The Lin siblings and An Kexin had dinner at the Affiliated Hospital on Chinese New Year's Eve, and it was nearly ten o'clock at night when they returned to Xiangtai Apartment.

Lin Miao calmed down an overly excited Lele upon seeing them and said to the slightly weary-faced Lin Jie, "Brother, you performed a surgery this afternoon and must be very tired by now. Go rest early."

Lin Jie responded with a hum, intending to return to the bedroom with An Kexin, but Lin Miao grabbed his sleeve.

"Brother, if a girl gets scars all over her face, just the thought of it is terrifying. Isn't there really any way to treat her condition?"

Lin Jie reached out his hands, covering Lin Miao's face, and said, "Little one, do you think I'm keeping secrets?"

"The problem of scar hyperplasia in people with scar-prone skin is a global challenge."

"Even a minor needle prick can cause scars for them. Removing hyperplastic scars surgically often backfires, causing the scars to grow larger and more numerous."

Under the pressure of Lin Jie's hands, Lin Miao pouted and mumbled, "Brother, there must be some ways to relieve it, right?"

Lin Jie thought for a moment and said, "Some steroid medications, combined with radiation therapy, can inhibit the growth of scars, but the effect is very limited since this scarring tendency is rooted in their genes."

"Haha, your little face is as smooth as when you were a child."

Lin Miao, having been rubbed a few times, got angry and pretended to kick him, scaring Lin Jie into stepping back quickly and fleeing into the bedroom.

An Kexin shook her head with a smile and followed him into the bedroom.

While taking off her coat, she said, "Ajie, I heard that viruses can change people's genes, like mutations in sci-fi movies, or the T-virus in Resident Evil."

Lin Jie nodded and said, "Viruses can indeed alter a person's genes. Of course, the mutations and supernatural abilities in movies are extremely exaggerated, at least inconsistent with the law of conservation of energy."

He slowly explained, "Using viruses to treat some human diseases at the genetic level is being researched by many physiologists worldwide, and there is some progress. However, this isn't my expertise, and I only know a little about it."

"However, I haven't heard of anyone overcoming the genetic problem of scar-prone skin."

Lin Jie laughed and said, "People with scar-prone skin are quite rare, and growing some scars on them is not life-threatening."

"The research market in this area is not promising, as the investment doesn't match the output."

An Kexin sighed and said, "You're right."

"A lot of scientists are focusing on AIDS and various common cancers. Despite vast human and material resources poured in every year, these illnesses remain unresolved after so many years."

Lin Jie explained, "Curing these diseases involves genes, molecules, and other microscopic levels."

"While there is some progress every year across various fields of research, there hasn't been any groundbreaking leap, making it difficult to completely eradicate these diseases at their root."

He concluded, "Kexin, in the future, once there's a breakthrough in the research of any one of these diseases, with the aid of technology and cross-application, conquering other diseases will become relatively easy."

An Kexin walked over, leaned lightly against Lin Jie, and said softly, "Ajie, I hope that breakthrough will come from you."

Lin Jie hugged her and sighed, "You're overestimating my abilities. I have no foundation in this research at the moment."

"Come, let's go wash up together..."

The next day was Sunday. After breakfast, Lin Miao insisted on going shopping to buy New Year's supplies.

Does the family still need to buy New Year's goods?

Recently, the family received various special New Year's gifts, enough to last them for several Spring Festivals.

Lin Jie had to pass many on to others.

However, Lin Miao adamantly argued that buying her own New Year's goods felt different from receiving them from others.

Just as Lin Jie was about to refuse her arguments, An Kexin stopped him.

"Miaomiao, your brother needs to prepare for the conjoined twins' surgery, so he doesn't have time to go shopping with you for New Year's goods. How about I accompany you? Let's ask Kemeng to come along and help us carry things."

Lin Miao looked at Lin Jie's displeased face and reluctantly said, "Okay!"

So, Lin Miao and An Kexin went out shopping, while Lin Jie returned once again to the Affiliated Hospital…

"Teacher, you wanted to see me?"

Looking at the impressive Huo Guangheng standing before him, Lin Jie nodded and said, "When are you going home for the Spring Festival? I know Gao Yanhong and Yan Beichen are leaving today."

"I've booked a train ticket for the 28th of the lunar month."

Huo Guangheng explained, "Gao Yanhong has something going on at home, I think her sister is getting married or something, so she went back early. As for Junior Sister Yan, she..."

Lin Jie waved his hand and said, "No need to explain for them, and you don't need to overthink it."

"Since I mentioned you can go home after the Little New Year, you can go. If I really wanted any of you to stay, it would just take a word."

