Beat the younger one, and the older one shows up.
"The flying knife fee for an expert from the Imperial Capital is generally between 15,000 and 20,000. Even though Director Gu Huaiming is one of the top experts in the entire country, it shouldn't cost that much..." President Li frowned as he looked at Lin Yuming, stopping mid-sentence.
"Director Lin, could it be that Academician He was invited?" President Li asked.
"President Qiubo, it's not Academician He. It's Director Gu from 912. But he's not coming alone; he's bringing his entire team," Lin Yuming said proudly.
"!!!"
"!!!"
President Li was stunned, and even Director Tan, who had just reached the door and was about to leave, froze in his tracks.
A flying knife surgery involving an entire medical team—such a thing was unheard of.
President Li immediately sensed something unusual.
Traveling from the Imperial Capital to Donglian City was a hassle. To make such a grand fuss and claim it was just to treat a patient—Li Qiubo was the first person not to believe it.
A thought arose in his mind.
*Damn it, could Luo Hao really pull this much weight?*
"Bringing an entire medical team?! Is that for real?" President Li felt a turbulent storm raging in his heart, but his face remained as calm as still water as he asked impassively.
"It's real. Luo Hao has already communicated with the 912 side. Barring any unexpected circumstances, Director Gu will bring seven team members to our hospital to perform the elephant trunk procedure on the patient. This includes two backup perfusionists and a core physician from critical care medicine."
The president's office fell silent.
It was as if what Lin Yuming had just said carried an echo, reverberating continuously and buzzing in President Li's mind.
Anyone experienced in clinical practice knew that a single expert coming down for a flying knife procedure wasn't particularly difficult.
However, that only applied to ordinary experts; securing an expert of Director Gu's caliber was extraordinarily hard.
Some things simply couldn't be solved with money alone.
Director Gu had the reputation of never leaving the Imperial Capital. Since he was gunning for the title of academician, he truly had no time for flying knife surgeries.
The money from a flying knife procedure looked like a massive fortune to ordinary people, but to a doctor of Director Gu's level, it was merely pocket change.
Precisely because President Li knew this, he hadn't cared when the Imperial Capital side requested 50,000 yuan.
Inviting Director Gu, accompanying him for a meal, and getting his contact information would also count as cultivating a good relationship.
Who knew when such a connection might come in handy?
Yet President Li had never dreamed that Director Gu wouldn't just come by himself, but would bring his entire team!
A group of eight people!
Just to perform a single operation!!
If he hadn't heard Lin Yuming say it with his own ears, President Li Qiubo would never have believed it.
*Strange, why does Director Gu attach so much importance to this?*
The moment the thought arose, President Li immediately realized it must be because of Luo Hao.
"Luo Hao is doing well," President Li nodded. "Director Lin, how is Luo Hao's physical recovery? The elephant trunk procedure takes quite a long time; will he be able to handle it?"
At this mention, Lin Yuming looked somewhat helpless.
"President Qiubo, Luo Hao isn't scrubbing in."
"Huh?" President Li was taken aback.
"He said he has to accompany his boss," Lin Yuming said with a crying face.
"!!!"
Passing up the chance to assist Director Gu—the very Director Gu who gave Luo Hao face and brought a whole team of eight people just to perform the elephant trunk procedure—Luo Hao actually chose to accompany his boss instead.
An electric current surged straight to the top of President Li's head.
It almost blew his crown wide open, reverting him to a newborn state.
That utter fool Wen Youren had really poked a hornet's nest this time.
Someone even more important than Director Gu Huaiming of 912's Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery—surely that person must be an academician!
Did someone travel thousands of miles just to check on Luo Hao purely for a casual visit?
People didn't usually visit, but when trouble struck, everyone showed up. What that meant went without saying.
"Alright, handle the arrangements as you see fit," President Li replied calmly and decisively.
As soon as Lin Yuming left, President Li immediately picked up his phone.
