Chapter 1931: 1863 Video Call

After eating, they each went their separate ways.

Back at home, Su Yun felt she hadn't had enough to drink, so she pulled Chang Yue and, with peanuts, started drinking again.

Zheng Renze sat on the sofa and had a video call with Director Pan.

Director Pan's complexion was visibly better than before; his illness was caught early, otherwise even a strong man would eventually be devoured by bacteria until he looked like a skeleton.

Because the treatment was timely, the bacteria are now under control; after a while longer, they should fully recover.

"Director, I might need to go to Sheng Cheng in a couple of days to perform a surgery." Zheng Ren said.

"Sheng Cheng? Is that also considered going home to visit family?" Director Pan said with a laugh.

"Hey, sort of. I'll bring you some baijiu back; it might not be as good as the one bowl each you had back when you were fighting, but we'll make do." While chatting, Zheng Ren and Director Pan talked a lot.

"There are still two bottles at home, and you little brat don't drink alcohol!" Director Pan was clearly dissatisfied, or rather, more regretful.

After all, in his era, only those who could drink were considered good soldiers. This view had long taken root in Director Pan's heart and would never change.

Zheng Ren also felt a bit regretful about this.

"By the way, Director Sun has been looking for me lately, saying there's a tumor patient who wants you to come back and do the surgery. But he's only found one, and he's afraid you won't want to come back."

"One?" Zheng Ren didn't understand.

Given Hai Cheng's population and area, finding a tumor patient suitable for surgery shouldn't be too difficult.

"Isn't it because those with money all go to Di Du for treatment now? Transportation is convenient. What do they always say on TV? 'Big city circle!' Now from our place to Di Du it's just a few hours, unlike before when it took a day or two."

This is the change of the past twenty years, silently transforming the ecological environment of all industries across the country.

Medical care is one of them; the changes are huge, astonishing.

"It's fine, I'll just go back to see you and do it along the way." Zheng Ren said with a laugh, "When you see Director Sun, have him give me the films."

"How many days are you planning to stay this time?" Director Pan asked.

"At most just one night." Zheng Ren said: "The Di Du side is quite busy."

"How's your Nobel Prize project coming along?"

"The surgical volume is accumulating, but even when the numbers are enough, they just find any excuse to block it, never bothering to consult me." Zheng Ren takes this in stride, speaking very casually.

In the early days of the founding of the country, the artificial insulin project was absolutely Nobel Prize–caliber. But in the end, it was still blocked by prejudiced eyes.

"We still have to make an effort; on this front I can't really help much." Director Pan felt a bit regretful.

"It's fine, Director." Zheng Ren smiled: "I met several expert and professor reviewers in Sweden; once the surgical volume is sufficient, if I have time I'll go talk to them."

"The connections that need to be maintained should be maintained." Director Pan advised.

"Hmm, I know. Although things there aren't done by connections, there are just too many Nobel laureates… like European royalty, everywhere there's intermarriage and such, which is annoying. Recently they've been breeding, resulting in a bunch of trisomy 21 syndromes."

"The development of TIPS surgery is of great significance; you need to focus on it. Just you alone, even if you're made of iron, how many nails can you twist? Only when it's rolled out worldwide will more patients benefit."

"Got it!" Zheng Ren said with a laugh.

The old man's nagging, he always pretends to listen attentively, but basically it goes in one ear and out the other.

"Director, how is Director Wang?"

"Pretty good; many surgeries can be handled. Recently Director Sun also lowered his stance and started performing surgeries hand-in-hand with Director Wang." Director Pan said proudly.

"Hmm, that's not bad. Once Director Wang leaves, I estimate our hospital's General Surgery Department could step up a level."

"The patients with money have all gone to Di Du; here we need to change our mindset and face the county-level patients below." Director Pan saw the problem deeply, directly hitting the point.

"Don't overexert yourself; just coming to see me each day is enough. Don't perform surgery yourself. I'm telling you, your condition needs rest; don't push yourself, or if it gets worse it'll be hard to fix."

Director Pan waved his hand impatiently, indicating he understood.

The two chatted a while longer; inside the house, Su Yun called out three or five times before Zheng Ren brought the tablet in and set it on the wine table.

Seeing the sealed Moutai, Zheng Ren felt Director Pan's spirits were much lifted.

Lately he can't drink alcohol; he must be craving it terribly.

When Su Yun drinks, he doesn't have as many serious topics. He began telling Director Pan about the European visitors a few days ago, how they were almost smoked to death by Xie Yiren's garlic‑fragrant fish.

Going to the Alps, the strange and bizarre post‑operative cases of gender‑reassignment surgery patients in the castle left Director Pan puzzled.

"Has my little bird under my wing already flown the nest so quickly?" Director Pan merely felt a bit wistful, then turned his gaze to the sealed Moutai.

"Director, you still can't drink; we'll talk after you recover." Zheng Ren said firmly: "Alcohol… Su Yun, how much is left?"

"Want as much as you like—just have Song Ying get it for you." Su Yun said indifferently.

Although the sealed Moutai is the kind of rare commodity where drinking a bottle means one less, I'm sure Song Ying can find it if he tries.

"Oh, I'll bring you two cases of alcohol to take back, but you have to give it to the master's wife; you can't keep it yourself." Zheng Ren said.

Director Pan felt a slight regret, but mostly excitement.

Illness always has a day of improvement. But this liquor, the longer it's stored—several months—the better it tastes.

Two cases of sealed Moutai…… to Director Pan, it's as joyful as New Year.

It was getting late; seeing Director Pan a bit tired, Zheng Ren ended the video call.

He thought for a moment and said: "I think Song Ying can manage it; don't tell the director, and we'll release the pigeons later."

"You're underestimating Song Ying." Su Yun laughed and downed the cup in one gulp: "He's got plenty of pull; just ask him. Though if you call, he'll be happy anyway."

"Alright, then I'll call and ask."

Zheng Ren picked up his phone, found Song Ying's number, hesitated a bit, and asked: "It's past ten; will you be asleep?"

"Do you think Di Du is the same as Hai Cheng?" Su Yun said contemptuously: "Big brother, nightlife! At this hour Song Ying doesn't know which girl he's got his arms around, having a good time."

Chang Yue frowned, finished his own drink, picked up the bottle and filled Su Yun's glass.

Zheng Ren chuckled; this is Chang Yue about to unleash the great punishment technique. But today he hasn't drunk much, and Su Yun isn't afraid—this bit of alcohol is just mouthwash for him.

Wanting to get him to drink more, time doesn't allow it either; Zheng Ren's schedule is very regular—when it's time, he urges sleep.

Just as he was about to call, a WeChat message came in.

【Zheng Lao Ban, have you slept?】

What a coincidence, it was sent by Song Ying.