Chapter Twenty-Two: The Proud Vice Dean

"Chu Feng, if you like her, then go after her. I think that young nurse is quite nice, and she matches well with you," Old Chen encouraged, seeing Chu Feng constantly watching the doorway, urging him to pursue the nurse, Xiao Han.

"Old Chen, I honestly haven't thought about it. The girl is indeed rather adorable," Chu Feng admitted, a touch embarrassed, as Old Chen had hit the mark.

"You young people, if you like someone, don't hesitate. Go after her, or you'll regret it later. Don't end up like me—an old man with nothing but memories," Old Chen meant to offer more advice, but as he spoke of his own regrets, the mood dimmed.

"Sir, you mustn't dwell on the past. If you do, your illness will only worsen. After breakfast, I'll take you out for a walk in the courtyard to bask in the sun," Chu Feng suggested, letting the old man rest on the sofa before heading to the bathroom to freshen up.

When Chu Feng emerged, Old Jin and Old Wang arrived carrying breakfast. The hospital provided nutritious meals, but Old Chen wasn't fond of them. So Old Wang and Old Jin bought other breakfast items outside, picking up extra since Chu Feng was there as well.

"Chu Feng, come and eat. These are all famous snacks from the capital, and the old man loves them," Old Wang called out as Chu Feng approached the table.

Chu Feng glanced at the spread—there were sticky rice rolls, crispy fried rings, creamy fritters, and mung bean soup. Old Wang had even gotten a whole roast duck from Quan Ju De just for Chu Feng.

The old man, his teeth not what they once were, sipped the soup and nibbled a rice roll, leaving the rest for Chu Feng and the others.

After breakfast, Old Jin cleared the table and disposed of the waste. The hospital room where Old Chen stayed was the finest in the Air Force Hospital—really a two-bedroom suite, complete with a kitchen. The cleaning staff came daily, but only those who had rendered extraordinary service to the country, like Old Chen, could stay in such accommodations.

With the table cleared, Chu Feng wanted to take Old Chen out for some air. The elder had been bedridden for days, and now that he could get up, a change of scenery would do him good. Chu Feng prepared a wheelchair, as the old man was still weak and couldn't walk for long.

Just as Old Chen settled into the wheelchair, several doctors entered. Leading them was a man nearly sixty years old.

"Old Chen, what are you planning? If you want to go out, it's not yet time. Your body is still too frail," the elder doctor hurried forward upon seeing Old Chen in the wheelchair.

"Chu Feng, this is Deputy Director Sun, my attending physician," Old Chen introduced him to Chu Feng, disregarding the warning.

"Deputy Director Sun, my name is Chu Feng. I'm a doctor as well, and currently I'm treating Old Chen," Chu Feng extended his hand for a handshake.

Deputy Director Sun merely glanced at Chu Feng, making no move to reciprocate. In his eyes, Chu Feng was likely another charlatan from society, trying to fool Old Chen.

Old Chen sighed inwardly; he had known Deputy Director Sun for many years and understood his temperament. Sun’s attitude was a silent rebuke: "You’d rather trust this young man than believe in me?"

"Old Chen, these days society is rife with impostors posing as miracle doctors. Don’t let yourself be deceived," Deputy Director Sun said, seemingly a warning, but in truth, he was accusing Chu Feng of being a fraud.

"Deputy Director Sun, if you say so, I must object. You shouldn’t judge me a scammer just because I’m young," Chu Feng retorted, displeased. Sun was too arrogant. Just because he hadn’t met a genius didn’t mean such a person didn't exist.

"Oh? You’re upset because I called you a fraud? You’re barely in your twenties—at your age, you might know a little, but why go around claiming to be a miracle doctor?" Sun scoffed, convinced Chu Feng was at best a novice, no real skill to speak of.

"Deputy Director Sun, have you recently felt full after eating only a little, but soon after, become hungry again? And every night around ten, you must eat something before you can sleep?" Chu Feng didn’t argue, instead asking if Sun had experienced these symptoms.

Sun's expression changed at Chu Feng’s words but quickly returned to normal. Chu Feng was entirely correct; Sun had indeed suffered from those symptoms. Yet pride held him back—having a junior so accurately diagnose his condition was hard to accept.

"That's because your digestion has been off lately, and you’re experiencing bloating. As for needing to eat at night, that depends on what you’ve been doing each day," Chu Feng explained. "Do you think I’ll believe your nonsense? I am Old Chen’s attending physician. I know his condition better than anyone. If you dare prescribe recklessly, I won’t let you off," Sun responded, unwilling to admit Chu Feng’s accuracy and shifting the focus back to Old Chen.

"Old Sun, don’t argue with the young man. Last night my illness suddenly worsened. If not for him, you’d be offering me a funeral wreath today," Old Chen interjected, seeing the two about to quarrel.

"You old rascal, your condition worsens and you don’t let us know? If anything happened, how would I explain it? Come, let’s do a check-up," Sun insisted, his face changing. When Old Chen was admitted, the military had issued strict orders—no matter the cost, his life must be preserved.

Sun signaled his assistants to push the wheelchair and prepare for examination, but Chu Feng blocked their path.

"I am the only one who can save Old Chen now. You can’t take him away. If there’s to be a check-up, I will handle it," Chu Feng stood before Old Chen, barring the doctors from approaching.