"Wen Youren." President Li's voice was stern, carrying a trace of lingering resentment.
"President Qiubo, what is it?" Wen Youren's voice was low and dejected, completely listless.
"Go to Qianhe County for the medical support mission, and make it quick. I'll have Director Tan buy your ticket. Pack your things and leave tomorrow."
Wen Youren never expected that even after being banished to Qianhe County for support, President Qiubo would still find him too slow and wish he could kick him out tonight.
Damn it!
...
...
"Luo Hao, do you have time tomorrow night?" Chen勇 took the initiative to pull Luo Hao aside for a smoke.
Standing in the fire escape, Chen勇 mustered all his courage to ask.
What seemed like a completely normal matter to anyone else was extremely difficult for Chen勇—harder even than confessing his love to a girlfriend.
If he had any choice, Chen勇 would rather confess to a random stranger on the street than say a single word to Luo Hao.
What was there to talk about with a rough-hewn man?
"No time," Luo Hao answered flatly.
Chen勇 felt somewhat angry, yet simultaneously relieved.
"Director Gu from 912 is coming tomorrow, and my boss is coming along too," Luo Hao explained. "I have to accompany my boss, so I really don't have time."
*I see.*
Chen勇 breathed a sigh of relief.
"Is something the matter?" Luo Hao asked.
Chen勇 touched the foolproof scheme his master had given him tucked inside his pocket. Reluctant as he was, out of respect for his master, he asked according to Jiang Wenming's arrangement, "There's something I want to ask you."
"Go ahead." Luo Hao puffed on his cigarette with a faint smile.
"Luo Hao, you tell me—if my master wants to become a deputy director, what does he need to do? My master said he can't rely purely on technical skills."
"Indeed, your master isn't wrong."
"Then..."
Luo Hao glanced at Chen勇. This fellow still stammered when speaking to him, without changing in the slightest.
He was willing to bet that if it were a woman—regardless of looks, age, or appearance—Chen勇 could chatter on endlessly for a day and a night.
A "position" in a medical team was very precious. Should he give one to this fellow?
Luo Hao hesitated slightly, though he had already thought about this matter many times; Chen勇 truly was a suitable candidate.
Although Jiang Wenming was even more suitable than Chen勇, unfortunately, he had been a step too late.
The game and TV series Jiang Wenming had put together had recently begun to blow up in popularity; presumably, Jiang Wenming wouldn't agree to join the medical team.
As for this question, Luo Hao didn't think Jiang Wenming was genuinely interested in becoming the acting director of general surgery.
The game whose copyright Jiang Wenming had sold was already being adapted into a TV series amid intense preparations. Wasn't it wonderful to just lie back and collect royalties?
"Luo Hao, do you have any plans to form your own medical team?" Chen勇 asked sheepishly.
"Chen勇, if I form a medical team, would you be willing to join?"
Luo Hao felt as if he had lifted a wine jar and shouted loudly—*I called your name, do you dare to answer?!*
"Wi... willing..."
Chen勇 stammered in reply.
Why did this feel like a wedding scene, with him acting as the groom snatched away in a bride-napping? Looking at Chen勇's name already appearing on the medical team roster, Luo Hao felt a trace of regret.
"How about this? Tomorrow you'll accompany me to pick up the experts, and you can observe how the boss and I interact." Luo Hao had an open mind and was unwilling to overthink a done deal.
Chen勇 was young and a bit of a playboy, but that wasn't any fatal flaw, Luo Hao comforted himself.
"I'll accompany you? That wouldn't be appropriate." Chen勇 looked somewhat reluctant.
"I am the head of the medical team; you have to listen to me." Not wishing to waste more breath on Chen勇, Luo Hao simply played the team leader card to end the conversation.
...
...
The next day, at the airport.
The leadership team of the Mining Bureau Hospital had gathered in full force, and the nursing department had even brought along several bright-eyed and well-proportioned nurses to formally hoist a welcoming banner.
