Donglian City does not allow anyone to be this badass.

Chief, the surgery has already begun.

The operating room and clinical departments were standing by in strict readiness.

The Secretary and the President of the Number One Mining Hospital personally came to the operating room to hold down the fort, with Lin Yuming coordinating from the center.

Such a massive display was unprecedented in the history of the Number One Mining Hospital and well worth recording in the hospital's annals.

Once the surgery commenced, with the buzzing sound of the sternal saw, everyone unconsciously kept silent so as not to disturb Director Gu who was performing the operation.

Inside the operating room's conference room sat all the directors and deputy directors of the relevant departments.

Although they knew there was a high probability they wouldn't have a chance to assist, let alone participate in a consultation, or even catch a glimpse of the procedure, they came anyway.

They had been summoned one by one over the phone by President Qiubo, precisely out of fear that if the surgery failed and resuscitation was needed, manpower would be lacking.

For this sudden emergency surgery, the Number One Mining Hospital could be said to have gone all out.

The probability of surgical failure was quite high; everyone knew not to expect a hundred percent success rate, but they prayed they wouldn't lose face in front of Director Gu from 912.

If they fell short of equipment or personnel during resuscitation... the industry's evaluation of them would directly drop by two tiers.

"What's the point of us coming here?" muttered the director of the Intensive Care Unit in a low voice.

"Sigh, it would be fine if the rest of us didn't come, but it doesn't look good for you, the ICU director, to be absent."

"Didn't you see what kind of lineup 912 brought!"

"What kind of lineup? They did bring someone from the ICU—that female doctor, right? She looks so gentle and quiet, is there anything special about her?"

The ICU director curled his lip. "When I went to Beijing for a conference this year, she was the one who gave the grand finale presentation on stage. The topic was profound; anyway, I didn't understand a word."

"!!!"

"Who invited this supreme deity?" a physician from the internal medicine department asked in a low voice, still confused about the situation. "President Qiubo? Director Gu from 912 actually brought his entire medical team—so badass!"

"No, I heard it was Luo Hao from the Medical Affairs Department who invited them."

"Holy cow, Luo Hao?!"

"Right, I heard it was Luo Hao who invited them too."

"No way. Usually, when an expert is invited for a freelance surgery, the surgeon alone is enough. Why bring so many people all at once? They even brought their own instrument nurse and anesthesiologist."

"Don't forget they also brought an ICU doctor, afraid that our ICU strength wouldn't be enough after the patient comes off the table, leading to delayed resuscitation."

With that, he glanced at the ICU director, who was sitting to the side and staring blankly out of boredom.

"Is that really necessary?"

Someone curled their lip.

"How is it not necessary? A few years ago during our province's first lung transplant, the patient's condition was poor post-op, and the local hospital exhausted all means to stabilize the vital signs, to no avail. Later, an ICU doctor from Wuxi came, and on that very day, the patient's condition was stabilized."

"They do more of those. Wuxi is a lung transplant base, after all."

"You think an aortic arch surgery is smaller than a lung transplant? There's a mountain of post-op troubles. I heard Director Gu gave word that the ICU doctor is staying behind to monitor for three days after the surgery."

"Badass."

Everyone praised, then suddenly fell silent in unison.

Luo Hao—an unavoidable name—loomed right before them, standing like a mountain that blotted out the sky.

"Usually, just the surgeon is enough. Isn't Luo Hao a Ph.D. graduate from Peking Union Medical College's eight-year clinical medicine program? How does he have such a good relationship with 912?"

"I heard..."

Someone said mysteriously, looking around as he spoke.

"Spit it out, what did you hear?"

Someone asked anxiously.

"You guys know about Old Wen's real-name whistleblowing incident, right?"

"I know."

"It seems that incident really upset several heavyweights in Beijing. This trip is to endorse Luo Hao."

"!!!"

"No way."

"Does Luo Hao have that much clout?"

Everyone found it hard to believe.

"I didn't believe it either, but haven't you noticed that Luo Hao isn't here? Yesterday I went to pick up Director Gu, and they said a senior elder came in person."

"!!!"

"I'm guessing that whether it's Director Gu bringing a team to perform the surgery or the elder accompanied by Luo Hao, they are both here to back Luo Hao up. They are using practical actions to tell our Number One Mining Hospital to stir up fewer troubles; if they really push Luo Hao too far, he'll definitely be fine, but whether our hospital will get dragged down is anyone's guess."

"Tsk, heaven is high and the emperor is far away."

