Chapter Fourteen: The Old Dog

The triennial Golden Hands Medical Skills Competition in Jin Hai City was fast approaching. As a formidable figure with connections on both sides of the law, Tiger was always well-informed. This honor in the medical world was highly coveted, and since Tiger considered Lin Yang his leader, he naturally hoped Lin Yang could seize this glory and make a name for himself in Jin Hai.

It’s always easier to thrive under the shade of a great tree—no one understood this better than the shrewd Tiger. The fact that Miss Leng, heiress to the Leng family, willingly worked as a humble nurse under Lin Yang, treating him with such care and devotion, following his every word and often casting affectionate glances his way, only deepened Tiger’s curiosity about Lin Yang’s true identity. Still, he was not foolish enough to secretly dig into Lin Yang’s background.

That afternoon, upon returning home, one of Tiger’s men brought some inside information, reminding him of the upcoming competition. After some deliberation, Tiger decided to inform Lin Yang about it.

The competition had always been bound by an unspoken rule, provoking dissatisfaction and condemnation from various medical authorities—accusations of monopolistic control were not uncommon. The field of cosmetic surgery was particularly disgruntled, as the Jin Hai Medical Association’s authority was monopolized by the upper echelons of conventional hospitals, leaving the cosmetic surgery sector excluded and often targeted by those with vested interests in the association. The so-called competition essentially barred cosmetic surgeons from participating—a blatant prejudice.

Tiger’s hesitation stemmed from this very issue. However, Lin Yang was unlike any other cosmetic surgeon; his astonishing skills had long since earned Tiger’s admiration. Since Tiger had pledged to follow Lin Yang, it was only natural he would want to secure any advantage for him. Standing out and making a name in Jin Hai, this medical competition was a rare opportunity.

This year’s competition, however, was different. Minister of Health Wang Changqing and several other influential leaders were attending in person, and even Vice Mayor Guo Mingda would be present. The event’s significance was clear.

"What brings you here tonight, Tiger?" Lin Yang doubted the other man would pass up a night with a beautiful woman just to offer more thanks—he’d already expressed his gratitude enough.

"Boss Lin, I have a suggestion you might find interesting," Tiger spoke with his usual caution, which explained his success in both the underworld and legitimate circles.

"I told you, just call me Xiao Yang," Lin Yang replied helplessly, finding the formality uncomfortable. "Go ahead, what’s your suggestion?"

Seeing Lin Yang’s curiosity, Tiger grinned slyly to himself—"The fish has taken the bait"—and recounted the intricacies of the competition, which was more convoluted than it appeared.

Lin Yang had only been in Jin Hai for half a year, and the last competition had taken place three years prior. It was no wonder he hadn’t heard of it. After Tiger’s explanation, Lin Yang agreed immediately—who wouldn’t accept such a windfall? Only a fool would refuse, and Lin Yang was certainly no fool.

He had no idea, however, that Tiger had concealed the competition’s unwritten rule from him—a detail that would soon cause quite a stir.

After hanging up, Lin Yang’s mood brightened and he soon drifted into a peaceful sleep.

For Tiger, getting Lin Yang into the competition was a simple matter. His solution? If cosmetic surgeons weren’t allowed, he’d simply change the title. Thus, the notorious "Thirteen Blades Cosmetic Hospital" was quietly renamed to the even more imposing "Thirteen Blades Hospital" on the application—proof that, while Tiger might be brawny, he certainly wasn’t stupid. He played a clever word game with the association’s staff and settled the matter to his satisfaction, celebrating with a pleasurable evening and some company.

Time passed as usual. During this interval, Lin Yang finally found an opportunity to return Tang Yixue’s ostentatious Mercedes sports car, as she had been busy with her company. Not wanting to disturb her, he kept their conversation brief before returning to the hospital, somewhat disheartened.

Two days flashed by. Today, Jin Hai’s media was abuzz—the triennial medical competition was opening.

After treating the four patients selected by his hospital, Lin Yang closed up shop, got into his rarely used Audi, and, with Leng Nini in tow and Tiger personally accompanying them, headed to the city’s largest medical facility—Jin Hai First People’s Hospital.

The crowd at the hospital entrance was overwhelming; the sea of parked cars made it look more like an automobile factory than a hospital.

