The next morning, Lin Jie unexpectedly met Zhang Xiaoxiao at the Zhujia Port clinic. It was about time for lunch, so Lin Jie invited her to have hot pot at the Zhang Family Seafood Restaurant.

Zhang Xiaoxiao seemed to be in a good mood, with a hearty appetite, immediately diving into the food,

"Uh..."

She burped, put down her chopsticks, took a big sip of black tea, and said with satisfaction, "It's been a long time since I've eaten so well."

"My father had surgery at the University Affiliated Hospital the day before yesterday, and yesterday I found a house for him."

"Ah Jie, you wouldn't believe it, last night I slept so soundly; when I woke up, I felt entirely comfortable, even better than after a thorough massage from Miaomiao!"

Zhang Xiaoxiao reflected, "It's the best sleep I've had in months. It seems my body is the most honest; it made me realize my choice was right."

Lin Jie picked up a piece of fried tofu from the hot pot and ate it, saying, "Xiaoxiao, you should have done this earlier. Worrying too much and being too conflicted only brings suffering to yourself. Uncle Zhang isn't so old that he can't move anymore."

"Even if he can't take care of himself, given his past actions, no one would fault you for not caring for him!"

Zhang Xiaoxiao looked at Lin Jie, who was still handsome and elegant but now exuded a hint of authority and maturity, and couldn't help but feel emotional.

Who would have thought that the shy, frail boy next door would suddenly become a renowned figure that many respect?

She also understood that, due to his own experiences, Lin Jie deeply envied children with both parents and harbored extreme disdain and anger towards irresponsible parents.

Zhang Xiaoxiao nodded and said, "I know! Before coming here, I had a frank talk with my father at the hospital."

"This time, I've completely given up. Despite my meticulous care over the past few months, it hasn't been reciprocated with gratitude. I won't continue living like this."

Zhang Xiaoxiao raised her yellow wine and drank it in one go, venting, "Let my father stay with his money; I'm not going to serve him anymore!"

After saying this, she glanced at Lin Jie and asked, "Ah Jie, you knew about Luo Pengyi being kicked out of his house, didn't you?"

Lin Jie nodded and said, "Yes, I knew. Luo Shanshan even talked to me about it, asking me not to help you and him, trying to force you apart this way."

"Xiaoxiao, do you have any plans?"

Zhang Xiaoxiao asked somewhat tensely, "Ah Jie, you didn't really agree with her not to help us, did you?"

Lin Jie put down his chopsticks and seriously said, "It depends on the situation!"

"If you and Luo Pengyi intend to borrow money or something else to make a big move, to prove yourselves through business success and counter Luo Wantong's economic blockade."

"That's something I won't help with."

Afraid of Zhang Xiaoxiao misunderstanding, he further explained, "Xiaoxiao, think about it. Would Luo Wantong really ignore this?"

"No matter how good Luo Pengyi's ideas are, no matter how meticulous the business plan is, no matter how high the chances of success are, the Luo Family could easily thwart Luo Pengyi's seemingly destined success by throwing in a few million."

Seeing some dissatisfaction on Zhang Xiaoxiao's face, Lin Jie warned, "Luo Wantong kicking Luo Pengyi out was not really to sever ties, but merely a way to force you apart."

"So, the Luo Family will definitely take action against Luo Pengyi; don't doubt that."

Zhang Xiaoxiao thought for a moment, somewhat believing Lin Jie's words, and asked, "Ah Jie, then what do you think we should do?"

Lin Jie didn't have a better idea. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Hang in there, wait it out, and see which side can't hold out first!"

"To be honest, you should also persuade Luo Pengyi not to waste his efforts and squander his last bit of savings."

"He may have succeeded in the past, but those successes were realized with the Luo Family's vast resources. Now that this support has turned into an obstacle, achieving success has become incredibly difficult."

"Perhaps Luo Pengyi can use this time to learn something, recharge himself, help you run the clothing store, or find a job to temper and polish himself."

"In short, start small and don't think about achieving success overnight!"

Zhang Xiaoxiao exhaled, a bit discouraged, and said, "You're right. I'll try to persuade him when I go back!"

Lin Jie thought for a moment and advised Zhang Xiaoxiao, "Xiaoxiao, if it sounds unpleasant, you should be more cautious."

"Luo Pengyi can mess around because he always has a fallback. As long as he returns to the Luo Family, bows his head, and admits his mistakes, the Luo Family will clean up his mess."

"But you? No one will sort things out for you."

Zhang Xiaoxiao nodded thoughtfully, then raised her eyebrows and glared at Lin Jie, saying, "Lin Jie, have you become successful, grown wings, and decided not to recognize your poor sister, no longer being a support for her?"

Lin Jie quickly said, "How could that be? You're my sister. Miaomiao and I have always treated you as a real sister. It's just that, compared to the colossal Luo Family, I am nothing!"

"That's more like it!"

Zhang Xiaoxiao's face showed a bit of gloom, and she sighed, "Just when I dealt with my father's issues, Pengyi's situation got so complicated. Why is my life so hard?"

"Never mind, let's eat. The seafood here is still quite good. Ah Jie, have them bring another plate of mantis shrimp!"

Feeling somewhat troubled, Zhang Xiaoxiao intended to use the delicious food to dispel her mood.

After lunch, Lin Jie conveniently took Zhang Xiaoxiao back to the city since he had planned to discuss matters with Chen Shi on the way!

Zhang Xiaoxiao sat in the passenger seat, twisting slightly and sighing comfortably, "Luxury cars really are more comfortable to ride in!"

Talking about cars made Lin Jie think of something and say, "Xiaoxiao, you know, I have a MINI car. Miaomiao doesn't want to learn to drive, so it's just sitting there. I'll give it to you to drive!"

Zhang Xiaoxiao curiously asked, "Why doesn't Miaomiao want to learn to drive? Didn't her eyesight recover?"

Lin Jie sighed and said, "She says she's scared to drive, probably because of the psychological shadow left by that car accident."

"Then why don't you find a psychologist for Miaomiao?" Zhang Xiaoxiao asked with concern.

Lin Jie shook his head and said, "I'm somewhat familiar with what psychologists do; they just have you expose hidden inner scars and face them."

"I don't want Miaomiao to recall that painful past again! If she can't drive, she can't drive. Anyway, transportation is so advanced now, getting around is easy for Miaomiao."

Zhang Xiaoxiao nodded, then her face lit up with a smile and said, "Then I won't be polite with you. I'll take the car for now, and once I make enough money, I'll pay you back for it!"

"I said it's a gift for you. Just use it!"

Lin Jie dropped Zhang Xiaoxiao off at a subway station and then drove to Binhai University, heading to Chen Shi's office in the Medical College.

Entering the spacious office, he saw Chen Shi already making tea, waiting for him.

Lin Jie directly handed a CT scan to him.

Chen Shi glanced at the scan and shook his head, saying, "Even if you come in person, it's useless. I've seen this scan. I can't perform this surgery. Attempting it would mean the patient dies on the operating table."

"I know that!"

Lin Jie took a sip of tea, saying, "But I can do this surgery! I've come to ask you if there's a way for me to do it officially?"

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