Chapter Fifteen: A Duel of Tongues

"Good day, Deputy Mayor Guo."

Just moments ago, the experts in the room were still arrogant and self-satisfied, but now, at the sight of the elderly man striding in, they all leapt to their feet and greeted him with deference, their attitudes shifting dramatically as though they were paying homage to an emperor.

It was clear that Fierce Tiger also recognized Deputy Mayor Guo, for he too bowed just like the others.

Among the crowd bowing low in respect, Lin Yang stood alone, upright and unmoved, instantly drawing all eyes to him.

Lin Yang simply couldn't reconcile the elderly man before him, whom everyone addressed as Deputy Mayor Guo, with the fresh-faced Guo Xiaoxiao standing nearby. Even at a glance, if they truly were related, he would have guessed they were grandfather and granddaughter. But fate delights in jest; they were in fact father and daughter, and what did it matter if he found it hard to believe?

Naturally, Lin Yang's unapologetic stance earned him the silent scorn of the old foxes in the room, their expressions as if to say, "Just look at you, acting tough in front of the Deputy Mayor. Let's see how you suffer for this." They knew the Deputy Mayor's temperament, whether from direct dealings or through whispered rumors. Lin Yang's behavior now put this high-ranking official in an awkward spot.

Deputy Mayor Guo was just about to open his mouth to rebuke Lin Yang for his disrespect when Guo Xiaoxiao, quick-witted, tugged at her father's sleeve and threw him a meaningful glance. Then she stepped forward to Lin Yang, pouted with admiration, and exclaimed, "Brother Yang, what brings you here?"

Her words fell like a thunderclap, instantly causing barely perceptible ripples in the expressions of those present.

"So you're the Lin Yang my precious one has been talking about these past few days?" Deputy Mayor Guo was no fool. His daughter, always proud and aloof, had never shown such regard for a peer before. That affectionate "Brother Yang," coupled with the mention of the person who had healed her hand, led Guo Mingda to immediately connect the dots.

The one his daughter kept mentioning? That was loaded with meaning. Even Lin Yang, thick-skinned as he believed himself to be, found himself a little embarrassed.

Unintended words, but the listeners read into them. Some in the room couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy, as if their own untouched wives had just been taken by a boar.

With the Deputy Mayor himself speaking, Lin Yang dispensed with any further ceremony and replied with a smile, "It's Lin Yang, sir. Just now, I was so overawed by Uncle Guo's imposing presence that I forgot to pay my respects."

Climbing the social ladder this way was rather shameless—he had never even met the man, had just doubted their familial bond, and now was calling him "Uncle." But some people have a taste for smooth talkers like this.

Resourceful, quick-witted, tactful, and possessing exceptional medical skills… Guo Mingda found himself at a loss for words, wishing he could imprint every positive adjective upon this young man before him.

"Hahaha! You helped my daughter with a huge problem, and I owe you my deepest thanks. Otherwise, I would have lived with guilt for the rest of my life." Guo Mingda well understood the blow a facial scar could deal to a woman, especially since his daughter's burn was the result of his own carelessness with a cup of tea. That guilt had long taken root in his heart, tormenting him for some time.

"That's right, Brother Yang! Your skills in plastic surgery are extraordinary. Look at my hand—there's not a trace of a scar. It's truly 'restored to perfection.'" Guo Xiaoxiao admired her flawless right hand, beaming as she praised Lin Yang.

Indeed, the ancients were wise: the more one says, the more likely one is to slip.

"Plastic surgery? So you're a plastic surgeon?" At the mention of his specialty, a burly, dark-faced middle-aged man in the crowd raised his voice, cold and sharp, leaving no doubt about his hostility.

"That's right. Is there a problem?" Lin Yang was left perplexed, wondering what trouble he had stumbled into now. He was just a plastic surgeon—what was there to hide?

Beside him, Fierce Tiger sighed inwardly, "Ah, it's happened after all." Still, he was prepared for this and was ready to step in and defend Lin Yang if needed.

Guo Xiaoxiao, realizing her slip had put Lin Yang in a difficult spot, was so anxious she nearly burst into tears. As the Deputy Mayor's daughter, she knew well about the unwritten rule that had just been exposed.

"Is there a problem? Don't you know plastic surgeons aren't qualified to participate in such a sacred competition?" The dark-faced man showed no mercy, his words sharp and unyielding, emphasizing the sanctity of the event.

"I didn't know," Lin Yang replied earnestly, though his brow furrowed as he glanced at Fierce Tiger, his meaning clear.

