The next day.

Nine o'clock in the morning.

Zhao Heng had just finished his rounds and was sitting at the computer in his office, busy writing medical orders and patient progress notes.

Although there were two other doctors in the ward, Liu Meng and Wang Tao, there were still too few staff, and with just the three of them, it was barely possible to cover the day and night shifts, so he had to write the medical orders and patient progress notes himself.

Just as Zhao Heng was working seriously, a pleasant voice suddenly came from behind him.

"Dr. Zhao?"

Zhao Heng turned around and found Li Xiao standing behind him.

"Li Xiao Ninth Dan?"

Seeing Li Xiao, Zhao Heng immediately stood up, feeling a bit thrilled.

"Dr. Zhao, are you busy? Maybe I should come by later?"

Li Xiao said softly, speaking in a manner that exuded the elegance and poise of an ancient Go master.

Such a demeanor might have been admired in ancient times, but in modern days, this kind of subtle charm isn't as widely appreciated.

This is why Li Xiao is only famous within the Go community.

"It's okay, I'm just about finished."

Zhao Heng waved his hand and said, then pulled a chair for Li Xiao.

"Li Xiao Ninth Dan, please sit."

Zhao Heng said formally.

"Hmm... Dr. Zhao, you can call me Xiaoxiao. That's what all my friends call me, so please, let's not be too formal."

Li Xiao sat down and spoke gently.

This is a hospital, not a Go training ground. If someone were to call him 'Li Xiao Ninth Dan' here, it would sound quite out of place.

"Alright."

Zhao Heng nodded and also sat down.

Having a real Ninth Dan sitting right in front of him felt completely different from watching a game on television!

Zhao Heng couldn't help but sigh to himself.

He had no interest in celebrities, but he was deeply impressed and fascinated by Go masters like Li Xiao, whose computational skills are at the peak of human capability.

Speaking and interacting with such a person can be an enjoyment, not to mention Li Xiao's looks are considered top-tier even among professional players.

"Dr. Zhao, I really want to thank you for last night. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known what to do."

Li Xiao expressed his gratitude as soon as he sat down.

When the coach was sent to the hospital last night, the attending doctor mentioned that it was fortunate they performed emergency decompression immediately; otherwise, there would have been a risk to life.

Li Xiao felt even more grateful toward Zhao Heng because of this.

After all, the person he had dinner with last night was actually a Go training ground coach, who had taught him when he was a child. To Li Xiao, this coach is a very important person.

With such gratitude, he inquired and discovered that Zhao Heng at Eastern Hospital isn't just an ordinary doctor, which made him even more curious.

"Just happened to be at the right place at the right time."

Zhao Heng replied in a modest and plain manner, stating that such an occurrence is just routine work for a professional doctor, even though the working environment and conditions differ from a hospital.

"Dr. Zhao, are you in charge of this ward?"

Li Xiao couldn't help but ask.

Eastern Hospital is one of the top-tier hospitals in the country; managing a ward generally requires one to be at least a deputy director or a director. That usually means over thirty-five years old.

Yet, when Li Xiao looked at Zhao Heng, he found him so young. Li Xiao was already thirty, and Zhao Heng was probably four or five years younger.

In the medical profession, which demands experience and enduring long hours, Zhao Heng's ability to stand alone at such a young age is remarkably rare.

"Yes, basically."

Zhao Heng nodded.

"Dr. Zhao, you're really amazing."

Li Xiao said genuinely. Having learned Go since childhood, Li Xiao knew very well how much effort and dedication are required to reach the pinnacle in any field.

Just like him, despite having top-tier talent, achieving his current accomplishments still required years of monotonous practice day in and day out.

Therefore, in his view, Zhao Heng's success at such a young age surely involves unimaginable effort.

Li Xiao felt a sense of camaraderie with Zhao Heng because of this.

"Not really."

To receive praise from his idol, the Ninth Dan Li Xiao, Zhao Heng felt quite flattered.

Everyone enjoys being praised, but Zhao Heng had become numb to compliments from others. However, praise from a top figure in the Go world is naturally different from others.

"Are you planning to participate in the world championship this year?"

After a pause, Zhao Heng couldn't help but ask.

Li Xiao's skill level is, without a doubt, at world champion caliber. Those rated Ninth Dan almost all have world champion potential.

But becoming a world champion relies not just on raw skill but also on adaptability and mentality during competitions.

In previous world championships, Li Xiao always made it to the finals but couldn't clinch the title, possibly missing a bit of luck.

"I am already thirty; this year is likely my last year participating."

Speaking of the world championship, Li Xiao smiled somewhat bitterly. As a professional player, who wouldn't want to win the world title, especially when Li Xiao already has the skill?

Every time luck was slightly against him, it was disheartening, leading people to say he was unbeatable domestically but couldn't perform internationally.

"You'll definitely win the championship this year."

Zhao Heng said.

As a deep Go enthusiast and avid amateur Go fan, he genuinely hoped Li Xiao would win a world championship.

"Actually, I think your skill level is sufficient; it's just about adjusting your condition before matches."

Zhao Heng added.

"Seems Dr. Zhao knows quite a bit about me."

Li Xiao was somewhat surprised. He initially thought Zhao Heng was just a casual Go enthusiast, but realizing that Zhao Heng knew his record and competition schedule, it showed he was much more than just a simple enthusiast.

"Mindset is something that can be adjusted, too. Just like us doctors, if we're not good at adjusting, our mentality would have crumbled long ago."

Zhao Heng thought for a moment and said.

Talking about handling pressure and adjusting mindset, the medical profession is rather skilled at it.

After all, facing life and death daily, a doctor with a poor mindset would have collapsed already.

"Then I might seek advice from Dr. Zhao more often in the future."

Hearing Zhao Heng's earnest advice, Li Xiao couldn't help but say.

Mental adjustment isn't easily done, especially for Go, which is a competitive sport.

"I won't disturb your work any longer. I opened a Go training ground with someone in North City; I'll send you the address later. You're welcome to come anytime if you want to learn or play Go."

After a pause, Li Xiao added.

"Alright, sure."

Zhao Heng nodded, feeling quite pleased about it. He usually didn't have much to do during his leisure time, but now he had a place he could visit.

Social outings for food and drink weren't his preference.

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