System Came When the Doctor was Thirty

Xiao Zhaoxi also felt he was being overly sensitive, with a hint of confessing without being pressed: ”Did Lu Cheng tell you anything else?”

Tian Zhiliang said, ”He actually did. Lu Cheng asked me about how our hospital’s ER could start specialized surgeries and what basic conditions need to be met.”

”Of course, that’s understandable. Lu Cheng was already performing surgeries at Long County People’s Hospital, so seeing the situation here in the ER might make him feel a bit out of place.”

”And what did he say?” Xiao Zhaoxi continued to inquire.

Tian Zhiliang, with furrowed brows, recalled carefully: ”Lu Cheng’s response was a bit scattered and fragmented.”

”In summary, Lu Cheng meant that if a specialty finds itself unable to handle a case or finds it quite challenging, they could spare some time to step up.”

Xiao Zhaoxi’s face darkened, and after a pause, he sighed: ”He’s really a restless character, huh.”

”It seems that Lu Cheng chose our hospital because he has plans in mind.”

Tian Zhiliang joked, ”Director Xiao, do you think Lu Cheng might find it too difficult to mix in top-tier hospitals, so he’s thinking of snagging a director spot in a prefecture-level hospital?”

Tian Zhiliang aspired to be a director, but he had never considered Lu Cheng as a competitor.

But that was in the past. Now, Tian Zhiliang definitely thinks that if he were to compete fairly with Lu Cheng, the only advantages he has are years of experience and seniority.

Xiao Zhaoxi glanced at Tian Zhiliang and stubbed out his cigarette: ”Are you afraid he’ll take your spot?”

Tian Zhiliang quickly shook his head: ”Director Xiao, you’re overstating it. There’s no position that’s solely mine.”

Tian Zhiliang wouldn’t dare claim the director’s position as his own; that would be highly dismissive of the others in the department.

The position of ER director, aside from internal promotion, could also be filled externally, considering many factors.

”Let’s not talk about this. If Lu Cheng can break through our ER’s predicament after he arrives, that’d be something I’d like to see.”

”Our ER department hasn’t been performing surgeries independently for too long!” Xiao Zhaoxi’s tone was wistful.

Xiao Zhaoxi’s words took Tian Zhiliang by surprise, as he looked at Director Xiao, thinking to himself.

Director Xiao didn’t seem as laid-back or careless as he usually appeared; he just had no other way, so he blended in with the flow.

...

On the highway, while driving, Lu Cheng asked Mu Nanshu: ”How’s Teacher Xie’s technique coming along now? Is she up to competing at the provincial level?”

Mu Nanshu replied, ”The progress is decent, not very skilled yet, but the measurement data has already surpassed her own execution of the Modified Tang Method.”

”What she needs to do first is secure a spot in the tendon suturing track; the technique for suturing substantial organs can be learned later.”

”Sister Xie herself is also very dedicated.”

”Didn’t you say this technique has a great advantage, even if not very skilled, the quality can still surpass other techniques?”

Lu Cheng answered casually, ”You’re the one who told me before that Xie Yuan’an’s talent is quite ordinary and might not be able to learn it.”

When with Mu Nanshu, Lu Cheng wasn’t cautious with his responses, saying whatever came to mind.

”Quite ordinary is relative; compared to your department, Xie Yuan’an might not be worse,” Mu Nanshu said.

Lu Cheng chuckled lightly: ”Overall, that’s true, but if we go back a few years, it might not have been the case!”

”Brother Zhang is getting old; otherwise, his learning efficiency wouldn’t be bad either.”

Zhang Tiesheng, nearly in his forties, surely can’t compare in learning ability to his twenties; but at that age, Zhang Tiesheng was just a romantic.

”Currently, I’m stalling Brother Zhang over there. It’s not that I’m afraid he’ll leak anything, but rather that he might unintentionally reveal something, leading to other changes.”

Feeling relaxed, Mu Nanshu asked, ”So, for this microsurgery skills competition, you’re set on deciding who wins the award?”

”Yes, I’m exactly that petty.”

Lu Cheng nodded: ”As per my knowledge, Xie Yuan’an must take first place in the solid organ suturing and tendon suturing tracks. And for the nerve and vascular suturing tracks, the six first-place slots must be swept by Xiangya Hospital.”

”Of course, there might be surprises, like Union Hospital having stronger nerve suturing techniques than mine.”

”If not for this, I’d be the mastermind behind the scenes, hahaha.”

Lu Cheng candidly spoke his petty ambitions.

”Doesn’t seem to mean much, though?” Mu Nanshu pondered seriously, replying.

Lu Cheng shook his head: ”That’s just your perspective. Huashan Hospital and Union Hospital, these top institutions, are focused on the cutting-edge surgery development in the field, like functional reconstruction surgeries.”

”Both hospitals have prepared for decades, each hoping to gain an edge.”

”But Xiangya Hospital isn’t just idling; it’s just that their accumulation and heritage aren’t as robust.”

”However, if they master the new suturing technique, the lead may be unpredictable in the future.”

Mu Nanshu commented: ”And yet, you didn’t go to receive the award.”

Lu Cheng, with a broad demeanor, said: ”My people will emerge from the ER, but my techniques can flourish everywhere, touching various specialties.”

Mu Nanshu laughed: ”Then you’re not really a petty person, are you?”

”Does that make you feel pretty pleased?”

Lu Cheng remarked: ”I don’t know, I haven’t thought about it this much.”

”I get what you mean; you think I’m lacking fame right now and should personally compete.”