Milton hugged August: "Do you have a surgery today? If so, I'll wait for you; if not, let's go drink some beer together. We must have a blast today for our friendship."

"No surgery today, but is there nothing wrong with you? Have you really come all the way just to drink with me?" August definitely doesn't believe this old fox; he surely has something to ask, and judging by his demeanor, it's probably not a small matter.

August actually wanted to see what Milton was up to, so he said, "Alright, old friend, for friendship, we must have a good drink. I haven't drunk with you in ages."

"There's no surgery tomorrow, right? I remember tomorrow's not your surgery day."

"You have an excellent memory—indeed, tomorrow's not my surgery day, so it doesn't matter how much we drink tonight."

"That's great, old friend."

"How about coming to my place? We can grill meat and drink beer together."

"Sounds good to me."

The two came out of the elevator shoulder to shoulder.

August drove Milton to his villa in the suburbs. Eating grilled meat and drinking beer on the villa's lawn is a delightful affair; the weather is good today, no chance of rain.

August's home is staffed with servants and a chef, who've prepared everything under his instructions; now it's just August and Milton on the lawn.

Their relationship is both rivalrous and friendly—they're adversaries and yet admire each other. They met at an academic conference when they were young and formed a deep academic friendship thereafter, often discussing academic issues through email and phone calls. Sometimes they'd argue and shout at each other, even swearing.

At conferences, they appear more as nemeses, frequently banging on tables over debates. But this doesn't stop them from drinking beer together.

German dark beer wafts with a strong burnt aroma; their cups clink together as they discuss the issues they've argued about since their youth and who turned out to be right or wrong.

Without realizing it, it's deep into the night, and they are surrounded by boxes upon boxes of empty bottles, with the scent of grilled meat wafting in the air.

August burps, drunkenly, "Bro, tell me, what do you need from me? We've had a good beer session today; I'll see if I can help you."

"Today, just drinking, no business. It's all for our friendship—nothing is more important than that."

"Cut the crap; you Brits shouldn't be so fake. As we say in China, speak your mind and relieve yourself, because once I sober up, I might not agree to anything you say. If you want to say something, say it while I'm still tipsy."

"Oh, actually, it's nothing much. It's like this: I've treated a thirty-something male osteosarcoma patient. The primary site is on the spine, metastasized to the left femur... He's now gone to China's Sanbo Hospital, and he really wants Professor Yang to be his attending surgeon. He's eager to participate in Professor Yang's K Therapy clinical trial. But this requires a special recommendation letter, as you know... There aren't many doctors worldwide who can write this letter, and I've heard you might be one of them. So, could you help and write a recommendation letter for my patient?"

"Is that it? Nothing else? Speak now if there's more; I remind you again, if you mention anything after I sober up, I'll refuse."

"Yes, just this—wondering if it's convenient for you."

"Alright, brother, I knew you needed something from me. You didn't have to drink so much beer with me; you could have straightforwardly told me when we met today, and I would have agreed. You Brits love beating around the bush, unlike us Germans who are direct—you're sly, deceitful, duplicitous, insincere. That's the hallmark of Brits."

"Yes, you're absolutely right. I also think Brits have many bad habits; I'm even ashamed of being British."

"You should be ashamed. Look at us Germans—so candid, honest, straightforward, consistent in speech and action."

"Yes, brother, actually I have German blood; my great-great-grandfather, I think, came from Germany, allegedly crossing the English Channel on a wooden boat."

"Same goes for you. If you had just said it when we met earlier, instead of drinking into the night before finally getting to the point."

"Yes, brother, I got so excited seeing you that I forgot, and it just came to mind now."

"Alright, seeing as we've had a great drinking session, I'll agree to it."

"You agree?"

"Of course. Send me the patient's detailed information first thing tomorrow, and I'll write a recommendation email for Professor Yang. Honestly, no need to drink so much beer."

"Do you really agree with no strings attached?"

"No strings attached; I've agreed. You truly didn't need to drink with me."

"No, I wanted to; I truly wanted to drink with you. We've been rivals for over twenty years. As European Spinal Surgery Association chairmen, we practically alternated tenures. Today I realize, without you, I wouldn't have achieved what I have."

"Same here, without you as my rival, I wouldn't have my achievements today. Thinking back to our arguments, I feel I should apologize—I shouldn't have shouted so loudly, banged tables, or cursed at you—it was so rude and overbearing."

"I shouldn't have mocked you, constantly sneering at you. Some of your new methods are indeed right, but I kept ridiculing you."

"By the way, how's your Chinese? If your language skills are up to par, I could recommend you to join our association."

"Aren't you afraid I'll surpass you once I join?"

"In Europe, after defeating you, I felt very lonely and lost. So after much thought, I realized I had to raise your level. Otherwise, without a rival, life truly becomes unbearable."

This pair of rivals actually chatted through the night, leaving the lawn covered in beer bottles. Fortunately, August has no surgery the next day; he already informed his colleagues, so being late is no issue.

---

August kept his promise; he wrote a recommendation letter for Adams.

Yang Ping received this recommendation and plans to include Adams in the clinical trial.

This pair of rivals actually chatted through the night, leaving the lawn covered in beer bottles. Fortunately, August has no surgery the next day; he already informed his colleagues, so being late is no issue.

---

August kept his promise; he wrote a recommendation letter for Adams.

Yang Ping received this recommendation and plans to include Adams in the clinical trial.

This pair of rivals actually chatted through the night, leaving the lawn covered in beer bottles. Fortunately, August has no surgery the next day; he already informed his colleagues, so being late is no issue.

---

August kept his promise; he wrote a recommendation letter for Adams.

Yang Ping received this recommendation and plans to include Adams in the clinical trial.

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