"They'll cut your medical insurance quota by thirty percent, and this year's bonuses won't even be paid out."

This director's speculation resonated with many.

"Old Wen said he was going to Qianhe County today, and I was wondering why he was leaving in such a rush. Before going to support them, we should at least have had a drink together and gathered properly. So that's how it is!"

"Right! The day before yesterday I heard Old Wen was going to Qianhe County to provide support, and I figured it definitely had to do with the real-name whistleblowing. President Qiubo was rapping Old Wen over the knuckles. Whether he'd actually go was uncertain; I felt the possibility of him not going was higher. Who would have thought that overnight, Old Wen would be hustled off to Qianhe County."

These were just speculations, but put together, they gradually pieced together a truth that everyone grew to believe.

Otherwise, why would the head of cardiothoracic surgery at 912 condescend to perform a freelance surgery here, and even bring an entire team?

Otherwise, why would Director Wen Youren be driven away in such a hasty manner?

It was truly being driven away—driven away like a stray dog. Even tucking tail and running away wasn't enough; they had to kick him on his way out.

The relationship between Wen Youren and President Qiubo was not distant at all, or else Wen Youren wouldn't have been allowed to act so arrogantly at the Number One Mining Hospital for all these years.

Yet when encountering a truly formidable opponent, Wen Youren could only be hastily banished to Qianhe County.

The conference room gradually quieted down, and the directors present were somewhat lost in thought.

It wasn't the first day Luo Hao had returned. He had worked at the Number One Mining Hospital for two years, keeping a low profile and blending into the background.

Previously, it was only rumored that Luo Hao had some connections in Beijing and could take patients there for medical treatment.

As a Ph.D. graduate of Peking Union's eight-year program, he naturally possessed some networking resources; no one disputed that.

But it went no further than that.

If Luo Hao had such a prominent face and appreciation over there, would he have bothered to return to Donglian City and serve as a humble clerk in the Medical Affairs Department of the Number One Mining Hospital?

However.

Facts proved that everyone had guessed wrong.

Wen Youren was the first to poke a hornet's nest, bringing a massive disaster upon himself and getting banished to support Qianhe County.

Not only that, Director Gu of 912's Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery brought an entire team to back Luo Hao up.

Phew~~~

What kind of fairy-tale backing was this? No ordinary person could ever imagine it.

A certain director let out a breath.

He silently stared at the floor as countless thoughts surged through his mind.

Fortunately, a few months ago when Luo Hao came to handle business in his department, out of respect for Lin Yuming, he hadn't made things difficult for or bullied the young man.

Otherwise, he'd be sitting on pins and needles today as well.

The directors were deep in thought, while Director Sun of the Gynecology Department and Director Li of the Gastroenterology Department were pondering even more.

Because they had interacted with Luo Hao frequently, they kept wondering whether they had ever shown him any disrespect.

Time ticked by second by second.

People kept walking outside the operating room to peer in, inquiring whether the surgery was going smoothly.

From the circulating nurse's brief words, they learned the procedure was progressing smoothly. After only four hours, the aortic arch replacement was already completed.

Two more hours passed, and the bright, hearty laughter of Secretary Sun and President Li echoed down the operating room corridor, letting everyone know the surgery was over.

They craned their necks to look and saw Director Gu, accompanied by Secretary Sun and President Li, chatting and laughing in isolation gowns as they headed toward the locker room.

Although they had tossed and turned all day standing by in anticipation and none of them ended up being needed, none of the directors complained.

Gathering together, they heard plenty of gossip and gained a completely new perception of the Medical Affairs Department and Luo Hao.

It looked like they needed to be much more respectful toward the Medical Affairs Department from now on.

......

......

Railway Station.

Donglian City had two high-speed railway stations—east and west. Nestled right between them, the once most prosperous traditional railway station had grown desolate beyond recognition.

Wen Youren stood alone at the ticket gate, dejected, pulling his rolling suitcase.

President Li's phone call completely shattered Wen Youren's final persistence.

Just like the other directors thought, Wen Youren had also assumed that sending him to Qianhe County was just talk, and that once the whistleblowing incident blew over and nobody pursued it anymore, he would still be the head of general surgery at the Number One Mining Hospital.

Never had he dreamed that President Qiubo would call him overnight and cast him out without the slightest hesitation!

Though it wasn't snowing, Wen Youren felt like Lin Chong at the wintry mountain temple—a hero for a lifetime, only to capsize in a gutter.

