It's just that they have money.

"Ding-dong."

Fang Chen sent the message saying that Sun Yifan had found a potential client in the Chinese-speaking community in Malaysia, Mr. Chen from Penang, who is 60 years old and suffers from osteoarthritis in both knees. He said that he would have to wait more than six months for surgery in his local area.

Fang Chen reluctantly replied with "received," and then opened the client information sent by Lin Dong.

Mr. Chen, whose ancestral home is Chaozhou, is a third-generation Chinese. He runs a hardware business in Penang. He is not extremely wealthy, but his family is well-off.

His knee problem had been going on for three years, and in the last six months the pain had become so severe that he couldn't walk far. The prices quoted by local private hospitals were outrageously high, and the waiting list at public hospitals seemed endless.

He stumbled upon a science popularization post by Sun Yifan while browsing the internet, and left a comment on a whim.

Sun Yifan reacted quickly, adding the other party on WeChat that same day and impressing them with his fluent Malay.

After reviewing the documents, Fang Chen sent Lin Dong a message: "Arrange an online meeting, I'll be there as an observer."

When Luo Shanshan woke up, she found that Fang Chen was still in that position.

"What time is it?" Her voice was muffled in the crook of his shoulder, hoarse from just waking up.

"7:30." Fang Chen turned his phone face down, the screen went dark. "You slept for almost two hours."

Luo Shanshan rubbed her eyes, and the neckline of her T-shirt slid to one side, revealing a small patch of fair skin below her collarbone.

She didn't notice, and Fang Chen didn't remind her.

"You haven't left?" she asked.

"You told me not to leave."

I said don't speak, not don't leave.

You didn't explain it clearly.

"You're really good at finding loopholes."

"I just have a strong comprehension ability."

Luo Shanshan couldn't help but laugh.

Their eyes met briefly in the dim light, then simultaneously looked away.

Something was fermenting in the air; it wasn't beer, but something else much stronger.

Luo Shanshan stood up and pulled down the hem of her T-shirt. She had done this countless times, but each time it was done with an unconscious awkwardness.

Fang Chen also stood up, put the cushions back in their original positions, and patted off the wrinkles that had been pressed out.

"Are you hungry?" Luo Shanshan asked.

"fine."

"Then I'll cook for you this time."

"it is good."

Luo Shanshan opened the refrigerator and found only a few eggs, half a head of broccoli, and a small bag of frozen shrimp.

She stood in front of the refrigerator for two seconds, then glanced back at Fang Chen.

"Don't look, go wait in the living room."

Fang Chen leaned against the kitchen door frame, not moving.

"I told you not to look."

"The more you talk, the more I want to see."

"you--"

Luo Shanshan was furious, so she simply turned around and started working with her back to him.

Her knife skills were mediocre; the broccoli was cut into uneven sizes, and the thawed shrimp were sliced ​​into uneven thicknesses.

But she was very serious, doing each step carefully, as if she were doing something very important.

Fang Chen watched her tiptoe to reach the plate deep in the cupboard, watched her frantically turn down the heat because the oil in the pan was too hot, watched her taste the soup, frown, and add a small spoonful of salt.

"Alright, alright, stop standing there and go wash your hands."

Luo Shanshan came out carrying a plate of scrambled eggs, a plate of stir-fried broccoli and shrimp, and two bowls of rice, with a mixed expression of pride and embarrassment on her face.

"The presentation isn't great, but the taste should be alright."

Fang Chen sat down and picked up an egg with his chopsticks.

"How is it?" Rosanne stared at his mouth.

"It's too salty."

"Huh?" She quickly tasted it herself, then glared at him. "Where's the saltiness? It's just right."

"That's perfect." Fang Chen said without changing his expression.

"You did it on purpose."

"I'm just good at adjusting my evaluation standards."

The two of them ate a simple meal in silence.

After clearing away the cups and plates, Fang Chen stood up and walked to the door to change his shoes.

"Fang Chen," she called out.

"Um?"

Be careful on your way back.

"it is good."

The next morning, Fang Chen sat in his study with the company's video conference interface on his computer screen, but the webcam was off and the microphone was muted.

The specific communication was Lin Dong and Chen Yuan's business; Lin Dong, as the boss, listened from behind the scenes.

Lin Dong started by introducing the company and team, speaking in a calm and unhurried manner, as if chatting with an old friend.

Chen Yuan was in charge of the medical section. He opened the PowerPoint presentation, which showed an anatomical diagram of the knee joint. He explained everything clearly, from the causes to the treatment plan, from the surgical procedure to the rehabilitation period.

"Mr. Chen, I diagnose your condition as severe osteoarthritis, with your cartilage almost completely worn away. The most fundamental solution is joint replacement. This surgery is very mature in China; our partner hospitals perform hundreds of these procedures every year with a success rate of over 99%."

Mr. Chen was silent for a moment, then asked a question: "If the success rate is 99%, what is the 1%?"

Chen Yuan did not shy away from the topic: "Infection, thrombosis, and anesthesia complications are all inherent risks of surgery, regardless of where it is performed. What we can do is minimize these risks. We conduct comprehensive preoperative assessments, maintain strict aseptic techniques during the procedure, and closely monitor patients postoperatively. In addition, we purchase medical liability insurance for every client."

Mr. Chen did not ask any further questions.

Yu Qing then explained the process. From the client's arrival at the airport to discharge and return home, she broke down each step. Airport pickup, hotel, pre-operative examinations, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and follow-up—each stage was clearly marked with a timeframe and responsible person.

Mr. Chen fell silent again.

Fang Chen stared at the mute microphone icon on the screen, twirling a pen in his hand.

He could understand the other person's concerns.

A company you've never heard of, a hospital thousands of miles away, and a considerable sum of money—anyone would hesitate.

Fang Chen picked up his phone and sent a message to Lin Dong: "Invite him to Qiongzhou for an inspection. We'll cover the expenses. If he's not satisfied, we won't charge him a penny."

Lin Dong glanced down at his phone, then looked up and said, "Mr. Chen, our General Manager Fang just sent instructions—inviting you and your family to Qiongzhou for an on-site inspection. We will cover all your airfare, hotel, and meals. You can first visit the hospital, check out the equipment and wards, and meet with the attending physician. If you are satisfied, you can sign the contract; if you are not, you won't have to spend a penny. Consider it a trip to Qiongzhou."

There was a moment of silence on Mr. Chen's end, followed by a soft chuckle: "Your Mr. Fang is a businessman."

Lin Dong smiled and said, "Shall we arrange a time?"

"Okay, I'll discuss it with my wife first and get back to you later."

"OK."

End of the meeting.

Fang Chen leaned back in his chair and tossed the pen onto the table.

He sent Lin Dong a message: "Followed up."

The first order may not make money, and may even result in a loss.

But Fang Chen didn't care.

What he wanted wasn't the profit from this one deal, but a fully operational process, a satisfied client, and a case study he could share with others.