Chapter 54: A Stitch of Fate

“Yes. I’m an actor. An unsightly scar on my arm could really hurt my career. So please, suture it for me,” Director Xu said. “I heard you’ve sutured for other celebrities before with excellent results.”

She had done her homework before coming.

She had already thoroughly inquired about Dr. Xu’s skills.

“Since Director Xu recommended you, I’ll do my best. But I must warn you, if a scar remains, you can’t hold it against me.”

Whether a scar remains depends not only on suturing technique but also on one’s constitution and post-op care.

The most common issue is a tendency toward scarring.

Patients with this condition can develop excessive scar tissue even from minor wounds, rendering even the best suturing techniques ineffective.

Postoperative infection, inflammation, or improper care—like scratching an itchy healing wound—can trigger scarring or overgrowth.

“I’m grateful you’re willing to suture for me. And you won’t be blamed—I’ve already decided that if a horrid scar remains, I’ll just tattoo a butterfly over it.”

A tattoo can perfectly conceal a scar, even transforming an ugly mark into something beautiful.

The woman was stunning, with an exceptional aura. Plus, she knew a director named Xu and was particularly concerned about scarring. Zhou Can suspected she was no ordinary actress.

It suddenly occurred to him—could this woman be that third-tier celebrity involved in the collapsed concert stage accident?

“Oh my, you must be the star Su Qianqian, right?”

At that moment, Tang Ling seemed to have deduced her true identity as well.

The woman nodded calmly and admitted, “It’s me.”

Zhou Can’s hunch was spot on—she was indeed the third-tier celebrity.

“It really is you! Wow, I’m so thrilled! Today I finally get to meet my idol—it makes me so happy! I’ve heard your songs; they’re truly healing. By the way, you got injured so badly; why did you wait so long to get sutured? With your connections, you could have gotten immediate treatment.”

Zhou Can was surprised to learn Tang Ling was also her fan.

Not one for celebrity worship, Zhou Can barely even recognized top-tier stars, let alone a third-tier celebrity.

He didn’t know this incredibly beautiful star at all.

“Ugh! I was supposed to boost my new album with tonight’s concert, but the stage collapsed and left many fans injured and bleeding. I felt so heartbroken afterwards. I was even injured myself, but my agency rushed me to the hospital. I couldn’t bear to have my fans wait on me.”

Tears welled in Su Qianqian’s eyes as she recalled the stage collapse.

Her genuine care and compassion for her fans made Zhou Can think she was a good person.

Many celebrities put on a flawless public façade while hiding their true selves.

They act impeccable in public—as if untouched by the world—but behind the scenes, some are greedy exploiters, even heartless casanovas who toy with their female fans’ emotions.

If Su Qianqian’s concern were mere pretense, she wouldn’t have come in now to have her wound sutured.

After hours of waiting, the persistent pain from her injury would have broken anyone’s spirit.

When it comes to personal well-being, true character is revealed.

The fact that she waited for all the other patients to complete their surgeries before entering the operating room showed her genuine care—a heartfelt consideration for her fans.

“The operating room’s shift change is coming up. Let’s hurry with the surgery!”

Dr. Xu glanced at her sleeve.

A lace-trimmed, bell-sleeved, open-top design.

It looked particularly exquisite and elegant.

“I’m afraid we can’t roll up this sleeve—it’s even got a tear in the middle. For the sake of the procedure, would you prefer it cut off?”

“Just cut it off!”

She replied bluntly.

Without further instruction from Dr. Xu, Zhou Can and Tang Ling helped her cut off the left sleeve.

With the sleeve gone, a pale, lotus-root-white arm was unveiled before their eyes.

A celebrity’s skincare routine is truly remarkable.

Her skin was as tender as that of a baby.

She truly embodied the phrase ‘so flawless it could shatter at a touch.’

Zhou Can administered the anesthesia, then proceeded to disinfect and debride the wound.

“Teacher, is it time to operate?”

“Mm!”

Dr. Xu nodded slightly.

