The Surgeon's Studio

“The ophthalmic artery? What’s that got to do with your department?” Chief Chu asked, perplexed.

“This is Lin Jiaojiao. I have to go take a look regardless.” Frustration was evident in Chief Kong’s tone.

“Lin Jiaojiao, the one who was attacked years ago?” Su Yun piped up.

“Yes. She was once a nurse in my department but was poached by pediatrics. Just two days in her new post, she was stitching a wound on a kid and was punched in the face. There was bleeding in her brain.

“She resigned after that and went into cosmetic surgery. Now, she’s the owner of the nation’s largest cosmetic surgery hospital, Yimei Cosmetic Surgery.”

“See what I mean, Boss Zheng? I could start up a veterinary hospital and turn it into the country’s best animal hospital within five years, guaranteed. We could open multiple branches across the nation and then you can just sit home and count the money,” Su Yun said Zheng Ren seriously.

Zheng Ren ignored the man’s gibberish. Department Chief Kong put on his coat and was ready to leave when Zheng Ren asked, “Chief Kong, you drank a bit just now. Will you be able to operate?”

The question caught Department Chief Kong off guard. It was unlikely that he would need to step into the operating room as his role was supervisory. He would normally advise on the trickier parts of the surgery.

It would be a waste to leave the smart, capable surgeon here.

“Little Zheng, why don’t you come with me then?” Department Chief Kong offered.

It was late in the night.

Zheng Ren was a doctor from another hospital and had no obligation to join in on this emergency case.

“Sure.” The reply came with a smile.

Zheng Ren would rather help out a case in hopes of a surgery than stay here in the restaurant.

Dining was such a boring affair.

“Then let’s call it a night,” Chief Chu said. “I’ll drop you guys off at the hospital before heading home.”

Song Ying escorted them out of the restaurant. Along the way, he exchanged some words with Chief Chu about his hospital appointment the following day.

At the bottom floor, Feng Xuhui had his eyes fixed on the staircase.

Since Zheng Ren’s arrival in Imperial Capital, Feng Xuhui had gotten to know the many sides of the chief resident.

Zheng Ren was like a goldmine of surprises.

Feng Xuhui could tell Zheng Ren was a man who could change his career.

He stood at the restaurant’s reception and waited for the group, preparing himself mentally to stay throughout the night.

Unexpectedly, the group had come downstairs early.

Feng Xuhui quickly greeted them and made a beeline to the counter to pay the bill.

Song Ying walked to the counter and said with a smile, “It’s on the house.”

The manager nodded. “Understood, sir.”

“Thank you, thank you, Little Song,” Chief Chu said to Song Ying. Feng Xuhui’s existence was utterly ignored.

The man was crestfallen.

He had waited the whole night and could not even get the bill.

Why was life so difficult?

Feng Xuhui’s grief consumed his heart, flowing like a river.

Zheng Ren walked over to the man and said, “Manager Feng, sorry for troubling you. There’s an emergency case in the hospital and I’m going with Chief Kong to have a look. You should go on back first.”

Trapped in a daze, Feng Xuhui did not respond. ‘Isn’t Chief Zheng here for a research procedure? Had he applied for a transfer to Imperial General?’

Why would he need to assist in the emergency surgery otherwise?

Feng Xuhui was confused and helpless.

The world he knew was slowly being taken apart by Zheng Ren.

Zheng Ren and the others had already left when his mind got around what was happening.

The winds picked up as Feng Xuhui stood at the door of the restaurant.

Song Ying was also there, a perfect smile on his face. The smile only faltered when Chief Chu’s car left the premises.

The restaurant owner signaled for a cigarette and the manager moved to get him one.

He noticed Feng Xuhui by the door, thoughts in turmoil on this cold, windy night.

Song Ying smiled.

He was not usually one to give unsolicited advice.

The path to success was filled with struggles and hardship…

He owed his success to no one.

However, there was a subtle difference in Song Ying’s demeanor today.

From his exchange with the group, he could tell that Zheng Ren was someone of importance. The young doctor exuded a confidence that cut through the traditional seniority-based hierarchy.

‘The youth today are an impressive bunch. He has a bright future, that kid.’

The strong impression Zheng Ren had left made him less guarded when he saw the lost Feng Xuhui. He waved his cigarette at the man.

“Huh?” Caught unaware, Feng Xuhui’s mind could not process the meaning behind the gesture.

“Do you want a smoke?”

“Yes, thank you.”

The restaurant manager passed Feng Xuhui another cigarette.

“Young man, you made the right choice,” Song Ying said. This innocent-looking novice reminded him of himself many years ago.

“Ah? What choice?” Feng Xuhui’s thoughts were still a blur.

“Mr. Zheng has a bright future ahead.” Song Ying stared at where the car had vanished into the distance. “You don’t have to do much: just hold on tight to the man and enjoy the simple pleasures in life. One day, he’s going to strike big and you’ll reap the rewards.”

The words surprised Feng Xuhui.

Was it true? Life could not be that simple.

“May I know who you are?”

“I’m the owner of this restaurant,” Song Ying said with a roguish smile. It was indeed this man’s lucky day as he rarely bothered giving out advice to the younger generation.

“Nice to meet you, sir.” Feng Xuhui bowed his head in respect and retrieved a name card from his coat pocket.

Song Ying turned to leave before the card was even halfway out, his half-smoked cigarette extinguished.

Feng Xuhui watched the businessman walk away, feeling awkward with his name card in hand.

Many people had told him that one needed a benefactor to climb the ranks of society.

Was today his turn to receive one?

The benefactor had said that Chief Zheng was his key to success.

He stood there for a long time until his cigarette burned all the way to his fingers. The sudden jolt of pain brought him back to the real world.

Hold on tight to Chief Zheng?

Feng Xuhui wanted to weep.

Chief Zheng traveled in a Rolls Royce Phantom, dressed in clothes that cost tens of thousands and dined at high-end restaurants in Imperial Capital…

What did he have to offer?