Chapter 113 - Substitute Teaching

"What are you thinking about? You look so lost?"

Lu Ran was startled by Fang Chen's voice.

He regained his composure and looked down, saying, "Nothing."

"Let's hurry to the canteen then. Otherwise, we won't make it in line!" Fang Chen suggested.

"You only have two classes this afternoon, right? Want to play ball?"

Lu Ran declined the offer.

"No, thanks," he said. "I've still got some things to take care of."

"Alright then." Fang Chen sounded disappointed.

During lunch break, Lu Ran called Ji Min again via video chat.

This time, Ji Min took a while to answer the call.

The man on the other end sounded surprised. "Why are you calling me now? Is something wrong?"

Lu Ran pressed his lips together.

He inquired, "You're really not hiding anything from me?"

Ji Min chuckled. "What could there possibly be? Don't worry, I'll be discharged from the hospital after some more time."

Lu Ran remained silent.

Ji Min had been gone for over two months.

After a long pause, he said,

"Alright, take care and get some rest."

He then ended the video call with Ji Min.

During the second class of the afternoon, Lu Ran received a call from an unknown number on his phone before the lesson was over.

Lu Ran always kept his phone on silent during classes and didn't answer calls.

But this time, perhaps due to a nagging sense of unease, he glanced at the teacher on the podium and, using the excuse of needing to use the restroom, slipped out from the back of the classroom.

In the corridor,

Lu Ran answered the call, "Hello?"

On the other end of the line, a familiar female voice echoed.

"Is this Lu Ran?"

It was Ji Yue's voice.

She chuckled and asked, "Has Ji Min undergone surgery recently? He should be almost discharged from the hospital by now, right?"

Ji Yue, after all, was a member of the Ji family.

Before leaving the country, she learned that Ji Min had entrusted a trust company to pass his assets on to Lu Ran.

Back then, she found Ji Min's actions perplexing.

But after leaving, she figured out Ji Min's intention.

She was both annoyed and helpless, saying, "Well, he even kept his surgery from me, his own aunt, just for you."

"Is there something you need? If not, I'll hang up." Lu Ran wasn't in the mood to talk to her right now.

"You!"

Ji Yue was still angry but also powerless. Eventually, she said,

"There's no need for you to speak to me like that. Ji Min left all his possessions to you and arranged everything with a trust company. Even if he were to pass away, there's nothing I could do to you."

Lu Ran was taken aback.

His tone turned icy immediately. "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"Alright, I don't have any ill intentions. Perhaps one day, I'll need your help."

Ji Yue sighed. "Tell Ji Min to give me a call when he's discharged from the hospital."

Ji Yue hung up.

Lu Ran clenched his phone and returned to the classroom.

The teacher had finished all the lessons for the semester and was currently highlighting key points for the upcoming final exams.

It was supposed to be an important moment.

Yet, Lu Ran found it hard to sit still in the second half of the class.

What did Ji Yue mean by his words?

Recalling the financial elective course he took, wasn't a trust company one of the methods to deal with inheritance?

This fellow Ji Min...

After class, Lu Ran tidied up his textbook filled with scribbles and dashed out with his backpack.

As soon as he left the academic building, he bumped into Shen Xingran, who was heading straight for him.

Shen Xingran's expression was grim.

Recently, the Shen Corporation had made a technological breakthrough, turning the tables on the once evenly matched, or even superior, Lino family.

The Fang family's attitude had also visibly shifted.

They had engaged in multiple discussions with the Shen Corporation regarding the upcoming HZ project.

For the Shen family, this was excellent news.

Upon receiving this information, everyone in the Shen family was invigorated.

Although Shen Hongyuan was displeased that Shen Xingyu ultimately secured the project,

However, due to the slight alleviation of their financial crisis, he was somewhat cheered up.

Adhering to the principle of clear rewards and punishments, Shen Hongyuan had specifically praised Shen Xingyu during yesterday's dinner.

Seemingly to demonstrate his magnanimity as the head of the family, Shen Hongyuan had even asked Shen Xingyu what kind of "reward" he desired.

At that time, Shen Xingran was also present at the dining table.

Observing Shen Hongyuan's behavior, Shen Xingran found it somewhat comical yet amusing.

But soon, Shen Xingran couldn't laugh anymore.

For this time, Shen Xingyu didn't decline Shen Hongyuan's "reward."

Instead, after a moment of deliberation, he genuinely put forth a request.

He said, "Dad, I hope that after Lu Ran graduates, you can arrange for him to join the Shen Corporation, starting from the ground up and gradually entering the management."

Before Shen Xingyu could notice Shen Hongyuan's reaction to this statement, his own expression had already frozen.

Letting Lu Ran enter the Shen Corporation?

What a joke.

What kind of management position would a veterinary student like Lu Ran hold?

Moreover, it was Shen Hongyuan who promised him the path of ascending through the ranks from the bottom.

He wasn't even willing to let Shen Xingzhuo have a share in the Shen Corporation.

What did it mean by arranging for Lu Ran?

