Hope you enjoy reading!
Chapter 12 is now available on Ko-fi.
Chapter 11 I am your best and only choice
The private hospital had just opened, and there was a lot to take care of. Ji Qian didn’t stay at the hospital for long.
Chi Ke was a light sleeper. After just two or three hours, he woke up to find Ji Qian’s cousin in the adjacent bed, still fast asleep.
After confirming his condition with the doctor, he quickly completed the discharge procedures. With half a day of leave left, he spent all of it adjusting his work schedule and daily agenda for the next two weeks, making sure to include Ji Qian and his hospital.
Without the torment of illness, Chi Ke worked even more efficiently than in his past life.
[K: Are you free tonight?]
[The Great Ji Gatsby: Very free!]
[K: Let’s grab a meal? I’ve drafted a contract for you to review and revise as needed. Within this week, I’ll provide two different business proposals. You can decide whether to collaborate with me after reading them. If you choose to proceed, I’ll present three detailed planning documents this month—you pick one.]
[The Great Ji Gatsby: Hold on, let me process this.]
One minute later.
[The Great Ji Gatsby: So, in the end, the decision is still mine, huh?]
[K: Smart guy.]
[The Great Ji Gatsby: /Withers away/]
[The Great Ji Gatsby: I thought you were going to decide.]
[K: I’m just working for you. I’m not responsible for your leadership or decisions. I can give you suggestions, but you have to make the call. I can’t afford to take the blame if you go bankrupt.]
[K: Do you seriously know nothing about this?]
[The Great Ji Gatsby: /Alaska collapse.gif/] [mfn]a kind of gif? If anyone knows exactly which gif is it, do share it in the comments.[/mfn]
[The Great Ji Gatsby: You know I’ve dedicated my life to medicine. /Sad/]
Chi Ke chuckled lightly.
That, he believed.
Ji Qian was clearly a pure intellectual, wholly dedicated to medicine with grand aspirations and genuine passion—someone who didn’t care about wealth or social status.
That kind of personality was rare, especially in a prestigious family.
Why was the Ji family forcing someone like him into the world of business and wealth?
Chi Ke hesitated for a moment before deleting the message he had typed out: “Figure it out yourself.”
[K: I’ll bring you a few books tonight. Come with your questions, and we’ll talk.]
***
A red supercar pulled up at the entrance of an old residential complex. As onlookers turned to stare, Chi Ke felt immensely grateful that he had put on a mask in advance.
Ji Qian had insisted on picking him up for dinner, and he couldn’t refuse.
“Assistant Chi, Assistant Chi.” Ji Qian ignored the surrounding gazes and cameras, jogging over with two cups of milk. “Here, I know you like coffee, but too much isn’t good for you. I got you hot milk instead—it’s good for your stomach. You probably don’t like sweet things, so I didn’t add sugar.”
“Thanks.” Chi Ke glanced at Ji Qian’s outfit, admiration flickering in his eyes. “Dr. Ji, you look stunning.”
Ji Qian had already been striking in his hospital attire, but even after pulling an all-nighter, he still had the energy to change into another polished look.
In the early morning, Ji Qian’s outfit had been a high-end fashion ensemble—runway-tier, understated yet sophisticated.
By evening, he looked like he had been dunked in a rainbow, mixing designer brands from red-blooded luxury to blue-blooded heritage. The outfit combo chosen was stylish, no doubt, but also… incredibly flamboyant.
Chi Ke felt his fashion anxiety creeping in.
Ji Qian’s lips briefly curled up when he heard the word ‘stunning’.
“Compared to my earlier outfit?”
Chi Ke’s mouth twitched. “…They’re both good.”
Ji Qian graciously accepted the compliment, though from his expression, Chi Ke had a feeling he actually wanted to say: “Great taste. I think so too.”
To prevent Ji Qian from launching into a fashion lecture, Chi Ke quickly asked, “Is the Western restaurant I suggested okay?”
That place had light flavors, a quiet atmosphere, and private dining rooms—ideal for serious discussions.
“Sounds good.” Ji Qian smiled. “Assistant Chi prefers mild flavors too?”
“Mm.” Chi Ke disliked discussing his preferences with others, so he ended the topic with a single syllable.