They were determined to set the right atmosphere and felt not an ounce of awkwardness.
The banner read:—*[Welcome the 912 Expert Team to Visit and Guide Us.]*
"Where is Luo Hao?" President Li scanned the crowd, completely failing to spot Luo Hao, and asked Lin Yuming.
"Luo Hao went to the airport ahead of time to pick them up; he's probably already left by now," Lin Yuming said helplessly.
"Didn't Luo Hao's boss take the same flight as Director Gu?"
"They should have been on the same flight, but the old gentleman walked out through a different exit."
"Luo Hao is a bit... a bit..." President Li sighed.
For 912's expert team to come to the Mining Bureau Hospital to perform emergency surgery was a massive favor. Even if Luo Hao wanted to accompany his own boss, he still should have shown his face at least.
Yet Luo Hao, good as his word, was nowhere to be seen.
Watching a group of people pulling rolling suitcases walk out, Lin Yuming recognized Director Gu from the photographs.
He hurriedly stepped forward to shake hands and exchange pleasantries with Director Gu.
"Director Gu, this is our hospital's Party Secretary Sun, and this is President Li."
Introductions were made one by one. Director Gu showed no sign of impatience, smiling and shaking hands with each of them in greeting.
"Director Gu, you took time out of your busy schedule to perform this surgery—truly the epitome of a benevolent physician," President Li flattered directly.
"Not at all, not at all," Director Gu smiled. "Dr. Luo sought me out; I naturally have to handle a small matter like this properly."
*Dr. Luo!*
*As expected!!*
President Li's heart stirred. He knew his judgment had been spot on—the reason these people traveled thousands of miles to perform an operation wasn't solely to save lives; the primary factor was that Luo Hao had cashed in his personal favor.
To speak purely of saving lives, Director Gu couldn't even finish performing all the surgeries in the Imperial Capital. Whose patient's life wasn't a life? Were patients in Donglian City made of gold? Nonsense.
Coming down to perform a flying knife surgery while dragging along a whole bunch of people was truly done for Luo Hao's sake.
Yet Luo Hao's face carried an incredible amount of weight. Director Gu of 912 was so afraid of a mishap during the procedure that coming himself wasn't enough; he insisted on bringing a whole medical team along.
"Dr. Luo didn't come; please forgive him," Lin Yuming hurriedly explained.
"It's fine. I heard something happened these past few days—someone filed a real-name report against Dr. Luo, and Boss Chai was worried, so he came to check on him," Director Gu waved a hand. "Dr. Luo told me that as long as he accompanies the old master, he doesn't need to accompany me."
With that, Director Gu smiled again. "If the old master had tagged along to watch me operate, I'm afraid I wouldn't dare wield the scalpel. With them absent, it's just right."
These words stirred up monstrous waves in President Li's heart.
As expected, it was all Wen Youren's fault.
He beat the puppy, and now the master had come knocking.
Fortunately, he had been decisive and prompt, directly banishing Wen Youren to Qianhe County. Even if someone questioned him now, he could explain himself clearly.
*Thank goodness, thank goodness.*
President Li felt a wave of lucky relief and let out a long breath.
"Director Gu, let's take a look at the patient first before getting some rest."
"No need, aortic dissections require us to hurry," Director Gu said. "Once the operation is finished today, I'll leave some people behind to monitor for a few days, and the others and I will fly back tonight."
...
...
"Boss, why do you look unhappy?" Luo Hao asked as he drove, chatting idly with the elderly man sitting in the back seat.
"The weather's getting colder lately, and even the fish are lazy," Director Qian explained.
The smile on Luo Hao's face grew increasingly rich.
Boss Chai was a typical fishing enthusiast; he must have failed to catch any fish and ended up being looked down upon.
"Boss, I'm going to give you something good," Luo Hao said.
"A fishing rod? What's the use of that?" Old Chai sighed. "In this freezing snow and ice, am I supposed to chisel an ice hole and fish?"