Back then, Shen Hongyuan's attitude had been terrible.

Fuming, he tried to suppress his anger because of what he had just said.

He stated that they needed further discussion on the matter.

However, Shen Xingyu declared, "Allowing Lu Ran to join the Shen Corporation is the best decision for the company."

Upon hearing this, Shen Hongyuan's expression immediately changed.

Shen Xingran spotted Lu Ran and promptly confronted him.

He sneered coldly,

"How come I didn't realize you were so capable? After being away from the Shen family for so long, you can still make Big Brother speak up for you?"

"Lu Ran, let me tell you, I…"

Before Shen Xingran could finish his sentence, Lu Ran slapped him with a loud "smack."

"Scram."

Lu Ran's voice was icy, laced with profound irritation. "I have no time for you right now."

With that, he strode away, leaving behind a group of dumbfounded classmates.

Exiting the academic building, Lu Ran dashed toward the neighboring medical school.

En route, he took out his phone and joined several proxy class groups.

In each group, he posted the same message:

"Does anyone need a proxy for an internship at the East District of New City Private Hospital?"

Upon reaching the medical school, Lu Ran went from classroom to classroom, obtaining the internship schedules from students of every major.

In the medical school, internships typically took place in nearby public hospitals; it was rare to see them in private ones.

After scouring through all the class schedules, Lu Ran finally spotted the words "New City Private Hospital, East District" listed under a specialized course.

He added himself to the chat group for this specialized genre.

I've changed the nickname in the substitute teaching group.

Having joined several miscellaneous chat groups in a row, I also politely declined a number of individuals.

Finally, in the evening, Lu Ran received an internship request from a private New City Hospital.

The following day, Lu Ran skipped two classes to meet the medical school student outside the library.

It turned out to be a male student who had requested the proxy attendance.

He wore glasses and appeared rather refined.

Apparently, it was his first time enlisting someone to take his place in class, as he behaved rather furtively from the moment he showed up for their rendezvous.

Upon seeing Lu Ran, he hesitated before speaking.

"I have a girlfriend's birthday celebration today, so I can't make it."

After providing his name, student ID, and student card, the young man hesitantly looked at Lu Ran and said,

"Medical courses are quite challenging to substitute for. Even though it's an internship, some professors might pose questions. If they ask you something..."

Putting on the other student's lab coat, Lu Ran gave him an assuring thumbs-up and said,

"I should be able to handle basic questions."

"Oh, what's your major, classmate?" the boy asked.

Lu Ran replied, "Veterinary medicine."

The boy responded, "... Uh."

Well, though unrelated, the basics did seem somewhat similar.

After a moment's thought, the boy added a word of caution,

"The management in the New East District is quite strict, so remember to stay with the group."

Lu Ran didn't respond directly but assured, "I'll make sure your classes are covered."

Only after these matters were settled did the boy ask,

"How much do you charge for substituting a class?"

Lu Ran threw him a simple answer, "I don't accept payment."

The school bus for the internship had arrived by then.

Lu Ran boarded the bus along with his classmates.

On the bus, he opened the map on his phone.

Seeing that the bus was indeed heading toward the East District of the New City Private Hospital, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

When the bus reached its destination,

The management here was indeed strict, allowing entry only after confirming it was a school bus.

Upon alighting, students had to present their student cards one by one for verification.

Even after getting off the bus, they were not free to roam as they pleased but were escorted by teachers to specific practice classrooms.

The entrance they entered this time was different from the one Lu Ran used when he last dropped Ji Min off.

As they walked, Lu Ran observed his surroundings, mentally mapping out the route.

Next came a two-hour practical lesson.

Lu Ran followed behind the group with his head down. When they reached a wall, he looked up.

Since it was a private hospital, the wall displayed photographs of the hospital's benefactors over the years.

Lu Ran quickly found Ji Min's picture among them.

He continued walking down the corridor and stopped in front of another photograph, momentarily stunned.

The photograph was of an elderly man with a somewhat familiar face, his expression solemn.

Lu Ran studied it for a moment before slowly recalling who he was.

This seemed to be Old Master Shen.

However, Lu Ran didn't linger on the picture for long. He quickly followed the group into another classroom.

When the clinical rotation class ended and they were preparing to return,

they passed through another corridor.

This corridor was adorned with profiles of doctors from various departments.

Lu Ran swiftly found Dr. Kemler's introduction.

The instructor leading the way was calling out names.

Lu Ran swiftly memorized Dr. Kemler's office location and hurriedly caught up with the group.

Entry was stringent, but departure was much more relaxed.

Their chaperone saw them off to the school bus before leaving.

Lu Ran looked around and passed his student ID card and lab coat through the bus window to a classmate, asking for help to take them back to school.

The classmate asked in confusion, "Aren't you returning to school?"

"I live nearby, so I won't be taking the school bus," Lu Ran fibbed casually.

The person immediately wore an envious expression upon hearing this.

Lu Ran watched the school bus exit the hospital grounds before turning around and running into the outpatient building he had just been in.

