar New Year break ending soon, the issue might already be resolved.

With this thought, Lin Jie dialed Xiao Ganghao's number.

Once connected, Lin Jie straightforwardly asked, "What can I do for you?"

"Teacher, my mother has moved to my uncle's place."

Lin Jie, puzzled, asked, "What do you mean by that?"

"I had a serious talk with my mother, expressing my feelings and how much I care for Manqing. I asked her to support my choice and accept her."

"Mother was very upset, so I had to bring my uncle into the conversation. Afterward, my mother moved to my uncle's place."

Upon hearing this, Lin Jie frowned and asked, "So your mother still isn't willing to compromise?"

A long sigh followed by Xiao Ganghao's resigned voice came through, "Yes, Teacher!"

"My mother still hasn't budged, and I don't understand why she's so insistent and why she doesn't like Manqing."

"But, Teacher, I promise you, I will absolutely not give up on Manqing."

Lin Jie retorted, "This isn't about whether you give up or not."

"I'm asking you, what solution do you have for this? Are you just going to wait indefinitely for your mother's heart to soften?"

"Also, what does Zou Manqing think about all this?"

Xiao Ganghao hesitated and said, "Manqing is also quite upset, saying that even if we manage to be together, we can never live under the same roof with my mother."

"Teacher, could you try persuading Manqing?"

Carefully, Xiao Ganghao continued, "Also, you are my teacher and even performed surgery on my mother. She respects you greatly."

"Could you also try persuading my mother?"

Lin Jie was both amused and annoyed, replying, "Your solution is for me to persuade both sides?"

"Even your uncle couldn't help; do you think a few words from me will resolve it?"

"This is your issue to resolve."

Before Xiao Ganghao could respond, Lin Jie hung up irritably.

He glanced at Qin Gang, who was driving, and asked, "Qin Gang, how is your aunt's relationship with Yang Leyi? When they have conflicts, how do you handle it?"

Qin Gang replied with a wry smile, "Lin Jie, you have no idea."

"My mom and Leyi aren't biological mother and daughter, but their bond is incredibly strong. I'm the odd one out, stuck with all the chores and grievances."

Lin Jie chuckled, "And you're complaining about that?"

"Just secretly enjoy it in your heart, this is much better than being caught between your mother and wife, getting blamed from both ends…"

It was already past five-thirty when they arrived at Henglong Plaza.

Lin Miao called to tell Lin Jie that she and An Kemeng were already at the Western restaurant in Henglong Mall, waiting for the two of them.

The car was parked in the underground parking lot of Henglong Mall.

Lin Jie got out of the car and was about to leave with Qin Gang when Qin Gang suddenly pointed his finger.

Following the direction of his finger, Lin Jie saw a six or seven-year-old boy standing close to a square concrete pillar not far away.

He glanced around and, seeing no adults, walked over to the little boy.

"Little buddy, did you sneak out yourself, or are you with an adult..."

Lin Jie was halfway through his sentence before he stopped.

He suddenly realized that the cherubic boy in front of him looked very familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before.

Seeing that the boy wasn't frightened to see him, Lin Jie squatted down in front of him and gently asked, "Little buddy, what's your name?"

"Li Haoran, I'll count to three, you better come out nicely, or if I find you, I won't let you off!"

Before the little boy could speak, a sudden shout echoed above the underground parking lot.

Lin Jie was struck as if by lightning, his body trembling as he stood up, looking towards the direction of the voice.

There appeared a graceful figure in a red trench coat.

The red figure, as if sensing Lin Jie's gaze, turned her head to look over.

Under the shadow of the concrete pillar, Lin Jie's figure was blurred. The red figure quickly walked over, politely asking, "Excuse me, have you seen a six-year-old boy?"

When Lin Jie looked at the boy in front of him, he saw that the boy was frantically gesturing, signaling Lin Jie not to give him away.

Lin Jie shook his head, reached out to grab the boy's shoulder, and pulled him away from the concrete pillar.

"Li Haoran, you little rascal, let's see if I don't give you a good spanking..."

The red figure came running over.

After a rapid tapping sound of heels on the ground, it suddenly stopped, leaving only the boy's cries of "you bad guy, let me go" ringing out occasionally.

"Lin Jie, long time no see!"

Hearing this leisurely greeting, Lin Jie hurriedly replied, "Li Ting, long time no see!"

This meeting was so unexpectedly sudden.

He never expected to run into Li Ting here, the girl who still occasionally appeared in his dreams.

Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Lin Jie tugged the boy as he walked towards Li Ting.

The boy struggled a few times but couldn't break free. Resigning to his fate, he ceased his struggles and stopped shouting.

Lin Jie stopped one meter in front of Li Ting, scrutinizing her.

Her neatly trimmed shoulder-length hair, her light makeup, her face was as familiar as always, yet with a touch of unfamiliarity.

That farewell seemed like just yesterday, yet also seemed so long ago.

As they inspected each other, Lin Jie spoke first, "You've gotten even slimmer and more beautiful."

"Thank you! I never got used to the food in the United States, so I naturally lost weight."

Lin Jie responded, "I suppose so, there's nothing much to eat in the United States."

"Are you back this time for the Spring Festival or..."

Li Ting gently adjusted her hair and softly said, "I came back for the Spring Festival. I'll still go back in a few days."

Lin Jie murmured, "Homesickness doubles during festive times, you must have indulged in good food this time, right?"

Li Ting nodded slightly, "Of course, that's true!"

"Well... I often saw news about you in the United States. Congratulations, Lin Jie; your achievements are something to be proud of now."

"Well, they're decent, I guess."

After saying this, Lin Jie paused, wanting to continue, but not knowing what to say.

Li Ting remained silent too.

As the seconds passed one by one, an inexplicable silence fell between them.

Li Haoran, sandwiched between them, turned his dark eyes to look at Lin Jie, and then at Li Ting...

At this moment, a man's voice broke the silence, "Tingting, have you found Haoran?"

Lin Jie turned his head and saw a tall man walking over from the elevator.

As if finding a savior, Li Haoran suddenly broke free from Lin Jie's hand and hid behind Li Ting, shouting loudly, "Brother Yunfeng, come here."

"Someone is bullying me and wants to bully my sister too."

"Oh, really?"

The approaching man looked at Lin Jie with a hostile expression.

Lin Jie also examined him.

He was about one meter eighty tall, about twenty-five or six years old, with distinct facial features and a somewhat condescending look.

"Don't listen to Haoran's nonsense!"

Li Ting directly flicked Li Haoran on the forehead, and said to the approaching man, "Let me introduce, this is Lin Jie, the renowned medical genius of Binhai and also my classmate."

"Oh, so it's you!"

The man smiled faintly, saying, "I heard about you in the United States. You're my little brother's teacher!"

Lin Jie inquired, "Who is your brother?"

"Shu Hongwen! The chairman of East Sea Real Estate is my uncle!"

"I'm Shu Yunfeng. I studied MBA at the University of Southern California and met Li Ting in the United States."

After introducing himself, Shu Yunfeng continued, "Taking the opportunity of the Spring Festival, we returned together, wanting to introduce our families to each other."

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