Chapter 131: The Supreme Elder And The Return Journey
September 20th, Sunday, clear skies.
At one in the afternoon, Xie Yuan’an was in the ‘Lecturer’s’ office, full of indecision. After scrolling through two articles with her mouse, her mind was unsettled.
After making herself another cup of coffee, she muttered to herself, “Xie Yuan’an, what are you worried about? Little Mu Mu is your roommate, and you’re not after her boyfriend, so what are you afraid of?”
“It’s all clean and clear.”
Thinking this, Xie Yuan’an sent Lu Cheng a message: “Lu Cheng, Professor Xie said you would take the suturing technique research project back to do with professors at Xiangya Hospital.”
“You don’t have experience doing research projects before, so if you need anything, you can ask me.”
“Mu Mu and I are roommates and classmates, so you don’t need to be so polite with me.”
After composing the message, Xie Yuan’an carefully reviewed it. Finding no issues, she clicked send.
Lu Cheng, holding his ‘Advanced Nerve Suturing Training Class Graduation Certificate’, was sitting in Mu Nanshu’s Cadillac, enjoying the air conditioning and chatting with her.
“You’ll have to sort out lunch yourself. I’m still handing over my work here and won’t be coming out to eat. We’ve already ordered takeout,” flashed Mu Nanshu’s message.
Lu Cheng replied, “Okay, then I’ll come pick you up later. It’s only one in the afternoon, and it’s not good to stay in the car all the time. I also need to call Director Lin to slightly extend my leave.”
“I’ll just take the night shift at midnight later when I go back.”
Lu Cheng had originally scheduled his shift to start at six in the evening, but with other matters to attend to, he had to postpone the time further.
“Thank you, Teacher Xie. Nanshu said she will help me do this research project back there! Of course, if I have any more questions, I will definitely ask you,” Lu Cheng replied politely and naturally.
Xie Yuan’an read the message in her office and widened her beautiful eyes. “Little Mu Mu is going back with you to do the research project?”
“She’s an associate researcher in the Gastroenterology Department Laboratory, and she’s doing a research project for Hand Surgery with you? Is that true or false?”
For real or fake? Mu Nanshu has such an ability?
“Nanshu and Professor Dong in their laboratory have already agreed, so it shouldn’t be a lie,” Lu Cheng replied.
Xie Yuan’an: “Alright… with Little Mu Mu there, you definitely won’t be at a disadvantage, but this matter is still a bit hard to believe.”
Xie Yuan’an sat in her office, questioning life… How could Lu Cheng have “stolen” Little Mu Mu away?
……
Lu Cheng, on the other hand, drove directly back to the residential area where Mu Nanshu lived. The main reason was that it was still early, and there were still four hours until Mu Nanshu got off work. Lu Cheng might as well go back to read for a while; staying in the air-conditioned home was cheaper than staying in the air-conditioned car.
It was also a good opportunity for Lu Cheng to take a nap.
However, just as Lu Cheng parked in the underground garage and was walking towards the elevator shaft with his graduation certificate, his phone rang.
There was no contact saved, and the area code was Hanshi City.
Considering the large number of people in Professor Zhong’s group, Lu Cheng answered: “Hello.”
A stranger’s voice came from the phone: “Is this Lu Cheng?”
“Yes, it is Lu Cheng. And you are?” Lu Cheng asked back.
“Xiao Lu, I’m Li Yuanpeng from the Orthopedics department at Zhongnan Hospital. By calculation, I’m your senior brother. Could you please ask Professor Zhong to think of a way to invite Old Professor Qi back?”
“Please stop scolding. He’s been scolded all morning, and he’s already over eighty years old. It’s not good for him to get too angry,” Li Yuanpeng said.
Lu Cheng knew Li Yuanpeng. To be precise, Li Yuanpeng was a classmate of Professor Lan Hualuo, and they were also fellow disciples, both studying under Professor Deng Yong of Trauma Surgery.
However, Lu Cheng hadn’t had much interaction with either of them before…
“Huh? Teacher Li? May I ask, who is Professor Qi?” Lu Cheng was very confused.
