Chapter 759 Preparing to Wrap Up!

"They also wanted me to supervise students, but I refused."

Xie Yuan'an instantly became indignant upon hearing this: "Why didn't anyone call me? Why do I still have to go back for the mid-year review?"

No one paid any attention to Xie Yuan'an's complaints.

Ni Xixin and Zhang Xibei weren't officially part of Union Hospital, so they weren't concerned about these matters.

Seeing no one paid him any mind, Xie Yuan'an sighed deeply and then took the menu from Mu Nanshu's hand, going on a retaliatory ordering spree.

Lu Cheng clasped his hands together in front of his chest: "I also talked with Dai Linfang. Though he won't be coming back to Han City with us, he remains a member of the project team."

"He's a remote member; he'll continue attending group meetings, participate in discussions via video, and give suggestions."

"Everyone, let's not dwell on this."

"Today, let's eat well and drink well, wishing Zhang Xibei and Ni Xixin success in everything in Han City!"

Zhang Xibei nodded seriously: "Brother Lu, I'll make sure to do my job well."

Zhang Xibei then laughed: "After all, earning money is not shameful, and it's necessary to take it seriously."

"There's just one thing, Professor Xie Xiao suggested I pursue a part-time doctorate… as a credential, better for future development…"

"Sure! As long as you can find one that doesn't affect your records, that's fine, Brother Zhang."

"If you have trouble finding one, I can help you ask around." Lu Cheng readily agreed.

Zhang Xibei quickly waved his hand: "No need, Brother Lu, you're already extremely busy. How can I trouble you with such a trivial matter?"

"I can manage it myself."

"By the way, Brother Lu, Mu Nanshu mentioned that our salaries could be covered by some funds."

"Doesn't that seem inappropriate?"

Lu Cheng thought for a moment and shook his head, replying: "There's nothing inappropriate about it. Salaries are salaries."

"Research budgets include salaries for research personnel."

"According to Professor Xie Xiao and Professor Gu, you are the full-time members of our project team."

"Previously, I couldn't pay salaries due to lack of funds and budget, but now that we have money, we should formalize things."

"Moreover, the country now supports collaborations between schools and enterprises, with the project team engaging in patent cooperation with businesses."

"Labs can also provide animal testing within a certain scope as a source of funding…"

"Large project teams spend millions annually on research personnel salaries."

"There's nothing unreasonable about it."

Xie Yuan'an looked up: "I've finished ordering!~"

"So, is there a salary for me?"

Lu Cheng immediately retorted: "Why don't you make a list of your work?"

"I'll pay you a salary."

Xie Yuan'an fell silent again.

Honestly, she was able to join the project team purely by tagging along.

Not long ago, Xie Yuan'an was quite aware of herself, but now she's suddenly 'confused.'

The work Xie Yuan'an is currently doing could be handled entirely by hiring a research assistant.

If Xie Yuan'an really wanted to be paid according to her labor, Lu Cheng is willing to spare a few thousand dollars.

Since taking over the trauma center and performing surgeries independently, Lu Cheng's income has more than doubled.

Just the performance bonus from State People's Hospital is over 30,000!

Lu Cheng doesn't feel embarrassed holding such money because the surgeries he performed in Xiangzhou, even in a top teaching hospital, few can replace him.

Being one of the top talents nationally and globally, getting paid this performance bonus is truly a bargain.

However, even with such high salaries, Lu Cheng still finds that relying on his own efforts to buy a house in Han City is still insufficient as of now.

He still has to compete with Mu Nanshu's child for food because it's soft enough.

"Lu Cheng, when do you plan to go back to Han City?"

"If Ni Xixin and I head there first, I'm afraid we'll be like headless flies," Zhang Xibei hurriedly asked.

Although original members must prove themselves and showcase their abilities,

Zhang Xibei always felt that the core of this team is Lu Cheng.

Without Lu Cheng, he feels less confident.

"If everything goes smoothly, in September, if not, around November."

"I have to gradually tie up the loose ends I've laid out in Ji City too."

After finishing, Lu Cheng took a deep breath and continued: "Additionally, I have to find a way to bring my teacher over."

