Chapter 256: Ties That Endure

Zhou Can’s surgical skills were second to none, making him incredibly popular in the Gastroenterology Department.

Once the senior doctors recognized his abilities, they insisted on having him assist with every operation.

Most times, Zhou Can even took on the role of chief surgeon for their procedures.

Every surgery he led was swift and flawless.

Patients and their families were overwhelmingly satisfied. Naturally, the senior doctors were even more eager to bring him in for help.

……

Zhou Can’s days in the Gastroenterology Department were intense but fulfilling. If he wasn’t seeing patients, he poured his off-hours into studying, honing his Rapid Knife Fundamentals, and practicing various medical techniques.

Bit by bit, his proficiency in each field of medicine was steadily improving.

Among them, Pharmacological Reasoning and Pathology Diagnosis advanced the fastest. On a good day, he could even earn four 100-point experience rewards for Pharmacological Reasoning alone.

That particular skill was racing toward the intermediate Attending Physician level.

At this pace, in just a month or two, both Pharmacological Reasoning and Pathology Diagnosis would climb to intermediate Attending Physician status.

As Zhou Can’s reputation grew within the department, more and more doctors sought him out for help.

At first, only interns, trainees, and a handful of resident doctors asked him to handle sudden emergencies or diagnose tricky conditions.

But after they tasted the benefits, they spread the word far and wide.

Soon enough, every resident in the department, regardless of how well they knew Zhou Can, would come to him first rather than bother a senior doctor when something happened.

After all, Zhou Can had no airs—and there was little he couldn’t solve.

He turned out to be more effective than going to the senior doctors.

No need to worry about getting scolded. They got all the benefits and none of the stress, so, naturally, they kept coming back.

Zhou Can was happy to help.

As long as he had time, he hardly ever refused anyone.

Ironically, it was his easy-going attitude and incredible problem-solving skills that made even the attending physicians start shamelessly coming to him for help.

Especially Dr. Chi, Dr. Xia Ping, and Dr. Huang Xinggui—these three attendings already knew how strong Zhou Can’s medical abilities were and felt no shame leading the charge in asking him for help since they were on good terms with him.

Every time Zhou Can helped, things went smoothly.

Other attendings took notice. This young trainee really did have the skills—his standards were exceptionally high.

There was no need to stand on ceremony anymore; it beat getting scolded by their seniors.

So, they too thickened their skin and asked Zhou Can to step in whenever they hit a wall.

Just like that, Zhou Can became the department’s very own ‘living Bodhisattva,’ always willing to lend a hand.

When confronted with dangerous cases that were hard to diagnose, most doctors would steer clear, but Zhou Can charged in headfirst without hesitation.

All his actions didn’t escape the eyes of the associate director and chief physicians in the department.

Gradually, whenever there was a difficult case to discuss, Zhou Can was especially invited to the table—even as a trainee.

For no other reason than this guy truly got things done.

……

One evening after his shift, Zhou Can got a call from Mr. Li.

If he remembered right, they’ve barely spoken in the past two months, and their casual chats had dropped to a record low.

Attributing it all to being busy felt like a weak excuse.

After Su Qianqian’s warning, not long after, Mr. Li’s attitude toward Zhou Can subtly shifted.

Zhou Can understood but never confronted him.

He’d already prepared himself for the worst—going separate ways and ending a partnership closer than brothers.

Money wasn’t a big deal. Enough was enough.

Zhou Can was content. Founding an entertainment company with Mr. Li not only launched his girlfriend Su Qianqian to the very top of her career, but also earned him tens of millions in dividends.

And the remaining 50% stake could fetch another hefty sum if sold.

All told, just this venture alone had made him a billionaire.

He’d gone from an almost-millionaire to being solidly in the billionaire ranks—a dream out of reach for most people their entire lives.

“Hey, Li—what’s up?”

Zhou Can’s tone was as lighthearted as ever.

“I’ve been tied up with the company’s expansion lately, hit a few bottlenecks and ran into a couple of problems. Haven’t had a chance to grab a drink with you in ages. If you’re not working overtime tonight, how about dinner at my place?”

Mr. Li was the first to explain their lack of contact these days.

But Zhou Can was a little skeptical of his explanation.

“Sure! It’s been a while since I visited your wife. How’s her health holding up lately?”

Zhou Can agreed right away.

What’s meant to happen will happen. Tonight’s get-together could be their farewell meal.

He just hoped, even if their business failed, their friendship would stay intact.

“She’s still about the same. With that illness, unless they find a new miracle cure, it’ll be tough to recover. But honestly, compared to before, her condition is quite good now. By the way, is it just you coming for dinner tonight? There are some things I’d like to discuss—better if Qianqian isn’t present, since she’s in the industry too.”

In the past, Mr. Li always insisted Zhou Can bring his girlfriend along for meals.

Not inviting Su Qianqian tonight confirmed Zhou Can’s suspicions—this was indeed a breakup dinner.

“Got it! She’s busy with work anyway—I’d hate to bother her. What time should I show up?”

Zhou Can asked.

