Chapter 648: Chapter 647: Commendation from the Military

It was nearly half-past six in the evening at Luo’s Private Kitchen.

After exchanging brief pleasantries, Yan Feifan, Feng Jian, the invited chief physician of oral and maxillofacial surgery Peng Zhanghua, and Pan Jichuan with his father all took their seats in a private room.

Peng Zhanghua was nearly fifty, slightly pudgy, with a hairline that had receded to the crown of his head, giving him a somewhat greasy appearance.

As for Pan Jichuan’s father, Pan Shijin, the chief physician of general surgery, he was a handsome older man—tall and slender, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes.

Peng Zhanghua took a sip of tea, glanced around at the room’s elegant decor, and chuckled. "I’ve long heard the home-style cooking here is second to none, but the place is packed every day. It’s hard to get a table unless you book a week in advance."

"Mr. Yan, you must have recouped your investment in this place long ago, right?"

Yan Feifan chuckled. "We have a lot of customers, but the profit margin isn’t as high as people imagine."

"I saw last month’s financial report. The annualized return on investment is just under thirty percent."

"Thirty percent and you’re not satisfied?" Peng Zhanghua put on an exaggerated expression of envy and jealousy.

Pan Shijin chuckled. "Ah, Mr. Peng, when you consider Mr. Yan’s salary, you’ll understand why he doesn’t think much of a thirty percent return."

Peng Zhanghua looked as if he’d just had an epiphany. "Ah, of course! I was measuring him by my own standards. Mr. Yan can earn over a million from a single surgery."

He then asked curiously, "Mr. Yan, are you really not taking on any more plastic surgeries?"

"I still will."

Yan Feifan stated frankly, "Only under certain conditions. First, it has to be interesting and challenging enough for me. Second, it has to be profitable."

"If a case has both, that would be ideal."

Peng Zhanghua nodded with a smile. "That’s the right way to be. Pursue your medical ambitions, but don’t turn down the money you deserve to make."

"In this day and age, you need money for everything. We’re long past the era where you could get by on just ideals and aspirations..."

After a few more minutes of small talk, a waiter began to bring out the dishes.

For drinks, Yan Feifan had prepared Maotai and red wine.

Both Peng Zhanghua and Pan Shijin opted for the red wine.

The food was as high-quality as ever, and both Peng Zhanghua and Pan Shijin were full of praise.

Partway through the meal, Pan Shijin asked in a seemingly casual tone, "Mr. Yan, has the hospital leadership reshuffle been finalized?"

Yan Feifan nodded. "Barring any surprises, the official announcement will be made tomorrow."

Pan Shijin’s voice was tinged with understanding. "No wonder. Our department’s Mr. Ding was holed up in his office this morning, and he threw a huge tantrum. He even smashed his favorite tea set."

Yan Feifan was slightly taken aback. "Mr. Ding is aspiring to move into a management position?"

Pan Shijin gave a faint smile. "Our General Surgery Department is one of the two largest in the hospital. For Mr. Ding to be in charge of it at the age of forty-five, he’s considered quite young and accomplished."

"Given the opportunity, it’s only natural he’d want to take the next step up."

"Unfortunately for him, over the past few months, Mr. Wang from the Plastic Surgery Center has become increasingly prominent, thanks to your help, Mr. Yan."

Yan Feifan didn’t beat around the bush. "Mr. Wang wasn’t chosen for a leadership position this time. In fact, someone reported him for some past wrongdoings, and he even lost his director position."

His words made both Peng Zhanghua and Pan Shijin gasp in surprise.

"Really? Are you serious?"

Yan Feifan nodded. "It’s true."

He then explained vaguely, "I assume you’re both aware of the situation with Mr. Wang’s daughter, Yanyan."

"A few years ago, Mr. Wang was taking his daughter all over the world for treatment, so it was inevitable that some oversights occurred in his work."

Peng Zhanghua sighed, his voice full of sympathy. "It’s not easy for Mr. Wang Chuan to raise his daughter on his own."

"In just a few years, he built the Plastic Surgery Center into one of the hospital’s flagship departments and one of the top three in the country. His skill and ability are remarkable."

"Some people are just twisted; they can’t stand to see others do well."

Pan Shijin lamented, "Jealousy is the original sin."

He then changed the subject. "Mr. Ding and Mr. Wang were both considered the leading figures of their generation at our hospital, more or less on equal footing."

