Chapter Fifteen: Revealing the Fangs

Ye Qiu looked at Boss Zhao in confusion.

“Professor Duan isn’t just technically skilled—many doctors in Linhai have gone to Korea for further training through his introductions,” Zhao Lei explained. “That Park In-yong, who claims to be the world’s top plastic surgeon, was Professor Duan’s mentor. So even if Doctor Xiao manages to surpass Professor Duan, I’m afraid her future path won’t be easy.”

As he spoke, Zhao Lei glanced at Liu Yiran. He had seen Liu Yiran before. So what if she was a CEO of a listed company? In this field, even a listed company’s CEO was nothing special.

“Korea, huh?” Ye Qiu muttered, then turned to Zhao Lei. “Boss Zhao, are you interested in expanding your business?”

“Are you thinking of investing in medical aesthetics?”

Zhao Lei pondered for a moment and quickly realized Ye Qiu was doing this for Xiao Yuru.

He sighed, shaking his head. “Brother, you’re making this sound too simple. Opening a plastic surgery hospital in Linhai isn’t easy—the waters run deep here. Don’t be fooled by people calling me ‘Boss’; if Professor Duan says a word, we all come running to support him.”

“There’s no need for so many words, Boss Zhao. Just answer me—do you want to expand or not? I’ll handle the rest,” Ye Qiu replied with confidence. “Deep waters? That’s where one can dive deep.”

Zhao Lei’s eyes widened as he stared at the young man before him in surprise.

At first, when he saw Ye Qiu standing up for Xiao Yuru and standing next to Liu Yiran, he thought Ye Qiu was just trying to impress Liu Yiran. But now, the young man before him was so calm and self-assured, not regarding Professor Duan as anything special, that Zhao Lei couldn’t quite discern what kind of influence or background Ye Qiu truly had.

Unable to figure out Ye Qiu’s identity, Zhao Lei could only reply vaguely, “If the chance arises, I’d be happy to work with a young man like you.”

Ye Qiu glanced at him again. “Opportunities come only once. Sometimes, if you miss them, they’re not so easy to grasp again.”

Zhao Lei raised his eyebrows slightly. This guy’s tone was a bit much.

As they chatted, the door to the operating room slowly opened. The first to emerge was Duan Jijin, his face as dark as the bottom of a pot. A few people behind him wanted to catch up and flatter him, but seeing his expression, they didn’t dare. He ignored them and went straight to his office.

Not long after, Xiao Yuru also came out of the operating room. Though drenched in sweat, she looked exhilarated—the surgery had clearly been a great success.

Spotting Ye Qiu, Xiao Yuru rushed over.

“You jerk, that was amazing!”

She shook her little fists fiercely. Although she’d been nervous at first, after a night of simulated practice, she managed to calm herself. Her hands were steady, and her work was beautiful.

“Duan Jijin, don’t think you can just turtle up and not make good on your promise!” Ye Qiu shouted toward Duan Jijin’s office.

At this moment, the other doctors suddenly changed their tune. The sneers and ridicule were gone, and they began urging Xiao Yuru.

“Doctor Xiao, Professor Duan did it for your own good. If not for his indirect encouragement, you wouldn’t have had the courage to take on such a difficult surgery.”

“Professor Duan is a big name in our field. If you do this, how can he keep his dignity?”

“Exactly. We’re all colleagues—always running into each other. You should be generous. How could you make the professor lose face over a few words of disagreement?”

“Dr. Wu is right. You’re the junior, and Professor Duan is your senior. You should show respect.”

Still soaking in her triumph, Xiao Yuru was caught off guard by the flood of criticism.

What did this even mean?

Why was it that even in success, she was in the wrong?

“Doctor Xiao, I advise you to apologize to Professor Duan. He’s magnanimous, and you’re a young woman—he’ll surely forgive you.”

Their words became more and more outrageous. Seeing Xiao Yuru remain silent, they began pressing her to apologize to Duan Jijin.

Xiao Yuru hadn’t expected them to be so shameless, discarding even the most basic sense of right and wrong. Rage welled up in her chest, but these people took turns berating her, scarcely leaving her a chance to speak.

“An apology, is it?” Ye Qiu stepped up and smacked Doctor Wu hard across the face.

These bastards weren’t even pretending anymore. Especially Doctor Wu—he’d already shown arrogance earlier, and now he wanted Xiao Yuru to apologize to Duan Jijin.

If reason and justice didn’t matter and all they cared about was money and status, then he had nothing left to say.

Might makes right.

Ye Qiu grabbed Doctor Wu by the collar and slapped him several more times. Wu’s cheeks swelled up like bread. With each slap, Ye Qiu apologized, “Sorry, my hand just won’t listen. Since you’re so respectful of your elders, I’m sure you’ll forgive a youngster like me.”

“You… How dare you hit me?”

Smack, smack, smack.

Doctor Wu covered his face, equal parts terrified and furious.

“I already apologized—what more do you want?” Ye Qiu said, feigning grievance. “Why are you so unforgiving? It was just a few slaps and I’ve already apologized. Why won’t you forgive me?”

As he spoke, Ye Qiu raised his hand again.

Doctor Wu hurriedly shouted, “I forgive you!”

“Go, get Duan out here. Don’t think hiding like a turtle means you can shirk your bet.”

Ye Qiu threw Doctor Wu in front of Duan Jijin’s door. Wu hesitated, torn between knocking and Ye Qiu’s threatening glare.

“Not moving, are you?”

Ye Qiu raised his hand once more.

Wu shrank back, then reluctantly knocked on Duan Jijin’s office door.

“I was just coming back to make a phone call,” Duan Jijin said, opening the door with a livid face. He shot Wu a vicious glare, then, putting on an air of magnanimity, walked over to Xiao Yuru. “Doctor Xiao, you’re young and talented. If this method allows young doctors to make progress, then we old-timers have contributed to society after all.”

For a moment, Duan Jijin seemed a kindly elder, radiating benevolence. “Calling me ‘aunt’ is nothing. It makes me feel younger.”

“Professor Duan.”

Doctor Wu and the others lined up behind Duan Jijin, glaring resentfully at Ye Qiu and Xiao Yuru, as if the two had become villains bullying an old man.

Xiao Yuru hesitated, wondering if she really had gone too far. After all, Professor Duan was still a senior, and perhaps it was improper for juniors to act this way.

Duan Jijin’s benevolence enveloped Xiao Yuru. Just as she was about to relent, Ye Qiu suddenly pulled out a megaphone from who knows where. “Enough nonsense—hurry up and call her!”

In a flash, Duan Jijin’s kindly facade vanished, and he finally bared his fangs.