System Came When the Doctor was Thirty

The misty drizzle formed water stains like spider webs on the window, intricate and complex.

In Orthopedics Ward One, after a brief shift handover, Peng Haibo was the first to approach Tong Yuan’an with a welcoming smile: ”Professor Tong, have you had breakfast? We have two surgeries today.”

”I just managed something on the way over.” Tong Yuan’an nodded slightly, his tone polite.

The two scheduled surgeries today had been planned long ago, and Tong Yuan’an couldn’t back out: ”Director Peng, let’s do the rounds first. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can head to the operating room.”

Tong Yuan’an’s expression was calm.

”Do you have plans today, Professor Tong? If you’re free, let’s grab a meal together after surgery.” Peng Haibo spoke casually.

”Can’t handle it anymore. Director Peng, you’ve really pushed too hard.” Tong Yuan’an chuckled.

Peng Haibo treated Tong Yuan’an well, but he couldn’t be too polite in person, lest Peng Kun cause trouble behind his back and require a fallback plan: ”Take a rest today.”

”Dr. Peng Kun from our department realized his mistake and insisted on apologizing to you in person.”

”He should.” Peng Haibo said with a smile.

At this point, he had no choice but to cling to Tong Yuan’an firmly to pave a decent path for Peng Kun.

Peng Haibo wasn’t worried about himself, as long as he didn’t mess up, the hospital and leadership wouldn’t drastically alter the department’s situation.

But Peng Kun was different; he was still a small figure.

Tong Yuan’an’s chin tightened: ”Director Peng, what kind of joke is this? What apology does Peng Kun need to give me?”

Peng Haibo cautiously explained: ”Professor Tong, young people can indeed be a bit too eager. He just wants to learn how to perform surgeries and couldn’t keep his cool. We hope you can be more forgiving.”

”Actually, speaking of which, young people need to practice surgeries. Without practice, skills can’t materialize out of thin air.”

”Unable to endure the loneliness of practice, that’s why he misjudged his true level.”

Tong Yuan’an crossed his arms, his voice ethereal: ”Director Peng? Since when did you start caring about whether someone learns?”

Without practice, skills can’t materialize out of thin air.

That statement might not seem problematic, but it doesn’t apply at the County Hospital.

In the hospital, others only care if you possess any skills, not where your skills come from.

What Tong Yuan’an saw was that Peng Haibo taught Peng Kun surgeries; no one else seemed to have anyone guiding them in learning surgeries—it’s almost as if they work just to finish each day’s tasks.

Peng Haibo persisted: ”Professor Tong, isn’t it obvious? That’s how everyone learned surgeries.”

”Director Peng, did you amend the rules overnight?” Tong Yuan’an squinted, showing no regard for social niceties with Peng Haibo.

Peng Haibo’s face turned a mixture of blue and red from the retort.

In the end, Peng Haibo couldn’t do anything about Tong Yuan’an, so he said, ”Professor Tong, let’s do the rounds first, and then proceed with the surgeries...”

The news of Tong Yuan’an transferring to another ward was known to Xiang Kuihua, Executive Luo, and others, but no one sincerely stepped forward to persuade him to stay, at most making a joke that they’d miss him.

In Executive Luo’s view, whether Tong Yuan’an stayed or not didn’t affect their regular work operations.

The Hand Surgery Department is another subspecialty branch of Orthopedics, unrelated to trauma, spine, or sports medicine.

As a director, Peng Haibo could aim to expand his domain, but they had no obligation to tag along with his expeditions.

The biggest beneficiary of Tong Yuan’an staying in the ward was Peng Kun, and since Peng Haibo had prepared such an opportunity for him, they had no reason to comment.

Now that Peng Kun had annoyed Tong Yuan’an, they wouldn’t help in a time of crisis either.

...

In the morning, at 12:40 PM.

During a break in a Flap Transplantation surgery, in the surgery room doctor lounge.

Peng Kun looked at Tong Yuan’an, adjusted his glasses, and said fawningly, ”Teacher Tong, I heard you’re applying to transfer to a different ward next month?”

”Yeah, there are some other tasks I need to take care of.” Tong Yuan’an didn’t completely cut ties with Peng Kun, so he still responded superficially.

”Is it to Ward Two?” Peng Kun continued to ask, offering Tong Yuan’an a small treat.

Tong Yuan’an accepted it, pinching it between his thumb and forefinger: ”Probably, but nothing’s been decided yet.”

Peng Kun, feeling a bit apprehensive, lifted his head, trying to please with his tone: ”Teacher Tong, did I upset you with those surgeries?”

”If that’s the case, I can apologize to you.”

”I admit, I was too hasty... I’m sorry, Professor Tong...”

Tong Yuan’an maintained an outsider’s stance: ”Whether it’s a mistake or not largely depends on people!”

”We are all just trying to earn a living; it’s hard to say who’s absolutely right or wrong.”

”For example, from your perspective, I don’t think you’re wrong either.”

”Learning is nothing to be ashamed of.”

Such a detached demeanor and tone from Tong Yuan’an made Peng Kun feel that Tong Yuan’an was growing more distant from him.

Finally, Peng Kun’s expression turned serious, and his tone became formal: ”Professor Tong, I had no other choice. Our entire department is overshadowed by that Lu Cheng from the Emergency Department.”

”Not only tendon sutures but even the classic and typical fractures, he wants to intervene in everything.”

”If this continues, what kind of future do we have? Our department won’t be able to stand on its own.”

”In such a situation, we must take initiative to address things, not passively wait to be bled dry by him...” Peng Kun lamented earnestly, his voice hoarse.

”Mmm, mmm, mmm.” Tong Yuan’an continued nodding dismissively.