Chapter 279: An Indispensable Partner!

Tang Ye pushed open the door to his home.

The sound of conversation drifted from inside the house.

Zhang Ayi from downstairs and her daughter Li Qin were sitting on the sofa.

Li Qin was tall and somewhat slender, with delicate features and her hair tied back simply, possessing the cold, detached air of a medical professional.

"Zhang Ayi, Sister Qin, hello." Tang Ye put down his briefcase and greeted them politely.

Qin Lan asked curiously, "Didn't you say you were staying at the hospital to attend to the patient tonight?"

"Mayor Jiang is recovering well, so he specifically told me to come back and rest."

After Jiang Jing's condition stabilized, maintaining an appropriate distance was both professional etiquette and a philosophy for getting along in the world.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Zhang Ayi and her daughter rose to leave.

Qin Lan stuffed the gift box from the corner of the wall back into the other woman's arms: "Don't you know Old Tang's temper by now? I'll talk to him about this; take the things back, or he'll get serious about it again."

Zhang Ayi gave a sheepish laugh and took back the gift.

They returned home.

Li Qin complained, "I told you Auntie Qin wouldn't want the gift."

Zhang Ayi gave a helpless, bitter smile, "Whether she wants it is one thing, but we couldn't go empty-handed."

Li Qin felt a complex mix of emotions, "I didn't expect Uncle Tang to become a Vice President in the blink of an eye, and he's even in charge of the hospital's operations."

Zhang Ayi rolled her eyes at Li Qin in annoyance, "When I tried to set you up with Tang Ye, you were hesitant. Regret it now? If you were with Tang Ye, would you still need to go through all this trouble?"

Li Qin gave a helpless, bitter smile and said insincerely, "We're too familiar, living upstairs and downstairs from each other. I find it quite awkward."

Zhang Ayi said with regret, "You, just wait and regret it!"

Was Mom speaking her own inner thoughts?

Of course, Li Qin also felt very lost.

Every young girl has had a neighbor boy she admired in her heart when she was young.

Tang Ye was undoubtedly that special existence in Li Qin's heart.

It was just that Tang Ye was already married and had registered his marriage.

Li Qin could only bury that emotion deep in her heart.

"There are a few spots for advanced studies at the provincial hospital, and Li Qin wants to strive for one." As soon as the door closed, Qin Lan revealed the reason.

Tang Ye was thoughtful; no wonder Dean Lu invited him to dinner, and Li Qin attended.

For a doctor, such an opportunity for advanced study is a springboard for their career, concerning professional title evaluations, academic status, and even every step of their future development.

Qin Lan's tone carried a hint of emotion: "When we were young, your dad and Zhang Ayi almost ended up together, but later, because of work, the connection was broken. Now that the old man in Uncle Li's family has retired, their days aren't as smooth as they used to be."

"Judging by your tone, why does it sound like you won a battle?" Tang Ye teased.

A smug curve appeared at the corner of Qin Lan's mouth: "Isn't it! Your dad has been working his fingers to the bone for so many years, and he's finally made it; can I not be happy?"

Tang Ye nodded with a smile: "Wasn't it only a matter of time before my dad reached where he is now?"

"Your dad chose the wrong path back then." Qin Lan sighed, "If he had chosen Orthopedics, he would have achieved results long ago. Although Orthopedics is often joked about as 'third-rate carpenters,' it is a real 'hot commodity' in the hospital. Looking at Neurosurgery, it's called the pearl of surgery, but it's too hard to get ahead in a city-level hospital."

As they were speaking, Tang Yu pushed the door open and entered.

"Your ex-girlfriend was just here." Qin Lan teased him on purpose.

"Ex-girlfriend?" Tang Yu looked blank.

Tang Ye quickly stepped in to save the situation, "It's Zhang Ayi from downstairs! Her daughter wants to strive for a spot for advanced studies at the provincial hospital and wants you to help."