He navigated through the floors until he found Dr. Kemler's office.

It was now the end of the workday in the afternoon.

Lu Ran noticed that the office door was ajar and walked in without hesitation.

Inside, Kemler was having a takeout meal.

Upon hearing someone enter, he instinctively looked up and said, "Just a moment!"

Upon seeing Lu Ran, he froze for a second,

"Uh... Ji Min's young friend?"

" Why are you here?" Doctor Kemler asked.

This place wasn't somewhere one could enter casually.

"Oh, I'm interning," replied Lu Ran with a cold tone.

Doctor Kemler ruffled his thinning hair and nodded, "Oh right, you're from University Y..."

Mid-sentence, he suddenly paused, his expression becoming indescribable.

"If I'm not mistaken, aren't you a veterinarian?"

Lu Ran didn't bother to explain. Instead, he stared at Dr. Kemler and asked,

"Ji Min's surgery was supposed to be closed, so why are you out here?"

The child wasn't very old, but his voice was chilling.

Dr. Kemler couldn't help but chuckle as he explained, "The surgery is over, and now it's the rehabilitation physician's responsibility."

"Oh," Lu Ran replied, his voice even colder. "If you can come out, why can't I go see him?"

Kemler: "..."

There was something ominous about the tone of his voice.

"In which building and room is Ji Min?" Lu Ran asked in a suppressed voice.

Kemler immediately shook his head. "Oh no, oh no, I've signed a non-disclosure agreement!"

"Even me?" Lu Ran furrowed his brows.

Kemler thought to himself, Who knows what you and Ji Min are up to?

"Why do you need to see him? He's perfectly fine, nothing's wrong with him." Doctor Kemler sighed.

Lu Ran pursed his lips but remained silent.

Now, he wouldn't believe anyone who told him that Ji Min was fine.

Not even Ji Min himself was an exception.

Unless he sees Ji Min alive and well with his own eyes.

"Tell me where he is, or I won't hesitate to use my many methods of persuasion," Lu Ran said.

Though the young man spoke with menacing words, there was an inexplicable tenderness that stirred one's heart.

Doctor Kemler chuckled and shook his head.

He recalled that Lu Ran had been the one accompanying Ji Min to sign the informed consent form before the surgery. Thus, he figured it wouldn't be an issue to inform Lu Ran.

"Building Three, Room 217..."

No sooner had Doctor Kemler finished speaking than the teenager in front of him dashed out.

"Hey, hey, hey! If he doesn't want you to visit, knowing won't help you get in!" Kemler called out.

But Lu Ran was already out of sight.

In Room 217.

A rehabilitation doctor was examining Ji Min's right leg.

Ji Min's right pant leg was rolled up, revealing his entire leg still encased in a brace.

"When can I have the brace on my right leg removed?" Ji Min asked with a frown.

The doctor let out a sigh and said, "This is the third time you've asked today."

Ji Min frowned but didn't respond.

With the weather turning warmer, he was now wearing short sleeves, revealing some bruises on his elbows.

Seeing these marks of injury, the doctor felt a headache coming on.

He pleaded, "Can't you be less eager to rehabilitate?"

"Why can't I when my left leg brace has already been removed?" Ji Min countered.

The doctor let out a heavy sigh. "Be more cautious. You've had two high-risk surgeries in a short period. If anything were to happen, would you want to undergo a third?"

After the doctor left, Ji Min leaned back in his chair and sighed.

Of course, his surgery hadn't gone as smoothly as he'd told Lu Ran.

The first time he emerged from the operating room, they discovered that the nerve grafting on his right leg had failed.

Ji Min made a decisive choice and opted for a second surgery.

The prolonged periods of general anesthesia from both surgeries had taken a significant toll on his body.

After the second operation, Ji Min remained in a coma for three full days before regaining consciousness.

The extended bedridden recovery further weakened his muscles, making rehabilitation much more challenging.

"Doctor Zhang is almost at his wit's end because of you," said Manager Chen.

Ji Min didn't comment but instead remarked, "It's already been nearly three months."

Manager Chen shook his head and smiled. "If you're anxious, there's no reason you can't meet Young Master Lu Ran now."

"Why hide the risks you've been through from him?"

After a moment of silence, Ji Min spoke:

Isn't it finals right now? If he knew, who knows how worried he'd be.

Ji Min still vividly recalled the uneasy expression on Lu Ran's face the night before he came to the hospital.

Back then, Ji Min already regretted informing Lu Ran about the surgery.

If possible, Ji Min wished that Lu Ran would never have to experience such concern for his sake.

"Besides... I want to stand when I see him."

"From what I see, Mr., you might have played a rather unwise move this time," said Butler Chen.

Recalling his recent interactions with Lu Ran, Ji Min fell silent for a moment:

"He has been... somewhat..."

As he spoke, Ji Min glanced sideways at the window before turning back.

Suddenly.

He froze for a moment before swiftly turning his head toward the partially open window nearby.

There, a familiar figure stood on the windowsill, grasping the anti-theft window on the second floor.

Eyes locked onto him.