Very soon, Zhao's dad prepared a steaming bowl of beef noodle soup, along with some flatbread to go with it.

While eating, Zhao Heng casually asked Xu Man Ni, "What were you guys talking about just now?"

"Auntie and I were talking about the engagement."

Xu Man Ni replied.

"Huh? Engagement?"

As soon as Zhao Heng heard those two words, he stopped with the noodles right next to his mouth.

"What's the matter?"

Seeing Zhao Heng's reaction, Xu Man Ni put down her chopsticks and glared at Zhao Heng softly.

"Hey, what's going on with your family? Even if we're getting engaged, you should give me a heads-up to prepare for it."

Zhao Heng saw Xu Man Ni staring at him and quickly changed the topic.

"What's happening with my family? It's just me. In recent years, after the demolition, my parents are just traveling around every day."

Xu Man Ni laughed seeing Zhao Heng like that.

When it came to the engagement, she didn't want to force Zhao Heng into it. Though she's not getting any younger, Zhao Heng is still young, and men at this age are still thinking about enjoying life rather than contemplating engagement or marriage.

"Being part of a relocated family sure is nice."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Heng couldn't help but express his admiration.

"What's mine is yours, what are you sighing about?"

Seeing Zhao Heng's reaction, Xu Man Ni chuckled.

"Well, this way I won't have to struggle for decades..."

Zhao Heng said.

"You could earn all this on your own given time. I just told Auntie, we are focusing on our careers now, and we can discuss engagement later."

Xu Man Ni willingly took a step back. Though she treasured Zhao Heng, who had quite some talent, some things were best approached gradually.

"That sounds about right. It'll take me at least two years to meet my expectations."

Zhao Heng pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement.

"Your expectations?"

Upon hearing Zhao Heng say that, Xu Man Ni asked with interest. In her eyes, Zhao Heng had always been pragmatic, prioritizing action before discussion. Now that he's talking about his expectations, Xu Man Ni is curious to know what Zhao Heng's short-term two-year goals are.

"Yeah, first I want to complete my studies and get my doctorate, then successfully handle the projects I have in hand, which should pretty much cover it."

Zhao Heng explained.

"Completing a doctorate in two years isn't easy, but you're working with top-tier people. If you have results, it's indeed possible to shorten your study time."

Xu Man Ni said.

Seeing Zhao Heng's clear goals, she felt relieved. There were many rumors in the hospital, especially about Zhao Heng. Once a person becomes outstanding, others envy them—even resent them. There are quite a few hoping to see Zhao Heng fail, especially those on the dean's side.

Hatred for those better off is a common sentiment among people.

"Being an undergraduate at Eastern Hospital is somewhat inadequate. If this problem isn't resolved, it often becomes inconvenient."

Zhao Heng continued.

If he becomes a deputy director in the future, people will ask where he graduated with a doctorate. Zhao Heng can't go around saying he's still an undergraduate, right?

Unfortunately, the competition is such now that academic credentials are merely the basic stepping stone.

"Indeed."

Xu Man Ni nodded. In a top-tier hospital like Eastern Hospital, academic qualifications are very important.

Soon, both finished the beef noodle soup and flatbread, both impressed by Zhao's dad's culinary skills. In such a short time, he developed new dishes, which wasn't easy.

Clearly, Zhao's dad is quite talented.

Many parents who are relocated to the city struggle to settle because there's nothing to do, spending each day idle.

Now that Zhao Heng's parents have something to keep busy with, it's rather nice.

After lunch, the two returned to the hospital.

Back at the office, Zhao Heng was still contemplating the engagement matter Xu Man Ni mentioned. Not that he was unwilling—he and Xu Man Ni had only been together for about a month and still needed time to understand each other. An engagement now felt rushed.

At that moment, Tian Zhen approached Zhao Heng and said: "Dr. Zhao, Dr. Li from Oncology wants to see you."

"Okay, got it."

Zhao Heng nodded.

A while later, Zhao Heng arrived at the oncology department and found Li Haiyang in the doctor's office.

"What's up? Is there a patient?"

Zhao Heng asked.

"No, the people from Sino Company are coming over soon. You're handling the audit for the spinal canal pain management device implantation, so I wanted you to join us."

Li Haiyang said with a smile.

The implantation of spinal canal pain management devices is the flagship product of the oncology department, gaining increasing reputation with many coming for this treatment.

This is all thanks to Zhao Heng. If it weren't for his development, and his efforts in training doctors capable of performing this procedure.

For this reason, Li Haiyang and Liu Shangming now consider Zhao Heng as one of their own.

"Okay."

Zhao Heng nodded, realizing that was why Li Haiyang called him over.

Just then, Zhong Jiaqiang, a middle-aged balding uncle and visiting physician from a local hospital, walked into the office. Upon seeing Zhao Heng, he looked delighted.

"Dr. Zhao, you're here!"

Zhong Jiaqiang said happily with a smile.

Lately, life had become quite good for him. With Zhao Heng and Li Haiyang's support, he was no longer a mere shadow. He even got to learn the cutting-edge technology of spinal canal pain management device implantation.

If he masters it, returning to his hospital post-training would undoubtedly elevate him to a pivotal role.

"How's the training going these days?"

Zhao Heng nodded and asked.

"With Dr. Li letting me handle more surgeries, I feel I'll master it in about a month."

Zhong Jiaqiang said thoughtfully.

"Oh? You think you'll master it in a month?"

Zhao Heng was somewhat surprised. Given the sophistication of spinal canal pain management device implantation, even talented doctors usually require around a year of training to grasp the technology.

For Zhong Jiaqiang to confidently claim he'd master it in a month, it indicated his ability to learn it.

This kind of learning capability is quite strong compared to ordinary folks.

Zhao Heng didn't expect this balding middle-aged uncle to be so skilled.

"Dr. Zhong has a strong learning aptitude. I think he's being modest about the month."

At this moment, Li Haiyang chuckled and commented.

Earlier, Li Haiyang hadn't noticed notable doctors like Zhong Jiaqiang among the visiting physicians. But since mentoring this middle-aged uncle, Li Haiyang discovered his pace of learning is quicker than some young people and his hands are steady, his mindset excellent—ideal for spinal canal pain management device implantation.

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