Ji Xiuwen chuckled self-deprecatingly: "And, Mom is right. Even if I go to the Health Center, at least I have the opportunity to run a clinic on my own.

Of course, with my limited skills, even if they let me run a clinic, I wouldn't dare. Better to start by learning from others over there. If the Traditional Chinese Medicine department at the Health Center really has as many people registering as Mom says, after a year or so, I should have gained some experience.

By that time, if I really have the chance to run a clinic, I'd definitely be willing and brave enough to do it. As long as there are patients, I wouldn't mind working years at the Health Center."

Ji Xiuwen clearly understood how important clinical experience was to him.

Forget about just assisting others; he would even kneel to become an apprentice or call someone a godfather if necessary.

Learning skills is nothing to be ashamed of.

There's no shame in wanting to learn.

Once you've acquired skills, there's nothing to be ashamed of.

If you fail to learn skills, that's when you've really embarrassed yourself.

Ji Peidong nodded lightly: "Since that's the case, it should be easier. But once you go to the Health Center, you can't regret it. Before you've gained real skills, it will be difficult to transfer out.

Plus, you have to be ready for gossip. Some people just can't stand others doing well, and once you have a setback, they're always ready to kick you when you're down."

"Dad, I know. Since I agreed to go, I won't regret it."

Ji Xiuwen smiled and said, "Besides, the Health Center is not some dragon's den or tiger's cave. Since the doctors there are so skilled, curing so many people, with a reputation even Mom knows about, they surely have real skills. If I can learn something from them, it won't be a wasted trip at all."

"I'm glad you think that way."

Ji Peidong breathed a sigh of relief; he had been worried his son wouldn't agree, but now it seemed he didn't know him well enough.

"Since you've decided, go submit your resume tomorrow and take the chance to understand the doctors there."

Ji Xiuwen chuckled: "Dad, you can't find information on Health Center doctors online. Even at those big hospitals, only those above the rank of associate chief physician qualify to be listed online. I'll submit my resume tomorrow, but forget about understanding the doctors; I'll know once I meet them."

Ji Peidong said no more: "It's your business, you decide. Go to bed early, your mom and I will chat a bit."

With that, Ji Peidong took a sip of the tea in front of him.

"Mm."

Ji Xiuwen nodded slightly, just about to stand up and leave, when Li Qinlan called to him.

"Oh, Xiuwen, who were you talking to on the phone in your room just now?"

"When I walked by, I heard you talking about personal matters. Was it a classmate or...?"

"Don't ask about the kid's private matters. At his age, you still can't change that habit." As soon as Li Qinlan finished, Ji Peidong frowned and scolded her.

"Dad, it's alright, it's not a secret."

"Mom, do you remember Xuan?" Ji Xiuwen looked at Li Qinlan and asked.

"Your classmate of six years, Lu Xuan?" Li Qinlan remembered Lu Xuan well, mainly because her son often mentioned him to her. The two had a very good relationship, often helping each other at school.

"Yes, it's him."

"Your classmate was very good, I heard he went to the District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine as an assistant. He had good grades and worked hard, with a bright future ahead."

Talking about Lu Xuan, Ji Xiuwen couldn't help but sigh: "Sigh, Mom, don't mention it."

"Why, what happened?"

"Did you have a falling out with Lu Xuan?"

Li Qinlan worried that her son had a falling out with his classmate.

"No, Mom, why would you think that!"

Ji Xiuwen looked exasperated and continued: "It's just that Lu Xuan had bad luck. He's not working at the District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine anymore, he went to the Health Center."

"What happened?"

Ji Xiuwen pursed his lips: "What else? I heard he offended the department head. Mom, you know how we interns basically have no rights. If the department head wants you to do something, you have to do it, and if they want to kick you out, it's just a word."

"Can Lu Xuan still go back?" Li Qinlan knew her son had a good relationship with Lu Xuan and couldn't help but show concern.

Ji Xiuwen shook his head: "Hard to say, but once they've torn apart and kicked him out, how could they let him back? Unless Lu Xuan gives in, but that guy is even more stubborn than me, he wouldn't give in."

"Then... won't he be stuck at the Health Center for a long time?"

Li Qinlan worried, "What will he do in the future?"

"Someone kicked out by the department head might even get the cold shoulder at the Health Center. Even if they have Traditional Chinese Medicine, it's likely they won't help him, more likely to give him a hard time."

"I'm worried about that too."

Ji Xiuwen felt a bit troubled: "Today I saw his social media post saying he was very tired, only then did I know he went to the Health Center. Seems like he's having an even harder time than me, also saying it was enjoyable, but probably just finding joy in hardship."

Li Qinlan didn't know what to say for a moment. After some silence, she thought for a moment and said: "If there's a chance in the future, don't forget to lend him a hand. After all, he was your best friend during college."

"I will."

Then he chuckled at himself: "But I can't even guarantee my own safety right now. Future things will have to be dealt with in the future. If I have the chance, I'll advise him to go back home, with his education and skills, going back home might be a good option."

"Go to bed, you have work tomorrow. Before you go to the Health Center, do your last duty well. Don't leave people with anything to say." Li Qinlan said to her son.

Ji Xiuwen didn't insist, nodded: "Dad, Mom, you two should get to bed early too, don't talk too late."

With that, he headed straight for his bedroom.

...

Next day.

Lu Xuan got up, ate a little at the breakfast shop under the apartment building, and went straight to the nearby bus stop.

Soon a bus with green numbers flashing on its front pulled in.

When the doors opened, Lu Xuan went straight on board.

Since it was rush hour, there were no seats. Lu Xuan found a spot by the window, grabbed the overhead handle, and didn't pay attention to the commotion inside, gazing at the hustle and bustle outside the window, zoning out.

Just then, a piercing brake sound came.

Another bus had arrived, and a young woman got off.

She looked at the 666 bus, which hadn't started yet, and ran straight towards it.

At that moment, the bus driver, seemingly unaware of someone running up, was preparing to close the doors and drive to the next stop.

Lu Xuan's gaze was drawn to her.

She was wearing a blue and white T-shirt and tight jeans. The blue and white T-shirt had a flower embroidered on it. Her fair skin was like cream, and her black hair draped like a waterfall down her shoulders, exuding grace.

Even though her bangs obscured her face from this angle, it was clear that from running, her originally fair neck had turned slightly red, looking quite appealing.

She only took a couple of steps before realizing the doors were closing, and the bus started moving slowly forward.

Seeing this, a hint of helplessness appeared on her face.

It was then that Lu Xuan realized she was trying to catch the bus he was on, so he shouted to the driver, "Driver, stop for a moment, someone hasn't gotten on yet."

The bus driver instinctively looked in the rearview mirror and finally saw the panting young woman behind the bus. He braked, stopping the bus that had just started moving, and clanked the door open once more.

The girl instinctively glanced at Lu Xuan, who had called out, her eyes filled with gratitude. Then she ran once more to the front door of the bus.

Perhaps she was running too fast, as it seemed she twisted her ankle while boarding, but she endured the pain, gritting her teeth, and managed to get on the 666 bus.

After swiping her card, she walked towards the back of the bus.

"Thank you."

Lu Xuan didn't pay her much attention, continued gazing out the window, but a faintly timid voice of gratitude reached his ears.

And... was that an apology?

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