70 Lending A Hand For Someone Deserving

It's been 12 hours since the surgery started. Countless Doctors, sponsors, and even some Directors came to witness the capability of Han Tengfei's apprentice.

Master Han who knew what they were after, took a glance at Wei Yan across him. All that's left are the final stitches, and he plans on letting Wei Yan take the rein and show them how fast her hands can move. "Doctor Hou, do the final stitches"

The others who heard him strangely stared at him. [ When did he start giving others opportunities? ]

Han Tengfei hates it when someone meddles with his surgery and hates it, even more, when someone steps up and offers to finish the stitches. He was a doubtful person so he never allowed anyone to even do the minimal things for fear of sabotage and malpractice.

Hou Wei Yan, without even glancing at the sponsors nodded her head in agreement. Han Tengfei did most of the operation, he must be quite tired.

Though, that's hardly the case.

As Wei Yan handled the stitches, everyone's attention was directed to her. Everyone was left astonished at her agility, even Han Tengfei was left smiling as he watches her movement.

Really, Hou Wei Yan is a jewel in the Medical Field. Those who said she belongs in the business world deserve ridicule.

The final stitch was finished without a hitch. Han Tengfei felt proud of Hou Wei Yan's work but the latter didn't even care what everyone was thinking. All she was after was a successful surgery.

"Thank you for your hard work" Han Tengfei exclaimed as he exited the surgery room ahead of the others.

"That was fantastic, Master Han" Director Sui, a dear friend of his, stated as he greeted him with a warm smile. "As expected of you"

Han Tengfei gave him a smile. Sure he did most of the operation, simply because he doesn't want to overexpose Hou Wei Yan's ability, but without Wei Yan's fast assistance, he couldn't have done a fine job. "The praise isn't mine to take"

"Doctor Hou" he called out as soon as he saw Wei Yan exit the operating room alongside Xie Na.

Meixiu who wasn't included in the operating team waited outside and helped Wei Yan take off her coat as soon as she stepped out.

After making sure she was presentable enough, Hou Wei Yan walked toward Han Tengfei. "Master Han"

"This is my apprentice, Hou Wei Yan. The surgery was faster thanks to her and the others" Han Tengfei said as he presented her to the curious crowd.

Director Sui took a glance at Wei Yan before nodding his head "I heard you took on an apprentice but I didn't believe them"

"A pleasure to meet you. I'm Doctor Sui Wei from the Neurological Department"

Wei Yan gave a polite bow to the esteemed Director. "The pleasure is mine, Director Sui"

"Are you bringing her tonight?" the Director suddenly inquired. Hou Wei Yan immediately turned to Master Han in curiosity.

[ Tonight? ]

"I was planning on inviting her after the surgery" Han Tengfei said with a smile. He then glanced at Wei Yan and gave her a somewhat apologetic smile. "There's a Medical Convention this evening. I was supposed to tell you earlier but this old man forgot. I was told to bring a few Doctors with me"

"Will you be willing to accompany me along with your team?"

"My team?" Hou Wei Yan asked quite confused about his words. But her team was yet to be made. She hasn't even gone through the candidates due to her overly filled schedule.

"Doctor Xie and Miss Qiu" Han Tengfei replied while politely glancing at the two women standing beside Fang.

Wei Yan followed his line of sight and was suddenly concerned. [ Will it be okay to accept? ]

When Fang noticed her gaze and her baffling expression, he can't help but sigh at it.

[ Right. Tonight was the convention. I forgot to inform her as well ]

Initially, Han Yu Shou was the one who bribed Aven to make Hou Wei Yan the representative, but Master Han ruined that plan by making her his apprentice and giving her a huge leeway to attend the convention.

He forgot to inform her of the arrangements Ji Li Zhao made.

