Chapter 843: Chapter 337: Water and Fire Coexist, Two Titans Resolve Their Grudges (Part 2)

Director Hu Kan spoke with a body that trembled, yet his eyes were full of boundless wisdom.

When it comes to composure and calmness, probably no one can surpass him, the country’s top figure in the Stable Knife Technique.

From calmness comes wisdom; only when a person finds inner peace and has enough composure can wisdom arise. Impulsive people have very limited wisdom.

“I can’t deny it, you have a point. Go ahead and continue.”

Dr. Xu’s voice carried a sense of weariness and defeat.

After many years of effort, he had been honing his stillness skills, and his surgical level had greatly improved compared to before.

He thought that as long as the shackles on him were removed someday, he could return to the operating table and create storms. But listening to Director Hu’s analysis, he realized that the root problem of the Fast Knife Skill is not singular.

Relying solely on calmness to overcome its demonic nature can’t resolve the drawback of dragging the knife.

“My Stable Knife Technique can correct this major flaw.”

Seeing that the opportunity was ripe, Director Hu Kan pressed further and added fuel to the fire.

“The Fast Knife and the Stable Knife Techniques cannot integrate; they are like water and fire.” Dr. Xu said decisively.

“I used to think so too. Later, as I practiced the Stable Technique, I gained some insights based on Tai Chi principles. Perhaps there is a way to integrate stability and speed like yin and yang. At least, I think Xiao Zhou can give it a try. Maybe in the future, he could walk a path that is wider and longer than yours and mine.”

When Director Hu Kan said these two sentences, his eyes shone with excitement, and his expression couldn’t hide his inner eagerness.

Zhou Can listened to the two surgical giants discussing the Tao, feeling it was profoundly mysterious.

He couldn’t quite understand.

However, he did know about the integration of yin and yang in Tai Chi.

On the other end of the phone, Dr. Xu’s breathing seemed to become rapid, and the heavy, short breaths could be heard on this side.

“Tai Chi? Old Hu, you’re something. If your theory can really work, Xiao Zhou’s achievements in the future will definitely surpass us both. For years, I’ve hunkered down and endured hardships, quietly practicing the Fast Knife Skill and trying to minimize its flaws. I thought my skills had improved and should surpass yours. I didn’t expect you to still be better than me.”

Dr. Xu sighed.

He admitted defeat openly.

He had silently worked hard for years, always thinking of surpassing Director Hu Kan and turning the tables. But even when Director Hu Kan fell due to health reasons, Dr. Xu still lost.

In terms of wisdom, he was no match for Director Hu Kan.

Come to think of it.

Every time Director Hu Kan practiced the Stable Technique, it was like a monk entering meditation. After long-term training, his wisdom might not be inferior to the old monks in temples.

Using Tai Chi theory to fuse the medical Fast Knife and Stable Knife Techniques together is something an ordinary person wouldn’t think of.

“Old Xu, you’re wrong again!”

Director Hu Kan said.

“Uh…where did I go wrong again?” Dr. Xu’s words were tinged with a hint of anger.

He was probably cursing, this Old Hu, really pushing it.

Praise him as well?

“You’ve lived for most of your life, why don’t you understand one principle? You can’t compare people. Comparing goods might make you throw them away, but comparing people will kill you. You’ve treated me as your competitor for a long time, always wanting to compare highs and lows with me. Actually, you were wrong from the start. People shouldn’t compare themselves with others, if you must compare, do it with yourself. As long as you advance from your past self, that’s enough.”

Director Hu Kan’s words to educate Dr. Xu, though blunt, made perfect sense.

Dr. Xu fell silent once again.

“Haha… I’ve actually admitted defeat! Compared to you, Old Hu, all my life, today I’ve finally admitted defeat wholeheartedly. Wait, I’m coming to see you now.”

A moment later, Dr. Xu seemed to have figured something out.

Or he might have gained some insights into life.

He put down the heavy burden in his heart.

After being scolded by Director Hu, not only was he not angry, but he laughed heartily, expressing that he would immediately come to find Director Hu Kan.

You know, usually, even if the two saw each other, they wouldn’t greet much.

There was a sense of mutual antagonism.

Now it seemed like the ice had broken, and their relationship had visibly softened.