Since only Mrs. Li would be home if he arrived early, and she had trouble moving, it wouldn’t feel right to visit her alone at night.

“I’m already home, got the groceries, about to start cooking. Just let me know when you’ll arrive, so I can time the dishes. Fresh ingredients are best right off the stove.”

Mr. Li was quite the accomplished cook.

He was a man of many talents, not only excelling in business but boasting skills that rivaled top hotel chefs.

Plus, he could play the guzheng beautifully and was great at flute.

His chess skills were on par with Zhou Can’s.

Keep in mind, Zhou Can had actually competed in international Go and Chinese chess tournaments.

That should give you an idea of how outstanding Mr. Li really was.

Zhou Can himself was multi-talented too—he dabbled in painting, piano, martial arts, you name it.

Maybe that’s why the two hit it off immediately and became friends even closer than family.

“I just finished work. If I head out now, I’ll get to Jiangxin Island in about forty minutes.”

Despite all his wealth, Zhou Can still hadn’t bought a car.

He simply didn’t need one.

The hospital and his apartment were just minutes apart. Driving to work would’ve wasted more time searching for a parking spot than it was worth.

He hailed a cab straight to the Jiangxin Island villa.

Nearly an hour later, he arrived at Mr. Li’s place.

Since he’d visited many times before, the security guards recognized him, making entry straightforward.

Mr. Li knew he was coming and left the villa doors open.

Zhou Can walked right in.

With business to discuss, he skipped the usual pleasantries and didn’t greet Mr. Cui and his wife this time.

Stepping through the door, he was greeted by the delicious aroma of home-cooked food.

He carried his gifts inside the villa’s entryway.

“Evening, Mrs. Li!”

He spotted Qiu Jie sitting in the living room and quickly greeted her with a warm smile.

She looked surprisingly well.

“Oh, Dr. Zhou! It’s been a while. You doctors sure work hard—always so busy!”

Qiu Jie steadied herself with a chair and got up to welcome Zhou Can.

Seeing she was about to use her cane to come over, Zhou Can hurried forward to meet her.

“Please, Mrs. Li—stay seated. I come here for dinner all the time. No need to treat me like a guest, or I might not dare come again!”

He chuckled.

“I brought you some nutritional supplements—purely for boosting energy. Safe and healthy!”

It’s a social taboo to visit someone’s home empty-handed.

Anyone with basic manners knows to bring a gift when they come calling.

“You’re always so considerate! Every time you come, you bring gifts. You’re too generous!”

Qiu Jie thanked him sincerely.

“But, you know, the supplements you doctors choose really are different. At first I barely noticed anything, but after a while, I started feeling more energetic, lighter on my feet—even my breathing feels easier.”

She praised both his professionalism and his thoughtful choice of gifts.

Her words were full of appreciation for both his medical expertise and his considerate nature.

“Have a seat, Zhou! Dinner is almost ready. It’s just the three of us tonight, so I kept it simple—just six dishes, hope that’s enough.”

Mr. Li poked his head out of the kitchen to greet him.

With his apron on and sleeves rolled up, he really looked the part.

“Six dishes is plenty! At the hospital cafeteria I only ever get two, and trust me those mass-cooked meals can’t compare. Your cooking is better than any hotel chef’s.”

Zhou Can and Mr. Li traded glances, and Li’s eyes were as steady as always.

That left Zhou Can with a touch of doubt.

He figured the real topic tonight was getting kicked out of Jin Yu Interactive for a partnership with the capital giant Hu Haikun—propelling Jin Yu Interactive to new heights and rivaling Tianyu Interactive.

From a moral standpoint, Mr. Li’s move would be less than honorable.

It would betray Zhou Can’s trust.

If that were the case, Mr. Li ought to look guilty—so why didn’t he seem guilty at all?

“Let me lend you a hand, or I’ll feel like a total freeloader!”

Zhou Can’s self-deprecating joke got a good laugh, then he rolled up his sleeves to help.

Soon enough, a delicious meal was set on the table, and the three of them sat down together. Mr. Li clinked glasses as usual, sharing drinks and small talk.

Even as they neared the end of the meal, Mr. Li still hadn’t brought up the real issue.

After a few rounds, Qiu Jie stood up and said, “My favorite K-drama is about to start. You two talk; I’ll go watch TV.” She was sharp enough to know what was going on.

She must have guessed Mr. Li needed to discuss something with Zhou Can and gave them their space.

She offered a perfect excuse to leave and made things less awkward.

Once Qiu Jie was gone, Mr. Li raised his glass and clinked it with Zhou Can’s.

“Zhou, since we started Jin Yu Interactive together, you’ve never interfered in company matters. Whatever dividends I gave you, you took without question. You’ve always supported my management decisions—never doubted me, and always trusted me unconditionally. Every time I wanted extra investment, you just said yes. To have a friend like you is my greatest fortune.”

Mr. Li, slightly tipsy, couldn’t help reminiscing about their rewarding partnership.

