On the third day after the celebration party ended, Li Zehui locked himself in his office, not stepping out the entire afternoon.

He just sat there, his computer on in front of him, with a drafted email that he wrote and deleted, then deleted and wrote again, a reply to some old colleagues in Cleveland.

The email asked him: How do you feel after being back in the country for more than a year? Any regrets?

He stared at the screen for a long time, finally moving the cursor to the top right corner and clicking close.

It’s not that he doesn’t want to reply, it’s that he doesn’t know how to answer.

The scenes from that celebration party day kept replaying in his mind.

He is not someone who hasn’t seen the world. When in Cleveland, he won awards, was featured in the news, and also attended celebration parties held by the hospital for him, with buffets, champagne, a few minutes of speeches, then everyone socializing with their drinks. Decent, reserved, but not overly enthusiastic.

But the scene at Sanbo that day was different.

It was a completely different kind of "importance". Not mere politeness, but genuine pride from the heart; not a routine obligation, but truly treating you as one of their own. From the dean to the nurses, from the old professors to the interns, the light in everyone’s eyes was real. That kind of feeling he never had in the United States in twenty years.

He thought of Yang Ping standing on stage that day, wearing an ordinary blue shirt, no tie, and just saying a few simple words, yet someone in the audience had tears in their eyes.

He recalled when he first arrived, Dean Xia invited him for a meal, during which he said something that didn’t matter much at the time, but now, the more he thought about it, the more weight it carried: "Professor Li, coming back was the right decision. The United States is good, but that’s someone else’s territory. Here, it’s your home."

Actually, in this year and more after returning, he did have moments of doubt.

When he first came back, there were indeed some things he couldn’t quite adjust to, and sometimes he’d wonder if his decision was too hasty.

But that wavering disappeared quickly.

Dean Xia, this person, Li Zehui had only heard of before, knowing he was the dean of Sanbo, quite renowned in the industry. It was only after real contact that he realized that his approach to talent was unlike any manager he had ever encountered.

On the first weekend back, while he was still adjusting to the time difference, Dean Xia called: "Professor Li, are you free today? I’d like to take you to see some houses."

He was a little surprised: "Dean, there’s no rush, I can just stay in a hotel for now."

"Staying in a hotel is only temporary, it’s uncomfortable for a longer stay." Dean Xia’s tone brooked no argument, "I’ve already had the office contact a few agencies, filtering ones close to the hospital with good community environments. Pick one, decide on it, the hospital will handle the formalities for you."

He thought it was just out of politeness, not expecting that Dean Xia really accompanied him personally to see the houses.

All day long, they ran from East City to Chaoyang, viewing seven or eight places. Dean Xia seemed more invested than he was, asking questions about every property in detail—the lighting, ventilation, floor, transport, nearby facilities. The agent thought he was the one buying and kept introducing to him, so he pointed to Dean Xia: "This is our dean." The agent was taken aback and whispered, "Your unit’s benefits are too good, the dean personally comes along for a house purchase?"

The final decision was on the house recommended by Dean Xia. "This community is quiet, with good property management, and a ten-minute walk to the hospital. You’ll have many late nights, living close means more sleep for you." He agreed. Dean Xia turned to the office and said: "Make payment promptly."

He later learned that this house, Dean Xia had sent office people to check out a week in advance. Which layout was best, which building was quiet, which road had traffic—all thoroughly investigated.

On the moving day, Dean Xia came again. Not empty-handed, but bringing a bag filled with kitchenware, seasonings, even a kitchen knife. "You just arrived, these things might not all be in place. Use these first, let me know if you lack anything." He stood at the doorway, looking at the bag, suddenly at a loss for words. A great dean, in charge of a hospital with thousands, personally bringing him a pot?

In twenty years in the United States, he had never seen a department director helping a new professor find accommodation, let alone bring them a pot.

But this was just the beginning.

In the second month after returning, there was a problem with his daughter’s schooling. The international school’s slots were full. His wife was extremely anxious; schooling for their child was a major issue. He mentioned it to Dean Xia, originally not expecting any help, as such matters typically require connections and favors domestically. He had just returned and had no such ties.

Upon hearing this, Dean Xia immediately said: "These sorts of matters should be handled by us, how can we let you worry?"

Three days later, the office informed him: The international school had an opening now, enrollment procedures could be done next week. He later learned that Dean Xia used his old connections at the education commission, made seven or eight calls, and managed to secure a seat through alternative channels.

He called to thank Dean Xia, who said on the other end: "Professor Li, your return is a contribution to the country, your child is our child. If I can’t handle this kind of matter, what kind of dean am I?"

He held the phone, speechless for a long while.

And then there was the time when his father was hospitalized.

His father had left Shanghai for the United States, always wanting to return in his twilight years; finally back, he was very happy. The elder’s health had never been too good, and one night he suddenly fell ill, while Li Zehui was away at an academic conference. Just as he was anxious, a call from Dean Xia came: "I’ve arranged for the hospital to send an ambulance to pick him up, the cardiology director will personally treat him, you focus on your work, I’ll take care of your father’s situation."