Fang looked at Xie Na and Meixiu who gave him their smile before he gave a nod towards her which Wei Yan immediately replied with a smile. She turned her attention back to Master Han. "Of course"

"I'll see you later then" he said before eyeing his assistant. "Just wear anything formal. It's not a party so wearing a gown isn't necessary"

Wei Yan nodded her head and was quite glad she doesn't have to wear something extravagant. "I will remember that, Master Han"

"I'll get going then. Thank you for your hard work" Master Han gave a smile at her before walking away.

"You as well, Master Han" Hou Wei Yan bowed down as she said this.

As he left, the higher-ups followed suit for all of them are after the Great Master Han and not a mere apprentice he picked up.

[ Truly. Watching them walk away from a rare jewel is saddening ] this is what Xie Na thought.

After Master Han and the higher-ups truly left the premises, Hou Wei Yan stood back straight and jogged toward her friends. "Is it really okay?"

"Of course, Madame" Fang replied, masking the mistake he made by not informing her. He swiftly shifted his attention to the two women behind him. "I will fetch you two later"

"Alright" Meixiu immediately replied before bowing and leaving the group with a smile adorning her face. Although Meixiu was toughened up by the harsh training of the military, her inner noble decorum cannot be hidden. A party spikes up her want to dress up and display that she's a part of the Noble Qiu Family.

"Then, I will be waiting" Xie Na blurted out before waving her hand. Fang lingered his eyes on her and only noticed Wei Yan again when Xie Na turned and truly disappeared from his gaze.

Hou Wei Yan coughed making Fang blush. This instantly activated Wei Yan's inner demon. She gave him a knowing smile before whistling.

"We better hurry. The designer might arrive before us" Fang exclaimed as he turned his back from her.

"Designer?"

"Yes. Your personal designer" he answered as he began walking away.

Hou Wei Yan who was quite baffled followed him in a hurry. All her life, her mother was the only designer she had. [ Did my husband ask Mother? ]

[ No. That's impossible. Mother probably doesn't even know of their marriage ]

"What? When did I have one?"

"From the beginning" Fang replied as he entered the elevator. He was about to push the button but Wei Yan was still outside in a daze. "Now let's go"

"Wait! Master Han just said that wearing a gown isn't necessary. Why would I need a fashion designer?!" she exclaimed as she caught up to him.

Fang sighed as the elevator doors closed. Does she want to go there wearing jeans and tees? As their Madame—Ji Li Zhao's wife—she should always wear something decent at parties. "But wearing something formal is necessary"

"Wait!"

"You can't say no on this" he immediately replied when he felt her hands about to reach him in a plea.

Hou Wei Yan retracted her hands while pouting. Seriously, getting through Fang is harder without Xie Na around. "What about Yingjie?"

He stared at her for a while and hurriedly left the elevator when it opened. Yingjie is an important person in Wei Yan's life. He wants to suggest leaving him at the Mansion, but he knows Wei Yan might hesitate and feel uncomfortable at the party knowing Yingjie isn't around her radar. "You can bring him if you want"

.....

As soon as the car stopped, Gu Man and the maids greeted her in a hurry. They arrived later than expected because of Cao Yingjie's little tantrum. To make up for the lost time, they need to fasten their preparations.

Gu Man guided Hou Wei Yan towards the dressing room specially made for such occasions. Wei Yan didn't know that such a place existed so she followed obediently, curious about what will unravel before her.

"I'll take care of Yingjie's attire" Fang said making Wei Yan halt in the middle of the hallway. "Go inside, Madame"

"See you later, Big Sister" Yingjie exclaimed as he excitedly followed Fang to the other wing of the mansion. They were heading towards Fang's room and he wants nothing but to find out what it contains.

Gu Man stopped in front of a two-door entrance with a huge orchid decorating it in the middle. It was filled with golden vines making it look like a portal to a fantasy world.

Wei Yan gulped as Gu Man slowly turned the knob and opened the door. Her eyes were filled with light the moment it was wide open as majestic statues wearing various gowns were displayed before her.

