After some discussion, the Yan siblings learned that getting someone into the Affiliated High School by pulling strings was no simple matter.
Liu Jin explained that given how much people in China value education, and with the Affiliated High School’s formidable educational resources, there were countless people vying for a spot.
The school’s leadership didn’t dare make exceptions, so they had to enforce a strict, one-size-fits-all policy based purely on academic merit.
But China was, after all, a society where personal connections held immense power, so there was still some room to maneuver.
Especially after learning that Tian Yu’s academic performance was quite good—top five in his class and certainly good enough for a regular key high school—Liu Jin and Mr. Miao both agreed they would speak privately with the Affiliated High School’s leadership.
After settling the matter of Tian Yu’s schooling, Yan Feifan noticed it was already 8:20 in the morning.
He had slept in the doctors’ lounge in the neurology department.
Yan Feifan quickly washed up and walked out of the psychiatry building with his sister.
He glanced at Liu Jin, Qin Ying, and Wang Chuan walking ahead of them and complained in a low voice to Yan Ziruo, "Sis, I’m your own brother. How could you team up with them to scare me like that?"
"Weren’t you afraid you’d scare me half to death?"
Yan Ziruo giggled and looped her arm through her brother’s. "They all said what you did was very serious and that you needed a lesson you’d never forget."
"That way, you’d be sure to remember it. Hehe..."
Yan Ziruo gave a guilty smile, then said casually, "Besides, Mr. Wang promised that if we put on a good act and managed to fool you, he’d treat me and Xiaoyu to a big French dinner on Friday night."
Yan Feifan said disdainfully, "Sis, you sold out your own brother for one fancy meal?"
"Besides, that fancy dinner was supposed to be a reward for me."
Yan Ziruo said in a sweet, wheedling tone, "I know I’m just riding your coattails."
"But, Feifan..."
Her tone turned serious. "Don’t you ever do something so reckless again."
"Being a doctor is already a high-risk profession. There’s always a chance of getting sued."
"If you keep acting so recklessly, I’m really worried you’ll get thrown in jail one day."
"I know, I know. I’ll be careful. I’m getting lectured one after another. Sis, don’t you pile on and nag me too."
Yan Feifan gave a perfunctory reply, then urged, "Let’s walk faster. I still haven’t eaten breakfast."
Pulled along, Yan Ziruo couldn’t help but speed up. She said with a helpless tone, "Feifan, honestly. The older you get, the more trouble you cause."
"Oh, I forgot to tell you something. That brat’s family is selling their house in Zuimo Court."
Walking quickly, Yan Feifan asked curiously, "Such a nice house. Why would they sell it?"
"Don’t tell me they’re scared of us, are they?"
Yan Ziruo said with a hint of schadenfreude, "The grapevine says the tax bureau hit them with a massive fine, in the tens of millions."
"In the current market, only a house in a location like Zuimo Court could be sold off quickly enough to raise that kind of money."
It dawned on Yan Feifan. "It’s for the best that they’re selling," he said. "After what happened, it would be pretty awkward to run into them in the complex."
Yan Ziruo nodded. "Let’s hope whoever buys their house has a bit more class."
"I’ve discovered that just because someone’s rich doesn’t mean they’re a good person. I honestly don’t get how people like that make their fortunes."
Yan Feifan said in a mock-serious tone, "They say that during the initial stage of capital accumulation, the more shameless a businessperson is, the more likely they are to succeed..."
It was Thursday, and Professor Qin Ying had a large lecture to give to the hospital’s young doctors and students.
After eating breakfast, Yan Feifan went to Professor Qin Ying’s medical research office alone and saw that Yu Suye had already begun practicing.
"Mr. Tan said my case isn’t too serious. One counseling session a week for about two months should do it."
Yu Suye gave a brief update on her situation from yesterday. Noticing that Yan Feifan was still in yesterday’s clothes, she asked curiously, "Did the task Mr. Miao gave you go smoothly?"
Yan Feifan thought back for a moment and chuckled. "It was pretty exciting, and it went smoothly."
"You’re still okay to assist with the rhinoplasty tonight, right?"
Yu Suye raised her hand and made an "OK" sign...
When one was fully engrossed in practice, time seemed to fly. Before they knew it, it was time for lunch.
Yu Suye still hadn’t gotten used to the cafeteria food. She politely declined invitations from the other young doctors and went back to her apartment to cook for herself.
Yan Feifan headed to Staff Cafeteria No. 1 by himself.
Just as he was about to reach the cafeteria, Yan Feifan suddenly stopped in his tracks.
He had spotted someone he knew.
To the left of Staff Cafeteria No. 1 was a small plaza.
A dozen or so trees were planted in the plaza, along with seven or eight benches for people to rest on.
It was lunchtime, so many patients and their families were sitting on the benches, eating simple lunches or patiently waiting for the hospital’s afternoon hours to begin.
On one of the benches sat a square-faced, middle-aged man.
While the other benches were occupied by groups of three to five people, he sat all alone on his, looking quite desolate.
Yan Feifan recognized the man.