"Ah Jie, how do you know Dr. Luo?"
Having received a direct assurance from a qualified doctor, Zhang Xiaoxiao felt much relieved. As soon as they exited the inpatient building, she grabbed Lin Jie and began questioning him endlessly.
Lin Jie casually responded, "I have to go to the hospital a few times every year, isn't it normal to know a few doctors?"
Zhang Xiaoxiao chuckled knowingly and said, "You're right, that was a silly question."
"Ah Jie, Miaomiao, I don't have to go to work this morning. What's your plan? Shall we go shopping?"
Lin Miao held onto both of their arms and said, "My brother shouldn't exert himself, and Xiaoxiao, you need more rest too. Let's just go home!"
Zhang Xiaoxiao pinched Lin Miao's nose, "Alright, we'll do as you say, let's go!"
Just as the three of them walked out of the hospital, Lin Jie's phone rang in his pocket. When he checked, it was a call from Luo Shanshan.
"Lin Jie, we need to go to the airport to pick up an expert from Germany, but the colleague who speaks German is tied up in an emergency surgery and can't leave. Could you temporarily act as a translator and come with us?"
In the end, Luo Shanshan added on the phone, "There's a fee, 500 an hour!"
This kind of opportunity, Lin Jie naturally wouldn't pass up.
After explaining briefly to Lin Miao and Zhang Xiaoxiao, he told them to go home while he stayed at the hospital entrance, waiting for Luo Shanshan.
A dozen minutes later, a Mercedes business van stopped at the entrance, and Luo Shanshan smiled at him through the open door.
Upon getting into the car, Lin Jie noticed another person inside, a middle-aged man with glasses and a gentle scholarly appearance. With Luo Shanshan's introduction, he learned that this was Jiang Yiran, the director of neurosurgery.
Seeing Lin Jie so young, Jiang Yiran subtly frowned and asked, "Have you lived in Germany for a few years?"
Lin Jie glanced at Luo Shanshan, guessing that was how she had recommended him.
Having already proved his language skills, there was no need to lie further. Lin Jie chuckled lightly, "I have a talent for languages, all self-taught."
Jiang Yiran's brow furrowed slightly as he looked at Luo Shanshan with displeasure.
Luo Shanshan quickly explained, "Director, Lin Jie's German is indeed impressive."
"He translated four medical papers from German for me in just two hours. In such direct and straightforward matters, how could I be mistaken!"
Jiang Yiran's expression softened slightly, and he leaned back against the wide leather seat to rest his eyes.
Seeing this, Luo Shanshan whispered to Lin Jie beside her, "The German expert we're picking up at the international airport is Dr. Wolfgang von Goebbels."
"After bringing him back to the city, we'll have lunch together before sending him to a hotel to adjust for jet lag. By then, your work will be almost done."
Lin Jie nodded, indicating he understood.
Luo Shanshan had initially intended to chat more with Lin Jie, to gauge him a bit.
But since the leader was resting with closed eyes, she also refrained from speaking much and chose to rest briefly as well.
Feeling a bit bored, Lin Jie heard Shen Lanruo's voice appear.
"I know this Wolfgang von Goebbels; I've observed several of his surgeries and assisted in one!"
Lin Jie silently asked, "Is this guy really good?"
"He is a typical German: stubborn, precise, and mechanical, which are particularly evident in him."
"He places great emphasis on preoperative preparation and uses the scalpel with precision like a machine tool. In the neurosurgery success rate rankings at Heidelberg University Hospital, he consistently ranks in the top three!"
Lin Jie picked up on Shen Lanruo's underlying tone and said, "You mean he's inflexible, not adaptable?"
Shen Lanruo didn't directly answer Lin Jie's question but said, "Lin Jie, you must remember that humans are living beings, as are the tumors and bacteria inside the body, constantly changing every moment."
"Often, after cutting open a patient's body, we find that the actual situation has changed significantly from the information obtained in previous examinations. Unexpected situations frequently occur during the surgery!"