In the middle of the room stood a brunette man wearing a pink tuxedo, a wide smile decorated his face. Wei Yan stepped foot and was immediately greeted by the man. He gave off a very welcoming aura. "It's nice to finally meet you, Madame"

"Amine Chartier at your service" the man said, his voice deep yet perky as he gave her a kiss on the hand along with a bow. "But you can call me Da-r-le-ne"

"Nice to meet you, Darlene. I'm Hou Wei Yan" she greeted back with the same intensity of welcome.

"Yes yes!" Darlene clapped her hands in excitement. Finally, he meets the prized Madame. "I've heard so much about you from the boss"

"Are you perhaps his designer as well?"

Darlene immediately shakes his head along with an adorable pout. "Non-non-non"

"Darlene is only one of his many designers. As I am focused mostly on women's fashion, I was tasked to be Madame's designer" after quite a deliberation, Darlene walked close to Wei Yan and touched her hair before taking a long glance at her beautiful green jeweled eyes. "You indeed have Princess Xing's eyes. An emerald gem blessed by the heavens"

"I presume you're acquainted with my mother as well?"

"Yes. I worked with your mother many times. When I heard I will be serving her daughter, I felt delighted. To think your beauty was more than what I heard"

"You flatter me too much, Darlene" Wei Yan replied with a huge smile adorning her face. It's nice to meet people acquainted with her mother. Though some people gossip about Xing Mei Yi being a monster, there are others who still adore her—be it her fierce or adorable side.

"You deserve such praises, Madame" Darlene immediately said after hearing Wei Yan's sweet serene response. "Now, let's make you fabulous"

"Simple will do fine"

"Non-non-non" he replied, his pout making Wei Yan smile in delight. [ Oh, he's an amusing person ]

"Simple but Fa-bu-lous. Darlene creates fabulous miracles. Be it simple or extravagant!"

After hearing this, Hou Wei Yan can't help but chuckle at his cute side. "Fine. Do your magic"

[ Truly. I'm blessed to have him as my designer ]

.....

Fang strode upstairs, his casual getup replaced with his formal tuxedo, something he only wears on special occasions. He doesn't get to enter with Hou Wei Yan but tonight, he is still her guard and he ought to show off his professional side.

The maids that walked past him can't help but admire such rare sight. They often see Fang as a wild beast with his usual getup but tonight, he looked so neat like a tamed and handsome werewolf.

As usual, Fang didn't mind their stares. In fact, he didn't even care or bat an eye at their obvious squealing. He walked gallantly and knocked on Wei Yan's Dressing Room. "Madame, it's about time we depart"

"We'll come down in a minute. Wait downstairs, Wolf!" Darlene immediately shouted as he carefully placed down the pearl ornament Ji Li Zhao picked for his wife.

"Be Fast, Darlene" Fang replied, knowing fully well how Darlene takes his job seriously. He doesn't want things left unfinished or left awful. He wants everything to go according to his plan and it must be perfect.

Darlene smiled inside and did a small hand salute even though Fang could not see it. "Roger~"

Fang sighed and turned around. He completed dressing up Yingjie and he's now waiting downstairs, so he hastened his pace down to accompany the young troublemaker. He was expecting him to have his sour face out in the open.

To his surprise, the young one was circling around a woman dressed in a navy blue dress with a huge smile on his face. "Big Sister, you look amazing"

Meixiu can't help but chuckle at his flattery before she gently ruffled his hair. "Stop flattering me, Baozi"

"Miss Qiu?"

Meixiu glanced up at Fang with a smile. Her hair was curled and she was wearing a nice light makeup that highlighted her golden eyes. She was wearing a navy blue body-hugging dress with a slit on the side. Surprisingly, Meixiu liked wearing sexy yet elegant dresses on special occasions. "My cousin decided to be a gentleman and drove me here"

"She's not done yet?" she inquired when she didn't see Hou Wei Yan at all.