Huo Guangheng chuckled and said, "We all understand that. Teacher, if you need someone to stay during the Spring Festival, I can stay."

"I already went home once during the summer vacation."

Lin Jie shook his head and said, "None of you need to stay. The Spring Festival is a time for family reunions. Although studying and working are important, family shouldn't be neglected."

He asked again, "How is Lulu's recovery going? When does she plan to be discharged? Surely she won't spend the Chinese New Year in the hospital, right?"

Huo Guangheng replied, "Because Lulu has always maintained good health, her recovery pace is quite fast. Especially her gastrointestinal function; she can already eat stewed, relatively soft and bland foods."

"However, to regain the ability to walk, it will require at least another month of physical therapy and exercise."

"As for discharge..."

He glanced at Lin Jie and said softly, "It depends on the progress of that investigation. Lulu says she feels secure in the hospital."

"Hospitals are bustling places, what kind of security is there?"

Lin Jie scoffed and suddenly asked, "I hear you sometimes go to Lulu's ward over ten times a day?"

Huo Guangheng looked embarrassed and whispered, "Teacher, the reason I go so many times is because... because Lulu wants me to pretend to be her boyfriend!"

Lin Jie was taken aback and asked, "Pretend to be her boyfriend? Why?"

Huo Guangheng explained, "Teacher, it's like this. Lulu said she's recalled quite a bit of the past and her mind is much clearer now."

"She suddenly realized that on that day, when she found out her fiancé was involved with another woman, it seemed someone orchestrated it, deliberately letting her know, with the aim of preventing her marriage."

"Lulu said, regardless of who sabotaged her wedding or if someone tried to hit her with a motorcycle, their motive is nothing but her wealth."

"If she wakes up and quickly finds another boyfriend, even soon discussing marriage, those coveting her money will surely become restless."

"After all, once she's married, the inheritance rights change, and even if something happens to her, those people won't get anything."

Hearing this, Lin Jie couldn't help but snort, "So, out of a soldier's integrity, you agreed to her request to pretend to be her boyfriend?"

He further reminded him, "How much do you really know about Lulu? All these things are just what she says, the actual truth is yet to be determined."

"Do you believe her that much?"

Huo Guangheng pondered for a moment and said, "Teacher, admittedly I don't know much about Lulu, but I feel she doesn't seem like someone who lies."

"Teacher, I believe she is trustworthy."

Lin Jie stared into Huo Guangheng's eyes, wordlessly watching him.

Perhaps it was guilt, or maybe Lin Jie's gaze was too imposing, or it was because of Lin Jie's accumulated authority. Huo Guangheng dared not meet Lin Jie's eyes and slowly lowered his head.

Lin Jie slowly said, "Could it be, when you agreed to be a pretend boyfriend, you had thoughts of turning the fake into reality?"

Huo Guangheng raised his head, looked at Lin Jie, and murmured, "Teacher, I... I..."

Lin Jie said nonchalantly, "Stop 'I, I'. A fair lady is a gentleman's desire!"

"Once Lulu recovers, she will definitely be a beauty, and with no parents, she is currently a victim."

"It's understandable if you have a protective urge and want to be a knight by the princess's side."

He sighed and said, "This matter, I'm not trying to stop you."

"I'm just worried that this wealthy princess might have many knights around, and you might just be a pawn to be discarded once used."

Huo Guangheng stood up straight and said, "Teacher, I have indeed developed feelings for Lulu, but I haven't lost my mind."

"I understand that someone of her immense wealth, although she has been targeted maliciously, must not be just a naive girl having managed to navigate life alone after her mother's passing."

He solemnly said, "My pretending to be her boyfriend, while helping her uncover the truth, is also a process of getting to know each other."

"If we're not a match, or if she's not who I thought she was, I will leave her."

"I hope so!"

Lin Jie exclaimed thoughtfully and reminded again, "Stay alert; many risk for great fortunes. Lulu's former fiancé almost got crushed to death, which likely wasn't an accident."

"You've been learning here for nearly a year, don't let my efforts go to waste."

Huo Guangheng confidently said, "Thank you, Teacher, for your advice and concern."

"Rest assured, I won't let the bad guys have an easy time of it..."

After Huo Guangheng left the office, Lin Jie felt a bit of a toothache.

He always felt that this student of his had already been dazzled by beauty.

Since ancient times, there have been countless men who blindly circled around women thinking they were in control.

In the face of beauty, only I...

Lin Jie recalled his interactions with An Kexin...

He couldn't help but suck a breath through his teeth, realizing he might have been gradually lured into a trap by An Kexin.

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