Next, Zhao Heng and Jiang Rui discussed and finalized the surgery plan, setting a date for the operation.

"Dr. Zhao, you know, my senior often mentions you."

As Zhao Heng was about to leave the cardiothoracic surgeon's office, Jiang Rui suddenly said.

After the exchange with Zhao Heng just now, he had to admit, Zhao Heng was a genius unlike any he had seen in his life. Of course, he was also worth the admiration from his goddess-like senior, Song Chen.

"She mentions me?"

Zhao Heng was somewhat surprised.

Though he and Song Chen occasionally exchanged emails, the topics were quite ordinary.

Since Song Chen left, it seemed they had returned to that feeling of just being friends.

But the way Jiang Rui spoke, it was clear that, to Song Chen, it wasn't just that.

"Yes."

Jiang Rui nodded.

He had to admit, the Zhao Heng in front of him was someone who could match his goddess, Song Chen.

But when he thought of the distance of thousands of miles between them, Jiang Rui couldn't help but sigh.

After returning from cardiothoracic surgery, Zhao Heng was still thinking about what Jiang Rui said regarding Song Chen.

However, he didn't dwell on it too much, since they were so far apart now.

Sitting at his desk, Zhao Heng checked the time. It was already eleven-thirty, time for lunch.

However, having eaten two full love-packed breakfasts that morning, Zhao Heng didn't feel hungry at all.

"Why are you still here, go have lunch."

Xu Man Ni, after changing her clothes, pulled Zhao Heng along.

"I won't have lunch, I feel a bit full from breakfast."

Zhao Heng said helplessly.

"I just prepared a sandwich for you, how can you be full?"

Xu Man Ni asked with some confusion.

"Uh... I already had breakfast before coming out."

Zhao Heng said.

"Your aunt prepared it? Still, you should eat something more. I see the surgery scheduled for you in the afternoon is cardiothoracic, and it's bound to drag on for a long time."

Xu Man Ni insisted.

"Alright."

Zhao Heng nodded.

Having a girlfriend, especially one he worked with every day, seemed to make life more regular and fulfilling.

Even matters like eating were taken care of.

Thinking about life before, Zhao Heng felt that those days probably didn't count as living at all.

The two walked hand in hand out of the surgery room.

Along the way, people kept staring at Zhao Heng and Xu Man Ni.

Those gazes were mostly filled with envy.

Some envied Xu Man Ni, and others envied Zhao Heng.

In the end, Zhao Heng and Xu Man Ni as a pair had become known as the "Condor Heroes" of doctors and nurses at Eastern Hospital!

Before long, the two arrived at a food street near the hospital.

"What do you want to eat?"

Xu Man Ni asked, holding Zhao Heng's hand.

"Up to you, I'll just tag along and have whatever."

Zhao Heng said casually.

"How about seafood rice? I haven't had much of an appetite lately."

Xu Man Ni considered and said.

"Alright."

Zhao Heng nodded.

They came to a Thai seafood rice place, where Xu Man Ni ordered and they found a seat.

"What's wrong?"

Feeling Zhao Heng beside her was a bit absent-minded, Xu Man Ni couldn't help but ask.

"Nothing, just thinking about the afternoon surgery."

Zhao Heng said offhandedly.

"This afternoon? You'll be doing surgery with Jiang Rui, the new doctor at cardiothoracic, right? How is he, skill-wise?"

Xu Man Ni asked question after question.

"Not bad, after all, he's a PhD graduate from Johns Hopkins."

Zhao Heng said.

"Hopkins? Isn't that where Song Chen graduated from? I think Song Chen is over there now too, right?"

Xu Man Ni mentioned unintentionally.

"Yes, seems she's working on some research project."

Zhao Heng nodded.

"It should be related to artificial hearts, I heard someone mention it."

Xu Man Ni said.

Now that Song Chen was thousands of miles away, and her relationship with Zhao Heng was already stable, Xu Man Ni had long been at peace regarding Song Chen.

Contrarily, she admired Song Chen for going so far away to pursue her dream alone.

Such courage, Xu Man Ni respected, yet it was something she herself wouldn't do.

Between dreams and love, Song Chen chose dreams.

"This research is too grand, it can't be completed in just a year or two."

Zhao Heng shook his head slightly.

He too had been contemplating some research ideas, but hadn't settled on anything substantial.

Some projects, like cancer, AIDS, or ALS, though monumental if resolved, could yield a Nobel Prize, transforming one into a world-class scientist instantly.

But such projects not only require an initiation fund of billions, needing a specialized medical team, the timeline to see results would be at least over a decade.

For Zhao Heng now, such projects seemed overly ambitious.

Perhaps he could choose something related to recent case studies?

Brain function and consciousness recovery, or intrathecal analgesia, might be the best entry points for Zhao Heng recently.

Let's get the paper done first.

Zhao Heng thought.

"I do admire her, but I wouldn't follow her path. As long as I can stay by your side, that's enough."

Xu Man Ni said warmly, holding Zhao Heng's hand.

She didn't have grand dreams to chase after, having lacked nothing from childhood.

Now, with life's major events settled, the only thing left was to nurture love and life well.

This kind of life is something many women would envy.

Soon, the Thai seafood rice was served. Zhao Heng wasn't very hungry but seeing the dish appealing to his senses, and being his favorite spicy-sour flavor, he found his appetite and ate some.

While eating, Xu Man Ni suddenly recalled something, asking Zhao Heng: "How's your uncle's shop going?"

"Still in the early stages. Opening a shop isn't that easy."

Zhao Heng replied casually.

He fully supported his father opening a shop, knowing the old man couldn't stay idle for long.

But starting a shop in North City, even a small storefront, wasn't easy.

"Want me to help find a spot?"

Xu Man Ni asked.

With her capability and connections, she could effortlessly locate a storefront, directly taking Zhao Heng's father there.

Opening a small noodle shop wouldn't cost much, and for Xu Man Ni who owned property, it was merely a trifling sum.

But that wasn't the way to handle it. Clever as she was, Xu Man Ni wouldn't act beyond her role.

In truth, Zhao Heng's parents weren't looking to make a living with the shop; their needs were already met with Zhao Heng's income.

The main thing was to pass the time; if that's the case, taking it slow could be fun.

"Take it slow; it's for passing time. It's fine to search gradually."

Zhao Heng said.

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