"Apparently, no"

"Well, I just hope we don't get to spend 2 hours waiting down here" she replied while chuckling. She then stared at Fang's get-up and couldn't help but tease him. She's been infected by Wei Yan's habit. "Aren't you curious about what Xie Na will wear?"

Fang was silenced by her sudden question. It took him a few more seconds before he could retort. "I'm more curious about her escort"

"Aren't you her escort?"

A voice suddenly said out of nowhere. The three of them along with the servants downstairs looked up at the same time and soon the room was filled with gasps and astonishment.

"No, I'm---" Fang found himself lost. [ Ah, if their boss sees this, he would fawn over her again ]

"Wei Wei!" Meixiu exclaimed, her eyes bearing a proud and happy expression. "You look majestic!"

Yingjie gave a thumbs up to Wei Yan and his smile was huge. Who wouldn't smile at the sight?

Their simple-looking Madame looks deadly beautiful when dressed in black. It highlighted her snow-white skin. The design was simple but it didn't look shabby or lacking. In fact, it exuded an elegant demeanor.

The dress with scale-like patterns hugged Hou Wei Yan's body, perfectly highlighting her lithe curves as it reaches down to her knee. It was adorned by white pearls and handsewn stitches. On her neck was a collar of the same design, filled with pearls, it runs down to her wrist and the see-through fabric had a slit on its side.

Her hair was tied in a half-bun. Her blonde hair was tied like a rose bun and the rest was let out with a curl. The one holding it up was a moon hugging a sun ornament that was surrounded by white pearls which complimented the moon earrings she was wearing.

Their boss went all out again, all for his beloved wife.

"I take that as a compliment for my skills" Darlene blurted out of nowhere making them look behind Wei Yan. He waved his hands, liking that they finally noticed his presence.

"Amine?" Meixiu asked, quite surprised by the appearance of a past acquaintance.

"Hi, pretty lady" he immediately greeted as soon as he reached downstairs. He gave a kiss on her cheeks before winking at her. "You should get going. We'll catch up tomorrow"

Although wanting to have a long chat with him, Meixiu understood that her work should come first. "Sure"

"Let's go fetch Xie Na" Wei Yan said while winking at Fang. Fang who somehow got used to it can only sigh as he leads the way out.

Once they arrived at Xie Na's place, Fang was nudged by Wei Yan to ring the doorbell. He surprisingly obliged without sighing or even showing any sign of protest. "Xie Na, we're here"

"Coming!" Xie Na yelled from the other side before opening the door and revealing an angel. Her naughty look was gone as she donned a smooth fitted waist white dress with a puffy white skirt adorned by golden royal patterns. "How do I look?"

Wei Yan, Yingjie and Meixiu looked at each other before they raised their thumbs up at the same time. "Stunning!"

They then turned towards Fang who was left speechless. Wei Yan chuckled before he nudged him. "Go on"

Fang coughed before turning away, obviously hiding the blush on his face. Because of this, he didn't notice the perplexity in Xie Na's eyes. "Let's go"

.....

The venue was already buzzing despite some doctors still arriving and flooding the room. The center of it all was, of course, the aloof and somehow antisocial Master Surgeon who surprisingly attended such big-scale event.

"Master Han!" someone called out.

"Master Han!" Another one called out which Han Tengfei immediately brushed aside.

"Can you shut them up?" he scowled to his secretary timidly following behind him.

"I can't do that, Master Han" he said as he scratched the back of his nape. Seriously, it's annoying but they can't just shoo them away. This is a conference, after all, so greeting their superiors and their close acquaintance is a given.

"This is why I hate gatherings like this. They hold no restraint at all" he complained as he walked away from the buzzing crowd. "You haven't seen Hou Wei Yan yet?"

"No" his secretary said as he glanced around once more. After a few seconds, his eyes caught a blonde-haired woman accompanied by two other women and a kid.

