Mi Xue’s surgical incision was right beneath her chest. If Zhang Yang was the one performing the surgery, wouldn’t he have seen her entire upper body? For a girl, especially one who had never been in a relationship, this was no small matter.

“Hahahaha!”

Zhang Yang froze for a moment, then instantly understood what she meant and couldn't help but burst into loud laughter.

Hu Xin scratched his head in confusion. The big simpleton hadn't grasped why Mi Xue suddenly brought up the issue of Zhang Yang undressing, nor did he connect the question to the surgery.

“What are you laughing at!”

Mi Xue’s mouth instinctively pouted as she asked indignantly, though her cheeks flushed even deeper crimson.

“It’s true, I took off your clothes. And besides, I wasn’t the only one in the operating room. Besides the nurses, Director Li from the ER who assisted me was there too—several people!”

Zhang Yang stopped laughing and spoke slowly, a lingering trace of amusement still on his face.

“Ah, really?”

Mi Xue gasped sharply, staring blankly at Zhang Yang. She recognized that Director Li; he was the one who had driven them home along with Wang Guohai previously.

If Mi Xue remembered correctly, he was a man, and an older one at that, nearing forty.

“Zhang Yang, is that actually true?”

Little Dai also asked in shock. If that were the case, then the young woman’s body had been seen by others. Even if it was just the upper half, it still wouldn't do.

“Of course it’s true. The surgery could only proceed faster that way!” Zhang Yang nodded with a smile, though his eyes held a hint of playful teasing.

Mi Xue bit her lip and lowered her head again, her eyes becoming slightly moist, lost in thought about something.

Seeing that the moment was ripe, Zhang Yang quickly added, “Mi Xue, I know what you’re worried about. Rest assured, even though we were operating, only the area around the incision was exposed. Everything else was covered. The female nurses took care of preparing those coverings beforehand!”

It was true that Zhang Yang had removed Mi Xue’s clothes, but he hadn’t fully undressed her, mainly because he dared not let anyone move her unnecessarily. The crucial areas of her upper body had indeed been covered by the female nurses; not only were her vital spots shielded, but even her belly button wasn't showing.

All that was exposed was that small patch of skin where the cut needed to be made.

Mi Xue looked up again, a mixture of relief and pleasant surprise on her face. She had genuinely believed that someone had seen her entire body during the surgery.

“Really?”

Mi Xue asked anxiously. If Zhang Yang was telling the truth, it meant no one had seen her body; her purity was intact. Even though they were fast approaching the new century and girls in many places were quite liberal, Mi Xue was still a girl who cared deeply about such things. If her body had truly been exposed, she felt she would have been upset for a long time.

Of course, this concern wouldn't apply if it had only been Zhang Yang; she would have cared, but not nearly as intensely.

“Really!”

Zhang Yang chuckled. Hu Xin finally caught on to what Zhang Yang and the others were talking about.

Hu Xin didn't give it much thought, feeling Mi Xue was worrying over nothing. He reasoned that Zhang Yang was the one performing the operation; how could Zhang Yang possibly let Mi Xue lie there undressed for others to see? It was an impossibility; Mi Xue's worry was completely superfluous.

Hu Xin’s assumption was a bit simplistic, yet grounded in fact. If Mi Xue’s surgery truly required exposing sensitive areas, Zhang Yang would never have allowed Director Li to assist; he would have insisted on female doctors only—a natural instinct for any man.

Mi Xue’s concern was just a small interlude. Hu Xin and Little Dai sat for a short while before leaving; they still had to return to school for classes and excuse Zhang Yang and Mi Xue from attendance.

After they left, only Zhang Yang and Mi Xue remained in the room. At first, Mi Xue felt a little awkward, but as Zhang Yang started talking more, the two soon began chatting easily in the ward, and before they knew it, it was noon.

The entire morning, it was basically Zhang Yang speaking and Mi Xue listening, as her physical state didn't permit her to talk much.

Mi Xue realized for the first time how incredibly knowledgeable and articulate Zhang Yang was. He knew many interesting things and spoke of concepts she had never even considered. This single morning deepened Mi Xue’s understanding of Zhang Yang. She hadn't expected that besides his miraculous medical skills, he possessed such extensive knowledge across all fields—truly an all-around talent.

Zhang Yang was oblivious to Mi Xue’s thoughts; if he knew, he would only chuckle slyly. He possessed over a decade of future life experience, where much of what he spoke of was common knowledge on the internet, unlike the present day, which hadn't fully entered the digital age, lacking such rapid channels for information dissemination.

Just as Zhang Yang was explaining the difficulty of seeing stars clearly with the naked eye from space, the hospital room door suddenly opened again. Director Zhao and his daughter, Zhao Xue, walked in together.

“Dr. Xiao Zhang, thank you. My father—he woke up!”

Director Zhao looked at Zhang Yang, visibly emotional, and quickly relayed the message. Zhao Xue, meanwhile, ran towards Mi Xue, calling out as she approached.

“Sister Mi Xue, you’re awake too! That’s wonderful!”

Zhao Xue exclaimed joyfully. She had come along only to check on Mi Xue. Her beloved grandfather had woken up, which had made her immensely happy. Now, seeing Sister Mi Xue, whom she had only recently met but grew fond of, also awake, she almost leaped for joy—it was an added blessing upon a blessing.