Mu Nanshu was astonished: "You're going to recruit Professor Chen Song?"

"Can you recruit Professor Chen Song?"

Lu Cheng replied: "Where there's a will, there's a way!"

"Having a goal gives direction!"

"Anyway, having a tall figure in the group strengthens our stance in external communications."

Xie Yuan'an said sourly: "My dad can also work?"

Lu Cheng maintained a calm tone: "Professor Xie is also a parent, but his expertise doesn't align with mine."

"I've been brought up by Teacher Chen, so Teacher Chen is my most suitable spokesperson."

On this point, Xie Yuan'an had no rebuttal.

Aside from the functional reconstruction skill developed for Mu Nanshu, most of Lu Cheng's surgeries are based on Professor Chen Song's emergency surgical techniques.

Zhang Xibei added: "No matter what, Brother Lu, we hope you come soon so we can find our anchor."

"Once settled in Han City, we won't need to keep moving."

"This time, I aim to rent a larger house."

Lu Cheng found it amusing: "Brother Zhang, why rent a larger house?"

"Having project team members work together is great, but living together might not be ideal."

Lu Cheng also understood Zhang Xibei's intentions: "I don't recommend you bring your parents to Han City right now."

Zhang Xibei scratched his head: "I'll listen to you, Brother Lu."

Lu Cheng continued: "Brother Zhang, actually many of your ideas are great, such as establishing an independent, stable knockout animal model for basic experiments."

"This facilitates future layout for basic experiments…"

"But we are temporarily stretched with limited time and energy."

"This is the direction you should delve into; there's no rush for output."

"As for Ni Xixin, focus on deepening expertise in clinical disease migration replication!"

"This is also the strongest direction; in future, you'll be the expert in that field."

"When we say you are, you are!"

"Additionally, you still need to find a university for support and strive to bring out a mature team."

Ni Xixin was caught off guard: "Me? Can I manage that?"

Mu Nanshu said: "Xiao Ni, why wouldn't you be able to? The development of animal testing models is still in its early stages."

"What you know may not be much, but others know even less."

"So you're the one calling the shots."

Xie Yuan'an asked: "And me? What about me, Mumu."

Xie Yuan'an dared not call Mu Nanshu Xiao Mumu anymore.

Mu Nanshu raised her glass of water, took a small sip, and said nothing.

She couldn't say that Xie Yuan'an's current accumulation was only fit to be a figurehead.

Xie Yuan'an's breath tightened, hands on hips: "Mumu, I feel you're disrespecting me!"

Mu Nanshu found it hard to plan, so she just said: "Sister Xie, you're our team's diplomat for Union Hospital."

Xie Yuan'an knew well Mu Nanshu's implied meaning.

"I want to become a clinical expert, the second clinical practicing practitioner for our project team."

Lu Cheng replied: "Okay, I'll go back and ask Dai Linfang to step aside."

"Also call Professor Xie Xiao to have him vacate a spot, and have Professor Xie pressure my Teacher Chen to resign too."

"Let's give up the whole setup."

Everyone could tell Lu Cheng was joking, but Xie Yuan'an still seriously gestured with her finger.

"Can I be the sixth one?"

Mu Nanshu asked: "Lu Cheng, Dai Linfang, Chen Song, Professor Xie Xiao; aren't you the fifth?"

Xie Yuan'an was on the verge of tears, but her voice carried sorrow: "I can't overpower Lu Cheng's senior brother."

"I can see that Lu Cheng holds great respect for his senior brother; I have no chance whatsoever."

Mu Nanshu glanced at Lu Cheng, understanding deeply.

She squeezed Lu Cheng's hand, their fingers interlocked, palms touching, and softly said: "It's all in the past."

Lu Cheng smiled back: "The future is bright."

Chen Song's preference wasn't groundless; Lu Cheng remembered clearly the cause set by this convenient senior brother.

If not for Chen Song, Lu Cheng would still be an attending orthopedic surgeon at Long County People's Hospital.

If not for Zhang Boyuan, perhaps Professor Chen Song might have appreciated him, but not with the same dedication afterward.

No love or hate occurs without reason.

This is reality.

In reality, besides the truth, there's only discomfort left.