Chapter Sixteen: Professor Park

"Dr. Xiao, it’s wise to leave yourself an out—so you can meet again another day. Are you sure you want to defy everyone?" Duan Jijin had now completely shed his cultured professor’s demeanor, turning instead to threats. "Getting your revenge feels good for a moment, but after this, you’ll find it hard to survive in the cosmetic surgery field. Think it over."

Before Xiao Yuru could respond, Ye Qiu grew impatient. "A moment’s satisfaction? Trust me, I can be satisfied for a lifetime—stop wasting time and get on with it."

Duan Jijin’s face flushed crimson. The doctors he’d called to witness the spectacle now whispered among themselves, their voices stabbing at him like needles, each word feeling like a merciless mockery. If only he’d known it would turn out like this, he wouldn’t have invited these doctors to see Xiao Yuru’s downfall. He blamed Ye Qiu, glaring at him with such venom that, were his gaze deadly, Ye Qiu would have been devoured whole.

"So, what are you going to do? Are you going to say it or not?"

Ye Qiu met Duan Jijin’s eyes with unwavering resolve. Forgiveness was someone else’s business—he was merely holding Duan Jijin to their wager.

Duan Jijin’s face was now red to the tips of his ears. With so many eyes on him, and having been the one to bring up the wager so brazenly, he had no choice but to swallow his pride and mutter, "Auntie, I admit defeat..."

"Two more times," Ye Qiu said, dissatisfied. "What, haven’t you eaten? Say it louder."

"Auntie, I admit defeat..." Duan Jijin bellowed, nearly closing his eyes, his voice strained with humiliation.

A laugh escaped from someone in the crowd; soon, the entire hall echoed with teasing and derision. Normally, these colleagues flattered Duan Professor only to learn a bit more technique from him. He took their money and their compliments without caring for them, but everyone remembered it. Now, seeing him brought low, those without much tact could hardly contain themselves.

After three rounds, Duan Professor could no longer bear the shame and stormed back to his office with an angry huff.

A few business owners and doctors hesitated, realizing this was their chance to offer support in his moment of need. They hurried to his office, feigning concern. Others, sensing a shift in influence, went to flatter Xiao Yuru, curiosity piqued. After all, mastering a nose repair surgery in a single day surely involved some secret. Especially those new to the cosmetic industry found themselves drawn to Xiao Yuru.

"Mr. Ye, I believe we should discuss cooperation," Zhao Lei approached, casting a sidelong glance at Liu Yiran, who stood quietly beside Ye Qiu throughout. Her gaze, openly indulgent, made several men jealous; after all, Liu Yiran was the CEO of a listed company, yet she seemed utterly smitten with Ye Qiu.

With Liu Yiran’s backing, expanding the business would be effortless. Moreover, Xiao Yuru’s surgical prowess had shown Zhao Lei the possibility of collaboration. Her technique might not match Duan’s, but she had cleared the threshold, and her striking appearance gave Zhao Lei confidence that she could become a viral celebrity doctor. It would be as fast as printing money.

"Though you’re a bit late, since you’re so sincere, I’ll agree on Second Sister’s behalf—"

Ye Qiu was midway through his sentence when the hospital door was suddenly shoved open.

A stocky, short man barged in, shouting, "Where’s Professor Duan? Get him out here."

He had an arm around a young woman’s waist; she wore a tank top and shorts, her figure tall and curvaceous, her legs so long they seemed to be measured in years. Her face was wrapped in bandages, like a mummy.

Behind them followed three bodyguards, clad in black suits and sunglasses, looking like soldiers of fortune.

"Duan—" the man began to shout again, but paused, surprised at the crowd. "Why are there so many people? Which one is Professor Duan?"

The receptionist quickly stood up. "May I ask who you are?"

"I heard your Professor Duan is a master of cosmetic surgery. I want him to take a look at my Xinxin—see what can be done."

"Boss Bai?" someone recognized the short, stout man and greeted him warmly. "Boss Bai, what brings you here?"

"My Xinxin wanted to have a bone reduction. Damn it, she ran into a quack. Then I heard Professor Duan is top-notch here in Linhai, so I brought her over." The man cursed as he spoke, still dissatisfied, and spat forcefully on the floor.

Zhao Lei leaned close to Ye Qiu and whispered, "Bai Kai Shui, owner of a mining company. Lithium prices have soared in recent years, and the Bai brothers have made a fortune. Don’t let their rustic manners fool you—they’re powerful. When they stomp their feet in Linhai, the whole city trembles."

"Professor Duan is in his office. Please follow me," the receptionist led Bai Kai Shui to Duan’s office. Ye Qiu and the others paid little attention, ready to leave for dinner after the successful nose repair surgery, with Xiao Yuru changed and Liu Yiran and Ye Qiu waiting.

Bai Kai Shui soon stormed out of the office, cursing as he went. "What kind of professor is this? If the only option is to go to Korea, why bother with him?"

The young woman also complained, obviously displeased, bluntly accusing Professor Duan of using Korean connections as a gimmick to scam money, having never actually studied there.

Already humiliated by Xiao Yuru, Duan Professor was now publicly scolded by a nouveau riche, especially stung by Xinxin’s accusation regarding his Korean credentials.

"Wait a moment," Professor Duan chased after them. "Boss Bai, we can arrange a video consultation with Professor Park from Korea—he’s the number one plastic surgeon there."

"Fine, let’s see if this ‘number one’ is as miraculous as you claim," Bai Kai Shui, with Xinxin in tow, returned to the office. Many colleagues, upon hearing Professor Park’s name, craned their necks, eager to seize the opportunity to learn from him.

"That’s Professor Park, the top plastic surgeon in Korea."

"If we could observe one of his surgeries, we’d grow so much."

"Forget it. Attending one of Professor Park’s operations costs hundreds of thousands. And that’s just one session—learning a single technique requires at least three. Basically, that’s two years’ income gone."

"Still, even if we can’t watch a live surgery, at least seeing Professor Park’s consultation is educational."

"Agreed. Let’s go."

With that, the doctors exchanged glances and, thick-skinned, filed into Professor Duan’s office.