“Ah!” Scott Justin immediately let out a sigh of relief, though he didn’t dare to reveal the full truth: the influencer in question was underage and had threatened to report him unless he provided her with an apartment. —
Recently, patients visiting Sophia’s clinic had been gossiping about the luxury limited-edition car frequently parked in the area. Some had even taken photos and posted them online. Many netizens identified it as a rare model that wasn’t just expensive but also incredibly hard to obtain. There was speculation that it might be the only one in the entire city.
The car’s peculiar behavior—arriving at night and leaving by morning, rarely seen during the day—only heightened the intrigue.
The gossip snowballed, and online discussions buzzed with theories about the mysterious car owner.
Some conspiracy theorists speculated that the owner was keeping a mistress in the mountains, which explained the car’s nocturnal visits.
Others dismissed this idea, noting the lack of luxury residences in the area.
“Dr. Smith, have you noticed that luxury car parked down the hill? It’s there every night.”
Sophia froze. If she wasn’t mistaken, that car belonged to Livinus. “Why?”
“Nothing, it’s just that everyone’s curious. We’re all wondering what kind of person drives a car like that.”
“Must be some middle-aged guy, overweight, probably balding.”
“Yeah, one of those big-bellied bosses!”
“Or maybe a rich kid.”
Sophia chuckled awkwardly. “Who knows.”
—
That same day, a young man arrived at the clinic to apply for an apprenticeship.
Sophia looked him over, then asked, “You are…?”
“I’m here to apply as an apprentice.”
She glanced at his résumé and discovered that he was a fellow alum from her medical school.
The young man, looking around the clinic, asked, “Where’s the boss? Isn’t he coming out to interview me?”
Before Sophia could respond, the patients in the waiting area chimed in, “This beautiful lady here is the owner of the clinic! She’s a miracle worker! Kid, it’s your luck to be learning from her.”
The young man was taken aback, staring at the long line of patients in disbelief. “Are all these people here to see her?”
Sophia nodded casually. “Let’s start with a simple test. Take this patient’s pulse and diagnose their condition. Explain your analysis and treatment plan. I’ll assess your skills.”
The young man hesitated but proceeded to examine the patient nervously. After a while, he said, “This patient likely has chronic nephritis. From a traditional medicine perspective…”
Sophia listened with a slight frown. His explanation was typical of someone with a theoretical background but little practical experience. His analysis was incomplete, and his diagnosis lacked depth. Moreover, he hesitated significantly when prescribing medication, uncertain of what to choose.
She tested his acupuncture and other skills, finding him lacking in some areas but overall competent. Notably, his understanding of acupuncture points was precise, and he seemed familiar with pediatric ailments.
“My family runs a clinic,” he explained.
That explained it. Small clinics often treated many children, giving him some exposure.
Sophia found him satisfactory overall. More importantly, he had a pleasant demeanor and a neat appearance, which made him approachable.
“Alright, you can start as an assistant,” she said. Pausing briefly, she added, “What are your salary expectations?”
The young man hesitated. “At least 3,000 dollars a month?”
Although he was still an intern, working in a clinic required effort, and even nurses earned more than that.
Sophia gave him a knowing glance and smiled. “How about 5,000 plus commissions? Once you’re officially hired, your pay will follow the hospital doctor’s salary standards.”
The young man lit up with excitement. “Really? I get commissions too?”
“Yes. We sell herbal tonics, brown sugar supplements, and anti-acne creams. You’ll earn a commission on sales.”
Though these items practically sold themselves, Sophia believed in being fair to young workers, even if she wasn’t much older herself.
“What’s your name?” she asked.
“Halliton Waylon.”
—
When Livinus learned Sophia had hired a young and handsome apprentice, his reaction was amusingly cryptic.
He watched her intently throughout the day, his expression unreadable, his deep eyes filled with something she couldn’t quite place.
Sophia, usually unflappable, felt unnerved under his piercing gaze. Testing the waters, she asked, “President Scott, is something wrong?”
Taking a sip of water, he replied casually, “I heard your new apprentice is a fellow alum?”
“Yes.”
“Young?”
“Yes.”
“Good-looking?”
“Quite handsome.”
