Facing Lin Jie's inquiry, Chef Song didn't deny it. He nodded and said, "That's right. In the past month or two, more than one regular customer has asked me the same question."

"But the taste I experienced has always been consistent."

Chef Song showed a troubled expression. "If only one or two customers, or even a few customers, made comments, it naturally wouldn't be my problem. But a lot of regular customers have made the same comment, so clearly, it's my problem."

"I heard that rascal say you're a doctor and think there's something wrong with my body."

He stared at Lin Jie, grinning, and said, "Young man, then take a look at me. I kind of hope your judgment is true. Lately, I've been wondering if I'm getting old and my taste buds have dulled."

"If there really is something wrong with my body, then it proves that I'm not old yet, and I can still cook delicious meals!"

Lin Jie somewhat understood his unwillingness to age and said softly, "You might think I'm just talking nonsense, but from observing your subtle facial expressions, I have some suspicions."

"Chef Song, I suggest you go to a big hospital as soon as possible and get a brain MRI."

Chef Song was taken aback and asked angrily, "Are you saying I have a tumor in my brain?"

Lin Jie said directly, "There's a good chance. The tumor is likely in the right side of your brain, and its presence is interfering with your sensory system, affecting your ability to perceive flavors accurately."

"Fat uncle!"

Lin Miao suddenly spoke up, sincerely saying, "My brother is really amazing, truly amazing!"

"Getting an MRI would at most cost a couple of thousand; surely you aren't short on money. Even if nothing is found, you can be at ease, right?"

Chef Song didn't like the term "fat uncle," but seeing it was a pretty little girl speaking, he couldn't bring himself to scold.

He awkwardly lifted his chin. "The little girl is right, too. Getting checked won't cost me anything."

He turned his gaze back to Lin Jie and said, "Although I don't like to hear what you've pointed out, thinking it over, it is possible. I'm not unreasonable—this meal is on me."

After saying that, he turned and went back to the restaurant kitchen.

The three of them left the small restaurant. Lin Miao kept looking back worriedly, afraid someone would chase after them for the bill!

Lin Jie touched her head and had just planned to ruffle it when she covered it protectively with both hands, angrily shouting, "This is a wig; you'll mess it up!"

Lin Jie withdrew his hand and chuckled, "It's only a few hundred bucks; don't think so poorly of others."

Li Ting clucked her tongue and said, "Only a few hundred bucks?"

"I know the registration fee for experts at the University Affiliated Hospital is two hundred yuan, and for some well-known experts, it's only six hundred. Your consultation fee is pretty good, directly stepping into the league of renowned experts!"

Lin Miao linked her arm with Lin Jie's, proudly like a peacock, and said with a lifted chin, "My brother is way more amazing than those famous experts!"

Both Lin Miao and Li Ting were tired today, having lost the desire to continue shopping and playing. Lin Jie drove them directly back to the new home at Xiangtai Apartment!

That night, Li Ting didn't go home or return to school. She stayed over in the apartment and slept with Lin Miao.

Not a word was spoken the whole night. The next day, Lin Miao accompanied Li Ting to continue enjoying the National Day holiday, while Lin Jie drove to the clinic at Zhujia Port to fulfill his work responsibilities.

He had just sat down and had not yet taken a sip of the hot tea brewed by Zhang Daya when the office door was suddenly pushed open.

Feeling displeased, Lin Jie frowned and looked up, seeing it was Du Feixue, storming in aggressively with a grim expression.

She walked to the desk, slapped it with her palms, leaned forward, and glared at Lin Jie sitting behind the desk, loudly questioning, "Lin Jie, my cousin's family sincerely held a banquet to apologize to you. Why won't you accept it?"

Lin Jie's gaze met hers without any avoidance, coldly replying, "Why should I accept?"

"Who says one side has to apologize and the other must accept? Is your head kicked by a donkey?"

"You..."

Du Feixue was momentarily speechless, pointing her right index finger at Lin Jie's nose, saying, "Don't you want to turn hostility into friendship, to gain another friend?"

"I don't want such friends! Also, I don't like being pointed at. Please put your hand down!"

"You..."

Once again, Du Feixue was frustrated by Lin Jie's words.

If it had been someone else, she would have already kicked them to the ground without a word, but she genuinely didn't dare with Lin Jie.

Du Feixue retracted her hand, straightened up, took a deep breath, and said in a heavy tone, "Lin Jie, what exactly do you want? Problems need to be resolved."

Lin Jie chuckled mockingly, "I hadn't planned on doing anything!"

"Your Du Family is wealthy and powerful, while Miao and I are just nobodies; we don't want to provoke anyone. You walk your own sunshine-filled path, and we'll cross our single-plank bridge. From now on, we won't interfere with each other!"

"Are you saying you want to sever ties with me, with the Du Family?" Du Feixue's tone turned cold.

Lin Jie casually replied, "There wasn't any real friendship to begin with, so how can there be a break? It's just going back to being strangers as we were before!"

Du Feixue's brow furrowed tightly, her chest heaving rapidly, gritting her teeth, "Lin Jie, tell me, how much do you want this time? One million, two million, five million, or ten million?"

"While I do love money, I don't take just anyone's money—I'm very particular about it!"

Lin Jie pointed behind Du Feixue and continued, "You've left the door open. You're not welcome to stay!"

Du Feixue was infuriated by Lin Jie's intransigence, shouting, "Lin Jie, don't push it too far. This isn't just my cousin and brother-in-law's fault. If it weren't for your sister's misconduct..."

Before she could finish, Lin Jie stood up like an enraged lion, glaring fiercely into Du Feixue's eyes, and said chillingly, "Du Feixue, I'm warning you, you can eat food randomly, but you can't speak carelessly."

"How much do you actually know about this matter? You believe your cousin and brother-in-law; naturally, I trust my own sister."

Lin Jie fiercely declared, "This matter leaves no room for reconciliation between us."

"Du Feixue, you'd better leave! If I hear you say anything derogatory about my sister again, consider yourself my enemy too!"

"You..."

Seeing Lin Jie's determined gaze, Du Feixue actually felt some fear and hesitation.

She composed herself, retreated a step, and said, "You're right. I've only heard one side of the story!"

"I will investigate this matter further. If my cousin and her husband have hidden something, I'll give you a proper explanation."

After saying this, Du Feixue turned and left quickly, her intensity undiminished.

Bzz bzz...

The phone on the desk vibrated.

Lin Jie glanced at the caller ID, answered the call, and, not in a good mood, said, "Old Chen, what do you want now?"

Ever since meeting at the hospital the last time, Chen Shi had occasionally called to discuss some medical issues with Lin Jie.

Professor Chen Shi's voice came over the phone, "You brat, are you in a bad mood? I have a case here; let me test you... "

"Test me? You're quite a hypocrite!"

Not in the mood to accommodate Old Chen, Lin Jie sarcastically replied, "Don't you already know the specifics? I'm in a bad mood today, don't want to deal with you, goodbye!"

"Wait..."

Chen Shi's tone immediately softened, urgently saying, "Let's discuss a medical case—it's a discussion! The patient's situation is somewhat critical..."

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