“I said from the start, I don’t know a thing about running an entertainment company, and I’m not interested either. I just want to practice medicine and save lives. As for trust—well, if I didn’t trust you, why would I have partnered in the first place?”

Zhou Can’s words were calm and sincere.

“There’s something I have to tell you—wasn’t planning on it, but it concerns the fate of the company. If one day it all disappears overnight, at least you won’t be caught off guard.”

There was a deep worry in Mr. Li’s eyes.

Was he trying to gain Zhou Can’s sympathy?

Zhou Can wondered silently.

He put on a tone of mild surprise: “Isn’t the business thriving? How could it all suddenly be at risk of collapse?”

Mr. Li downed his drink and sighed. “Too many green-eyed monsters out there these days. The better we do, the more people want a slice. Normally, I could handle it. But this time, the one I’ve crossed paths with is the province’s financial shark, Hu Haikun. You might not know his background; he built his empire by monopolizing the agricultural and wholesale markets and had deep criminal ties in the early days.”

“Once he made his first fortune, he shifted to real estate, using all sorts of methods to rake in dirty money. He’s tried to clean up his image since, but his connections in both black and white circles are still solid.”

Mr. Li’s tone grew heavy as he described Hu Haikun.

“Isn’t real estate supposed to be legal? How is that dirty money?”

Zhou Can couldn’t understand.

He knew what dirty money meant—money earned by shady means.

“Most legitimate companies build decent quality homes, but he cuts every corner he can. If buyers complain, he uses intimidation to force them into accepting their fate. Worse yet, he sets up shell companies to sell the same home multiple times. So many people emptied their savings—parents, grandparents, even the young couples themselves—to buy homes that never got delivered, leaving them buried in debt.”

“By these illegal methods, he made a fortune. He knew this couldn’t last—so he devised ways to wash his money. Lately, he’s targeted promising companies like ours for legit investments, acquiring stakes and dividends.”

Mr. Li laid out all of Hu Haikun’s criminal history, leaving Zhou Can fuming with anger.

If that scum ever landed in his care for treatment, Zhou Can swore he’d see to it that Hu Haikun spent the rest of his days flat on a hospital bed. It was his way of upholding justice.

“Last month, Hu Haikun set his sights on us and offered a deal that was hard to refuse. I turned him down. He didn’t give up and kept trying, but I refused every time. At first, I tried to keep things civil—he’s too dangerous to offend. Then, two weeks ago, he lost patience and gave me a final ultimatum. When I refused again, things got ugly. He threatened me—if he can’t have something, nobody can. He’ll ruin it first.”

Though Mr. Li was calm as he spoke, Zhou Can could imagine the pressure he faced standing up to a man like Hu Haikun.

“Why not just partner with him? Didn’t you always dream of turning Jin Yu Interactive into a giant like Tianyu Interactive?”

Zhou Can looked Mr. Li in the eye.

“Sure, his offer was tempting, and working with him might have sent Jin Yu Interactive soaring. But the price? Kicking you out. You really think I’d say yes?”

Mr. Li gave a cold laugh.

A true gentleman values loyalty above everything.

In that moment, Mr. Li radiated a kind of unbreakable spirit—steadfast and bold, with the pride of a scholar who refused to bend.

It reminded Zhou Can of an old verse: ‘For what I cherish in my heart, I would die a hundred times without regret.’

For the sake of their brotherhood, even if Jin Yu Interactive was destroyed, Mr. Li would never betray his principles.

“Honestly, it wouldn’t be so bad if I had to leave. I’ve earned more than enough this past year, and I was never much help to you anyway. If my departure can help you reach your goals faster, why not?”

Upon hearing Mr. Li’s stance, Zhou Can was even more willing to give up that remaining fifty percent stake.

True friendship is about mutual sacrifice.

Real friendship can be even stronger than love.

“You really think so little of me?”

Mr. Li got genuinely angry.

He nearly banged the table.

“We’ve only known each other a couple of years, but I’ve always seen you as my brother—my truest friend. No amount of money in this world could ever compare. Our friendship is worth more than all the gold on earth.”

Zhou Can’s words had clearly upset Mr. Li; he thought Zhou Can was underestimating him.

“Don’t get worked up, I only meant that if stepping aside would help you, I wouldn’t mind. But since you don’t want that, I won’t bring it up again. And honestly, hearing how much you value our friendship—that means a lot to me. Having a friend like you makes this whole journey worthwhile.”

Zhou Can was truly happy from the bottom of his heart.

No one wants to be betrayed by a friend.

If you want to know someone’s true character, just look at how they treat money.

Mr. Li was willing to go up against a financial giant like Hu Haikun rather than betray Zhou Can—his loyalty hit hard.

“I don’t have many friends—just a close two or three. But with each one, my conscience is clear and my heart is sincere,” Mr. Li said, meeting Zhou Can’s gaze.

A bit of alcohol made him even more open, more likely to speak his mind.

In life, what matters isn’t how many big shots you know—but having one or two friends you can trust with everything.

“Thank you, Li. This drink’s for you!”

Regretful for misunderstanding, Zhou Can filled Mr. Li’s glass and toasted him.