"Ah, they are here" he announced but to his surprise, Master Han already left making him sigh.

"Wei Yan!" Tengfei called out which took some people's attention.

Hou Wei Yan smiled as she slowly approached the waving Master Han. "Uncle"

"I was waiting for you" he greeted before smiling. "Come join me"

Meixiu and Xie Na immediately bowed down. Now, it's time for them to enjoy on their own. "Then please excuse us"

"I was asking you two to join as well" Master Han said with a smile. "Wei Yan is my apprentice. Since you're in her team, I'm responsible for you as well"

"Besides, you two are like my daughter. Don't leave this uncle by himself for I feel uncomfortable getting bombarded by questions by myself"

The two of them smiled "Alright"

After a moment, Wei Yan squeezed Yingjie's hands in hers and smiled. The room was filled with adults but she can see from a distance the crowd of children laughing and having fun despite such a greed-filled venue. "Do you want to play with others?"

Yingjie saw the children even before Wei Yan did but he has no intention of leaving her side. "I'll stay with you for a while"

"Who might this little fella be?" Master Han asked, finally acknowledging the little ones presence.

Yingjie smiled before taking a polite bow to the old man. "Hello, Uncle. My name is Cao Yingjie, but Uncle can call me Baozi"

His cuteness and the innocent aura he exuded made Han Tengfei smile. Slowly, he ruffled Yingjie's hair. "How adorable. Do you like sweets?"

He immediately nodded his head. "I love them, but I'm not allowed to eat too much"

Han Tengfei remembering his little girl, Han Rena who too liked sweets and since then was his partner in crime, smiled tenderly.

"This Uncle likes sweets as well. Do you want to accompany me?" he asked as he offered his hand. Well, aside that, it would be a great escape plan to use Yingjie.

Yingjie instantly looked at Wei Yan, asking her permission through his eyes. Wei Yan stared at him as well and smiled. She was too hard on him lately, perhaps it's time she loosens up today. "It's your cheat day, so why not?"

With her permission, Yingjie's eyes lit up and immediately took hold of Han Tengfei's hands. "Sure"

The two of them strode away living the three women shaking their heads. [ He just wanted to escape from the crowd, didn't he? ]

After a long pause, Hou Wei Yan turned to Xie Na who was breathing quite rigidly. "Are you okay, Xie Na?"

"Hmm?"

"You look pale. Are you sick?" Wei Yan instantly inquired before she placed her hand on her forehead. "You don't have a fever"

Xie Na gently placed down Wei Yan's hands with a smile. "I must have used something else in my lips"

"I'll fix it in the bathroom"

"I'll go with you" Meixiu offered, quite worried of her condition.

"No. It's okay" Xie Na instantly refused. No. She nervously refused the offer and the two of them noticed it. "I'll be right back"

"Xie Na" Wei Yan called out, obviously worried sick for her best friend.

"Reserve some macaroons for me" Xie Na stated as she walked away from them. She didn't look back and instead scurried towards the comfort room.

Wei Yan can't help but think of the possible cause of her sudden pale complexion. "Did you notice something strange in Xie Na?"

"Except for her pale complexion this evening, I didn't notice anything else" Meixiu immediately replied, unsure why Wei Yan asked.

"Hmmm"

Meanwhile, Han Tengfei and Yingjie were enjoying the delectable sweets in front of them while chatting. "So you were with Wei Yan in America?"

"Not all the time" Yingjie answered as he placed two macaroons on his plate. "Mom only leaves me with Big Sister when she has a seminar or she's very busy with a transaction"

"Do you see her as an idol?"

"No, I saw her as a suitable bride for me" he honestly replied with a huge smile on her face.

Han Tengfei was quite taken aback by his confident answer. Did he view Hou Wei Yan a suitable bride despite such age? "A bride you say?"

