Ten o’clock on Monday night, at the Yan siblings’ home in the Zuimo Court District.
"Hey, Feifan. Stop thinking. It’s time for bed."
Yan Feifan, who was sitting at his desk, slowly brought his wandering gaze into focus. He could finally see the person shaking him.
"Sis, what are you doing? You’re interrupting me!"
Yan Ziruo picked up the digital clock from the desk and waved it in front of her brother.
"See this? It’s ten o’clock."
"Did you forget what I told you at dinner? Starting tonight, I’m enforcing some strict measures. Military-style management. Every night at ten, I’m making sure you go to bed on time."
Yan Feifan rolled his eyes in frustration and stood up, saying dismissively, "Fine, I’ll get ready for bed."
He went to the bathroom, then came back, lay down in bed, and pulled up the thin blanket.
But Yan Ziruo remained by his bed, looking at her phone.
"Sis, I’m already in bed and ready to sleep. You can go now."
Yan Ziruo stared at her phone screen and said without looking up, "I’ll go back once you’re asleep."
Yan Feifan said sullenly, "I can’t sleep with the light on!"
Yan Ziruo got up, turned off the bedroom light, and sat back down in the chair.
"Your phone screen is pretty bright, too."
Yan Ziruo placed her phone face-down on the desk and threatened, "If you keep whining and making excuses, do you want me to loosen you up a bit first?"
After a moment of silence, Yan Feifan suddenly whispered, "Sis..."
"What is it now?" Yan Ziruo asked through gritted teeth.
"Sis, I just remembered I forgot to do something. I didn’t tell Dr. Qiu Ge that the Chinese-American patient is arriving."
"I need to make a call."
Yan Ziruo said teasingly, "Look at that. Even someone with a photographic memory like you forgets things sometimes."
"This just proves you really need a good rest."
Yan Feifan retorted, "Sis, a photographic memory and being forgetful are two different..."
"Enough nonsense. Just make the call!" Yan Ziruo cut him off.
Yan Feifan sat up, grabbed his phone, found Dr. Qiu Ge’s number, and dialed.
The call went through almost immediately. Yan Feifan informed Dr. Qiu that the Chinese-American patient, whose medical records she had previously reviewed, would be arriving at Binhai International Airport the next afternoon.
He estimated the patient would reach the Affiliated Hospital by evening.
He asked her to arrange for the admission and necessary examinations.
"Oh, by the way, Dr. Qiu, accompanying the patient will be a neurosurgeon from Johns Hopkins Hospital, Dr. Kevin Vega."
"Who? Kevin Vega? Mr. Yan, are you sure you mean *the* Vega from Johns Hopkins?"
Hearing Qiu Ge’s voice suddenly jump an octave, Yan Feifan replied in his usual calm tone, "That’s what the referrer said. Kevin Vega from Johns Hopkins Hospital."
"Wow, then it must be him."
Qiu Ge said excitedly, "Kevin Vega is one of the most renowned neurosurgeons in the United States! I heard him give a presentation at an international medical conference four years ago."
"I never thought he’d come to our Affiliated Hospital."
"I have to make sure I get a chance to speak with him this time."
After a brief pause, Qiu Ge exclaimed over the phone, "Hey, Mr. Yan, he’s coming all this way. It has to be for you."
"Do you have any specific plans for tomorrow? Just say the word if you need me to assist or coordinate anything!"
Yan Feifan said quietly, "Dr. Qiu, I don’t have anything planned for tomorrow. I have to go to the Armed Police General Hospital in the evening to perform a surgery."
"As for the patient and Dr. Kevin Vega... Dr. Qiu, if it’s convenient, could you please just take care of the arrangements?"
Qiu Ge happily replied over the phone, "No problem, Mr. Yan. You go focus on your surgery without any worries."
"I’ll make sure the Chinese-American patient and Dr. Kevin Vega are taken care of, don’t you worry..."
As soon as Yan Feifan ended the call with Dr. Qiu Ge, his sister’s voice piped up.
"Feifan, that surgery tomorrow night—it’s not going to be an all-nighter, is it?"
"No."
Yan Feifan explained in a low voice, "I’m only responsible for the puncture and injection portion for the brain tumor. I should be back before ten p.m."
"Sis, I know my limits. I don’t want to die young, either."
Yan Ziruo huffed softly. "It’s good that you know your limits. You’re not a child anymore; I can’t be watching over you twenty-four-seven."
Yan Feifan couldn’t help but purse his lips at that.
"Hey, Feifan, what was your thinking behind having Mr. Ho help manage the fund?"
"Did you ever consider letting me manage it?"