System Came When the Doctor was Thirty

On the high-speed train, the lights outside the window continuously recede, becoming streaks of color.

Mu Nanshu is seated in seat F, looking down as she sends messages chatting in the group, while Lu Cheng, in seat D, is chatting with Professor Chen Song: ”Hmm, still all expenses are self-funded this time.”

”The teachers at Huaxi haven’t started classes, can’t issue invoices.”

Chen Song sighed: ”Having an employee like you at the hospital is a blessing for the leadership, and also for the patients.”

”How much are you spending for this trip to Huaxi?”

Last month, when Lu Cheng went to Kyoto, he stayed for five days. In fact, there wasn’t much time spent on the program, and the rest of the time, Lu Cheng tagged along with ’Lu Mang’ professor, went to the emergency department of Kyoto Union Hospital, paid to shadow, which cost ten thousand.

”Teacher Chen, I prepared in advance this time and explained the situation to the teachers at Huaxi in an email, so I got a fifty percent discount compared to last time.”

”It’s like just treating the teaching mentor to a meal without any salary.” Lu Cheng said with a smile.

Chen Song said: ”That’s fine, as long as you can learn a skill, the money is well spent.”

”What I mean is, you could have told me in advance.”

”Teacher Chen, can you ask Director Xiang to start a class?” Lu Cheng replied.

If you can’t issue invoices for high-level research classes, you have to self-fund if you want to shadow and learn.

”That’s not possible, but the handling fee can be waived. Of course, our hospital’s trauma center is not mature yet, and currently still competing with the orthopedic trauma surgery.”

”How long until you arrive?”

”Almost there, Xiao Mu and I have already reserved a spot at the hot pot.” Lu Cheng’s saliva has already been secreting abundantly.

”Then hurry to have your meal, I’ll head back first.” Chen Song had intended to call to go to Ji City, but Lu Cheng was taking leave to learn at Huaxi Hospital in Rongcheng, so his schedule needed to be readjusted.

After Lu Cheng finished chatting, Mu Nanshu said: ”I just asked, this time the youth research forum on gastroenterology in Rongcheng includes a hotel.”

”It’s not far from Huaxi, just enough to save you some accommodation costs.”

Mu Nanshu didn’t come to Rongcheng solely for tourism; she intended to ”enjoy” herself and saw the youth research forum in Rongcheng in the group chat early in the month, so she signed up.

As a researcher, going out for meetings and learning is a regular occurrence.

Lu Cheng bowed: ”Thank you, wife, for taking me in. I’m not wealthy, so this solves my urgent need, otherwise I’d have to take a loan next month.”

”Stop joking, let’s talk business.”

”You think there’s a lot of pressure going to the trauma center, don’t you? You went to Kyoto last month, and now to Huaxi?” Mu Nanshu set down her phone, her gaze was calm and gentle.

Lu Cheng shook his head: ”Do what I can.”

”Is there anything without pressure?”

”A good doctor inevitably faces cases of death, if I can reduce the rate a bit, even slightly, then I’ve fulfilled the responsibilities of the profession.”

”But, saving lives is so difficult, so being extra cautious and prepared never hurts.”

”Of course, realistically, there will never be a day when you’re fully prepared.”

”The real world is actually a big amateur troupe and an even larger amateur troupe, I am merely part of the troupe too...”

Mu Nanshu comforted: ”In Xiangzhou, you are already quite accomplished.”

Lu Cheng glanced at Mu Nanshu, his voice ethereal: ”I like clinical work.”

”By the way, shall we try out this brand of hot pot later?” Lu Cheng pointed to the chat page, recommended long ago by classmates from Rongcheng.

...

Several days passed quickly.

March 27, Thursday, 8 PM.

Lu Cheng politely bid farewell to the teaching mentor, Professor Tian, outside a restaurant, and on the way to board the high-speed train taxi with Mu Nanshu, continued to message Professor Tian.

”Teacher Tian, a week has passed in the blink of an eye, thank you for your careful teaching and guidance, although the time was brief, I hope for opportunities in the future to consult you when convenient.” Lu Cheng’s text was quite formal.

Professor Tian sent a voice message, with a familiar accent: ”Why message so formally? Let me tell you, I am from Yong County in Xiangzhou.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Cheng and Mu Nanshu both shivered.

”Professor Tian is from our hometown?” Mu Nanshu was quite surprised.

Yong County and Long County are neighboring, also one of the eight counties and cities in Xiangzhou.

”I had no idea.”

Lu Cheng looked down and typed: ”Professor Tian, you’re from Yong County? I’m from Long County.”

”My hometown is in Yong County, I left to study after finishing elementary school, and later settled in Rongcheng.”

”I haven’t returned home for a long time, sometimes hearing you make calls in that familiar accent, brings a feeling of nostalgia.”

”I had my student put a red envelope in your backpack, remember to take it.”

”I left early, so my memories of home are hazy, and I’ve contributed little to the hometown, helping a bit when possible is all I can do.”

”If I didn’t know you were from Xiangzhou, given my temperament, it wouldn’t have been easy for you to go back this time.” Professor Tian joked.

”Our Old Tian family has such a fierce tradition.”

The Tian surname is quite famous in Xiangzhou, with Duke Peng, Grand General Tian, prominent in banditry in early times, and ’big board’ renowned in modern times!

What Chen Song and others can see is not a secret to Professor Tian.

A child with wealth in the busy market, a crime holding jade.

Had Lu Cheng been born elsewhere, Professor Tian would have liked to plant him!

”Thank you, Professor Tian, for your recognition and praise, and thank you for granting me many responsibilities.” Lu Cheng finally understood the reason for Professor Tian’s favor.