Standing alone in the chilly wind, Wen Youren didn't notice the biting sharpness like a knife; the fire of rage burned fiercely in his heart, wishing to turn the world to ashes.

The familiar broadcast chime sounded.

Unlike high-speed rail stations, the old railway station was vintage and rustic, feeling as though one had stepped back twenty years in time.

Twenty years ago, life was truly wonderful back then, Wen Youren thought to himself.

"Youren!"

A familiar voice came from behind.

Twenty years ago, when he was studying as an advanced student, his master had called out to him just like that, bringing him a pile of snacks for fear that he might go hungry.

Yet his master had ended up backstabbing him.

Wen Youren shook his head and gave a bitter smile.

The vicissitudes of life, the warmth and coldness of human relationships.

"Youren, why aren't you going inside the station to get out of the wind?" came Wang Guohua's gravelly voice, freezing Wen Youren in his tracks.

Why had his master come?

Turning around stiffly like a puppet, Wen Youren saw Wang Guohua standing behind him, carrying food and fruit in his hands.

This scene was identical to twenty years ago.

"Master, why are you here?" Wen Youren asked in a hoarse voice.

"You, oh you." Wang Guohua shifted everything to one hand and grabbed Wen Youren's arm with his free hand. "Let's go inside and talk."

Like a walking corpse, Wen Youren followed Wang Guohua into the dilapidated old railway station.

There were hardly anyone inside the station; it was desolately quiet.

"I only just found out you were leaving in such a hurry." Wang Guohua put the items down and looked at Wen Youren. "Don't harbor resentment. Listen to your master's advice: keep a peaceful mindset and don't make yourself sick."

"Master, I refuse to accept this," Wen Youren said with a stubborn, unruly expression.

"Heh." Wang Guohua gave a dry, mirthless laugh with zero warmth on his face. "Do you know who came today?"

"Who came?" Wen Youren was startled.

"On that freezing snowy night, when there was an aortic dissection patient, Luo Hao invited Director Gu from 912's Cardiothoracic Surgery Department."

"Hmph~" Wen Youren snorted coldly.

A freelance surgery, what was so great about that? Although 912 was a top hospital in the country, inviting a director to perform a freelance surgery wasn't that difficult.

He could have done it himself.

"The key point is that Director Gu didn't come alone. He brought an entire medical team to perform the surgery at the Number One Mining Hospital—including an instrument nurse, assistants, an anesthesiologist, a perfusionist, and a deputy director from the ICU."

"Ah?!" Wen Youren froze.

Wang Guohua had rattled off a long list, and every single word struck the bottom of Wen Youren's heart like a heavy hammer.

He had also experienced inviting outside experts for freelance surgeries; he couldn't be fooled about how these things worked.

A surgeon flying in alone to perform a procedure was one thing, but bringing an entire entourage to the Number One Mining Hospital was an entirely different story.

Sensing something was amiss, Wen Youren wiped the defiant look off his face and grew serious.

"Master, was it Luo Hao who invited them?"

"Yes."

Wen Youren realized what kind of iron wall he had kicked.

Damn it!

Director Gu of 912's Cardiothoracic Surgery Department coming to endorse Luo Hao meant they were probably master and apprentice, and Luo Hao was likely the most favored little disciple.

If you had connections like this, why didn't you say so earlier? Are you out of your mind? With such formidable connections, why on earth would you come back to the Number One Mining Hospital?!

Wen Youren's heart felt as though it was about to explode.

Earlier, his unwillingness to submit stemmed from thinking Luo Hao was just insanely lucky to have run into an acquaintance.

Yet the news Wang Guohua conveyed carried an entirely different message.

In just a few short days, the other side had already openly marched out an entire brigade to back Luo Hao up.

Sigh.

Wen Youren let out a deep sigh.

"You think that's the end of it?" Wang Guohua asked teasingly, noticing Wen Youren's still-defiant expression and knowing he hadn't gotten over the hurdle in his heart.

"Ah?"

Only now did Wen Youren truly realize something was terribly wrong.

It wasn't over yet? A senior director from 912 rushed over in a flurry to make his stance clear, and even that wasn't enough? Did Luo Hao want to ascend to the heavens or something?!

"Ma... Master, what else is there?" Seeing Wang Guohua's grave expression, Wen Youren felt extremely anxious.

He had done plenty of shady things himself over the years; at the very least, taking red envelopes was hardly rare.

If Luo Hao were to truly blow the whistle with his real name, he'd probably have a hard time.