Tang Yu pondered for a moment and said slowly: "I have looked at Li Qin's file; she has met the standards for advanced study, but her competitors are all very excellent."

"Can't you make an exception?" Qin Lan probed half-jokingly.

"The rules cannot be broken; I must set an example for everyone." Tang Yu's tone was firm.

Qin Lan's expression was somewhat helpless, but she hid a sense of gratification in her heart: "I've watched Li Qin grow up; it's good that you stick to your principles, but you also have to take human relationships into account."

Tang Yu was slightly stunned, then remained silent.

Tang Ye said with a smile, "Don't bother Dad. He knows what he's doing."

After being promoted to Vice President, Tang Yu had undergone subtle changes.

The "surgery fanatic" who was once focused only on the area under the shadowless lamp now had to learn to find a balance between human relationships and principles.

This transformation was also a necessary path from a clinical Expert to a manager.

After finishing dinner, Tang Ye and Tang Yu sat on the balcony drinking tea.

Both of them were always busy, and it was rare for the father and son to have the opportunity to sit down for a heart-to-heart talk.

At first, the topic revolved around things far and wide, and national affairs.

Suddenly, Tang Yu changed the subject.

"I heard you put in quite a bit of effort for the new hospital project?"

Tang Ye took a light sip of tea and showed a humble smile: "Dad, you flatter me. I just passed on some information in the middle and gave Dean Lu a few immature suggestions; I didn't expect it to really push the project to fruition."

Tang Yu looked at his son, a gratified smile curling at the corners of his lips: "You kid, you accomplished what I wanted to do for many years but couldn't. Now I understand that no matter how exquisite one's medical skills are, it's hard to break through the heavy barriers of the system."

Upon hearing this, Tang Ye sat up straight, his expression solemn: "Dad, I don't agree with that. Secretary positions change frequently, like leeks being harvested one after another, but a Neurosurgery Expert with your superb skills and benevolent heart is someone you can't find a second of in the entire city."

"You kid, you're getting better at talking." Tang Yu shook his head with a smile, but his tone became serious, "But having said that, not every Secretary can be as comfortable as you. Remember, no matter how far you go, you must never abandon your original intention."

Tang Ye's gaze was firm, and he nodded solemnly: "Don't worry, I know what principles I must uphold."

As the night grew darker, the conversation between father and son came to an end amidst the fragrance of tea.

Ripples stirred in Tang Yu's heart.

His own life's turning point had actually stemmed from his son's assistance.

That rainy night, Cheng Lin, whom Tang Ye brought, was like a catalyst of fate, quietly turning the gears of his life.

If not for that stroke of fortune, he might still be under the shadowless lamp at this moment, repeating surgeries day after day.

In the dead of night, Tang Ye lay on his bed, his fingertips tapping lightly on his phone screen to send a message to Cheng Lin.

Although they had not met for some time due to their respective busy schedules, the two had always kept in touch.

Whenever he faced an important decision, Tang Ye would always seek advice from Cheng Lin;

and Cheng Lin would also rely on her rich experience to provide sound suggestions.

In each other's eyes, the other had long since become an indispensable partner.

When encountering thorny problems, they could always gain new inspiration from one another.

"The new hospital project was handled very well, with multiple parties benefiting. You are considering problems with increasing maturity now," Cheng Lin's message replied quickly.

"That's only because you taught me well, Sister!" Tang Ye typed with a smile.

"By the way, when should I treat you and Du Xi to a meal?"

"Sure, let's wait until this busy period is over."

They bid each other goodnight...

Cheng Lin put down her phone and sighed softly.

Upon learning the news that Tang Ye and Du Xi had registered their marriage, her heart was filled with a complex mix of emotions.

There was relief, feeling gratified that Tang Ye had found happiness;

there was regret, lamenting that fate plays tricks on people and that she was ultimately not meant to be with him;

and there was even more reflection, as she decided to transform this affection into a pure sibling bond, continuing to cherish this precious connection.