"Why ever not!"
"Luo Hao, stop talking nonsense and don't let the boss catch a cold. If something really goes wrong from the cold, can you bear the responsibility?" Director Qian scolded.
"The boss will help me evaluate the patient first, and then come with me," Luo Hao said. "Don't worry, Director Qian, the boss's health comes first; I know what I'm doing. You'll see once you get to look at the gift I prepared for the boss."
Hearing Luo Hao speak with such mystery, the old man's interest was piqued, and he kept pressing for details.
Yet Luo Hao refused to say a word, maintaining the suspense all the way until they finished examining the patient.
"His condition is passable. If our Mining Bureau Hospital's anesthetists handled the anesthesia, there might be problems, but Director Gu brought a elite team from 912, so it'll be fine," the old man gave his evaluation.
"Boss, the surgery will go off without a hitch, right?"
"No problem. Director Gu's surgical technique has grown bold and vigorous in recent years; he's even starting to ponder the Batista procedure. An elephant trunk surgery? It is what it is."
After giving his review, the old man asked curiously, "Little Conch, what gift are you giving me?"
"Hehe." Luo Hao merely smiled without answering.
Driving to a parking lot, Luo Hao stopped beside a Geely automobile.
"Boss, this is the gift I bought for you."
"!!!" Chen勇 was utterly dumbfounded.
Giving gifts—Chen勇 could accept that kind of thing.
Yet judging by the old man's demeanor and air, Chen勇 guessed this VIP must be at the level of an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.
If Luo Hao had given him some local specialties, Chen勇 could have accepted that too. But Luo Hao was actually going to present a car.
It wasn't a matter of how expensive the gift was, but... giving a car meant it should at least be in the Mercedes-Benz, BMW, or Audi tier. Even then, a BBA might feel too light, making a local specialty seem more sincere to express one's feelings.
And yet Luo Hao was actually giving the old man a Geely.
Could it be that he chose it purely because the car's name—*Geely* (meaning auspicious)—sounded lucky?
He had spent the whole night previewing things, and this was what Luo Hao showed him?
Chen勇 felt so awkward he lowered his head and began digging at the ground with his toes.
"Oh? Is there something special about it?" The old man didn't show disdain or displeasure; instead, he asked with lively interest.
"Geely Haoyue L, a car custom-built for fishing enthusiasts."
*Damn!*
Chen勇 was startled by Luo Hao's words and cursed inwardly.
*Fishing enthusiasts have custom-built cars?!*
"I also made a few minor modifications. Boss, try it out first, and if you think it fits, I'll have someone drive it to the Imperial Capital."
"The license plate is also from the Imperial Capital, so the boss doesn't need to worry."
"What's so special about this car?" Old Chai's eyes grew brighter and brighter as he asked with keen interest.
"Thirty-two seat combinations; there's bound to be one that suits you." Saying this, Luo Hao opened the trunk of the car.
A spacious area was revealed before their eyes.
Luo Hao began tinkering, adjusting the seats to create a vast space and two comfortable chairs arranged side by side.
Old Chai's eyes brightened even further!
With the second and third-row seats folded completely flat, one could comfortably sit in the sole chair and fish.
"What else?" Old Chai continued to ask.
Fishing boxes, fishing chairs, rod bags, line setups, rod rests, fishing platforms, bait, float boxes—all were immediately displayed before the old man.
Fully equipped, it left Chen勇 staring in slack-jawed astonishment.
"Nothing much, just a bit more space," the old man shook his head, seeming unimpressed by these features.
"There's a TV and a sound system."
"Not enough."
"Boss, there's definitely a secret weapon. Look right here."
Luo Hao led the old man to sit on the chairs in the trunk.
Although it was called a trunk, the space was spacious, resembling a cabin in the woods.
Luo Hao and the old man sat side by side without feeling crowded at all.
