Zhuang Shilei's relatives have almost all arrived.

Her parents and younger brother, along with her uncle's family of three, plus Lin Jie, Chen Shi, and Tao Taqing, made the already not too spacious office somewhat cramped.

Tao Taqing frowned and said, "Zhuang Shilei will stay, along with two family members who can make decisions. The rest, please wait outside for now."

Zhuang Shilei's family discussed it briefly and finally left two people behind: Lin Ruoyi and a robust young man around twenty-three or twenty-four years old.

Lin Ruoyi softly introduced, "This is Shilei's cousin, Zhuang Hongbo, who has always been very concerned about Shilei's situation."

Lin Jie immediately realized that this was the culprit responsible for Zhuang Shilei's disfigurement on the left side of her face, and couldn't help but take a closer look at him.

The Zhuang family's genes weren't bad.

This Zhuang Hongbo had a small square face, thick eyebrows, a prominent nose, and a handsome appearance. However, Lin Jie felt a certain hostility in his eyes, like someone who couldn't be easily provoked.

They sat down in the meeting area of the office, with Zhuang Shilei sitting directly opposite Lin Jie.

It must be said, Zhuang Shilei, who played the violin quite well, exuded a naturally elegant and serene demeanor when she sat there, becoming the center of everyone's attention.

Tao Taqing looked over at Zhuang Shilei's face for a moment and then spoke softly, "Head Nurse Lin, Little Zhuang, and this Zhuang Hongbo, I explained the content of this project to you before. I assume you've already considered and discussed it."

"Today, as we sit face to face, if you have any doubts or concerns, feel free to raise them, and we will provide answers."

Lin Ruoyi smiled gently at Lin Jie and began, "I must first thank Lin Jie. If it weren't for his enthusiasm, we probably wouldn't be sitting here today."

She turned her gaze to Tao Taqing and asked, "Dean Tao, what I most want to know now is, to what extent can Shilei's appearance be restored after this plastic surgery treatment? And specifically, what are the risks involved?"

Tao Taqing subtly glanced at Lin Jie, seeing he had no intention of speaking, he had to answer himself, "This is a very pioneering plastic surgery treatment plan. Of course, if it were not pioneering, there would be no research topic."

"Based on our simulations, if the surgery goes as expected, Little Zhuang's left face will be restored to look like a regular person's, with flesh and blood, sensation, and the ability to cry and laugh."

"In appearance, there might be some deficiencies compared to the right side. But after this treatment, when the recovery is good, you can proceed with further cosmetic surgery based on this foundation."

Lin Ruoyi nodded slightly and further inquired, "What about the risks?"

Tao Taqing softly said, "The main risk is that if the surgery fails, Little Zhuang will endure the pain of surgery without any improvement to the left face."

"In addition, Little Zhuang also needs to bear the risk of all complications associated with external trauma surgery. Head Nurse Lin, you are well aware of this, so I won't elaborate."

"Another risk is that once this project begins, unless the first surgery proves our assumptions unworkable, resulting in a project halt, Little Zhuang cannot withdraw from subsequent surgeries."

"This requires Little Zhuang to have exceptional endurance. Once the project starts, it will require multiple surgeries lasting three or five months, or even longer, to complete."

"Dean Tao!"

Zhuang Hongbo suddenly interjected, "Let me ask an impolite question, aren't you using my sister as a guinea pig for an experiment?"

Tao Taqing paused in silence, nodded, and said, "To look beyond appearances and talk frankly, yes, indeed. Lin Jie saw Little Zhuang's condition and wanted to help her, so he proposed such a surgical plan after consulting with us."

"Through our simulations and surgical tests, we have unanimously determined that this surgical plan is feasible."

"Under these circumstances, we decided to establish this research project, performing surgery on Little Zhuang while recording surgical data to treat more victims in situations similar to Little Zhuang's."

Zhuang Hongbo unsparingly said, "The first experimental subject has a far greater chance of failure compared to success. Why not wait until your surgical tests succeed before letting my sister undergo this plastic surgery?"

His words made sense, causing Lin Ruoyi to show hesitation, and even the usually unperturbed Zhuang Shilei showed emotion for the first time.

"Let me answer this question!"

Chen Shi took over and said, "The first reason is funding."

"The research funding for this project alone is at least one million, not counting the time and energy invested by Dean Tao, myself, and the entire project team."

"By joining this project, you can receive our treatment free of charge. If you wait for the project to succeed and then seek treatment, the cost..."

Zhuang Hongbo boldly said, "Cost is not an issue. Even if we have to sell everything we own, we will get my sister's face treated. What I want is my sister's absolute safety."

Chen Shi's face showed some impatience. He snorted and said, "Fine, you have money, no lack of money!"

"Then, let me be honest with you, the reason Dean Tao and I established this project is purely for the research results."

"Once this surgery meets our expectations and the relevant surgical data is collected, we will not waste more time and energy on this kind of surgery."

"At that point, even if you have money, you'll have to find other surgeons to perform such plastic surgery on Zhuang Shilei based on my research findings."

Chen Shi continued bluntly, "Cases like Zhuang Shilei's left face, you can find a few similar patients, not just in Binhai City, but in all of China."

"We are not short of guinea pigs!"

Chen Shi's words were heavy but true.

People at their level wouldn't be content with performing repetitive surgeries; they prefer challenging surgeries or researching new surgical or treatment methods.

The atmosphere in the office suddenly became tense, and Lin Jie had the urge to roll his eyes.

However, since the project was officially led by Chen Shi and Tao Taqing, it was better for someone of his junior status not to speak.

Lin Ruoyi hurriedly apologized, "Professor Chen, Hongbo is just overly concerned about Shilei's safety and spoke a bit harshly. Please don't take it to heart!"

"Our family has the utmost respect for your and Dean Tao's abilities, knowing you wouldn't casually take a person's life and safety as a risk."

"But as parents, who wouldn't be concerned about their child..."

Saying this, Lin Ruoyi's eyes began to redden.

Chen Shi's tone softened, "Head Nurse Lin, Zhuang Shilei, and Zhuang Hongbo, you might consider this from another perspective."

He persuasively said, "If we didn't value Zhuang Shilei's treatment, why go to the trouble of specifically establishing such a research project?"

"It would be easier to directly perform plastic surgery on Zhuang Shilei, or simply refuse this matter altogether."

He stated firmly, "The fact that we established this project beforehand demonstrates that we value this treatment plan and have great confidence in its success."

"So, let go of your excessive worries!"

Chen Shi's words were well-reasoned, causing the previously dissatisfied Zhuang Hongbo to also show a hint of regret.

At this time, Zhuang Shilei stood up.

After a moment of silence, she spoke, "Professor Chen, Dean Tao, when Lin Jie first told me at Tianya Haijiao Resort that my left face could be treated, my once despairing heart suddenly became eager."

"You might not believe it, but what ignited my hope wasn't Lin Jie's words, but his gaze!"

Recounting, Zhuang Shilei said, "His gaze was so focused, devoid of any impurities. After I returned and found out his detailed information, I had a deep suspicion that Lin Jie might really have a way."

"Later on, I conveyed my conversation with Lin Jie to my mother."

She took a deep breath and said, "I believe in Lin Jie and I believe in all of you!"

"Please heal my left face, and I will cooperate fully! I'm not afraid of pain or hardship; I dream of having a perfect face!"

"I implore you!"

After saying this, Zhuang Shilei bowed deeply at ninety degrees to Chen Shi, Tao Taqing, and Lin Jie, not straightening up.

Large teardrops fell from her eyes, dropping onto the floor with a 'pat pat' sound, splashing into small blooms of tears...

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