When Xie Xiao and Xie Yuan’an got off the car, Lu Cheng noticed that Xie Xiao looked no different from when they first met.

His height was only as tall as Xie Yuan’an, appearing somewhat short and plump, with a typical Mediterranean look, standard bangs cover, and a genuine smile.

However, this handshake was Lu Cheng’s first formal handshake with Xie Xiao, and this large chubby hand really didn’t seem to be capable of much dexterity.

Yet, if even someone as big as Tong Yuan’an can be a hand surgery genius, then Professor Xie Xiao could also be a master in hand surgery.

"Professor Xie, forgive us for not greeting you from afar. We just found out you came to Ji City," Lu Cheng said immediately.

"I took a leave, attended a conference in Jiang Province, and flew to Zhang City midway, so I thought I’d stop by for a look."

"Just got off the high-speed train, a spur of the moment decision, how could you welcome me from afar?"

Xie Xiao’s voice was kind: "With Xie Yuan’an here, she hasn’t caused you any trouble, right?"

"She is indeed a bit clumsy."

Xie Yuan’an heard this and looked a bit disgruntled, yet she didn’t dare to be defiant.

Lu Cheng laughed and said, "Teacher Xie leading us in experiments is a blessing for us."

"Professor Xie, let’s go inside and order first... You came all of a sudden, and it’s just mealtime, so there’s no private room..."

Xie Xiao said, "No problem, you must be hungry too."

After Xie Yuan’an and Lu Cheng finished ordering for their respective groups, Xie Xiao and Mu Nanshu had already begun their conversation.

Mu Nanshu seemed to have transformed, retorting to Xie Xiao: "Professor Xie, from my perspective, Professor Zhong is just Professor Zhong!"

"Did you not prepare to try and persuade me before you came?"

With a serious face, Xie Xiao nodded, his tone hard to distinguish between truth and falsehood: "Indeed, I didn’t expect Xiao Mu you would refuse so straightforwardly."

Mu Nanshu said: "Professor Xie, you can take these words back, I really appreciate Professor Zhong convincing the teachers in our lab, allowing me to pursue projects remotely."

"But everything is its own matter, and when that promise was broken, Lu Cheng was just upset, but I felt very angry."

"Of course, Professor Zhong is a nationally renowned professor, and I’m just a young woman, my anger is but impotent rage."

"However, I’m not that big-hearted."

"So, I don’t expect Professor Zhong to help us much without any grudges, and I also believe Professor Zhong isn’t so petty as to hold a grudge because we refused him."

"Everyone does what they do, success or failure is up to oneself, we just compete in speed."

Mu Nanshu originally thought Xie Xiao would get angry, but unexpectedly Xie Xiao laughed instead: "Then that’s settled, I’ve conveyed what Professor Zhong said."

This sentence left Mu Nanshu at a loss.

Just as Lu Cheng arrived, Mu Nanshu handed the initiative back to Lu Cheng: "You speak."

"Professor Xie, what were you talking about? I didn’t understand a word just now," Lu Cheng asked.

Xie Xiao and Mu Nanshu having an argument surely had its reasons, and Lu Cheng, without understanding the situation, couldn’t just take sides.

Of course, his own spouse wasn’t disadvantaged.

"Then there’s no need to listen, let’s leave the past in the past. I’ll just take your attitudes back with me."

"However, personally, I still have some ideas I want to discuss fully with Researcher Mu and Dr. Lu Cheng," Xie Xiao continued to smile sincerely.

"As far as I know, after the national competition, Professor Zhong sent at least two teams to Xiangya Hospital and Xiangya Second Hospital for exchanges."

"They have thoroughly discussed the pros and cons of two suturing techniques, vascular and neural suturing, so Professor Zhong thinks that starting from the suturing techniques for the development of functional reconstructive surgery might be relatively more advantageous."

"That’s why he wishes to collaborate with you."

"However, Director Zhong is Director Zhong, and I am me."

"My idea is that I hope with my research group to cooperate with you Dr. Lu Cheng, and exchange and communicate on part of the hand surgery projects."

"Presumably, Xie Yuan’an has also mentioned this to you, I sincerely invite you, Dr. Lu Cheng and Researcher Mu, to become our laboratory’s research advisors."

Xie Yuan’an interjected: "They said to be realistic, not to talk about sentiments."

Xie Xiao glanced at Xie Yuan’an and continued calmly and kindly: "Don’t speak for now."

Xie Yuan’an sat quietly.

Xie Xiao continued: "Lu Cheng, Nanshu, I’m quite a bit older than you, so let me address you informally."

"What you’re talking about, regarding favorable conditions, isn’t the key, and I know that’s not where your focus lies."

"And for me, what I value is not the two or three suturing techniques you’ve developed before, but this pace of creation."

"Do you understand?"

The essence of cooperation is mutual benefit, to put it frankly, it’s about each having their interests.

Xie Xiao values the capability and potential of Lu Cheng and Mu Nanshu.

This kind of talk is quite pleasing to hear!

Lu Cheng said: "Thank you for your appreciation, Professor Xie, but we really don’t have much time."

Xie Xiao said: "Time is something that can definitely be squeezed out; let’s not talk about that now, let me explain my reasons."

"Actually, in terms of functional reconstructive surgery, Zhongnan Hospital in Han City also has a team leading research, and the current research is already at a relatively advanced level."

"However, their focus is from the aspect of debridement based on this extremely foundational surgical technique, Professor Lan Hualuo at Zhongnan Hospital has brought significant convenience to many patients with functional disorders."