Chapter 652: Chapter 652: He Wants to Study Abroad
The next day.
Rong Ling dialed the phone number of the vice president of Chongming Hospital, following the business card given by Li Yufei.
As soon as the call connected, a middle-aged man’s voice came from the other end: "Hello?"
Rong Ling said: "Hello, may I speak with the vice president of Chongming Hospital? I am Li..."
He paused, suddenly unsure how to address him.
The vice president chuckled and then understood: "Did President Li give you my card? Are you Rong Ling?"
Rong Ling: "Yes."
The vice president said: "President Li has already told me about your situation. So, I’m still in a meeting right now, can you wait for half an hour?"
The vice president spoke very politely.
Rong Ling knew this was because of Li Yufei’s strong influence.
Rong Ling: "Okay, I’ll wait for you."
He hung up the phone, and twenty minutes later, the vice president called back.
The vice president: "Rong Ling, we’ll keep this brief. Can you bring your sister to the hospital for a comprehensive check-up first, and I’ll arrange a chief doctor for you who will then formulate a detailed surgical plan for your sister. You can communicate directly with him regarding the specifics."
After speaking, he gave Rong Ling a number.
"The number I’m giving you is the mobile number of the ophthalmology expert, Chief Doctor Xu. He’s generally available in the afternoon; contact him then."
Rong Ling said: "Okay."
In the afternoon, after the lunch break, Rong Ling called Doctor Xu and scheduled the appointment.
Soon, Xiaoyi would be on summer vacation. She had final exams in the coming days, and once they were over, he planned to schedule the surgery during her vacation to facilitate her recovery.
Evening.
Doctor Fan invited Rong Ling over for a small gathering at his home, and on the phone, he reminded him to bring Xiaoyi along as he would cook personally.
Rong Ling had known Doctor Fan for a long time; Doctor Fan was a great person who took good care of both him and Xiaoyi.
Twilight.
School ended a bit late for Xiaoyi, so Rong Ling picked her up and went to Doctor Fan’s home.
As soon as they entered, Rong Ling saw Doctor Fan busy in the kitchen.
Doctor Fan’s house was not large, roughly about 90 square meters.
A few years ago, his old city house was demolished, and he received a sum of compensation money to buy this set of housing. The remaining money was invested in several commercial properties. For years, his small clinic hadn’t turned much of a profit and barely offered subsistence. However, relying on the rent from the commercial properties, he’s lived fairly well, and thus, his clinic had been maintained purely as an act of goodwill.
Doctor Fan: "Xiao Rong! You’re here!"
Xiaoyi politely said: "Hello, Uncle Fan."
Doctor Fan beamed upon seeing Xiaoyi: "Xiaoyi, you’ve grown taller!"
Xiaoyi blushed a little, skeptical: "Really?"
Doctor Fan said: "Really! Haven’t you measured your height recently? You look much taller to me."
As he brought out the finished dishes, he said: "Come, come, sit down quickly."
Doctor Fan’s cooking skills were limited, but his years in the kitchen, though not filled with many fancy dishes, made the food tasty and palatable.
The three of them, with four dishes and one soup, and he specially made Xiaoyi’s favorite braised chicken wings, which counted as a very hearty meal.
During the meal.
Doctor Fan mentioned studying abroad: "Xiao Rong, have you thought about studying abroad? You need to make a decision quickly, don’t miss the opportunity. Remember, going to study in the United States involves a lot of paperwork, and if you miss it, you’re delaying your whole life!"
Rong Ling still hesitated a little.
Doctor Fan understood his concerns: "Don’t worry about the money; haven’t I told you? I can finance you a bit! As for living expenses in the United States, you have to find a way to handle it yourself! But I’ve heard that many international students work while studying. Regarding Xiaoyi, during your study there, I’ll take good care of her!"
Xiaoyi’s eyes flickered at this: "Brother! Are you going to study abroad?"
Rong Ling remained silent.
Doctor Fan suggested: "How about you write me an IOU? Once you start working later, you can repay me slowly! You know my little clinic, although it doesn’t make much money, it’s more than enough to subsist. Besides, I have commercial properties, so even if I retire now, I’ll be able to live comfortably."
Rong Ling said: "Okay."
He was willing to write Doctor Fan an IOU, treating it as a loan.
Doctor Fan was delighted to see that Rong Ling decided to continue his studies: "Xiao Rong, don’t let me down! Your life should be better; this is your only way."
After speaking, he poured another small drink.
The next day.
Rong Ling took Xiaoyi to school and then contacted Professor Lu.
On the phone, he expressed his intentions to Professor Lu.
Professor Lu bluntly asked: "Are you prepared for the expenses of studying in the United States?"
Rong Ling said: "How much exactly is it? You mentioned 500,000 before; I can borrow that amount."
Professor Lu: "If you can raise the money, the rest shouldn’t be a problem. However, you need to start preparing the procedures quickly."
Preparing for studying in the United States involved a lot of paperwork and needed an early start.
First, you need to get a passport and visa, and then there are various records, from birth certificates to non-criminal records, to letters of guarantee.
TOEFL, IELTS, or SAT English scores, along with official transcripts and degree certificates from previously attended schools, and teacher recommendation letters.
Rong Ling’s school transcripts were good, but recommendation letters and guarantees were the more challenging aspects.
He needed to revisit his school briefly, or... find a guarantor.
Could Doctor Fan be his study abroad guarantor?
In the changing room.
After ending the call with Professor Lu, Rong Ling changed into his uniform.
He had just walked to the guard post when an Audi car slowly entered the barrier and abruptly stopped beside him.
Accompanied by the loud screeching of the brakes.
Rong Ling instinctively retreated two steps.
Following the sound, he looked over, and the Audi car window slowly descended. A man sat in the driver’s seat, gazing at him with a surprised expression: "Rong Ling?"
Rong Ling immediately recognized him: "Han Ye."
What a coincidence.
He hadn’t expected to meet a college classmate here.
Han Ye first eyed him, seeing the uniform he was wearing, couldn’t help being surprised: "No way? Rong Ling, you’re actually working as security here?"
The car behind suddenly honked.
The Audi was blocking the entrance.
Han Ye quickly rolled up the window and went to park the car in a space.
Rong Ling didn’t linger but returned to the guard post.
As soon as he returned to the guard post, he saw Han Ye walking towards it from afar.
Rong Ling stood still until Han Ye came up close before speaking: "What are you doing here?"
Han Ye said: "I work here."
A colleague from Rong Ling’s shift saw Han Ye and immediately greeted politely: "Vice President Han!"