Li Xiuying gave a single nod. 

Elder Tu: "Will there be much pain?"

Li Xiuying: "The nerve block will ensure you don't feel pain in a conventional way such as the pain you feel when you get cut with a knife. You will feel some stretching discomfort when I have vascular clamps inserted."

Elder Tu: "I would like some time to think about the operation. How long will I have?" 

Li Xiuying: "That's not a question I can give a definitive answer to."

Tu Nianzu frowned: "Why? Shouldn't you be able to answer your patient's questions about an operation you will be performing?"

Li Xiuying only faced Elder Tu: "You should have had the operation at least 2 weeks after the onset of any stroke-like symptoms. Since its been 3 weeks already the operation should ideally be done as soon as possible. To explain my earlier statement, I can't give a definitive answer because I can't predict if or when a piece of the plaque will break off. It stands to reason that if you don't have another mini-stroke then you may take as long as you want. However, you may have/had another mini-stroke. Having just 1 mini-stroke increases the risk of having a stroke which can result in permanent non-curable sequelae which is why we try to act quickly." 

Tu Nianzu: "You just sound like your scaremongering. You can't use fear to make a person choose the management plan you want."

Li Xiuying finally showed some emotion on her face; she was annoyed. She frowned and looked at Qilin. Usually, she had a high tolerance for patients and their families but she hated having her ethics questioned. She would never suggest an unnecessary procedure or force a patient to go along with her recommendations. Li Xiuying would only provide medically accurate information to the patient so they could make an informed decision. 

Additionally, she was not the one who wanted to be Elder Tu's surgeon. Her skills were being forcefully exchanged; this was something that Qilin had negotiated for his father. 

Qilin could see that Li Xiuying's patience was running thin: "Dr Li, Nianzu just has a very precocious personality and is eager to increase his clinical knowledge. He may sometimes come across as brash, even though it is unintentional."

He was just making excuses without giving a real apology. 

Li Xiuying: "Elder Tu in my medical opinion you should have the procedure done as soon as possible. I suggest this Sunday or Monday if you can get a team prepared for then, or I will notify the hospital where I am working to prepare staff and a theater which you will be charged for."

Tu Nianzu was about to question her dedication to her patients: "Why not Sa..."

Qilin cleared his throat and subtly shook his head at Tu Nianzu and said: "Sunday or Monday."

Elder Tu: "What do you think Nianzu?"

Tu Nianzu: "I think that getting a second opinion is always good. We can arrange for Dr Li to operate on Sunday as a contingency plan."

Li Xiuying had had enough of getting criticized by someone who hasn't even graduated from medical school yet: "I will leave you with some links to websites that have medically accurate information about your condition, the procedure and your current medication which needs to be optimized depending on how long you delay the operation." She pulled the keyboard towards her and began typing. 

Li Xiuying stood up: "I have provided the details for other competent surgeons. I don't have time to be a contingency plan. I charge 100k for every 5 minutes. Check or cash. Call my secretary to book an appointment."

She turned to Qilin: "Mr Tu Yu Qing our business transactions end here. You may keep your IT specialist." She then headed towards the door. 

Tu Nianzu jumped out of his seat: "Do you know who we are and what will happen if you walk out the door?"

Li Xiuying chose to face Elder Tu and stared into his eyes. Her voice was cold but still polite: "Elder Tu I'm sure you know who I am and what I do. I have no doubt that you have investigated me thoroughly. I have had my blade closer to your son's jugular than he would ever allow anyone else to be. The fact that he is alive and functioning like a normal human being is thanks to my skill. In your line of business, pride and respect are the cornerstones. You have eaten more salt than I have eaten rice. In this building, you are no doubt the most experienced in your field and it would be ludicrous for some young, naive, inexperienced initiate to think that they can question your orders, advice or suggestions." Li Xiuying purposefully used an a.n.a.logy that everyone in the room could relate to, that was also why she referred to her scalpel as her blade. Most importantly she was indirectly chastising Tu Nianzu's conduct. If she directly insulted Tu Nianzu, Elder Tu would see it as insulting him. 

Elder Tu strummed his fingers on the desk not looking away from Li Xiuying's gaze. 

No one else in the room moved or made a sound. Qilin and Tu Nianzu looked between Elder Tu and Li Xiuying. 

Many seconds had ticked by when Elder Tu finally spoke: "We will contact you if we require your services."

Li Xiuying took out her business card which had her work number on it and calmly placed it on the desk. 

She opened the door and found the maître d' waiting outside. 

Maître d': "This way please." When Li Xiuying exited the room, he pulled the door closed. 

Tu Nianzu: "Grandfather, why did you allow her to leave like that? She should be grateful that she was even a contingency plan for you."

Elder Tu: "Enough Nianzu." 

Qilin was completely at ease: "Nianzu, father asked you to be present here today so you could help to a.s.sess whether Li Xiuying's information was accurate and also explain any medical terminology or concepts that were difficult to comprehend. I thought it would be a good experience for you to see her operate."

Tu Nianzu: "I was doing that. I didn't like the way she conducted this whole consultation. She's getting something huge for doing just one operation and she still had the audacity to act coldly and like she's above us. "

Qilin's tone became serious: "Is the life of your grandfather worth so little?"

Tu Nianzu realized his mistake: "I'm sorry grandfather, I misspoke. Please forgive me."

Elder Tu: "Nianzu, there are important lessons to learn today."

Tu Nianzu: "Yes grandfather."Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.

Elder Tu: "During the consultation, all of her questions were pertinent and direct. When she asked specifically about speech it triggered me to remember something your grandmother had said about me speaking oddly last Tuesday, I was about to speak when you interrupted the consultation. I spared your dignity by keeping silent."

Tu Nianzu was surprised, the symptoms could be indicative of a second TIA. His interruption had caused his grandfather's not to mention a valuable piece of information. 

Elder Tu: "Nianzu, do you know why I started at the bottom of the organization when I was 16 years old, even though your great grandfather was the head of the family? He wanted me to see and learn things that I wouldn't be able to if I had just looked at everyone from a high pedestal. One of the most valuable things I learned was how to read people and get a feel for their motives." 

He paused before continuing: "To answer your earlier question about why I let her leave, do you know what I saw when I looked into her eyes?"

Tu Nianzu shook his head.

Elder Tu: "Myself."

Tu Nianzu was shocked: "What?"

Elder Tu: "I let her leave because she has eyes like mine. Ones that have seen too much of the dark side of the world." Li Xiuying was not someone who could be forced to submit. Even if they tried to take care of her friends or family, she was someone who would seek vengeance as if she had nothing to lose. 

Tu Nianzu: "How can you tell?"

Elder Tu chuckled, Li Xiuying was right about Tu Nianzu's inexperience: "She knows what your uncle and I do for a living. We let people experience things that are worse than death. Even while knowing that, she didn't flinch under my gaze. Most people who face men like me and your uncle, even if they are truthful and innocent still feel fear, anxiety, they feel something. Her eyes showed hidden depths, complete clarity and absolutely no fear. No emotion at all. She's someone that is not afraid of death or torture. Strange really."