"But I forfeited after meeting her real husband" Cao Yingjie answered, now having a knowing smile on his face. "Who turns out to be Uncle's so-called adopted son"

"How did you---"

"I'm young but I already know a handful of dangerous computer stuff. By gathering information from others, I found out your connection with Big Brother" he replied without hesitation.

Han Tengfei blinked a few times before he chuckled at the child's bravery. "Looks like Palisades will need to recruit you while you're young"

"I'll enter when I want to. They don't have to recruit me" Yingjie blurted out before shoving a pop cake in his mouth. "For now, I need to hone my skills and discover my capabilities by myself. That way, I can grow without overly relying on others and having them annoyingly cling to me"

"Uncle must already know how annoying being a genius is. They say it's a blessing but it's actually a curse in the making" he added making Han Tengfei even more amused.

True, being a genius is a curse. Once they are noticed and dubbed as one, they are expected to excel and give their all in the area they specialize in. They would always be haunted by greedy people wanting to turn their talent into profit and by annoying people taking advantage of their knowledge.

"The child font you have earlier, was it a mere facade?" he asked. He had to ask because his way of thinking was beyond comprehension.

"I had to do that, to protect myself" he answered with seriousness. As much as possible, he doesn't want people to know just how much knowledge and talent he possesses. He wants to love with his mother and that will only be possible if he remains normal in the eyes of everyone.

"Does she know?"

Cao Yingjie smiled before he glanced at Hou Wei Yan talking to Qiu Meixiu. "She's more than an ordinary doctor, Uncle. Big Sister knows what I'm capable of and even helps me improve myself"

"To be exact, she's the one who discovered my potential and persuaded my mom to train me"

"Your mom? She trained you?" he asked, quite intrigued by the one who trained a child to such a terrifying extent.

"Mom is an IT Genius" he proudly declared with a smile on his face. "Other than Big Sister, mom listens to no one"

After learning such a surprising report, Han Tengfei can't help but look at Wei Yan. "Does she know the current standing of the Royalties?"

"Sister doesn't concern herself with the business industry anymore. She's more focused on her career" Yingjie immediately answered knowing fully well what concerns him. "So tell Big Brother not to worry about getting discovered. I won't tell anyone whom he doesn't trust. But in return, Big Brother must follow my advice"

Han Tengfei was left speechless by the child. He is so mature, it's terrifying yet somehow—amusing.

"Master Han!" someone called out making them swiftly turn to the source of the voice. A man in his 30s wearing a white tuxedo walked towards them, an ethereal manly aura warping them around. "It's nice to see you again"

"Director Wong" Han Tengfei greeted with a smile. He was one of the youngest Directors of Ruabon Hospital. "It's been a while"

"I never thought I would see you in a convention again" he stated before offering his hand for a shake. Han Tengfei accepted it though quite hesitant.

"I simply came to support my apprentice" he said, proud and confident of Hou Wei Yan's talent.

"So I've heard" Wong Shihong said with an intrigued smile. He then turned towards the young child who was munching on some macaroons. "Who is this kid? Is he your son?"

Han Tengfei smiled before patting Yingjie. "No. I am merely his Uncle"

"So, where is this apprentice you're so proud of?" Wong Shihong asked as he looked around.

"That blonde woman in black. She's Hou Wei Yan, my apprentice" Han Tengfei proudly stated, unaware of Wong Shihong's curious gaze.

"Hmmm, I see" he said before smiling in amusement. She's young and her beauty is quite delectable. "Master Han is surely paving a bright path for her. How lucky"

"Her admission is not by luck but by perseverance" he stated to clarify any wicked thoughts he was having. "To put it simply, I'm lending a hand because she deserves it. Her hard work proves just how much she deserves my attention"

"Now I'm starting to get interested in this little girl" Wong Shihong said sending Han Tengfei in alarm.

"I suggest you forget that interest" he said before frowning. Hou Wei Yan belongs to Ji Li Zhao and even if no one knows, he will protect her like his own daughter. "That's a fair warning from me, Director Wong"