“Alright, let’s go.” Ji Qian extended a finger and, with precise control, carefully poked Chi Ke’s arm. “Assistant Chi, let me take you on a ride~”
The poke wasn’t strong, but Chi Ke still moved a few steps forward, playing along.
Ji Qian, delighted, poked him again.
Chi Ke: “…”
Enough is enough.
Thanks to Ji Qian, Chi Ke got the full VIP experience of being the center of attention while getting into the passenger seat.
Before getting in, Ji Qian asked, “Do you like driving?” The implication was clear—he was offering.
Chi Ke calmly held his cup of milk and shook his head, “I like being driven.”
Ji Qian chuckled softly and slid into the driver’s seat, “At your service.”
Chi Ke’s eyelids, which he had closed just now twitched slightly. He lifted his left eye and glanced towards the driver’s seat.
Hmm. A very pleasing side profile.
He stared for a full thirty seconds.
As Ji Qian was waiting for the red light to turn green, their eyes met. He tensed up for no reason, “W-what?”
“Nothing.” Chi Ke, caught in the act, wasn’t embarrassed at all. “Just looking.”
Ji Qian: “?”
Though confused, he was generous about it. “You can take a picture if you want.”
“No need. That would be a bit much.”
Chi Ke never took unnecessary photos outside of work.
Ji Qian smiled, not pressing the issue. “I checked your latest medical report. Besides your heart issue, your platelet count is also low, you have chronic gastritis, and a herniated lumbar disc… No major illnesses, just a pile of small ones. Assistant Chi, working for Leng Yunting all these years must’ve been tough on you.”
Only a fellow corporate slave could understand. This was why having Ji Qian as a private doctor was great—any other doctor would’ve just scolded him: “How did you let your health get this bad?”
As if anyone would willingly destroy their body if life didn’t force them to.
If Ji Qian ever saw his past life’s medical records, he’d probably swear out loud in shock.
Chi Ke was actually a little curious to hear Young Master Ji curse.
And since he was a man of action—
Just as he was about to tease Ji Qian into cursing, a loud revving [mfn]Revving (short for “revving up”) refers to increasing the speed of an engine, especially by pressing the accelerator while the vehicle is stationary or moving slowly.[/mfn] sound came from outside.
A GTR [mfn]a Nissan GT-R[/mfn] next to them made a sound like a tractor—clearly provoking them.
Chi Ke instinctively turned to look at Ji Qian.
Ji Qian: “Looking at me again?”
“You’re not mad?” Chi Ke asked.
“You mean the tractor? Haha, no. This is the seventh one since I came back two months ago,” Ji Qian said nonchalantly. “Before this, there was a Lamborghini, a McLaren, a Benz… Oh, and a Tesla.”
Chi Ke chuckled, “Never seen such a chill LaFerrari owner before.”
Ji Qian lifted his chin smugly.
Ji Qian was the steadiest driver Chi Ke had ever seen—
No swearing at reckless drivers, no impatience at long red lights, no road rage. Just smooth, controlled driving, giving passengers both the prestige of a supercar and the comfort of a luxury sedan. A perfect chauffeur.
But while Ji Qian didn’t mind the provocation, Chi Ke, in the passenger seat, was slightly annoyed.
Unfortunately, the GTR had obvious modifications, meaning the driver knew what they were doing. Ji Qian, on the other hand, was likely a complete amateur—so laid-back that even old men playing chess at the neighborhood entrance had more competitive spirit than him.
Chi Ke sighed in disappointment. So spineless.
At that moment, both cars were in the front row at a red light.
Ji Qian glanced at him, “Not happy?”
Chi Ke remained indifferent, “No.”
Ji Qian nodded, “Got it.”
Chi Ke: “?”
Ji Qian: “Hold on tight.”
Before Chi Ke could react, the red-light time ended, and the Ferrari shot forward the instant the green appeared.
In a flash, the GTR was nowhere to be seen.
Ji Qian: “Happy now?”
Chi Ke covered his face and finally laughed, “If I were that GTR driver, I’d be cursing you all day.”
After provoking them so many times without a response, the other driver probably thought it wasn’t worth it and gave up. Who could’ve predicted they’d suddenly get serious?
