"Jiang He, from the 2006 clinical medicine class."

Wang Xiaoqing reread the short message several times.

’How is this related to Jiang He again?’

No wonder. It made sense now why the stepped-care strategy for minimally invasive treatment that Jiang He proposed was a carbon copy of the plan Zhiyu had posted online.

It all added up.

In fact, an absurd thought had been crossing Wang Xiaoqing’s mind for the past few days: could Jiang He be Zhiyu?

But now, seeing Zhiyu’s reply, Wang Xiaoqing was finally relieved.

’Thank goodness he isn’t.’

Wang Xiaoqing picked up her phone, found Jiang He’s number in her contacts, and dialed.

...

In the men’s dormitory.

Jiang He answered the phone. "Professor Wang."

"Jiang He, are you free right now? Let’s meet up, I have something to discuss."

"I am. Name the place."

"How about the second floor of the school’s No. 2 Cafeteria?"

"Okay, I’ll be there in ten minutes."

「On the second floor of the No. 2 Cafeteria.」

Jiang He pulled out a chair and sat down. "Professor, good morning."

Wang Xiaoqing got straight to the point. "Zhiyu. You know him?"

Jiang He nodded. "A master on the forums."

Wang Xiaoqing said, "He recommended you to me, saying you could represent his core ideas. Since that’s the case, I won’t beat around the bush. I’m planning to lead a project and write a high-quality paper on the stepped-care treatment protocol for severe pancreatitis. I want to hear your specific thoughts on the paper’s structure."

Jiang He thought for a moment and said, "Actually, the paper’s entry point could be PCD—percutaneous catheter drainage. We can start by listing the first-tier methods after conservative treatment fails, and then introduce video-assisted retroperitoneal debridement."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "The mainstream opinion in the country right now still leans toward early surgical intervention. Therefore, our paper must emphasize the survival rate comparison for delayed intervention. We should position drainage as the first step, waiting until the necrotic tissue is walled-off and localized before performing minimally invasive debridement."

Wang Xiaoqing found herself nodding unconsciously as she listened.

She took a notebook out of her bag and actually started taking notes.

Students passing by, some of whom recognized Professor Wang, couldn’t help but stare in astonishment.

’Are we in an era where the student talks and the professor takes notes?’

’Have the tables completely turned?’

Jiang He said, "Regarding the choice of approach for VARD, Director Yang Xu has actually given me a lot of inspiration in that area."

The tip of Wang Xiaoqing’s pen paused. She looked at him, puzzled.

Jiang He said, "For that severe pancreatitis surgery at Affiliated Hospital No. 1, I was the third assistant. During the post-op review, Director Yang told me that theory needs an extremely solid foundation in anatomy to be supported. He also said he greatly admires your rigor when it comes to the fundamental theories of general surgery."

Wang Xiaoqing was taken aback.

’Yang Xu... admires her?’

’Isn’t he the guy who loves nothing more than to annoy me every day and show off with his students?’

’How could that be?’

Jiang He took a sip of his soy milk.

In his past life, his teacher had always been single. He’d never heard that he liked Professor Wang, and Professor Wang had seemed to be single as well.

Since that was the case, Jiang He figured he might as well play wingman.

’You’re welcome, Teacher.’

After that, the two of them continued their discussion for about another twenty minutes.

"Alright, let’s finalize the main framework based on our chat today," Wang Xiaoqing said. "I’ll go back and put together the literature review for the first part. I’ll get it to you by next week."

"No problem."

The two of them spoke so naturally.

But the students nearby who overheard this were once again dumbfounded.

’A professor reporting her progress to a student? Is that right?’

’The tables have turned, part two!’

After leaving the cafeteria, Jiang He headed straight for the library.

He needed to double-check the existing standards for primer design from 2008.

And of course, Cheng Xiyao was there yet again.

"Jiang He!"

She hurried over to the empty seat next to Jiang He and sat down, asking excitedly, "Jiang He! Long time no see! What have you been busy with lately?"

"Busy writing questions for you guys," Jiang He answered simply.

"Oh, oh," Cheng Xiyao nodded repeatedly. "I’ve been studying hard, too! I’ve been going over all the key points you highlighted."

Jiang He just grunted in acknowledgment, not saying much else.

"But Jiang He, I found a post by this master on the forums the other day. It’s so amazing! I have to share it with you!"

Jiang He’s fingers paused slightly.

’The forums?’ A bad feeling started to creep in.

He turned his head and asked cautiously, "Who?"

"A master named Zhiyu!"

Cheng Xiyao’s words started tumbling out faster without her realizing it:

"You have no idea! A few days ago, there was a post on the forums asking for help with a super critical case. A bunch of attending physicians in the comments couldn’t offer any good solutions. But then this Zhiyu showed up and laid out a completely comprehensive treatment plan!"

Jiang He: "..."

Cheng Xiyao continued to gush with total admiration, "His logic is so clear, and his treatment plans aren’t something an ordinary doctor could come up with. All the replies underneath were just people worshiping him."

She rested her chin in her hands, her eyes filled with yearning. "He’s definitely one of those hidden masters, like a director or even an academician at a top Grade-A Tertiary hospital in the country! If only I could meet him in person. If I could just assist a master like him in surgery once—even if I was just holding a retractor—I’d feel like my life was complete."

Jiang He: "..."

’Doesn’t this scene seem familiar?’

’Oh, right.’

He remembered now. It was the same reaction Cheng Xiyao had when the story of him saving the pneumothorax patient at the internet cafe with a makeshift water-seal bottle got posted on the school forums.

She had raved endlessly about the mysterious medical student, only to find out in the end that the person was sitting right in front of her.

’He never thought this kind of cringeworthy moment could happen a second time.’

’Ah, Xiaocheng, you’re at it again...’

Jiang He sighed, feeling a bit helpless.

’This time, Cheng Xiyao is in for it.’

He had no plans to reveal his ’Zhiyu’ alias to anyone anytime soon.

Which meant that for the foreseeable future, Cheng Xiyao was going to praise Zhiyu in front of him who knows how many more times...

’When the truth finally comes out, will Xiaocheng be so mortified she’ll burst into tears?’

"Well, he does sound like he has some skill," Jiang He said aloud.

"What do you mean ’some skill’? He’s got incredible skill, okay!"

Cheng Xiyao was a little dissatisfied with Jiang He’s lukewarm reaction.

Then, her voice suddenly grew a little downcast:

"I really want to become an amazing doctor like him. If I could be that good, maybe people would stop calling me just a pretty face behind my back."

Hearing this, Jiang He thought back.

In his memory, Cheng Xiyao had always been the campus belle of their department, adored by all, but she had also indeed endured a lot of prejudice.

Many people said behind her back that a beautiful girl was destined to not go far in the field of surgery and was only suited for an administrative job at the university.

She was always working hard, just to prove them wrong.

Jiang He really respected a girl who was so hardworking and driven.

’Having had a crush on her in his past life wasn’t exactly a dark Chapter of his history, after all.’

So he nodded and said, "Just focus on studying. Good luck on the group assessment next week."

Cheng Xiyao nodded vigorously. "Don’t worry! I’ll definitely make the cut!"

Then she emphasized again, "I’ll make it!"