Coffee and a Promise
Time seemed to stretch out in the café by an invisible hand. The soothing piano music still flowed in the air, but it could no longer dispel the almost tangible silence surrounding the booths.
Sunlight streamed through the blinds, cutting out streaks of light and shadow on the dark tabletop. Dust motes floated slowly within the beams of light, and the passage of each second was clearly audible.
Lin Feng leaned back in his chair, his gaze lowered to the cup of tea in front of him, which had long since stopped steaming. He didn't move or speak, simply lost in his own thoughts, like a statue deep in contemplation. The oppressive aura emanating from him made Lawyer Zhou, who was standing beside him, subconsciously lower his breathing.
The only remaining words in the space were Professor Liu's earth-shattering statement, like a boulder thrown into a still lake, the ripples still spreading and echoing.
The silence lasted for a minute or two.
Finally, Professor Liu Mingyuan coughed softly, breaking the suffocating silence. The shock and confusion on his face hadn't completely faded, but his professionalism allowed him to quickly compose himself, his tone inquisitive:
"Mr. Lin, if... if the medical records aren't seriously inaccurate, then this situation... is indeed extremely rare, even... illogical." He carefully chose his words, avoiding a direct conclusion, but his doubts were undisguised. "I wonder which hospital your sister is currently receiving treatment at?"
Lin Feng raised his eyes, his deep gaze calm and unwavering, and gave a direct answer, "Currently, he's receiving treatment at Ankang Hospital." He paused, then added, his tone still steady but carrying a hint of barely perceptible coldness, "However, as I mentioned before, his condition isn't good; he's already in the ICU."
Ankang Hospital?
Upon hearing the name, Professor Liu's brows furrowed subconsciously again. He repeated the name, a subtle change in his tone. He pondered for a moment, his fingers unconsciously tracing the inside of his coffee cup, a mixture of understanding and complex emotions flashing in his eyes. In the end, however, he made no comment on the name itself, simply uttering a soft "Oh" and nodding.
Seeing Professor Liu's hesitant and knowing expression, Lin Feng knew there was no need to beat around the bush any longer.
He leaned forward slightly, placed his hands clasped on the table, and looked at Professor Liu with a frank and sharp gaze, getting straight to the point:
"Professor Liu, since we've come this far, I won't beat around the bush." His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority. "Before coming to you, I investigated Ankang Hospital through some channels. I found that this hospital has significant problems in its operations and medical practices. Therefore, I currently have absolutely no trust in this hospital or the medical record they issued."
He paused briefly, allowing the weight of his words to settle, before uttering the most crucial and infuriating point of contention:
"Moreover, just yesterday afternoon, I had discussed the transfer with the attending physician. As a result, I had just received the transfer certificate and hadn't even had time to complete the formalities when my sister's condition 'coincidentally' deteriorated rapidly that evening and she was admitted to the ICU."
The word "coincidence," spoken in a flat tone, contained immense irony and chilling skepticism.
Lin Feng's gaze was fixed on Professor Liu: "So, Professor Liu, the reason I've taken the liberty of inviting you here today is to ask you to take a look at my sister's current condition. Or, to put it more bluntly—"
He asked clearly, word by word:
"My sister, is she sick? Does she have lymphoma?"
The problem, like a drawn sword, points directly to the core issue.
Professor Liu listened in silence. He picked up his slightly cooled coffee, took a small sip, and then slowly put the cup down. His fingers were interlaced and placed under his chin as he fell into deeper thought. His eyes behind his glasses shifted constantly, clearly weighing the risks, professional ethics, and... a doctor's instinct.
The café fell silent again, with only the pounding of heartbeats echoing in the air.
After a long while, Professor Liu finally raised his head and looked at Lin Feng, his eyes showing a newfound determination.
"Mr. Lin," his voice regained its previous composure, "I've heard some rumors about the Ankang Hospital matter within the industry. As for the rights and wrongs of the matter, as an outsider, it's not appropriate for me to comment further."
He then changed the subject, his tone becoming solemn and sincere:
"However, regarding your sister's matter... as a doctor, I cannot ignore a case that may have suspicious aspects. Here's what we'll do," he glanced at his watch, "I have two scheduled surgeries this afternoon that I must complete. After the surgeries end around seven or eight o'clock tonight, when I have some free time, I'll accompany you to Ankang Hospital."
He looked at Lin Feng and gave a clear promise, "I will personally go and see your sister's specific condition, and review their hospital's original records and imaging data. Some things cannot be seen just by looking at paper medical records; it is necessary to combine the Patient's actual physical signs with firsthand data."
Upon hearing this reply, a faint smile of approval finally appeared on Lin Feng's previously expressionless face. He nodded, his tone becoming more sincere. "Thank you very much, Professor Liu."
Just then, lawyer Zhou Wenyuan, who had been standing quietly behind Lin Feng like a background figure, stepped forward. He had somehow acquired a thick, bulging, tan-colored file folder in his hand, and with a natural yet respectful movement, he gently placed it on the table in front of Professor Liu.
Professor Liu's gaze swept over the file folder, his eyes narrowing slightly. He didn't reach out to touch it, nor did his expression change much. He simply adjusted his gold-rimmed Glasses, looked up at Lin Feng, and spoke slowly, his tone calm yet carrying an unyielding resolve:
"Mr. Lin, there's no need for that."
He pointed to the document bag full of cash and shook his head slightly.
"A doctor's heart is filled with compassion. Healing and saving lives is my duty, and investigating doubts is also my responsibility. I will do my best to help with your sister's matter. Please take these things back."
Looking into Professor Liu's clear and determined eyes, Lin Feng did not insist. He nodded slightly, and Lawyer Zhou immediately understood, smoothly picking up the heavy file bag again and putting it back into her briefcase.
Then, Lawyer Zhou took out an elegant business card holder from the inside pocket of his suit, pulled out a simple yet high-quality business card, and handed it to Professor Liu with both hands.
"Professor Liu, this is my business card. I am very grateful for your help this time. If you or your family and friends need any legal assistance in the future, please feel free to contact me."
This time, Professor Liu did not refuse. He took the business card and glanced at it.
The name "Zhou Wenyuan" was prominently displayed on the business card, and his title was partner of a well-known law firm.
Upon seeing the name and title, Professor Liu was taken aback for a moment, then seemed to remember something, a look of realization flashing in his eyes. When he looked up at Zhou Wenyuan again, his gaze was filled with surprise and understanding.
No wonder I thought the middle-aged man with an extraordinary demeanor who had been standing silently behind Mr. Lin looked familiar. It turns out he is Zhou Wenyuan, a renowned lawyer in the province's legal community! It is said that he handles all major cases and has extensive connections within the judicial system. He is a legal advisor sought after by many enterprises and wealthy individuals.
Such a renowned top lawyer was now standing respectfully behind this excessively young "Mr. Lin" like a servant...
So, who exactly is this Mr. Lin?