"There is such a rule. I suppose I was wrong; perhaps I shouldn't have let you come," Fierce Tiger admitted, seeing no point in denial now that the truth was out.

Yet there is always someone willing to play mediator. Deputy Mayor Guo stepped forward, smiling as he interrupted the dark-faced man's tirade. "President Luo, do me this favor. Let this young man have a try. A miracle might happen. Perhaps it's time to let the field of plastic surgery compete as well, so everyone can progress together. What do you say?"

Some people's requests cannot be refused, especially when they come from the third most powerful official in Jinhai City. Only the enigmatic Party Secretary Li Hongxing and the elusive Mayor Feng Yuyang outranked him.

Lin Yang was no pushover. He knew which battles to fight and which to let go. He took pride in being a plastic surgeon and would not tolerate anyone disparaging his profession.

He immediately sensed the other's prejudice. After thanking Deputy Mayor Guo for his support, he turned to face President Luo directly and said with a cold smile, "I have a question."

"What question?" Even with the Deputy Mayor intervening, President Luo's deep-rooted hostility remained undiminished. His tone was icy as ever.

"Why can't plastic surgeons compete? Shouldn't there be a reasonable explanation? Or is it that plastic surgeons aren't real doctors?" Lin Yang's challenge was clear and unapologetic.

Fierce Tiger, standing nearby, finally relaxed and even felt a surge of excitement. See, he thought, the boss I chose is truly formidable—standing up to this so-called president in front of all these influential people. How thrilling!

Deputy Mayor Guo, caught as the peacemaker, found his expression shifting. He was a man who valued his reputation. He had just intervened to resolve the dispute, and now this young man was stirring up trouble again—wasn't this a slap in the face? No wonder his expression soured, and if not for Guo Xiaoxiao's coaxing, he might have lost his temper.

"Hmph, a bunch of second-rate quacks. What right do you have to participate in such a sacred competition?" President Luo's words were like needles, every sentence calculated to provoke, his contempt barely disguised.

"Second-rate? Quacks? So you're saying your medical skills are superior?" Lin Yang showed no emotion, but his tongue was as sharp as ever.

The competition hadn't even begun, but the verbal sparring had already reached a fever pitch.

"What, not convinced? Then let's compete. Today, I'm going to make sure you lose so badly you'll have nothing to say." President Luo was laying a trap—if Lin Yang accepted, he risked embarrassment; if he refused, it would look like cowardice.

This was their turf, and Lin Yang, as a plastic surgeon, would be an easy target if they threw gynecological or internal medicine cases at him. That was what everyone present believed.

Hearing these blatant provocations, Guo Xiaoxiao, frustrated that her father remained unmoved, stepped forward and scolded President Luo: "Hmph, a competition? You're just making things hard for Brother Yang!"

President Luo leered and replied, "Miss Guo, this is a medical skills competition. How is this making things hard? He wants to take part—no one is forcing him. If he can't handle it, he can withdraw right now."

Guo Xiaoxiao was left speechless. It was indeed Lin Yang who had come to compete—what else could she say? Advise him to withdraw? That was impossible. If he intended to quit, he wouldn't be arguing with these people now. With her father unwilling to intervene, she was at a loss, nearly driven to tears.

It would be untrue to say Guo Mingda didn't care about his daughter, but he was curious to see what made this stubborn young man so different, and just what kind of waves he could stir up.

Cold Nini, who had followed Lin Yang, nearly charged forward several times to teach President Luo a lesson, but Lin Yang stopped her each time, not wanting to escalate the situation.

"Very well! I don't mind letting you lose face," Lin Yang replied with a cold laugh.

His composure surprised many in the room, even Deputy Mayor Guo, who couldn't fathom where this young man's confidence came from.

"Hmph, such arrogance. We'll see how you lose," President Luo sneered, then busied himself with the arrangements as the competition was about to begin. The leaders in attendance, for the most part, remained mere observers and did not interfere.

Everything proceeded in an orderly fashion, the earlier dispute causing little disruption save for souring a few moods.

Each contestant was assigned a set of medical instruments, but Lin Yang refused his outright, much to the disappointment of the onlookers. Was he admitting defeat? Was he here just for amusement? How could he treat patients without any equipment? Did he think himself some kind of immortal?

As all eyes filled with doubt, Lin Yang reached toward his waist with a slow, deliberate motion reminiscent of drawing a pistol. The timid among the audience broke into a cold sweat at the sight.