A screen appeared before the old man, and Luo Hao leaned over to explain.
"Boss, this here is a phased-array radar monitoring system. It can scan and detect where the fish are concentrated."
*Damn!*
Upon hearing the five words "phased-array radar," Chen勇 completely lost his mind and plunged into a state of utter bewilderment.
Was this fishing?
This looked like going to war.
Phased-array radar... what on earth was Luo Hao trying to do?
"Oh? A civilian version?" The old man's eyes suddenly lit up as he asked happily.
"Mhm, a civilian version—rather crude, but entirely sufficient just for fishing."
*Rather crude!*
Chen勇 felt deeply dissatisfied with the constant flexing state Luo Hao maintained.
They were using phased-array radar for fishing, and yet he still called it crude!
"Right here, this is a pneumatic pressurization device. It can cast the float much farther." Luo Hao continued his introduction.
"How far can it go?"
"120 meters, though that's the absolute limit. Generally, 30 or 50 meters is about right," Luo Hao smiled. "The dedicated float has a camera built-in, so you can see the fish anytime, anywhere.
"As for casting, it uses an air cannon. If Old Yun sat on the opposite side of the lake to compete with you, you could literally hook him and reel him across with a single cast."
"!!!"
"!!!"
Chen勇 and Director Qian fell silent, tears almost welling up in their eyes.
"The fish you catch also come with an automatic weighing device. The data isn't in grams; it's displayed in catties, taels, and qian."
"Three catties, two taels, eight qian?"
"Exactly. That way, it should suit your tastes. Actually, it's not difficult; the algorithm is very simple."
"Not bad." The old man finally gave an affirmative evaluation.
Yet it seemed there was still something he wasn't entirely satisfied with.
"The equipment can link to your phone, featuring AI auto-screenshots of the exact moment a fish bites the bait underwater and when it's reeled in. You can send the photos to whoever you want, anytime, anywhere. No need to lift a finger—you just have to set it up."
The old man smiled until his eyes narrowed into slits, his longevity eyebrows twitching back and forth.
"Luo Hao, isn't this a bit too advanced? Doesn't it ruin the fun of fishing?" Director Qian asked with some doubt.
"What nonsense are you talking about," the old man scolded.
Director Qian instantly wiped away his fierce expression.
"Back in the day when the domestic market lacked CT scanners, whenever we handled emergency cases, we had to guess whether it was a cerebral hemorrhage or an infarction. Even though we had a rough idea, how could that compare to getting a CT scan—simple, worry-free, and definitive?"
"You're completely right, Boss!" Director Qian's flattery was delivered with clumsy enthusiasm.
"Little Conch, you put real thought into this."
"Boss, there's more," Luo Hao laughed heartily.
"Oh?"
"If you wish, the vehicle has a function that automatically obscures your license plate using fish shapes."
"!!!"
"!!!"
Director Qian and Chen勇 petrified further.
They had transformed from blue-brick red-tile houses into reinforced concrete.
Automatically obscuring license plates—did Luo Hao even know what he was saying?
"No, no, I'm not like them. They like to show off; we keep a low profile," the old man said, smiling from ear to ear while looking "modest" yet thoroughly satisfied.
"Shall we test it out?" Luo Hao asked.
"Let's go, let's test it out!"
"Luo Hao, don't let the boss catch a cold," Director Qian reminded him.
"Don't worry. There's an electric heater inside the car, an insulation mechanism when opening the doors, and warm military overcoats. I tested it—the temperature is more than enough. Besides, winter fishing has even more professional equipment."
"How can you even winter fish under those conditions?" Director Qian looked bewildered.
"Video monitoring," Luo Hao answered. "People used to watch the float when fishing, but with cameras, you can make eye contact with the fish face-to-face."
"..."
"..."
Luo Hao waved his hand, and a middle-aged man walked over and sat in the driver's seat.
The group boarded the vehicle, and the driver headed straight toward a wild lake.
