As night fell, the largest banquet hall in the five-star Binhai Crown Holiday Hotel, Guohua Hall, was brilliantly lit and crowded with guests.

Dozens of waiters were carrying various pre-poured wines and drinks, as well as various small delicacies, weaving back and forth for guests to pick from.

In addition, in a corner of the hall, there was a selection area for guests to choose their food and a dining area, along with a bar where professional bartenders mixed cocktails for guests.

Wearing a slim-fit Dior suit, Lin Jie was holding a glass of juice, following closely beside Chen Shi, forcing a smile on his face, occasionally greeting various healthcare professionals to get acquainted.

In nearly an hour, under Chen Shi's introductions, Lin Jie had already met three deans, seven vice-deans, fifteen department heads, and over a dozen senior-grade doctors.

Lin Jie doubted whether this method of getting acquainted would be effective.

After meeting so many people, it hadn't been long, but his impressions and memories of these people were already nearly wiped clean.

At this cocktail party, Lin Jie still had some acquaintances, such as Chen Qiuhua, Han Xue, Qin Binglai, and Yang Jinglong from Tongren Hospital, Jiang Yiran from Limin Hospital, Qi Xingfen from Donghua Hospital, and Jiang Hao from the University Affiliated Hospital, to name a few.

He hadn't seen people like Chen Lan or Lu Kaicheng, probably because with their current status, they didn't yet qualify for an invitation.

Lin Jie rubbed his face vigorously to relieve some aching muscles. Just as he grabbed a glass of juice from a waiter, he heard Chen Shi exclaim, "Why is he here? Lin Jie, come with me to welcome him!"

Lin Jie turned to look and saw an elderly man with a stern face entering through the door, his neatly combed gray-white hair giving him an unruffled appearance. Behind him was Lin Jie's acquaintance, Hu Xinyi!

As the old man entered the hall, quite a few people gathered around to greet and exchange pleasantries with him.

The old man nodded in response while walking and occasionally spoke a few short phrases, quickly addressing everyone gathered around him.

Chen Shi stepped forward with a smile and said, "Dean Hu, what a rare guest! I really didn't expect you to come! Your presence instantly elevates the tone of the cocktail party!"

The old man chuckled and said, "Professor Chen, you're too kind!"

"This party organized by the An Family is becoming more and more impressive, attracting all the hospital elites in Binhai! I thought I'd join in the fun, hope you don't mind that I came uninvited!"

The old man's gaze rested on Lin Jie's face, slightly starting as he asked in surprise, "Professor Chen, have you taken Lin Jie as a student?"

Chen Shi laughed complacently and said, "Not quite officially a student yet, just bringing him out to meet some seasoned professionals first! I didn't expect that you actually know this kid!"

He assumed the air of a teacher, patted Lin Jie's shoulder, and said, "Lin Jie, let me introduce you formally. This is the founder of Kangning Hospital, the renowned cardiac specialist both at home and abroad, the esteemed Dean Hu!"

Having already guessed in his heart, Lin Jie knew this was Hu Yuanqing's father, Hu Xinyi's grandfather, Hu Yitong. He stepped forward with a respectful tone, saying, "Dean Hu, hello!"

Hu Yitong sized up Lin Jie for a while and said with a complex expression, "I know you, young and promising, indeed!"

He looked at Chen Shi again, somewhat disinterestedly saying, "Didn't expect you to beat me to it, congratulations. I know you're busy, no need to entertain me particularly! I'll go and greet some old acquaintances first!"

With that said, Hu Yitong led Hu Xinyi towards a group of elder acquaintances who had come forward to greet them.

Chen Shi watched the two of them leave and murmured to himself, "Is this to identify Hu Xinyi as the successor?"

He then whispered to Lin Jie, "Kangning Hospital's development has shown some decline, and the recent incident involving Hu Yuanqing has also impacted the hospital's reputation."

"This old guy, always having high expectations, making a personal appearance this time is probably an effort to bolster Kangning Hospital's prestige!"

Lin Jie noticed that while Hu Yitong greeted a few old colleagues, Hu Xinyi was conversing closely and seemingly intimately with Qi Xingfen, who had come over specifically. He laughed and said, "Perhaps they want to contact targeted individuals and poach some talent!"

Chen Shi just laughed and said, "Lin Jie, you might be right!"

"As far as I know, quite a few doctors looking for a change of environment are indeed using this cocktail party as an opportunity to connect with their target hospitals. After all, exchanges hidden in such settings don't easily arouse suspicion."

He gave Lin Jie's shoulder a firm pat, saying, "Alright, you've met just about everyone you need to. Being stuck by my side this whole time must be stifling, you're free now, go and do your thing!"

Lin Jie was just waiting for this sentence,

Once he'd said it, Lin Jie turned around without a word and left immediately, leaving Chen Shi fuming.

Lin Jie had barely taken two steps, wanting to find a seat and rest for a while when Yang Jinglong appeared out of nowhere. Holding a glass of red wine, he respectfully said, "Dr. Lin, I toast to you!"

Lin Jie obliged him by clinking glasses and took a sip of juice!

"Dr. Lin, um... um..."

Seeing Yang Jinglong hesitating and stumbling, Lin Jie frowned and said bluntly, "If you're hesitating that much, I suppose it's an unreasonable request! If so, you'd better not speak, so I won't be put in a difficult position, not knowing whether to decline or accept."

This left Yang Jinglong feeling a bit uncomfortable, but he gritted his teeth and said, "Dr. Lin, it's not about a patient. It's a personal matter, I... I have a woman outside..."

He glanced at Lin Jie and, seeing he did not mean to interrupt, continued, "I only found out a few days ago that she's actually from Zhujia Port, and her father even works at that clinic. This, this..."

Seeing him about to mention Zhu Zhenzhen, Lin Jie feigned ignorance and asked, "Oh, it turns out to be this matter! I think I know who you're talking about! Let me ask you, did you force her or seduce her?"

Yang Jinglong shook his head vigorously, saying, "How could that be! She's a student from the Medical College, interning at the hospital during the holidays when we met. Gradually, we..."

"These kinds of things, I know how they go too!"

"Usually, I'd buy her a piece of clothing, a handbag, give her some living expenses. And I occasionally arrange internship opportunities for her."

Lin Jie nodded and said, "Since it's mutual consent, I'll pretend I don't know about it; after all, both of you are adults. But then, why are you telling me this? What are you worried about?"

Yang Jinglong discreetly let out a sigh of relief, lowered his voice, and said, "I accidentally overheard a phone call between her and her father, and she mentioned thinking of ways to get close to you. This, this..."

Lin Jie found it amusing; Yang Jinglong was worried that if this happened, while his relationship with Zhu Zhenzhen was exposed, things would get quite interesting.

"Oh, you don't need to worry about that. I already have a girlfriend and won't accept her advances; even if I learned of this, it wouldn't possibly happen. Just continue as you are!"

Yang Jinglong nodded and said, "Dr. Lin, rest assured, I'll handle this matter properly."

Lin Jie found a seat in a corner of the hall, just sat down to rest when someone took a seat opposite him.

Looking up, it was Ren Jianzhong, who said triumphantly, "Lin Jie, I remember I once told you, don't let me catch you slipping, and you better pray you don't need anything from me."

"Regarding the special enrollment assessment, you have no chance of passing!"

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