Though the probability was slim—Luo Hao wouldn't be insane enough to do that—who could really say?

"When I went for further studies in my youth, you know about it," Wang Guohua said.

"I know."

"Elder Chai was the head of the department back then."

Wen Youren was a bit confused. Why was his master bringing up those old scandals from back in the day?

Yet he didn't dare rush him, knowing his master's temper.

If he showed impatience or urged him on, his master's hand might slap the back of his head in the next second.

He was almost fifty; why ask for that?

"Elder Chai came to our Donglian City today, right on the heels of Director Gu from 912."

"Ah? Ah!" Wen Youren let out two gasps.

The first was out of a sense of coincidence.

The second was filled with utter astonishment.

In an instant, Wen Youren understood his master's implication—Elder Chai Zhonghua, just like Director Gu, had personally come to endorse Luo Hao with his golden reputation!

Damn it, what was going on here?

Elder Chai was a heavyweight in the industry, especially in general surgery; he was the editor-in-chief for half of all professional textbooks.

"Ma... Master, no way," Wen Youren asked tremblingly.

"I didn't believe it either, but Chen Yong is the one who said it."

"Chen Yong? What does he know!" Wen Youren immediately relaxed and blurted out a curse.

"Chen Yong is currently accompanying Elder Chai fishing at Wild Lake," Wang Guohua said coldly.

"!!!"

Wen Youren was dumbfounded.

"To accompany Elder Chai, Luo Hao didn't even get to see Director Gu."

"..."

"Our Number One Mining Hospital had no idea Elder Chai was coming. The ones who went to pick him up at the airport were several leaders from the Health Commission and the vice mayor in charge of medical affairs. And their lips were sealed so tight this time that they didn't even inform our hospital's president and party secretary."

"!!!"

"After picking him up, they didn't even eat; they said Elder Chai looked displeased, said a few polite words with a stern face, and left with Luo Hao."

Reality was far harsher than Wen Youren had imagined. His mind went blank as he blankly stared at the shabby floor of the old railway station.

"My point is, Youren, don't get yourself sick out of anger in Qianhe County." Wang Guohua's gaze suddenly softened slightly. "Take care of your health. Before you know it, you're turning fifty; there's no need to work yourself up over idle grievances."

"Master," Wen Youren's voice choked up slightly.

"When I was young and bragging, I used to say Elder Chai was my teacher, but truth be told, I was reaching too high. My tutor back then could barely manage to climb onto Elder Chai's lineage; Elder Chai probably wouldn't even acknowledge me," Wang Guohua said earnestly. "To be honest, if we're talking seniority, I'd at most have to call Luo Hao my martial uncle."

"..."

"That kid lives right in the Commander's Mansion, seeing people and doing things that... Some things are better left unthought of; those aren't things doctors at our level can imagine. Here, these are the fruits I brought for you. Eat them while your blood sugar is fine. My blood sugar is high now, and a lot of the fruits I loved eating when I was young are things I can only stare at and dare not touch."

Wang Guohua nagged him like a parent seeing off a child traveling far away.

If anyone else had said those words, Wen Youren would have snapped right back at them, assuming they were cursing him.

But these words came from Wang Guohua. Combined with his own unsettled state of mind, the things his master had just told him kept echoing in Wen Youren's mind.

Luo Hao was too insidious! Had he known beforehand that Luo Hao had so many powerful heavyweights backing him up, he'd have to be insane to cross paths with him!

Tears streamed down Wen Youren's face.

He was already showing early symptoms of PTSD; at the mere thought of Luo Hao's bright, sunny smile, he couldn't help but shiver uncontrollably.

......

......

"Boss, it's getting late. Let's head back and get some early rest." Luo Hao finished clearing the skewers off his stick and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

"It's only 7:30, what's the rush? Even an old man like me doesn't go to sleep this early, all you know is how to rush people," Elder Chai said unhappily.

"If we go back now, it'll be close to 9:00. Rest a bit, wash up, and sleep at 10:00—that's just right." Luo Hao picked up his phone, acting as if he were threatening Elder Chai.

Elder Chai cast a disgruntled glare at Luo Hao.

"Boss, you have to take care of your health."

"I'm as sturdy as an ox. Old Xu kept nagging me, and how did that turn out? He passed away three years ago."

Luo Hao sighed, but remained resolute, beginning to urge everyone to pack up their things.

"Boss, I'll have someone drive your car back. Everything else is fine, but please use your pneumatic casting rod with care—don't hurt yourself."