After driving for a full hour, getting more and more remote, the driver navigated a familiar small path before executing a smooth drift on the ice surface, bringing the car to a steady stop.
Luo Hao jumped out of the car and handed a military overcoat to the old man to drape over his shoulders.
"Boss, the phased-array radar indicates this is where the fish are densest," Luo Hao stomped on the ice beneath his feet.
"Let's try it out. I've never been winter fishing before."
"From now on, whenever you want to, I'll accompany you," Luo Hao said, smiling warmly at the old man as he unloaded the equipment.
The chainsaw buzzed to life, and an ice hole 40 centimeters in diameter quickly appeared before their eyes.
"Boss, take a look at the professional winter fishing gear."
The old man stared blankly at the fish occasionally poking their heads out of the ice hole, his eyes fixed and unblinking, as if he hadn't heard Luo Hao at all.
Luo Hao beckoned the driver to help unload a pile of gear, and they began setting it up.
"What is this?" Director Qian asked.
"A tent, set up right on the ice surface. The temperature inside can reach 22 degrees Celsius above zero," Luo Hao said while erecting the tent. "If the boss doesn't like video fishing, he can try this method instead. That way, Director Qian, you won't have to worry about the boss catching a chill from the wind."
An ice surface, a tent, and 22 degrees Celsius above zero.
Putting these terms together was something even Chen勇, a native northerner, couldn't fathom.
"Boss, inside the tent or inside the car?" Luo Hao asked.
"The tent, the tent," Old Chai said without hesitation.
Soon, Luo Hao and the driver skillfully erected the tent.
It was warm as spring inside the tent, and even more astonishingly, the ice hole was right inside as well.
Wearing a cashmere sweater, the old man sat on a small chair, fishing in leisurely contentment.
Less than three minutes later, a carp weighing over four catties took the bait.
The old man beamed with joy, feeling utter delight.
Chen勇 silently looked at Luo Hao. All the initial thoughts he had harbored about Luo Hao showing off had long since vanished like drifting smoke.
The "accompanying" Luo Hao had provided for the boss was completely different from what he had imagined.
It looked more like a meticulously planned camping trip he might take with a girl, Chen勇 thought.
"Where on earth did you dig up all this equipment?" Director Qian asked in astonishment.
"I've been pondering it ever since I got back, but getting vehicle modification approval was a bit troublesome, and I was afraid the boss wouldn't approve of it anyway. Fortunately, Geely came out with a fishing vehicle." Luo Hao said with a chuckle.
"Tsk tsk," Director Qian clicked his tongue and shook his head slightly.
Flattery was an art depending on who was doing it.
Some people laid it on so thick and awkwardly that they turned good deeds into bad ones.
Yet over the years, he had watched with his own eyes as Luo Hao kept one elderly VIP after another comfortably wrapped around his finger. The phrase "catering to their preferences" simply didn't cover the half of it.
Look at that—the tent and the fishing vehicle before his eyes were living examples.
The old man could sit inside a tent as warm as spring while having an ice hole right in front of him, enjoying all the fun of winter fishing.
The crucial part was that he could even show off to his old fishing buddies!
Every single angle had been covered comprehensively. Director Qian gazed deeply at Luo Hao.
"Director Qian, I've prepared a barbecue," Luo Hao said, turning back to speak to Director Qian while the boss concentrated intently on fishing.
"!!!"
"Qiqiang beef, specially marinated by the best chef. I'll grill the skewers myself later, and the two of us can have a couple of drinks. The chef is Chef Ding from our local Fatty BBQ—a true professional!"
Before Luo Hao could finish, Director Qian's index finger was already twitching.
It wasn't just the elderly folks; wasn't he the same? Director Qian patted Luo Hao on the shoulder.
A second car followed behind and parked. Semi-professional barbecue equipment was unloaded and set up right on the ice.
The charcoal fire was burning strong and cozy, and the aroma of roasted meat quickly filled the air.