659 Believe (2/2)

”Just send those pictures to me.” Tian Qi blushed a little as she spoke, but it could easily be mistaken as a hot flush as she had just cycled all the way to the hospital.

It only took them a short time to finish the seven vegetarian dishes. Ling Ran put down his chopsticks and said to Tian Qi, ”Academician Du was transferred to a normal ward from the ICU yesterday. Do you want to go and visit him together?”

”That's great. Professor Li has been wanting to visit Academician Du, but ordinary people aren't allowed into the ICU…” Tian Qi looked very happy as she asked, ”Does this mean that Academician Du is cured?”

”Since the surgery was a success, he would at least get to live for a few more years. But no one can guarantee that there won't be a recurrence.” Ling Ran explained things to Tian Qi.

Tian Qi nodded slowly and said emotionally, ”Doctor Ling, your job is to save lives, and it's really amazing.”

After they had their lunch, Ling Ran, Tian Qi, and Dong Sheng headed to Academician Du's ward.

The ward was extremely crowded with Academician Du's family members—almost all of them had come. Academician Du seemed to be in good spirits. He did not look pale, and he had the strength to talk.

Ling Ran performed a physical examination for him and thought about things.

Ling Ran had to take time to slowly figure out how the body of senior citizens reacted to such a major surgery.

As physical examination involved palpation, he got to understand the patient's condition better.

Li Xuechao, who had silvery-white hair, entered the ward, too, and greeted Academician Du.

”Wow, there's really no need for so many of you to come and visit me.” Academician Du managed a smile and nodded at Li Xuechao.

”I wanted to visit earlier, but something came up.” Li Xuechao apologized once again.

Academician Du's IQ had obviously become lower due to the fact that he had just received surgery. He asked without thinking, ”What's the matter?”

Li Xuechao smiled and said, ”We're prospecting for non-ferrous metal mine at South Zhili, so I had been very busy. I was just sending the files to the participants before I came to visit you. Auctions nowadays are more troublesome than they used to be. In fact, they're becoming more and more troublesome.”

Academician Du finally understood what was going on. He said with a smile, ”It's a shame that auctions have nothing to do with me as the ministry is responsible for it.”

”I know. Sigh, it's just that it's a little worrisome.” The old man with silvery-white hair looked even more sickly than Academician Du who was lying in a hospital bed. He was probably really tired.

Academician Du snorted a few times and said, ”Non-ferrous metal mines. Back when I was stationed at South Zhili, I prospected for ores at a few locations before. But I didn't investigate any of them further. What a waste.”

”We have to depend on the younger generation nowadays.”

”I do believe that there's something valuable in those mines.” Academician Du became more and more tired as he spoke.

After a while, Li Xuechao followed everyone out of the ward. He sighed and said, ”What a shame. I guess I'll only get to ask Academician Du about those mines the next time I visit him.”

”Are you guys planning to bid on an existing mine or prospect for ores?” Academician Du's plump grandson followed them out.

”What's the main difference?” Li Xuechao asked with a smile.

”If you want to prospect for ores, forget about it. You might have less competition if you were to participate in an auction,” Academician Du's grandson said in a hushed tone, ”Mines that had not gone through thorough investigation are cheaper.”

”We'll buy it then. I'll follow Academician Du's advice.” Tian Qi said when she heard this.

”Huh?” Academician Du's grandson froze for a moment. ”Are you guys really buying a mine?”

Tian Qi nodded and said, ”It's cheap, anyway.”

Li Xuechao flashed a wan smile, and Academician Du's plump grandson suddenly became anxious. ”About this… my grandpa meant that he reckoned that these lands might have ores underneath them, and it's not guaranteed. Besides, the amount of mineral deposits under every mine is different. You guys shouldn't be easily deceived…”

”I believe in Academician Du.” Tian Qi gave a simple reply.