After some effort, the three finally reached the stony-faced security guards at the entrance. A flash of their credentials and the guards’ demeanor changed instantly, ushering them in. Compared to the chaos outside, the interior felt like paradise—though the distinctive hospital smell was no treat for the nose.

Escorted by a nurse, the trio eventually arrived at the assembly hall, which was packed with attendees—likely all the leading medical experts in the city.

Having waited so long, the crowd was less than pleased to see only an unknown youngster arrive. Some, prone to arrogance and self-importance, couldn’t help but voice their disdain. "Hmph, a little brat putting on airs and making everyone wait—truly no sense of propriety."

With one person leading, others joined in. "Exactly! After all this time, it turns out to be a calf just born—no fear of tigers, eh?" The venom in their words was clear.

These remarks were blunt and spoken directly, giving no quarter. Even a clay figurine has a bit of temper, let alone Tiger, who was following Lin Yang like a shadow. As the subordinate, to have his boss mocked right in front of him was intolerable. He cared nothing for these so-called experts, who spent their days self-aggrandizing behind closed doors. He took a step forward, ready to give the two loudest critics a slap each.

But Lin Yang, quick as lightning, restrained him. He was here for a medical competition, not a fistfight. Still, he wasn’t about to lose a war of words.

"Oh?" Lin Yang replied, his tone razor-sharp. "From your words, you must be famous—are you the President, a neighborhood committee auntie, or just another fraud in the medical world out to make a quick buck?" The comparison was absurd—a President? That took true talent. A neighborhood committee auntie? What logic was that?

The two slow-witted critics were stunned, taking a long moment to realize they’d been insulted.

Tiger, held back by Lin Yang, was left speechless. Only now did he realize how fortunate he’d been the last time—had Leng Nini not intervened, he would have been thoroughly trounced by Lin Yang’s verbal prowess.

At last, the two self-important elders regained their composure, pounded the table in fury, and sprayed saliva in Lin Yang’s direction, nearly drowning the person beside them. "Boy, what did you say?" The anger in their eyes was volcanic.

"And who are you?" another, clearly sharper, chimed in. "Everyone here is a renowned expert. You’re a greenhorn—I’m beginning to wonder how you even qualified for this competition." The implication was malicious, casting suspicion on Lin Yang and prompting murmurs among the other experts. The atmosphere grew heated even before the competition began.

Some, bolder than others, even suggested, "Young man, if you’re not up to it, just withdraw. This isn’t a game—if you botch a treatment, you’ll never live it down."

These were sharp-tongued individuals. The first at least spoke honestly, voicing his objections openly. The second, though, managed to insult without using a single crude word—implying Lin Yang was completely unqualified. As if any doctor didn’t understand the responsibility of treating patients!

Tiger’s temper flared—how could he stand by and let his boss be bullied by this pack of fools? That would be a slap in his own face.

But someone else acted even faster.

"Oh? So even old dogs can practice medicine now? I must have missed the news that dogs could become doctors," Lin Yang replied coldly, his expression unchanging. This was his style: if you can’t prove your own strength, turn the question back on your opponent and see how they answer.

"Hmph, you’ll soon learn what real medical skill is," the stumped expert snapped, seething but refusing to engage further. He had only wanted to intimidate the newcomer and assert his own authority, but Lin Yang’s barbed words had left him speechless. Knowing he couldn’t win a verbal duel, he wisely chose silence—after all, where would you find someone who could insult so creatively without a single vulgar word?

"A pack of old dogs," Tiger finally exploded after a brief lull, his temper ignited by the still-hostile stares. "Seems you lot are tired of living."

Simple as the words were, coming from Tiger, they carried an imposing weight, instantly silencing the so-called experts who had been eager to make Lin Yang their scapegoat.

"Haha, not even started yet and already at each other’s throats. The enthusiasm here is impressive! Since everyone is so eager, let’s see some real skill in action!" Just as the tension was about to boil over, an elderly man with silver hair, dressed in a traditional long gown, strode in. Despite his age, his steps were firm and vigorous—he was the very picture of vitality.

A true martial artist, and clearly a master of health and longevity—that was Lin Yang’s first impression. Yet when he noticed the beautiful woman accompanying the old man, a sly grin finally broke through his tense expression, as roguish as it was delighted.