"However, the two of them don’t get along at all."

"They don’t? Why is that?" Yan Feifan’s interest was piqued.

Pan Shijin sighed softly and began to explain. "I heard that Mr. Ding and Mr. Wang were actually good friends in their younger days."

"Mr. Ding had a younger sister, who was said to be very beautiful. She passionately pursued Mr. Wang."

"Unfortunately, Mr. Wang’s heart already belonged to someone else, so Mr. Ding’s heartbroken sister went abroad to build her career."

"Unexpectedly, she was in a car accident and passed away."

"From that day on, or so the story goes, Mr. Ding began to resent Mr. Wang, blaming him for what happened."

The story left Yan Feifan feeling somber; he never would have guessed Wang Chuan had such a past.

During the latter half of the dinner, Yan Feifan and Dr. Peng discussed the matter of guidance and instruction for macroglossia correction surgery.

Yan Feifan had surgeries scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday mornings this week.

This Friday afternoon, Yan Feifan had a surgery for Ai Bo’s mother, and in the evening, he had to go to the British Consulate General to perform another operation.

As a chief physician, Dr. Peng also had a very busy schedule of his own.

After some discussion, Dr. Peng decided to work overtime on Thursday evening to perform a macroglossia correction surgery.

Yan Feifan would act as his surgical assistant for this operation.

Then, on Saturday, Dr. Peng would work overtime again to give Yan Feifan a systematic lecture on the macroglossia correction procedure.

Yan Feifan was grateful for Dr. Peng’s efforts and silently committed this debt to memory...

Since they all had work the next day, the group parted ways after dinner and a bit more idle chatter.

Yan Feifan arrived back at his residence in Zuimo Court shortly before nine in the evening.

As soon as he walked through the door, Yan Feifan was surprised to find two military officers waiting for him, accompanied by his sister and Yu Suye.

Yan Feifan recognized one of them as Colonel Lee Qiang, the officer who had escorted him to the satellite control base in Jingcheng.

The other man was older but also held the rank of colonel.

After introductions, Yan Feifan learned that this unfamiliar officer, Colonel Zhang, was from the Logistics Department of the Binjiang Military District.

"Mr. Yan, the General asked me to inform you that the satellite has resumed normal operations in orbit."

"The General also wanted me to convey his gratitude!"

As he said this, Colonel Lee Qiang gave Yan Feifan a military salute.

Then, his expression turned serious as he said, "It is a steadfast tradition in our military to reward meritorious service."

"Considering you were awarded a First-Class Merit not long ago, Mr. Yan, the General has decided that this time, your commendation will be something more... practical."

"We’ve learned that you’re currently renting your home."

"After coordinating with various parties..."

Lee Qiang handed him a thick, large manila envelope.

"Mr. Yan, we’ve selected a house for you. We hope you like it."

Yan Feifan took the envelope and pulled out the documents inside.

Yan Ziruo and Yu Suye also leaned in, their curiosity piqued...

"Number 27, Zone Five, Binhai University Faculty and Staff Housing Complex, 146 University Road..."

Seeing this address written on the property transfer agreement, Yan Feifan froze.

He asked for confirmation, "The Academician District at Bin University?"

Yan Feifan knew of Bin University’s Faculty Housing Zone Five, as it had a much more famous moniker: the Academician District.

The community consisted of thirty-six detached villas, reserved exclusively for academicians from the two national academies who worked at Bin University, as well as senior professors who had made major, outstanding contributions.

Colonel Zhang, standing to the side, nodded with a smile. "That’s the one, Mr. Yan. The Academician District."

He elaborated, "Back when Bin University was expanding its faculty housing, it acquired a considerable amount of land from our military district through negotiations."

"So this time, we negotiated with Bin University and had them cede one of those villas to us."

"Mr. Yan, as soon as you sign this agreement, the ownership of Villa Number 27 will be yours."

"Unlike the other academicians at Bin University, who only have residency and usage rights to their villas, you will have full ownership..."

Hearing this, Yan Feifan was becoming overcome with excitement.

’Damn,’ he thought. ’A detached villa in a tranquil spot right in the city center... Needless to say, it’s incredibly rare.’

The thing was, this wasn’t something that could be bought, even with money and status.

And now, a villa like that would be completely his...

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