“Once we’re done, you’ll see that invisible suturing is quite different from ordinary suturing. The needles and thread are finer—in fact, we use absorbable cosmetic suture material. There’s an art to this technique.”

While suturing Su Qianqian’s wound, Dr. Xu imparted advanced suturing techniques to Zhou Can and Jin Mingxi.

The entire procedure was not complicated.

The suturing was performed at a moderate pace, in one smooth continuous motion.

The stitched wound dipped slightly inward.

“My invisible suturing technique differs significantly from those used in beauty salons. By avoiding the granulation tissue and dermis that could promote scarring, and by ensuring tightly closed incisions, it greatly reduces the risk of scar overgrowth. There’s minimal irritation to the wound. Once you master it, you can use this method for facial and neck suturing.”

Invisible suturing is common in cosmetic institutions.

But Dr. Xu’s method is clearly far superior to what’s typically used in salons.

“The requirements for suturing and knotting are just too high. I simply can’t reach that level right now.”

Jin Mingxi sighed deeply.

Medical skills aren’t something you can upgrade at will.

It takes natural talent, mentorship from a master, diligent practice, and ample opportunities—each is indispensable.

Take Jin Mingxi, for instance. Despite working in a county hospital for fourteen years, his skills might still lag slightly behind the more accomplished residents at Tuyu Hospital. He’s only on par with top residents like Zhou Can, Gao Jian, and Yang Chan.

It’s not meant as an insult.

Experience can’t be gained from mere imagination or watching a few instructional videos.

It must be honed through practical learning in a superior environment.

That’s why so many doctors clamor to get into top hospitals like Tuyu.

A year of training at Tuyu might surpass ten years of work at a county hospital.

This hospital takes on challenging cases that smaller clinics can’t handle. Cases deemed terminal elsewhere are often cured here.

The quality of its teaching staff, technological prowess, and academic achievements are unmatched by local hospitals.

“It’s okay if you haven’t reached that level yet. Just take your time. I see promise in your surgical talent—stick with it, and you’ll achieve greatness.”

Dr. Xu comforted him.

Then he turned his attention to Zhou Can.

Normally, little Zhou is the most enthusiastic learner. So why was he so unresponsive today?

He wondered to himself.

Before long, he noticed Zhou Can frowning as he fixated on the patient’s neck.

“Xiao Zhou, Xiao Zhou…”

Dr. Xu mused inwardly that this kid clearly couldn’t resist a beautiful woman. Although Zhou Can’s performance during the surgery was normal, once it was over he couldn’t take his eyes off the woman.

Naturally, Su Qianqian also noticed Zhou Can’s unyielding gaze.

A trace of disdain flashed in her bright eyes.

She thought, I assumed this young doctor was all professional—turns out he was just putting on an act. Now his true colors are on display!

Sure enough, no man can resist her beauty.

“Teacher, is something wrong?”

Zhou Can looked up at his mentor.

“Nothing at all. The surgery is complete—just bandage her and get her out of the operating room!” Dr. Xu, a seasoned professional, didn’t scold Zhou Can.

An unmarried young man taking an interest in a beautiful woman was perfectly normal.

“Oh! Got it!”

Zhou Can agreed, then proceeded to disinfect the sutured area again before bandaging it with sterile gauze.

Throughout, his eyes couldn’t help but wander to her exquisite collarbone and slender, pink neck.

Su Qianqian’s disdain for him deepened even more.

Nobody likes a hypocrite.

“Once the bandaging is done, let Su know she can leave!”

Dr. Xu, unable to stand it any longer, spoke up.

He had to urge him, lest this apprentice stare at the female patient’s neck for another hour.

“She’s not leaving yet!”

Without a second thought, Zhou Can declared.

Tang Ling and Jin Mingxi were taken aback, staring at Zhou Can in astonishment.

Up until now, Zhou Can had consistently been exemplary—virtuous, well-mannered, and always measured in his actions and words.

Now, causing a scene by essentially holding a celebrity hostage—it was unbelievable.

Is this really the true nature of Dr. Zhou?

Could this be Zhou Can’s real personality?