"Are you really a doctor?" The man looked Chen Zhao with suspicion.

"I don't look like one?"

"Do doctors all bring so many pets with them?"

"I'm sorry. This is my personal habit. I bring my kids with me no matter where I go."

"I'm Rufford." Then he added, "You're a traditional Chinese doctor, right?"

"Yes. I'm an expert in traditional Chinese medicine, but I also know Western medicine. If you have unique needs, I can give you unique treatment."

Rufford picked up a towel to wipe his sweat. While wiping, he said, "I'm a sprinter. Half a month ago, I had a race, but I fractured my leg during it. I went through rehab, but I never got a reply for the medicine I requested from the International a.s.sociation of Athletics Federation."

Chen Zhao looked down. He saw that Rufford's left calf was wrapped with gauze. It had obvious swelling.

"You know, without the IAAF's permission, I don't even dare to use morphine to numb the pain."

Chen Zhao nodded. As a doctor, he knew many things. However, since this athlete had gotten hurt during the compet.i.tion, it shouldn't be hard to get permission to use medicine, right?

"Recently, a few well-known American athletes were discovered to be using steroids, so the IAAF suddenly became strict toward American athletes. When the club's doctor diagnosed me, he told me it's just a slight fracture and I don't need painkillers."

Chen Zhao walked over. "Can I check your injury?"

Rutherford nodded, so Chen Zhao sat onto the ground and undid the gauze. His calf had swollen at least 30% larger than usual. There was heavy blood stasis at the injury.

Chen Zhao squeezed the area. "Does it hurt?"

"Yes."

"How long has it been? What kind of treatment did you go through?"

"It's been 15 days. The club's doctor gave me bone reduction treatment and some medicine for circulation. But since I don't have the paperwork for special medicine, he couldn't prescribe many things."

Chen Zhao furrowed his brows. "Does the doctor hate you?"

Taken aback, Rutherford looked at Chen Zhao in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Your fibula is broken. If you don't treat it in time, you might not be able to walk regularly, let alone continue your athletic career. This isn't a fracture. Your problem is more serious than what you said."

"What? Broken?" Rutherford was shocked. "It's that bad?"

"Yes. Right now, you shouldn't be thinking about getting permission from the IAAF to use medication. You have to get surgery as soon as possible so there aren't any lasting effects, but you've already delayed it for half a month. You've done intense exercise this past half month too, right? Your condition is looking bad now."

"Then…what should I do?"

"Hurry to the hospital," Chen Zhao said. "I can't help you. All I can do is give you advice."

"If I go to the hospital, how long will it take before I can start competing again?"

"You'll need at least half a year of rehab."

"No, that's impossible. I have to partic.i.p.ate in the star invitational. Do you know how important it is to me? That's the star invitational! For an athlete like me, it might be the time that I s.h.i.+ne the brightest. I can't miss it."

Rutherford grew agitated. He grabbed onto Chen Zhao's shoulder. "Please help me."

"I'm sorry. I'm powerless against your injury. Go to the hospital. If you keep dragging it out, you won't be able to save your legs."

Chen Zhao sighed. Rutherford had obviously been scammed by the team's doctor. Anyone who could be the doctor of an athletic team would obviously know the difference between a fracture and broken bone.

Going to the hospital for a surgery was Rutherford's only choice now.

"Go to the hospital if you want to continue your career."

"Do…do you have a way to suppress my injury?"

"Stop kidding around. You have a broken bone. There's no way I can suppress it. What you need it treatment and rehab."

Chen Zhao left. Rutherford was a very insistent athlete. He didn't know if Rutherford would listen to his advice. However, Chen Zhao wished he would.

As an illegal doctor, Chen Zhao wished he could make as much money as possible. But as a doctor, he still had his own professionalism and bottom line.

He hoped that all of his patients would have the correct treatment and best result. If Rutherford hadn't been harmed by his doctor, then he would at least be able to get treated in time.

He wouldn't have needed half a year of rehab. He would've been able to be up and running in less than a month. However, he'd delayed it for half a month, making his injury worse.

Rutherford wasn't a superstar athlete yet. He wasn't famous, so he'd probably been invited to the star invitational because he'd had good results in recent compet.i.tions.

Most track athletes could only dream about attending a star invitational. If they could have a good result there, they would have a higher rank internationally. Not only that, they may have a chance to attend the IAAF Golden League. That was the highest stage for a track athlete.

Every industry has its good and bad, but most people only saw the good side. Athletes like Rutherford had a bit of fame but were still far from being a celebrity.

Instead of going home, Chen Zhao went to Ethan's.

"How was it? Did you solve the patient's problem?"

"No." Chen Zhao shook his head. "He needs the hospital."

"Even you can't solve it? Is the problem serious?"

"No, he was just harmed by someone and delayed the treatment period."

"So you didn't make a single cent for me and still came to get free lunch?"

"Don't make me sound that bad. I didn't make a single cent either, and I had to pay for transportation too. If you won't give me lunch, then reimburse my transportation."

Just then, Ethan's phone rang. He put it down less than 20 seconds later.

"Chen, seems like you can't eat lunch anymore. Remember your first client?"

"Yeah, super annoying patient."

"Yes. He needs help."

"What's the price?"

"Three thousand dollars."

"I'll go after lunch."

"No, he's in a hurry."

"Fine. Leave a hamburger for me."

"One dollar."

"If you reject my request, I'll reject this patient and you'll lose $600."

"You stingy *sshole."