Li Yuanpeng was silent for a while longer before replying with a melancholic tone: “Old Professor Qi is the doctoral supervisor of Old Professor Zhong Junyun, and he is also the teaching master of Old Professor Dong Yaohui at our Zhongnan Hospital.”
“During the period when Professor Dong was pursuing his doctorate, the Orthopedics department was not finely divided… Because of the screenshot you sent, Xiao Lu, Professor Qi has now come to our hospital, accusing us of exploiting his student… and tarnishing his school’s reputation.”
Doctoral supervisor of Professor Zhong Junyun? Teaching master of Old Professor Dong Yaohui? Isn’t that the true elder patriarch of Xiehe Hospital?
“I didn’t know! Last night, Professor Zhong asked me about Professor Dong and me, and I told him truthfully.”
“I don’t know Old Professor Qi either,” Lu Cheng said.
Li Yuanpeng: “Xiao Lu, I know you don’t know Old Professor Qi, and it’s impossible for you to influence Professor Qi.”
“This matter, it’s my fault. I didn’t understand the origin of the matter. Could you do me a favor… After all, you used to be a standardized training student at Zhongnan Hospital…”
“Professor Qi is quite old. It’s not good to scold him like this. It’s also not good for his health.”
Lu Cheng could imagine the scene: an old professor from Xiehe Hospital scolding his students at Zhongnan Hospital, and no one daring to respond.
Lu Cheng replied: “Teacher Li, aren’t you putting me in a difficult position? I don’t know the origin of the matter, nor am I familiar with Professor Qi. The one who tied the bell must untie it.”
“I am just a very ordinary person. Asking me to make a phone call to resolve this matter is truly putting me in a difficult situation.”
“I hope you can understand, Teacher Li.”
“I don’t even know what happened, nor why so much has happened. How can I persuade them? With what words can I persuade them?” Lu Cheng retorted.
Li Yuanpeng still didn’t explain the real reason for the matter to him. Lu Cheng wouldn’t be so immature as to guess the reason himself and then actually call Professor Zhong Junyun to say, “Teacher, please tell your grand-teacher to stop scolding.”
Would Lu Cheng be stupid for doing that?
Who is Professor Qi? Professor Zhong’s teacher, Professor Dong’s teacher, the true elder ancestor…
“Sigh… I’ve bothered you, Xiao Lu…” Li Yuanpeng sighed softly and then hung up the phone himself.
Lu Cheng, however, didn’t take the matter seriously. He didn’t know the beginning or end of the story, nor did he feel he had done anything against his conscience.
Of course, Lu Cheng wouldn’t feel happy that Professor Qi was scolding people at Zhongnan Hospital; he just felt it was quite satisfying.
……
In the afternoon, at 7:20 PM, Hankou Railway Station.
Lu Cheng held Mu Nanshu’s hand and pushed her khaki suitcase. Just as they were about to enter the station, he leaned over and pressed, “Shu Dai, you need to be sure. You’re going back today, and there won’t be any unexpected complications.”
“Since this has been decided, a few days’ delay won’t matter. Have you really handed over all your tasks?”
This was the third time Lu Cheng had asked Mu Nanshu. Mu Nanshu replied truthfully, “Since I started my job, I’ve been preparing how to go to the countryside. There’s almost nothing I need to hand over with my work.”
“Do I have to spell it out for you? So you can show off?” Mu Nanshu rolled her eyes and said playfully.
Mu Nanshu sometimes wondered if she was being overly accommodating by doing this.
After her job in China was settled, she had to first deal with the “blind date monster” and then find a way to get closer to Lu Cheng.
However, many times Mu Nanshu had a sudden realization and didn’t feel there was anything wrong with what she was doing.
Lu Cheng tightened his right hand: “I’m afraid it might affect your own work.”
“I didn’t think I could take you back with me this time. Hmm… I don’t think there’s any need to be in a particular hurry.”
Lu Cheng continued, “Of course, it would be better if we could leave right now.”
“In a while, we’ll have to run to Hanshi City often. I’ll also need to come and listen to the teacher’s lectures regularly. You can also take some local specialties to Professor Dong when you have time, to maintain good relations.”
“Mhm…” Mu Nanshu took out her ID card, passed facial recognition, and embarked on her journey home…