From Dr. Xu’s words, it seemed he wanted to come over and drink with Director Hu Kan, with an attitude of not leaving until they were thoroughly drunk.

Zhou Can couldn’t help but worry about Director Hu Kan’s health.

If it was in the past, Director Hu Kan could handle a drink or two, no problem.

Now, his health was far from before, and having just recovered from a serious illness, one drink might send him directly off.

“Dr. Xu is probably coming over to drink with you, you mustn’t agree.”

Zhou Can couldn’t imagine what would happen to the Cardiothoracic Surgery department if Director Hu Kan died.

Now, even if Director Hu Kan can no longer personally perform surgeries on patients, at least his fame remains. As long as he is alive, he can temporarily keep this renowned reputation intact.

Cardiothoracic Surgery now needs time more than anything.

Before a new star doctor emerges, they need Director Hu Kan to continue holding up the golden signboard to help this once powerful and glorious department through its difficulties.

“No worries, I know myself.”

Director Hu Kan’s face was full of smiles.

Having convinced Dr. Xu and with the matter of accepting Zhou Can as his successor in the works, he no longer had to worry about this key department not having a pillar to support it.

Before replacing a pillar in a house, there must be a new pillar to support it.

Otherwise, the house would collapse.

Dr. Xu soon arrived, looking radiant and joyful.

It seemed that putting down the burden of many years and untying the knot in his heart had made him very happy.

“Old Hu, today’s conversation with you is worth more than a lifetime of reading! Let me take you to a roadside barbecue stand, get some lamb skewers you like, and peanuts, then down a couple of wines, how about it?”

Sure enough, as expected, Dr. Xu hurried over, seeking to drink with Director Hu Kan.

Men express emotions differently than women.

Dr. Xu actually knew what foods Director Hu Kan likes, indicating they probably drank together before.

“Haha, so many years have passed, didn’t expect you still remember our youthful days. It’s been more than thirty years since we had a drink together and chatted, hasn’t it?”

Director Hu Kan laughed happily after hearing this.

“It’s been exactly thirty-two years since we’ve eaten together. It was my fault for being competitive and narrow-minded back then. In hindsight, even if you won over me, so what? I stopped interacting with you after losing a game, which was indeed a bit too much.”

Dr. Xu came to apologize.

The long-buried youthful past between them resurfaced.

Now, having resolved the knot, both shook hands and reconciled, which wasn’t easy.

Zhou Can watched as his teacher and the respected Director Hu reconciled, feeling equally delighted. Happy for the two of them.

“It takes two to tango. If back then I hadn’t provoked you with words after winning, you wouldn’t have held a grudge against me for over thirty years. Whenever I think of it, I feel regret. I was young and reckless, not knowing how to conduct myself. Thinking back to those days, after work, we’d sit in the alley behind the hospital, have some barbecue, two bottles of beer, and those days were truly wonderful!”

Director Hu Kan was also filled with nostalgic memories of his younger days.

“The lights are just coming on, night is falling, the timing is perfect. Let’s go! How about the old place, Qingshi Lane?”

Dr. Xu couldn’t wait to relive the old days.

“Let’s go!”

Director Hu Kan stood up with the support of the table.

Zhou Can quickly went over to help.

“Is your health okay?”

Dr. Xu now realized that Director Hu Kan’s body was no match for his younger days.

“Who do you think you’re looking down on? A man can’t say he can’t.”

Director Hu Kan rolled his eyes, and with Zhou Can’s support, he left the office.

The three of them made their way to Qingshi Lane behind the hospital.

At this moment, the night market stalls in the alley had already been set up.

Only at night, when the city management rests, do the vendors appear on the street.

“It’s that Wang Fatty’s barbecue stand not far away. It’s been more than thirty years, and it’s still here. That’s great.” Director Hu Kan pointed to a barbecue stand not far away.

“Over the years, every time I pass by this alley, I take a glance at Wang Fatty’s BBQ. But I haven’t eaten there again.”

Dr. Xu was also filled with emotion.

Life is short; decades pass in the blink of an eye.

The two giants of the surgical world have struggled in the medical field all their lives. Director Hu Kan’s health has become like this, and Dr. Xu is still entangled, practicing medicine with invisible shackles.