Chapter 226: 0221 Duck Walk (3/5)

The dishes were quickly served one after another; Director Chu didn't order many, but they were all the essence.

Zheng Ren didn't mind; as long as he could eat his fill, anything was fine. As for what he was eating…… no matter how delicious, could it compare to the fried eggs Xie Yiren personally cooked?

The two directors were in high spirits; since Zheng Ren didn't drink alcohol, he greeted Su Yun to drink together.

Su Yun was certainly not afraid, but he seemed to have something on his mind today, being quieter than usual, eating a bite of food, taking a sip of wine, quite regular.

"What are you thinking about?" Zheng Ren, after noticing Su Yun's abnormality half an hour later, asked.

"It's not just about the paper," Su Yun said. "A paper publishable in *Willow Leaf Blade* must be flawless; otherwise, countless nitpickers at home and abroad will tear apart this first author."

Zheng Ren was startled; he had done research before, but he had never published in foreign journals, so his experience in this area was certainly inferior to Su Yun's.

But why would they spray Su Yun, the instigator, and instead target himself?

Zheng Ren knew the reason, but he felt a bit resentful.

Since the topic had come up, Su Yun asked about some operations he was doubtful about, and Zheng Ren explained them point by point.

While they were eating and chatting, the boss of Tang Song Restaurant finally returned, bringing several pretty and alluring waitstaff to personally propose a toast.

The boss bore the surname Song, was called Song Ying, and looked about forty years old.

His name was ordinary, his full name ordinary, and his appearance also ordinary.

He looked refined and cultured, wearing a Western suit and leather shoes, but his gait was slightly odd.

"This is Boss Zheng, here in the imperial capital to do scientific research," Director Chu introduced. "Don't let his young age fool you—his abilities are not small."

Zheng Ren reached out his hand and shook Song Ying's.

Song Ying politely said he was disturbing them, then habitually accompanied the several present for two drinks before taking his leave.

Zheng Ren watched his retreating back, his brows slightly furrowing.

"What are you thinking about?" Su Yun asked.

"Don't you think his gait is problematic?" Zheng Ren said.

"It's just a typical duck walk; what's there to ponder. He had some ailment as a child, I'm telling you—staring at his walk like that is quite rude."

"How do you know it was from childhood?" Zheng Ren suddenly countered.

"Huh? When did you also start nitpicking?" Su Yun exclaimed in surprise.

Director Chu, hearing their conversation, interjected: "Indeed, it's not from childhood. A few years ago he was still quite normal; it shouldn't be a congenital condition like infantile internal tibial torsion. It's likely due to recent weakness of the gluteus maximus or problems in both hip joints."

Zheng Ren said: "I always feel something is strange; have you noticed a lump on his wrist resembling a subcutaneous lipoma?"

What a good meal—no need for small talk, they went straight into academic research.

"Boss Zheng, what's your take?" Director Kong found it interesting and inquired.

"I think his diet is abnormal; the problem with his gait and the lump on his arm are both caused by changes in trace elements," Zheng Ren said calmly.

It wasn't a life-threatening illness, but it involved Song Ying's personal privacy, so Zheng Ren didn't tell him right away.

If it weren't for Su Yun feeling that Zheng Ren's continual staring at Song Ying's duck walk was impolite and starting to criticize Zheng Ren, Zheng Ren probably wouldn't have spoken.

Song Ying will definitely go to the hospital for a check-up sooner or later; there's nothing to discuss—once examined, it'll be clear.

But since the topic has been raised, Zheng Ren doesn't mind explaining it clearly.

"Huh?" At this, both senior directors became interested: "Boss Zheng, how did you judge that?"

"Gentlemen directors, stop calling me 'boss boss'—it sounds awkward; just call me Xiao Zheng." Zheng Ren had his limits, but earlier he'd been immersed in the excitement of research and overlooked the title. Now, naturally he couldn't just put up with it, and he firmly refused the two directors addressing him as boss.

"That's fine, but you need to explain clearly how you diagnosed it." Director Chu pursued relentlessly.

"Parathyroid gland functional disorder is one of the main causes of duck walk in adults. Moreover, he has a lump on his wrist, which shows signs of redness and swelling; this should be vascular and soft tissue calcification caused by hyperphosphatemia."

"This is an active, dynamic process. Vascular smooth muscle cells, after exposure to a series of toxic stimuli, undergo a phenotypic genetic transformation. This process resembles ossification." Zheng Ren said.

The system panel didn't give Zheng Ren much explanation. However, reasoning backward makes things easier; Zheng Ren's memory isn't bad—though not photographic, it's still quite formidable.

Moreover, with the system, his memory surged; previously read literature appeared vividly before his eyes, so he could directly retrieve it.

Doctor Liang was left dumbfounded; how could Boss Zheng be so heaven-defying? What kind of thing is this? From a duck walk to a lump on the wrist, one could judge a parathyroid problem?

If there had been no prior contact, Doctor Liang would surely think Zheng Ren was talking nonsense.

But the facts of these past days told him that, whether in clinical emergency rescue, surgical treatment of rare diseases, or theoretical discussion and academic research, this not-so-young Boss Zheng had reached the extreme of prowess.

Could it really be true?

This thought arose in the minds of the four people, but aside from Su Yun, no one questioned it.

"In ordinary adults, trace‑element metabolism disorders are commonly seen in renal failure. If I met him in a dialysis ward, I'd be convinced by your judgment; but for a normal male, making that judgment leaves me doubtful." Su Yun said.

"So I feel his dietary habits must be the problem." Zheng Ren nodded, also agreeing with Su Yun's skepticism.

"Director Chu, ask Boss Song Ying whether he has anything to do with this." Su Yun, matter‑of‑factly, immediately asked Director Chu.

Director Chu hesitated slightly, then smiled and picked up the phone to dial.

"Hmm, no. The food is all very good; I'm quite satisfied."

"Right, I have a question: among the things you like to eat, is there anything special?"

"Oh, good, then let's talk when we meet."

After hanging up, Director Chu's eyes showed a hint of surprise as he looked at Zheng Ren.

Could it be that he guessed right again? Su Yun interpreted Director Chu's meaning, shaking his head slightly. The black hair on his forehead swayed, feeling weak—just like every time he and Zheng Ren discussed a problem, the outcome always left him feeling powerless.

Soon, Song Ying arrived at the private room.

He remained refined and elegant, merely walking a bit faster, his duck walk becoming more pronounced.

"Director Chu, what does the thing you just asked have to do with my walking?" Song Ying gave a slight bow, played up the scene, then hurriedly asked.

"Xiao Zheng, what are your thoughts?" Director Chu, without answering, asked Zheng Ren.

"Boss Song, please have a seat." Zheng Ren smiled, "When did the inconvenience in walking begin?"

"Three or four months ago."

"Do you have any dietary preferences?"

"……" Song Ying hesitated for a moment, raised his head and met Zheng Ren's gaze; from Zheng Ren's gaze, he detected no malice, only a doctor's concern.

"I like eating grilled sausages."