System Came When the Doctor was Thirty

January 1st, New Year’s Day.

Long County People’s Hospital, Emergency Department, Director’s Office.

Zhang Tiesheng held an application form, and his casual expression immediately tightened. He stood straight: ”Hm? Director Du? You want me to submit this at the State People’s Hospital?”

”Isn’t there a mistake?”

Du Qiang continued to sit in his director’s seat, looking stern and serious, and tossed a cigarette to Zhang Tiesheng.

Zhang Tiesheng was caught off guard, hurriedly catching the cigarette, which bounced twice in his hand.

Du Qiang said: ”Hm… that’s right. It’s only fitting that you deliver it, sorry to trouble you.”

Zhang Tiesheng looked at the application form again—the multi-location practice approval form and the consultation invitation form.

Both forms had Lu Cheng’s name written on them.

Zhang Tiesheng felt his head was a bit muddled: ”Director Du, I don’t quite get it.”

Du Qiang said: ”You’ll understand slowly if you don’t now. I know you’re quite close with Lu Cheng in private.”

”Coincidentally, I am too.”

Zhang Tiesheng’s expression turned as if he had been pranked, and he began to look towards the sky.

However, Zhang Tiesheng vaguely knew about Du Qiang and Lu Cheng’s previous dealings, at least he was aware that the time Du Qiang came to the emergency department to reprimand Lu Cheng actually brought substantial benefits to him.

”Director Du, you’re saying? Lu Cheng’s transfer to the State Hospital, was it you who made it happen?” Zhang Tiesheng pointed his right hand at Du Qiang while holding the cigarette to his mouth with his left.

”The surgeries we can’t perform aren’t because I say they can’t be done; rather, if they were done, no one would be able to reasonably protect him.”

”That’s because the procedures aren’t completed.”

”You’re well aware of the situation within the county — when you meet a benefactor, you have to seize the opportunity, but truly talented individuals are not always willingly let go.”

”Even if you do let them go, look at how Director Lin was in the past?”

”Fortunately, Lu Cheng is leaving through selection, not by voluntary resignation and rehire. Now, his file has already reached the higher-level unit, so even if someone has second thoughts, it would be too late.”

Zhang Tiesheng put down the application form and sat opposite Du Qiang: ”Director Du, I somewhat understand your intention now.”

”It’s just, I’m still puzzled. Are you really so willing to let Lu Cheng go without any personal feelings?”

Du Qiang was still young, and Zhang Tiesheng didn’t believe that Du Qiang hadn’t considered making further progress.

Du Qiang said: ”I’m already at this age, just in my current position, why keep young people tied to my side?”

”Of course, selfish thoughts have crossed my mind at times.”

Zhang Tiesheng thought for a while and then asked: ”Director Du, may I boldly ask what your relationship with Lu Cheng is?”

Du Qiang said: ”Actually, there’s nothing special; in terms of seniority, Lu Cheng is probably like a junior to me.”

”Don’t get it wrong. My kid is quite a bit older than him! Plus, it’s a male.”

Zhang Tiesheng hurriedly shook his head: ”Director Du, that’s not what I meant. I was thinking maybe a niece or nephew or something.”

”Director Du, I’ll set off tonight and strive to get things done for you by tomorrow.”

Du Qiang said: ”I believe you understand what I mean!~”

”Lu Cheng’s situation at the State People’s Hospital may not be very good; he surely would be willing to return.”

”And by the time he comes back, his identity will be completely different from before, and he’ll gain more freedom.”

”The situation may be the same, but the degree of freedom is different, allowing for different levels of skill.”

”I have helped contact an acquaintance at the State People’s Hospital for you, but of course, you can freely perform...”

...

”Director Yao, Dr. Zhang!” Lu Cheng had an impression of Yao Xin but never imagined that Hepatobiliary Surgery’s Director Yao Xin and Zhang Tiesheng would come together.

During the spleen preservation surgery last time, Yao Xin assisted Professor Chen Song, and Lu Cheng had some impression of him sharing the stage.

Zhang Tiesheng met Yao Xin’s slightly puzzled gaze and explained: ”Uncle, this is Lu Cheng, my good brother.”

Lu Cheng quickly corrected himself: ”Brother Zhang!~ Why did you come so early?”

”I thought you were teasing me again.” Yao Xin’s expression immediately turned from realization to relaxation!

Zhang Tiesheng said: ”Uncle, those are old stories of sesame and rotten grains years ago? Don’t embarrass me in front of my good brother now?”

”Lu Cheng, got any plans for today after reporting? If not, let’s go out for a meal and have a chat.”

Lu Cheng chuckled lightly: ”Brother Zhang, aren’t you going to introduce me to my leader?”

Yao Xin broke the ’atmosphere’ first: ”Xiao Lu, don’t pretend. You weren’t so timid when you bossed me around in the operating room before.”

”I’m Yao Xin, you can call me Old Yao or something.”

Lu Cheng quickly said: ”That won’t do, Director Song, if I call you Old Song, Brother Zhang would be a generation lower than me.”

”Brother Zhang, I’ve just reported, I need to get closer with the seniors in the department.”

”Why don’t you find a place to sit first? I’ll find a place at noon?”

Yao Xin snorted, although there was no nasal discharge: ”Dr. Lu, you’ve just arrived and already disregard us old comrades.”

”Let’s all go eat, why do you need to find a place? I’ll book a place and send you the location, alright?”

”This kid is hopeless!~ His elbow is completely turned outwards.”

Lu Cheng looked at Zhang Tiesheng and Yao Xin in confusion, full of misunderstanding, not quite grasping the meaning behind Yao Xin’s words.

Zhang Tiesheng received a punch from Yao Xin and quickly explained: ”Uncle, I didn’t know you were looking for Lu Cheng, so of course, I talked about someone not well-acquainted.”

”He’s my real brother, no way you guys could mess him up!”