“Director Zhao, congratulations. How is Elder Zhao doing?”

Zhang Yang nodded slightly. Elder Zhao had woken up earlier than he predicted; Zhang Yang had expected him to sleep until that evening. However, illnesses like this were never perfectly predictable. Every person’s body differed, so the waking time naturally varied. Elder Zhao waking up early suggested he had maintained excellent physical health and had not suffered major ailments before, leading to an earlier awakening.

“Very well, his speech is clear. Only his legs and feet are a bit stiff. The doctors are calling it a miracle!”

Director Zhao smiled and nodded. His father waking up was already a great fortune. He knew completely recovering without any lingering effects was impossible. As the Director of the Health Bureau, he wasn’t ignorant; many doctors had said that simply surviving such a serious illness was difficult enough. Bringing the man back to life made all the effort worthwhile.

“Clear speech is good. It seems Elder Zhao’s condition is better than I anticipated. As for his legs and feet, don't worry. I can provide him with regular treatments later; there is still hope for a complete recovery!”

Zhang Yang smiled gently. After receiving the system's prompts, his view of the Zhao family had shifted. Knowing they were genuinely good people, Zhang Yang naturally treated them differently. Without the system’s guidance, Zhang Yang might not have offered such assurances voluntarily.

“Really? That’s wonderful! Dr. Xiao Zhang, if you can fully heal my father, I will certainly thank you properly!”

Director Zhao paused abruptly, then his face broke into ecstatic joy. He excitedly grasped Zhang Yang’s hand, inadvertently using a respectful term for Zhang Yang. If anyone else had said this, he might have just smiled. He knew how critical his father’s illness had been, and how troublesome the ensuing after-effects could be. Being satisfied that the condition hadn't worsened would have been enough; complete recovery was something he hadn't dared to consider. But coming from Zhang Yang, it was different. He now trusted Zhang Yang implicitly. While it wasn't blind faith, in terms of medical skill, he hadn't encountered anyone more miraculous or capable.

“No need for formalities. I’ll come by to check on him when I have time later,” Zhang Yang added with another smile.

“Dad, didn't Grandpa send you here to thank Brother Xiao Zhang on his behalf? Why are you thanking him yourself?”

Zhao Xue suddenly turned around, her large, bright eyes twinkling as she spoke to her father.

“Ah!” Director Zhao exclaimed quietly, then slapped his forehead hard. “Right, Xiao Xue is correct. Dr. Xiao Zhang, after my father woke up, he knew you saved him and that you were right here in the hospital, so he specifically asked me to convey his gratitude. Look at me, I got so excited hearing your good news that I forgot!”

Director Zhao’s visit was indeed to convey his father’s thanks. Though his father hailed from the mountains, he was well-informed, and Director Zhao owed much of his early career guidance to him. The old man understood the significance of a remarkably talented and young traditional Chinese doctor. Thus, upon waking, he immediately instructed Director Zhao to thank Zhang Yang on his behalf. However, he likely never imagined that Director Zhao would receive such wonderful news here—that complete recovery was possible. If he heard it himself, he would be just as thrilled.

“Director Zhao, you don’t need to be so formal with me. Also, don't keep calling me Dr. Xiao Zhang in the future. I’m not a certified doctor yet. You can call me Zhang Yang, or just Xiao Zhang!”

Zhang Yang smiled faintly. He genuinely liked Zhao Xue’s innocence, and because of the system's prompts, he held a very favorable view of the Zhao family, allowing him to speak much more casually.

“Alright, I’ll call you Xiao Zhang then. Xiao Zhang, my father just woke up, and I need to go back and check on him. I’ll leave Xiao Xue here to keep you company. If you need anything at all, you can call me anytime!”

Director Zhao agreed immediately. He wasn't being polite to Zhang Yang; his words carried genuine sincerity. This was clearly what he truly meant, not mere pleasantries for show. Zhang Yang could sense this; the system hadn't been wrong. Because of his gratitude, Director Zhao’s attitude towards him had indeed changed. Whether he treated him like family yet was debatable, but he certainly didn't treat him like an outsider anymore.

“Okay, Dad, you go ahead. I’ll stay here with Sister Mi Xue!”

Before Zhang Yang could object, Zhao Xue quickly agreed, leaving Zhang Yang with no choice but to nod helplessly. In his heart, Zhang Yang had preferred not to have their private time together interrupted. Unfortunately, the one staying was Zhao Xue, such a naive and sweet little girl; Zhang Yang couldn't and wouldn't refuse her.

Once Zhao Xue stayed, she immediately clung to Mi Xue. Zhang Yang was left to sit awkwardly, listening. Zhao Xue seemed to love talking and had an endless supply of stories, telling Mi Xue everything, even about the boys at school who secretly slipped her love notes.

…………………… Still owe one chapter, all chapters are intended to be around three thousand characters. Little Yu will work hard and see if it can be released today. Thanks to Ji Yuqing, Maryane, Kan Shu Mi Yi Ren, Pang Chong Kai, Qing Yi, and Xiuluo for their tips. A special thanks to Yan Hui Man for another massive tip of 1888 Qidian coins. Seeing several familiar old names made Little Yu very happy, and I thank everyone for their support! C