Demons Beside You

“Jared, what’s up?” Anse Ronan asked.

“Mr. Ronan, my lecture has been taken by someone else. The principal said that I’ll be replaced by someone better,” Jared complained.

Anse frowned. “What’s wrong with that? It only means that you’re not good enough.”

“I’ve checked the person who’s going to replace me for the public class. I’ve never heard of him before. He’s only given one lecture, as a substitute, and he’s not even a professor in neurosurgery. How can I accept that?”

“You mean someone from another specialty is going to give your lecture in neurosurgery?” Anse’s face darkened.

While Jared was not the best neurosurgeon he had seen—indeed not even as good as himself—he believed that nobody in another specialty could do better than Jared.

“Exactly. I suspect that there might be some shady deals.”

“So what do you want me to do?”

“I hope that you can expose him during the lecture. At least we can let the college realize that we’re specialized for a reason, and no outsider can replace me.”

“When is the public class?”

“In the afternoon.”

“Alright, I’ll be free in the afternoon. I’ll be there.”

Jared’s face was filled with delight. With Anse Ronan as his backing, he was confident that he would be able to destroy the substitute.

If the substitute was questioned by a neurosurgery authority in public, he would definitely be too embarrassed to stay.

If Jared was a neurosurgery expert, then Anse Ronan was definitely an authority.

In all of California, or even America, Anse Ronan was one of the best neurosurgeons, not to mention LA.

“Sir.” Just then, Jared heard someone call him.

He turned around and saw a stranger.

The stranger had thin hair and was in his fifties, but his clothes looked decent.

Why does he look so familiar?

“Hi, how may I help you?” Jared asked.

“May I know how to get to the principal’s office?”

The more Jared looked at the man, the more he found the man familiar. “Why are you looking for the principal?”

“Oh, I’ve been asked to be UCLA’s external lecturer. I’m reporting today.”

“Are you Mr. Hill Nandes?” Jared finally recognized the person before him. As a neurosurgery authority, Hill Nandes, nicknamed Surgical Knife, had a near-perfect personal record. He had outstanding performances in many super difficult surgeries.

With more than thirty years of experience, he was even more senior than Anse Ronan.

He would not reject most surgeries, unlike other doctors who would shun difficult operations to increase their surgery success rate.

“Oh, do you know me?” Hill Nandes was somewhat surprised.

“We’ve met during the California Medical Conference a year ago. Do you remember me?”

“Sorry, I have a really poor memory,” Hill Nandes answered, smiling.

Suddenly Jared realized something.

Wait… Is he the person who’s going to replace me?

I’ll be in big trouble in this case…

This caused Jared to be somewhat anxious.” Mr. Nandes, which department will you be joining?”

“I’m specialized in neurosurgery,” Hill Nandes replied.

Jared’s heart skipped a beat. If Hill Nandes was really the person who was going to replace him, he would have to ask Anse Ronan to not come in the afternoon.

Otherwise, it would really be awkward. Hill Nandes was not ordinary and everyone knew how good he was. Going to his class and looking for trouble would only end up badly for Jared.

“But I’m not a full professor, only an external lecturer.”

“Huh?” Jared was stunned, but he realized that there was still hope. “Mr. Hill Nandes, given your professionalism, I don’t think any school would reject you as a professor, right?”

“No, I’m far from being good enough. I heard that UCLA has many excellent professors in neurosurgery. Apart from giving lectures, I’m also here to exchange and learn,” Hill Nandes said.

Hearing that, Jared heaved a sigh of relief.

It was probably not Hill Nandes, who was an ordinary lecturer and would only give professional talks.

Usually, public classes were given by at least associate professors, or successful people invited by the college.

No matter how expert Hill Nandes was, as long as he was not an associate or full professor, he would not be able to give a public class.

“Mr. Nandes, I’m Jared, also a neurosurgery professor, but I’m clearly no expert before you.”

“Mr. Jared, I’m sure we’ll have many chances in the future to interact.”

“By the way, I think you should note that not every professor in the college deserves the title. This afternoon, someone from another specialty is actually going to give a neurosurgery public lecture.”

“Oh, another specialty?”

“Yes, a ‘professor’ who’s only given one lecture before is giving a public class.”

“Is it?”

“In my opinion, neurosurgery is a profound and demanding subject. I do not want my students to be misled by an outsider, so I’ll go and expose him during the lecture,” Jared said. “Mr. Nandes, it’ll be great if you’re there to help me.”

“Sure, but I need to see if that person is a professional or not,” Hill Nandes said.

“Yes, of course.”

“I really need to go to the principal’s office for the administrative stuff now.”

“Of course. The office is in that building, fourth floor, turn left, second room. There’s a sign on the door.”

“Right. See you, Mr. Jared.”

Jared walked two steps and saw a bug guy walking toward his direction. He called, “Tiger, you’re finally discharged.”

“Yes, Mr. Jared.” Tiger also greeted Jared.

“Tiger, do you want to earn some pocket money?”

“I’m afraid I don’t do those anymore. Sorry.” Tiger shook his head.

Since he was beaten up by Chen Zhao last time, he had stopped accepting dirty work.

It was bad for his reputation, and he was also scared that he would meet someone like Chen Zhao again.

Furthermore, if Chen Zhao found out about it, he would be enraged.

“I’m not asking you to beat someone up.”

“Oh. Is it not?”

“An outsider has snatched my public class from me. I need you to question him during the lecture. A thousand dollars.”

Tiger was tempted by the easy task, especially when he was in need of money.

“So I don’t have to hit anyone, right?”

“Yes, you only need to question him.”

“Also, find a few people from the boxing club. I’ll be great if they can question the speaker with you.”

“That will cost extra.”

“Sure.”