Bao Liming held back Lu Cheng's hand and laughed, "Hey, how can you not report it?"

"If orthopedics doesn't sign, isn't there still the vice president?"

"Xiao Lu, it's not like you haven't brought back the techniques. It's easy to talk, easy to talk..."

"You're acting all formal, like we're not familiar with each other." Bao Liming teased Lu Cheng and even gave him a light slap.

This kind of attitude isn't normal, either the two have a very good relationship, or Bao Liming is being weird, to act like this.

Lu Cheng looked a bit disdainful, shrinking the arm that was hit.

"Bao Liming, don't be so flirty. You'll make people laugh." Lin Qianlong chuckled, giving an amused smirk.

Lu Cheng looked at Bao Liming, then at Lin Qianlong, suddenly understanding: "Director Lin, Director Bao, if there's nothing else, I'll head back to my shift."

"Leaving Professor Chen alone in the department isn't quite right."

"Alright, alright, you go ahead."

"I'll arrange lunch for you later." Lin Qianlong said.

...

Two minutes later, Bao Liming watched Lu Cheng leave, with a slightly envious tone: "Lin Qianlong, you've got luck on your side!"

Lin Qianlong squinted and asked back, "Is it just luck, and not good judgment and capability?"

"At first, I only noticed his bachelor's degree from Han City University, thinking to give him a fair chance to perform in front of Professor Chen Song."

"..."

The rain was as fine as mist, and the weather slightly chilly.

Tong Yuan'an reclined on the sofa, reading a novel, his plump posterior shaking with laughter.

This weather suited a big guy like Tong Yuan'an perfectly.

"Knock, knock, knock!~"

Just as Tong Yuan'an was thoroughly enjoying himself, someone knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" Tong Yuan'an instinctively felt a bit irritable, as he was sure he hadn't ordered any takeout.

"Professor Tong, it's me and Director Liu." Peng Haibo's polite voice came through.

Tong Yuan'an furrowed his brows even more, thought for a moment, then opened the door.

At the door, Peng Haibo and Liu Xia both held small gifts in their hands, fruits, tea leaves, and dry snacks. Tong Yuan'an smiled and asked, "Director Peng, why did you bring gifts?"

Liu Xia bowed his head, "Professor Tong, long time no see. Mainly, you've been so busy, every time we tried to invite you for a meal, you were unavailable."

Tong Yuan'an was likely to transfer to the unit where Liu Xia was stationed.

Therefore, Tong Yuan'an's tone couldn't be too stiff: "Director Liu, I mainly wanted to take it easy. While working at the unit, it's either surgeries or conducting experiments, writing project proposals."

"Just want to rest a bit more, and not trouble you, Director Liu." 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"Would you two directors like something to drink? Coffee or green tea? Or black tea?" Tong Yuan'an had plenty of snacks at home.

Peng Haibo quickly said, "Anything is fine, we can help ourselves."

Tong Yuan'an realized they probably had a long conversation ahead, he checked the time, it was only 3 PM, two and a half hours before Chen Song's shift ended.

As they were guests, Tong Yuan'an went to get cups and tea leaves, "What brings you two directors here today?"

"Professor Tong, during your time here in Long County, have we been lacking in hospitality? If so, please point it out, we'll definitely admit and correct it." Liu Xia wasn't tall, but his words were quite gracious.

Tong Yuan'an didn't expect Peng Haibo and Liu Xia could come together, according to the department, these two didn't get along.

"Not at all, Director Liu. Everyone has been too kind to me, it's made me so nervous, afraid of inadvertently offending someone." Tong Yuan'an teased Peng Haibo and paused.

After bringing the tea leaves, waiting for the water to boil, Tong Yuan'an asked, "Is there something you two directors need today?"

Peng Haibo knew speaking up might make Tong Yuan'an uneasy, so he stayed silent.

Liu Xia quickly said, "Professor Tong, I accidentally heard that you want to start a project here in Long County!~"

"Isn't that right, Director Peng?"

"Yes. Professor Tong mentioned it, but there's been no place suitable to assist." Peng Haibo nodded, as it was indeed mentioned by Tong Yuan'an.

Liu Xia then subtly added, "Professor Tong, it's been a while since you mentioned this, so I thought I'd ask if there's anything you need our help with?"

"Like running errands, we can definitely find someone for that."

In fact, Peng Haibo knew about Tong Yuan'an doing the project.

But since Tong Yuan'an hadn't mentioned it, Peng Haibo couldn't impose, as the County Hospital didn't really care about it!

Not caring doesn't mean they don't value it, though valuing doesn't mean they'll achieve results.

Now Lu Cheng mentioned a collaborative project with Tong Yuan'an. Why is it Lu Cheng and not Peng Haibo?

"Who sent you? Chen Song? Coming to provoke me?" Tong Yuan'an suddenly tensed his voice and his face fell.

Tong Yuan'an instinctively thought it was Chen Song being troublesome, sending these two jokers to mock him.

After all, his project had failed, and it was with Lu Cheng that it was picked back up.

Tong Yuan'an knew Chen Song's mood hasn't been good lately, so it's likely Chen Song wanted his mood to turn sour too.

Liu Xia hurriedly shook his head to explain, "No, no, Professor Tong, you've misunderstood, we came on our own, hoping to be of some help."

"Mainly you've previously mentioned, and now applied to extend your study period... there should be something we can assist with." Liu Xia's expression was quite sincere.

Tong Yuan'an realized their intentions and matter-of-factly said, "I'm just working for someone else, this project is Lu Cheng's."

"Impossible!~" Peng Haibo instinctively refuted, his half-curled hair straightened a bit, smiling obsequiously, "Professor Tong, even if you have an issue with me, you don't need to deceive me like that."

"What does Lu Cheng know about projects?"

"Professor Tong, we're genuinely looking to do some running around." Liu Xia also broke into a smile.

Tong Yuan'an looked at them earnestly, saying in a serious tone: "Only a fool would lie to you guys!"

The smiles slowly froze on Liu Xia and Peng Haibo's faces…