C20 Find a Job

"I'm so exhausted..."

Lying on a simple bed, a young man named Lee Mu stretched languidly and slowly opened his eyes, feeling an overwhelming sense of fatigue as if he had just endured an intense workout.

He rubbed his eyes and surveyed his surroundings, realizing he was at home. Lee Mu furrowed his brow in confusion; he distinctly remembered treating Old Mr. Ouyang at KM Hospital. How had he suddenly ended up back at his own house?

"Oh, you're finally awake, son. You've been asleep for so long, you had your mother worried sick!"

As Lee Mu grappled with his confusion, he heard his mother, Qin Mian, speaking. She entered the room, carrying a white porcelain bowl.

"Mom, why am I lying here?"

Lee Mu couldn't help but ask upon seeing her.

Qin Mian paused, then looked at him with a mix of exasperation and concern. "You silly boy, this is your home. Where else would you be lying down if not here? On the street?"

"Mom, that's not what I mean. Wasn't I at the hospital? How did I end up home so suddenly?"

Lee Mu's face was etched with bewilderment, prompting Qin Mian to explain further. "Silly boy, it wasn't sudden at all. Do you realize you've been asleep here for two days? Ms. Xu is the one who brought you back. If not for her, I dread to think what might have happened..."

Qin Mian's voice trailed off, her expression laden with sorrow. Despite the hardships they faced, running a modest grocery store, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to her son, her beacon of hope in tough times.

"Mom, are you saying I've been unconscious for two days?"

Lee Mu was taken aback. Despite bracing himself for the unexpected, the news still shocked him. He had never experienced anything like this before. It was a stark reminder that he needed to be more cautious when treating patients, as any oversight could lead to serious delays.

What concerned him most was the fact that someone had brought him home this time. If he were to find himself alone and in danger one day, he might not be so fortunate to have someone to rely on.

From Qin Mian's account, it was clear that Ms. Xu, presumably Xu Jin, was the one who had sent him back. Surprisingly, she seemed to have a conscience.

"Mom, where is Ms. Xu now?" Lee Mu asked.

Qin Mian immediately became anxious at his question. "Oh, how would I know? She left after seeing you were okay. I tried to get her to stay, but she refused. You never mentioned Ms. Xu before, and now I can't even find her to express my gratitude..."

Lee Mu remained silent, seeing his mother's distress. He was accustomed to Qin Mian's aversion to being indebted to anyone. She had always been resilient, well aware of life's difficulties, and she didn't want to be a burden to others.

"Mom, don't worry. I know she works at KM Hospital. I'm going to find her now."

"No!"

As Lee Mu attempted to rise, Qin Mian quickly stopped him, pressing him back onto the bed. "Silly boy, you've just recovered. You can't go anywhere. Stay home and heal. Ms. Xu made me promise to let you fully recuperate before you go looking for her."

With that, Qin Mian brought over a white porcelain bowl, holding two packets of medicine. Lee Mu sighed in resignation, knowing he'd have to wait for his mother to leave before he could sneak out.

"Mom, I can take care of myself. You go ahead and take care of other things," Lee Mu insisted, taking the bowl from her.

Qin Mian gave him a look, seemingly reassured by his condition, and nodded. "Alright, then stay put and don't go anywhere. I'm going to sell some things outside. The grocery store has been closed for the past couple of days because of your illness."

Once his mother had stepped out, Lee Mu smiled to himself, quickly got ready, and feeling well, stealthily slipped out of the house.

After stepping out of the house, Lee Mu felt invigorated in a way he had never experienced before. He noticed significant changes in his body after the system had integrated with his brain.

His recent error was due to misjudging the system's pace. Lee Mu resolved to avoid such reckless behavior in the future.

Half an hour later, Lee Mu returned to KM Hospital, which had resumed its usual calm. This was a stark contrast to the bustling scene from two days prior, when Old Mr. Ouyang's illness had turned the hospital into a scene as busy as a marketplace.

Lee Mu had initially intended to call Xu Jin for assistance with work matters, but he reconsidered, realizing she might not be able to offer much help. Dean Chen's previous demeanor towards Xu Jin had made it clear that her standing in the hospital wasn't particularly high.

Lee Mu understood that some hospitals prioritize profit over research. Without the ability to generate revenue for the hospital, Xu Jin was expected to comply obediently.

Lee Mu's decision to work at KM Hospital was twofold: he wanted to earn extra income for his family and to secure a stable environment for himself. This would spare him from the daily search for tasks and allow him to thoroughly explore the system in his brain.

What intrigued Lee Mu most was that the system within him was a result of Xu Jin's experiments. He was deeply interested in her project and believed that mastering it could significantly enhance the system in his brain.

However, Lee Mu wasn't ready to share this with Xu Jin, maintaining a level of caution in their relationship. They hadn't yet reached a point of complete openness, but he was willing to offer necessary assistance, especially since Xu Jin had made a positive impression on him thus far.

Lee Mu's current plan was to approach Dean Chen directly to discuss employment opportunities. Lost in thought, he found himself already at the door to Dean Chen's office.

"No..."