"A good surgeon needs thorough preoperative preparations, but even more, the ability to resolve and adapt flexibly to various issues at any time!"
In Shen Lanruo's earnest guidance, time passed quickly.
More than an hour later, they arrived at Binhai International Airport and waited for nearly half an hour before finally picking up Dr. Wolfgang, with a thick beard, large nose, full head of gray hair, tall and robust, appearing to be in his fifties or sixties.
Introduction and small talk translations were naturally no challenge for Lin Jie.
However, once in the car, the not-so-tired Wolfgang immediately began discussing the patient's condition and surgical plan with Jiang Yiran and Luo Shanshan.
When it came to professional matters, both Jiang Yiran and Luo Shanshan became energized, frequently dissecting issues with Wolfgang.
This was a torment for Lin Jie, switching between German and Chinese, wishing for another mouth to speak.
During the one-hour-plus drive and the subsequent lunch, Lin Jie's mouth never stopped moving, so much so that he didn't even eat well—barely three or four-tenths full.
After lunch, the old Wolfgang, not feeling tired, insisted on visiting the patient first and having a personal chat.
In a patient room comparable to a luxury hotel suite, Lin Jie met the patient this time, Qian Guanglin, in his forties.
According to the information revealed by Luo Shanshan, this man was a successful businessman, the president of a real estate company, and generous to Limin Hospital, donating several million yuan worth of assets every year, thereby garnering much attention from the hospital.
He had a tumor in his spinal canal, pressing on his spine, causing numbness below the waist and affecting his mobility.
The tumor was rather complex, and to ensure a high success rate, the hospital had invited the renowned Wolfgang. Money was no object for Qian Guanglin.
"Mr. Qian, hello! I am Wolfgang from Germany and will be the chief surgeon for your spinal canal tumor removal surgery tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock!"
After introducing himself, Wolfgang began inquiring in detail about Qian Guanglin's health.
The inquiry was very comprehensive, detailed enough to grade even the numbness in each of his toes.
He also asked about various aspects of Qian Guanglin's life and work, such as his daily sitting hours in the office and the firmness of his bed at home.
Wolfgang didn't shy away from privacy issues, boldly asking about the frequency of sexual activities and preferred positions, among other things.
This opened Lin Jie's eyes.
He was surprised not only by Wolfgang's detailed questioning but also by the number of Qian Guanglin's romantic partners, enough for a new one every day, rotating for at least half a month.
Once Wolfgang had gathered all the necessary information and returned to the hotel to rest, it was already nearly three in the afternoon.
Exiting the hotel, Jiang Yiran nodded slightly at Lin Jie in approval, "Today our communication with Dr. Wolfgang was very smooth and pleasant, and you played a very crucial role."
"At times, I hardly felt your presence, as if directly communicating with Dr. Wolfgang. Achieving this level in translation, you truly are impressive!"
"I admit I underestimated you at first, and I apologize for that!"
Having said that, he checked his watch and turned to Luo Shanshan, "Calculate Lin Jie's working hours as six hours, and advance the payment for him first. I will sign off for reimbursement once we return to the hospital!"
Luo Shanshan transferred three thousand yuan to Lin Jie through WeChat and rescheduled the meet-up time for the next day before hurrying off with Jiang Yiran.
Having earned another three thousand, Lin Jie felt both exhausted and happy.
However, he was also well aware that translation work is sporadic, decent as a side job but not sustainable as a primary occupation.
That evening, Lin Jie cooked a rather sumptuous dinner, both to reward himself and to help Zhang Xiaoxiao replenish her nutrients.
To prove himself, he even recited several chapters of the famous German poet Goethe's "Faust" in German, leaving Zhang Xiaoxiao in awe, starry-eyed.
Fatigued from the day's work, Lin Jie fell asleep before Lin Miao returned.
At ten the next morning, Lin Jie, once again full of energy, returned to Limin Hospital and saw Luo Shanshan with an uncontrollable and mischievous smile on her face.