chapter 13 back to those days

After Professor Huang finished speaking, he casually mentioned the names of a few attendees.
With each name called out, Luca's face showed more shock.
All of them were the top authorities in Tian Zhou Hospital, and without exception, they were all professor-level experts.
As a chief physician, he didn't even have the qualifications to sit in!
If it were anyone else, gathering such a luxurious assembly would be near impossible, but for President Huang, with his reputation and status, it was effortless.
Just then, someone quietly reminded, "Professor Huang, what about the research project?"
President Huang didn't hesitate, "Postpone it. Let's talk after I finish this surgery!"
Shock!
Luca was at a loss for words, his mind reeling.
To perform surgery on Theodore's mother, was President Huang really halting a major research project?
Damn it, who exactly is this guy?
He even maliciously speculated, could Theodore be President Huang's illegitimate son?
After pondering for a while and getting no answers, he turned his doubtful gaze towards Ava.
Of course, Ava couldn't provide any answers, as she was also in shock.
Despite knowing Theodore for so long, she had never heard that he knew President Huang, and their relationship seemed more than just acquaintance.
Ava had thought she was the one who knew Theodore best in the world.
At this moment, she suddenly found that the man before her had become somewhat unfamiliar, even mysterious.
Recalling their interactions, a thought crossed her mind, but she couldn't grasp it.
In the medical conference, the final surgical plan was quickly decided, with President Huang performing the surgery, assisted by two professor-level doctors.
Theodore's mother was still in coma, so Esme didn't meet her, which relieved her a bit.
She didn't know how to face Theodore's family, especially after he had given her a surprise.
Leaving the hospital an hour later.
Esme opened the car door first but didn't hurry to leave, instead looking at Theodore who sat in the passenger seat.
Seeing Theodore remain silent, she couldn't hold back her curiosity, "Aren't you going to explain?"
Theodore, craving a cigarette, lit one before replying, "Explain what?"
"Explain your relationship with Uncle Huang."
Theodore smoked and said, "There's nothing to explain. I only met President Huang once."
"Just that simple?"
Esme didn't believe it. If it were that simple, would President Huang mobilize his utmost efforts for this surgery?
He even waived the surgery fee, but Theodore insisted on paying.
After initial disdain and disgust, Esme felt more curiosity and admiration for this man.
The surgery fee of over half a million yuan was no small sum, and faced with such an opportunity, he didn't hesitate to refuse.
A man who aspired to live as a security guard wouldn't have such breadth and spirit.
A woman's intuition told her that this man had secrets!
Before she could ask further, her peripheral vision caught a figure hurriedly coming out of the hospital building.
Ava, wearing a white lab coat, her body ripe like a peach, looked around as if searching for someone.
Esme commented sourly, "What are you waiting for? Your dream lover is looking for you."
Theodore frowned, "I have no relationship with her anymore."
Esme huffed, "You don't need to explain so much to me. I'm not your anyone!"
Suddenly, a phone rang in the quiet car. Esme glanced, "Aren't you going? She's waiting anxiously!"
"I'll be right back."
Theodore hung up and got out of the car.
Ava turned her head, her gaze moving away from the white Audi, and asked complexly, "She seems quite wealthy. How did you meet her?"
Theodore didn't answer but asked back, "What do you want?"
Ava remembered Luca's instructions to probe Theodore's relationship with President Huang and to reconcile with him. Even if they couldn't be friends, they shouldn't become enemies.
She didn't want to run errands for Luca, but she had no choice, "Did you know President Huang for a long time?"
Theodore, who had some expectations, heard her question and felt a mundane taste in his heart, nodding in affirmation.
Ava accused, "Why didn't you say so before?"
Theodore couldn't understand the difference, "Does it matter?"
Ava bit her lip, "Of course it matters. If you had said earlier."
Although she didn't finish her sentence, Theodore understood. If he had said earlier, perhaps she wouldn't have broken up with him.
All his heartfelt efforts, just to get such an answer?
Theodore Zhao gave a self-deprecating smile and turned to leave.
Ava Shu blurted out, "If I were really so mercenary, I wouldn't have gotten together with you in the first place!"
Theodore Zhao froze, as a tide of beautiful memories came flooding back into his mind.
"Don't blame my mom. Being from a single-parent family, I always have to plan for her," she said.
Ava's eyes reddened slightly. If it wasn't for her mother's interference, they wouldn't have become strangers.
Theodore's heart was a tumult of emotions, uncertain of how to respond.
Taking a deep breath, Ava suddenly asked, "Can we ever go back to how things were before?"
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