System Came When the Doctor was Thirty

”The patient pays, there still has to be a labor fee, otherwise it doesn’t make sense.”

”It’s rightful according to the allocation rules, you’re not here to save me money.”

”Just a few hundred bucks, preserved an organ, it’s a business many are in.”

”Hey Xiao Lu, what do you want to eat later?”

Lu Cheng said, ”Uncle Du, I mean, once it’s a bit later I won’t eat, I’ll rush back to have dinner with my wife.”

”Just the right time for you to take a break, Uncle Du. The guys in the department are all old friends.”

”You guys being so courteous, I feel it makes it formal.”

”Next time, I’ll come, I think everyone pitching in for a few dishes, ordering some Big Bowl Rice would be fine, like the place opposite the station.”

That’s the place Lu Cheng loves; he’s been there many times with Chen Song and indeed found the taste good.

That Big Bowl Rice place isn’t cheap, but the flavor is great.

”How about?”

”Let’s discuss it later.” Du Qiang originally thought it inappropriate, but seeing Lu Cheng’s expression really showed he was yearning for that taste, couldn’t bring himself to oppose.

Lu Cheng is someone who left Long County, he understands the taste here best, so hosting Lu Cheng can be a bit different.

...

When Lu Cheng got off the highway, he realized that the four hundred yuan travel expenses weren’t enough; after the highway tolls, fuel, and boxed meal payments, he ended up covering an extra thirty yuan from the surgery fee.

But it didn’t matter really.

Just in time as Mu Nanshu got off from the laboratory’s regular hours, Lu Cheng waited for Mu Nanshu at the parking lot of the lab entrance.

”Come on, get in.” Lu Cheng said with a smile.

Mu Nanshu naturally walked to the passenger seat, and as soon as he got in the car, the fatigue on his face vanished: ”Xiang-ming pickles? Why didn’t you say earlier?”

”If I knew, I wouldn’t have had that milk tea in the afternoon.”

”Well, how would it still be a surprise then? You sit and eat while we visit your parents’, my mom bought something good from the market yesterday.” Lu Cheng said.

Actually, it was the farm produce that Zhang Tiesheng had procured, it’s not easy to get.

Perhaps Mu Leng could find places to buy it, but it would take time and effort, or involve social connections.

Lu Cheng already made some efforts out of friendships on his side, naturally wants to bring some to his parents too.

”What is it?” Mu Nanshu became curious.

”Chinese giant salamander, proper farm-raised.” Lu Cheng said.

”Not cheap, right? My parents might talk to you later.” Mu Nanshu was actually a bit tempted.

This kind of delicacy, honestly, has an undeniably good texture, tender and smooth, naturally aromatic.

”Hey, other things easy to buy might make Uncle and Aunt talk, but such rare finds, they definitely won’t say anything.”

”I’m not bringing rice to bolster the meal.” Lu Cheng chuckled.

When Lu Cheng goes to Mu Nanshu’s place for a meal, if he carries rice or typical liquor, Mu Leng and Yan Sangyue might think Lu Cheng undervalues them or is arrogantly generous.

But if Lu Cheng tries bringing ’Old Tree’ Da Hong Pao or premium tribute liquor?

They’d say you’re considerate, right?

...

When Lu Cheng and Mu Nanshu arrived home, Mu Leng and Yan Sangyue were chatting, not even watching TV.

Mu Leng and Yan Sangyue have pretty much retired from the company; they are now considering whether to start some small business because being idle every day is quite dull.

Though it was quite early, seeing Lu Cheng arrive, Yan Sangyue headed to the kitchen.

”Oh, Xiao Lu, where did you get this?” Yan Sangyue was a bit surprised seeing the items in Lu Cheng’s waterproof box.

”A friend brought it over, we had a meal with some leftover, so I bought four pieces.” Lu Cheng quickly said.

”But Auntie, I don’t know how to cook, but I can help gut it...”

”No need for you to trouble yourself.”

”Mu Leng, Lu Cheng got two farmed Chinese giant salamanders!” Yan Sangyue called out.

Mu Leng perked up: ”Perfect for two drinks.”

”You always want to drink with anything.” Yan Sangyue immediately got displeased.

Later Lu Cheng and Mu Nanshu began helping, but after chopping vegetables, Lu Cheng and Mu Nanshu went out to rest.

Mu Leng went to the balcony to make a call, ”Work? I’ve quit now? Yes, all that remains are the shares, but I can check for you.”

”Okay, okay.”

”Dad? Who is it?” Mu Nanshu was unpacking pickles from the bags to the plates.

Both Mu Leng and Yan Sangyue were quite open-minded, not believing that eating pickles was inherently unhealthy, as long as it wasn’t every day, they wouldn’t comment, they’d also taste a bit themselves.

”Your Aunt Mu Ningning.”

”She said Zhifei entrepreneurship outside failed, back without a job, asking me to help find work.”

”But knowing him, the kid can’t sit still, looking for a job might mean directly coming to me. He doesn’t fancy the fixed position.” Mu Leng said.

Lu Cheng looked at Mu Nanshu with a half-smile.

Mu Nanshu’s expression slightly changed: ”Dad, didn’t you say before that Ningning Aunt’s cousin opened a shop in Shen City, business was good?”

”Originally good, even opened a branch.”

”Business has been tough with the economic downturn in recent years, more debts than assets. Now only owes eighty thousand, rather lucky for him.”

”Your Aunt Mu Ningning filled the gap for him and returned, heard she came back less than a week ago!”

Lu Cheng said, ”Uncle, yesterday when my parents and I were watching a movie, we saw him.”

”This Hong Zhifei was selling balloons at the cinema entrance, reselling movie tickets.”

Mu Leng hearing this, his eyes glimmered: ”A restless type. But the kid has some business acumen, just too ambitious.”

”He came to my company before but thought there wasn’t enough to do, so he resigned himself.”

After Mu Leng finished speaking, seeing Lu Cheng mentioned Lu Nanjia, he immediately slapped his forehead: ”Oh right, your dad’s birthday is soon.”

”Great, I still have a few bottles of good liquor.”

Mu Leng stood up, shouted towards the kitchen: ”Wife, Old Lu’s birthday is coming up, should we go to Long County to eat and drink?”

Yan Sangyue cursed: ”You’re such a drunken gourd! Always thinking about drinking, liked it even more when there were social functions previously, huh?”

Mu Leng replied: ”Didn’t the doctor say no problem? Can’t smoke now, can’t drink either?”

”We’ll control the intake, we’ll go together, at that time let Sister Hui find you some Mahjong friends.”

Yan Sangyue stayed silent for a while, stubbornly said: ”I’m going to celebrate Lu Nanjia’s birthday, not to drink or play Mahjong.”

”Yes, yes, birthday celebration.” Mu Leng chuckled.

Lu Cheng and Mu Nanshu just smiled without speaking.

Which old couple doesn’t bicker, they’ve long accommodated each other’s personalities, understanding each other tightly.