"Nagging, why are you acting like an octogenarian at such a young age?" Elder Chai said with disdain.

He was visibly angry, but Luo Hao didn't hesitate in the slightest, packing everything neatly and bowing as he invited Elder Chai into the car.

On the drive back, Elder Chai sat in the backseat, closing his eyes to rest his mind.

Neither Luo Hao nor Director Chen disturbed him; the old man had suffered the fatigue of travel and played all afternoon, so he must have been tired.

Suddenly, Elder Chai's long, longevity-symbolizing white eyebrows twitched.

"Luo Hao."

"Yes, I'm here, Boss."

"Go ahead and do things boldly," Elder Chai said softly with his eyes closed, sounding like mumbling in his sleep, yet firm and full of strength.

"Understood, Boss." Luo Hao smiled. "I can handle minor matters on my own. If I really run into something I can't resolve, I'll catch a flight to Beijing overnight to find you."

"Those old fogies can all keep their composure—a bunch of lazy old dogs."

"Thank you for your hard work." Luo Hao said respectfully, "You should stay a few more days this time; my mom said she wanted to cook some Northeastern dishes to welcome you properly."

"No need. As long as you're fine, that's enough," Elder Chai said flatly. "I'm heading back early tomorrow morning."

"Isn't that too rushed, Boss?"

Elder Chai didn't speak, simply shaking his head.

Luo Hao didn't push further, nor did he chat much more with his boss. The old man was getting on in years, and coupled with the urgency, he must have been exhausted both physically and mentally, making rest a necessity.

He was different; having donated 1,200 ml of blood, as long as he avoided heavy physical labor after a day or two of rest, he'd be as good as new.

The boss couldn't do that.

Dropping Elder Chai and Director Gu off at the hotel, Luo Hao helped Elder Chai upstairs, closed the door as he left, and arranged with Director Gu to pick them up the next morning.

Walking back downstairs and getting into the car, Luo Hao breathed a sigh of relief.

"Luo Hao, was that old gentleman your boss?" Chen Yong asked, burning with curiosity and seizing the moment to speak up.

"Mmm," Luo Hao nodded. "My boss. One of them."

"One of them? What does that mean? Also, what did Elder Chai mean earlier when he said the others could keep their composure?"

Chen Yong instantly transformed into a walking encyclopedia of questions, desperate to ask them all.

"Why do you have so many questions?" Luo Hao smiled. "Did you understand?"

"Understand what?" Chen Yong blinked.

"What your master told you to ask me about."

Chen Yong was even more surprised. "Luo Hao, how did you know my master told me to ask?"

"All your thoughts are focused on women, how could you possibly think of asking me this on your own?"

"!!!"

"Let's put it this way: according to jianghu legends, I have a special affinity with the elderly. Whenever seniors see me, they look at me as if I were their own biological grandson."

"Was that an insult?" Chen Yong asked.

Luo Hao smiled. "Your comprehension is really poor."

"Me? Poor? My master says I have very high talent! Otherwise, he wouldn't have taken a shine to me at first sight."

"Then let me ask you: have you ever given gifts since starting work?"

"No," Chen Yong said disdainfully. "Except for treating my master to dinner."

Chen Yong pulled an envelope given to him by his master, Jiang Wenming, out of his pocket, preparing to check whether his master's "candid advice" had hit the mark.

Yet Luo Hao didn't elaborate further, saying casually instead, "That's fine too. Knowing how to work without slacking off makes you a qualified doctor."

"Don't do that. Tell me about gift-giving. Do you think my master stands a chance?"

Finding that Luo Hao hadn't guided him in the way his master had envisioned, but instead categorized him merely as a donkey willing to pull a cart,

Chen Yong stubbornly held up the printed paper and asked.

"Your master stands no chance anymore; all that talk about gift-giving was just a joke. Since we have idle time, let me explain it to you so you don't go causing trouble in the future."

Chen Yong fixed his attention.

He opened the "brocade pouch," glanced at the words written on it, and froze slightly.

"Your master is really good to you. He doesn't need these things, and he wanted me to say it out loud myself."

Luo Hao smiled. Someone who truly considers themselves a master always thinks things through so meticulously—just like Elder Chai.

"My master's clinical skills are top-notch! Why are you saying he stands no chance?"

"He's made enough money, and it seems he's planning to shoot a TV series capitalizing on a video game's popularity soon. Given all that, do you really expect your master to come back?"

Chen Yong shook his head.

"I'll explain it to you now."