Chapter 3023: with translation of chapter title

Zheng Boss... Peng Lao pondered for a moment, then asked, "Why do you say that?"

Why do countless people ask this question every day about countless things?

Zheng Ren couldn't think of an answer and just smiled.

"I've watched many of your surgery live streams; your skill is indeed impressive—calling you a rising star is no exaggeration. Kong De Ming has a good eye for talent, he scouted you." Peng Lao said lightly, "For projects collaborating with Nobel laureates, the Natural Science Foundation will naturally give the green light; that's national policy, so you don't owe me a favor."

「」 => empty line? Actually line 【5】 is just 「」? It shows a blank quoted? It's just a pair of Chinese quotation marks with nothing inside. No names.

Zheng Ren realized Peng Lao was mistaken.

Honestly, Zheng Ren doesn't care much about what Zhou Chun Yong is doing; who jumps on this bandwagon isn't important—what matters is the project itself.

"The harder you push, the more likely you are to make mistakes." Peng Lao smiled slightly and said, "My loved one always said when young that one should age gracefully. Doctors Zheng and Su, have you considered this?"

"Peng Lao..."

"Peng Lao, I'm not sure if I should say this," Su Yun interrupted Zheng Ren, asking softly.

"If you say that, what follows will surely be unpleasant—go ahead." Peng Lao said, "Respect is mutual; when facing objective truth, we must still maintain rationality and objectivity."

"So, we haven't applied for the Natural Science Foundation. To be blunt, that amount of money is too little—it's not enough." Su Yun laughed.

Bao Long Tao's face changed, and he glared at Su Yun.

Su Yun acted as if she didn't know, smiling and said, "We have connections with some capital firms; scientific research is a money‑burning endeavor, and our country temporarily can't pour money into medical care—just like pharmaceutical and equipment manufacturers, which mostly produce generic drugs and consumables."

Peng Lao, however, didn't mind; he nodded slightly, accepting Su Yun's view.

"So, we're here today unrelated to the Natural Science Foundation. I just heard about this... sigh, you don't know my boss's temper—it's really terrible." Su Yun complained.

He didn't show the usual obsequious respect toward Peng Lao; instead, he spoke freely like a favored child, saying exactly what he thought, straightforward and direct.

But Peng Lao seemed to like this attitude, listening quietly.

"He cares about every patient. Look, his hair is half‑white—that's from worrying over a young patient at a foreign research institute a few days ago."

Peng Lao then carefully examined Zheng Ren's hair and smiled slightly.

"I'm saying this to counter what you just said; in the boss's eyes, your loved one is just a patient, and our visit is merely to clarify that there's a way to solve the immediate problem. What you just approved... that matter truly has nothing to do with us; it's a favor from Director Bao and Director Zhou."

"Hahaha, Xiao Su, you're really blunt." Peng Lao laughed, "We've already come to terms with life and death; my loved one just doesn't want to suffer. Seeing so many people over the years clinging to ventilators, it's really meaningless."

"No way." Zheng Ren, breaking from his usual vagueness when explaining conditions to patients' families, spoke firmly, "I can keep the surgery to about 40 minutes. According to Director Bao's account, the doctors at Capital Hospital judged that your loved one could withstand a one‑hour surgery and anesthesia, so the risk is still possible."

Peng Lao was somewhat surprised; he had thoroughly researched the surgery, and his decision to give up came after careful consideration. But this Doctor Zheng showed up claiming he could finish the surgery in 40 minutes—if true, that would be promising.

Speaking, Zheng Ren paused and said, "When I was in Haicheng, I once encountered an elderly patient whose loved one refused resuscitation."

Peng Lao said nothing, just stared seriously at the young man.

"I went on night rounds and heard her reciting the Records of the Grand Historian, the chapter on Xiang Yu's biography, at her bedside." Zheng Ren said, "Indeed, flowers may bloom again, but people never regain their youth. However, your loved one's condition is different—all organ functions are still good, the mind is clear, and just now the two of you were still playing chess. It's just a Zenker diverticulum; with appropriate treatment, she should be able to resume eating, and her body will recover quickly."

"Um..." Peng Lao had been resolute, but this kind of elderly person isn't someone who can be talked out of their mind with just a few words.

But seeing Zheng Ren's steady and resolute expression, he also hesitated a little.

"The surgery plan was sent by Director Bao for experts to review; although it was something I and Su Yun hastily worked out, I think it's reasonable. Given your loved one's condition, not trying would be a shame."

"What will the postoperative situation be like? Basically, it's mostly our own people—no need to give me evasive answers." Peng Lao asked.

"It relieves the esophageal obstruction caused by the diverticulum's pressure, allowing eating after a while. The surgery isn't about completely removing the diverticulum, but reducing its size to improve your loved one's quality of life."

"To be frank, a radical surgery isn't necessary; the goal is merely to correct the esophageal pressure, not to completely eliminate the diverticulum, so I and Su Yun discussed making the surgery smaller and smaller."

"I estimate that postoperative follow‑up with an upper GI barium swallow and electronic gastroscopy will confirm a noticeable narrowing of the pharyngoesophageal diverticulum lumen, with the esophageal lumen remaining open. As long as she can eat, that's enough—just as I said earlier, it's only a diverticulum; there's no need to remove it completely."

Zheng Ren said calmly.

"No need to completely remove it"—that remark moved Peng Lao.

This plan is radical yet contains conservatism, and the conservatism holds a hint of radicalism. Peng Lao had already resigned himself, not wanting to undergo excessive treatment to avoid suffering, but that thought was also shaken.

He silently watched Zheng Ren, watching this young man who, in less than a year, had become renowned throughout the capital.

Honest and steady, looking young yet not reckless, giving a sense of solid reliability.

"Let me think it over and discuss it with my loved one." Peng Lao said softly.

"Peng Lao, may I explain the surgical plan I designed?" Zheng Ren asked.

"No need." Peng Lao laughed and waved his hand, saying, "Professional matters should be left to professionals; I specialize in liver and gallbladder, I don't understand what you're talking about."

Peng Lao's words were a bit polite, but they revealed his trust in people without suspicion.

Zheng Ren nodded, placed his hands on his knees, sat upright with proper decorum, and watched Peng Lao enter the house.

"Zheng Boss, I'm not doubting—can you really do it in 40 minutes?" Bao Long Tao asked.

"Pretty much." Zheng Ren said, "If my medical team works together in sync, it's possible. About 45 minutes—no problem."

"What about including anesthesia?"

"Huh? 45 minutes includes anesthesia time." Zheng Ren said, "Do you usually not count anesthesia when you talk about surgery time?"

「……」 => no names.

Bao Long Tao and Zhou Chun Yong were stunned—the 45‑minute procedure actually includes anesthesia time…

Not only them, but Su Yun also stared dumbfounded at her own boss.

He really couldn't Understanding Boss said what needed to be done in 45 Minute to make it happen.