That was straight-up cheating. A totally unfair win.
“Let them curse.” Ji Qian laughed too. “It’s not like we can hear them anyway. So, tell me—was that awesome or not? Happy now?”
Chi Ke pressed his lips together, suppressing his smile. Then, in a deliberately composed tone, he said, “It was alright.”
Ji Qian clicked his tongue, dragging out his words teasingly. “Not being honest, are you, Assistant Chi~?”
He turned the steering wheel and smoothly pulled into an underground parking garage.
The restaurant they chose was classy, had a great ambiance, and offered excellent privacy. The long wait time for food meant they had plenty of time to talk.
Ji Qian had arrived with a casual attitude, but as the conversation went on, he realized something was off.
This guy…
Was terrifying.
Solid knowledge base, razor-sharp perspectives, brutal insights—every word he spoke landed squarely where it mattered.
Ji Qian may have been an outsider in business, but he had strong logical reasoning and a sharp learning ability. Even so, keeping up with Chi Ke required his full concentration. A single moment of distraction, and he’d fall behind.
Chi Ke’s explanations were concise and straightforward—no pretentious jargon. In just a short time, he had already laid out the fundamental business logic behind hospital operations.
“Based on your spending this week, if you follow this plan, the hospital won’t make a profit for another 800 years. Honestly, it might even go bankrupt next year.” Chi Ke’s voice was calm as he picked up his tea. “Director Ji, right now, your priority isn’t treating patients—it’s keeping your hospital alive. That’s all I can suggest for now. I’d need more data from your side to do a full commercial analysis.”
Chi Ke’s throat was a little dry, so he took a bit of time drinking from his teacup. “Any more questions?”
After asking what felt like 800 questions, Ji Qian dutifully refilled his cup. “No more questions, Professor Chi. Shall we discuss your compensation next?”
Chi Ke smirked and held up a few fingers.
Ji Qian’s hand trembled as he set the teapot down, “You really dare to ask that much?”
“I can bring you much more than this,” Chi Ke said casually. “And don’t forget, Doctor Ji—I’ll be giving you half of it back every year.”
“That’s true.” Ji Qian sighed dramatically. “Professor Chi, you’re a born leader. You really know how to sell a dream.”
“Oh, not at all.” Chi Ke replied insincerely. “Director Ji, you’re my boss.”
“Boss? The cut you’re asking for is bigger than a partner’s.” Ji Qian scoffed. “Professor Chi, aren’t you worried I’ll just ditch you and find someone else?”
“If you could find someone else, would you have dragged it out until now?” Chi Ke shrugged. Having said this much, he finally stopped beating around the bush, his tone carrying a hint of amusement. “Your family left you nothing but an empty shell of a hospital and some money. That was intentional, wasn’t it? You know very well they don’t want to help you. But after all this time, you still haven’t found anyone yourself. That means there are only two possibilities.”
“First, someone in your family is keeping an eye on you, making sure you never revive the hospital. And you’re wary enough of them that you haven’t dared to take action.”
“Second, your connections won’t allow it. Either they don’t trust you enough, or they’re too afraid of offending someone—most likely the same person watching you, a member of the Ji family who refuses to back you.”
“Mastering business management in a short time is nearly impossible—unless you’re smarter than Einstein. Pouring money into this blindly will only lead to one outcome: total loss. The most viable approach is to discreetly find someone trustworthy, someone you can communicate with easily, someone competent enough to make this work.”
“You and I are already colleagues, so no one would suspect anything from our interactions. More importantly, no one would ever believe you’d pick a mere assistant for something like this.”
“Judging by your attitude, it’s not like you don’t want to keep this hospital. But if I hadn’t come to you, you would’ve just accepted its collapse, wouldn’t you?”
“Ji Qian, I’ve laid everything out for you today. You should be able to see my sincerity.”
Chi Ke leaned forward slightly, pushing the decanted wine toward Ji Qian. His fingertips tapped lightly against the table as a barely perceptible smile formed on his lips.
“Admit it—you don’t just need me. I’m your best, and only option.”
Ko-fi link for Ch. 12 :https://ko-fi.com/s/26366dcdb0
