Chapter 103: Preparing for Surgery

"Why were you so worked up just now? You sprayed soda all over my face. I suspect this guy isn't like the last one—a mere gatekeeper. He’s likely a security guard."

Chu Feng was only joking; he had no concrete evidence. People like that could be called talent scouts, or they could be called scoundrels. Once these men spotted a girl with a bit of beauty, they would do anything to get her into bed, all while masquerading their intentions as "exploring art."

Chu Feng and Han Xuefang ate and chatted. For Han Xuefang, simply having Chu Feng by her side for a meal was happiness enough. After they finished, Chu Feng didn't rush to take her home; instead, he took her for a stroll around the neighborhood.

"Look, there's a candied hawthorn vendor. Let me buy you one." Seeing an old man selling the treats at a nearby intersection, Chu Feng told Han Xuefang to wait for him. Before long, he came running back with a bright red skewer. Candied hawthorns were a traditional Chinese treat that had existed for centuries; they were sold everywhere, and young couples today were particularly fond of them.

"Why did you only buy one? Here, have a bite and see if it’s sweet." After taking a bite, Han Xuefang held the remaining half toward Chu Feng’s lips.

Chu Feng looked at her and ate the rest in one mouthful. The candy might be tart at first, but if you savored it, it was truly sweet.

They wandered the streets until nine o'clock, when a call from Han Xuefang’s mother prompted Chu Feng to drive her home. This time, he intentionally took a slightly longer route back to the hospital, having already been ambushed twice on his usual path.

Returning to Elder Chen’s room, he found the old man reading in bed. Since Old Jin had left, there was no one left to talk or play chess with him, and Old Man Wang was busy throughout the day, only returning at noon and night. Chu Feng checked the Elder’s pulse and found his health had improved significantly over the past few days; it seemed the Chinese herbal medicine was finally taking effect.

Chu Feng recounted his day at the hospital to the Elder. He felt the need to talk to someone; keeping it all bottled up inside was never good.

"Actually, it wouldn't have mattered if you had revealed your identity. Little Han is a good girl, but it is a pity that you are destined to be apart from the life of an ordinary person."

Elder Chen didn't blame Chu Feng for his confession; instead, he felt a sense of regret for the young man. He had originally intended to live a quiet, ordinary life with Han Xuefang, yet because of his own situation, he was forced into a life of constant peril.

"Elder Chen, your recovery has been steady. I’m thinking of scheduling your surgery in a few days. We shouldn't let this drag on any longer." Chu Feng shared his thoughts, waiting for the Elder’s nod.

"It’s up to you. Just let me know before you operate. You saved this old bag of bones, so I trust you completely."

The Elder left everything to Chu Feng, trusting him implicitly as his savior. After chatting until half-past ten, the Elder put his book aside to rest. Once he was asleep, Chu Feng sat on the sofa, feeling that his life had become far more complex than before.

Though many were now watching him, eager to take his life, this existence ignited a craving deep within him. No one is content with a mediocre life; everyone desires color and intensity. Chu Feng’s life, however, was filled with blood and storms.

The next morning, Chu Feng rose early as usual, washed up, and helped Elder Chen dress. After breakfast, he brewed the medicinal soup, and when he had a moment, he went to perform acupuncture and change dressings for Han Xuefang. This routine continued for a week.

"Elder Chen, your vitals have stabilized. I think we should finalize the plan to extract the two shrapnel fragments from your body." After checking the pulse, Chu Feng updated him on his condition.

"Very well. Go and prepare. Just tell me when you need me in the operating room." Elder Chen had stopped worrying about the details, leaving his diet, medication, and care entirely in Chu Feng’s hands.

"Then I will go see Director Liu Shuiqing to make arrangements. I’ll perform the surgery myself; I don't feel comfortable leaving it to anyone else."

Extracting shrapnel wasn't inherently difficult, but given the Elder’s age and history of illness, Chu Feng remained cautious. Although he had adjusted the Elder’s health markers, he was worried about potential risks on the table. He wanted to be there personally, so that if anything went wrong, he could use the lifespan stored in his wristwatch to sustain the Elder.

Chu Feng took the elevator to the top floor, where Director Liu’s office was located. He walked in without knocking, finding Liu in the middle of a discussion with a physician.

"Chu Feng, please, take a seat. Dr. Ma and I will be finished in a moment." Liu Shuiqing quickly invited him to sit, then concluded his business with the doctor.

"Director Liu, please continue with your work; I’m not in a hurry."

"It’s nothing major, just some hospital equipment procurement. Dr. Ma was discussing the pricing with me." Liu made no effort to hide this from Chu Feng, and as they sat on the sofa, he poured him a cup of tea. "You’ve come to see me—is there something you need? If I can help, I won't refuse."

"It’s like this: I intend to perform a minor surgery on Elder Chen to remove two shrapnel fragments, and I’d like to use the hospital’s operating room." Chu Feng got straight to the point.

"You may use it, of course. But I would like to send some of our young doctors to observe and learn from you."