Upon approaching Shangri-La Hotel, Office Director Ding called Department Chief Kong.
Department Chief Kong had checked out and was by the door looking around when they arrived.
"Chief Kong." Ding Zhongtai alighted from the car and extended both hands enthusiastically.
Adding a third into the tangle, Department Chief Kong laughed and said, "Sorry to trouble you. Where's Little Zheng?"
"He performed ten surgeries during yesterday's night shift and is knocked out in the car," Ding Zhongtai replied, amused.
Dispassionately, Department Chief Kong extricated his hand and shook his head. "Office Director Ding, you people have a cruel hiring policy."
"Huh?" Ding Zhongtai was confused.
"Someone like Little Zheng will be treasured wherever he goes, but you treat him like a beast of burden," Department Chief Kong said casually after entering the car.
"Eh, don't put it like that, Chief Kong." Ding Zhongtai got in, ignited the engine, switched into gear and started driving. "I'm sure you're aware of the situation here in the northeast. So many have left that most departments are short on workforce. All our staff are overloaded with work. It's a common practice to have one night shift every three days."
Department Chief Kong did not continue talking. He glanced at the sleeping Zheng Ren and did not elect to wake the man.
"Chief Kong, please forgive me for our inhospitality during your visit to Sea City," Ding Zhongtai said, hoping to establish a closer connection to him.
"It's fine. I'm here for Zheng Ren, anyway," Department Chief Kong said, "Now that I've found and spoken to him, that'll be all. I still have twelve surgeries waiting for me this afternoon and have to rush back."
"Do you still have to do them yourself?"
"If I know the patient, I'll go up to them to take a look. Regular patients are handled by research graduates," Department Chief Kong said calmly.
Ding Zhongtai knew that it was the truth, but that was not important. He had successfully brought up the topic of surgery.
"Chief Kong, I have a friend and colleague who wants to go to Sorcery Capital, but doesn't have any contacts, you see…"
"If they want to come through me, tell them to say they're with Little Zheng." Department Chief Kong was dismissive.
Little Zheng… Ding Zhongtai felt insulted.
Was a meal with the director and having the Head Chief of office personally chauffeuring him to the airport not sincere enough? Did only Zheng Ren matter to him?
Ding Zhongtai hid his dissatisfaction. "Should they go directly to your office and ask for you?"
He had no standing to show his true feelings in front of the master from Imperial Capital.
"Sure, any physician can do that as long as they mention that they are friends of Zheng Ren's." Department Chief Kong smiled. "After Little Zheng's trip to Imperial Capital, all my research and postgraduate students complained that his time there had been too short."
"..."
Ding Zhongtai laughed dryly. He had something to say but decided against it after some contemplation.
He was quite close to Chief Liu Tianxing from the first general surgery department. A few days ago, Liu Tianxing had been diagnosed with space-occupying liver lesions, with a high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma.
The man was trying to pull some strings to get treatment in Imperial or Sorcery Capital.
In all honesty, an ordinary chief from Sea City would be treated like any layperson in Imperial or Sorcery Capital if they had no old friends or classmates to use as inroads.
Even early-stage liver cancer would devolve into advanced cancer in the time that it took to queue for admission alone.
However, using Zheng Ren's name… S*it! Would Liu Tianxing even be willing to do it? Was it a joke?
"Office Director Ding, if it's a general surgery… I've never seen Little Zheng perform surgical resection for hepatocellular carcinoma. If you go through me, I'll help you contact the general surgery department.
"However, if you need interventional surgery, there's no need for any hassle. Health is more important than saving face. Little Zheng can do it better than me. Just opt for surgery in Sea City; it's more convenient, and you don't have to go the extra mile."
Ding Zhongtai was once again baffled.
Was Department Chief Kong rejecting his request? That could not be. A department chief or professor from Imperial or Sorcery Capital would not say something like this.
It was not supposed to be a big deal. Why would the man offend a potential patient?
But…
"You really don't know?" Department Chief Kong sensed the tension between them and was unnerved by Ding Zhongtai's unusual expression in the rear-view mirror.
"Don't know what?" Ding Zhongtai replied without thinking.
"The reason I'm here was to confirm Zheng Ren's trip to Imperial Capital for interventional treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma."
Ding Zhongtai's hand shuddered, causing the car to sway slightly.
Chapter 292 - The Way of the Dragon (Part 4 of 4)
Officer Director Ding calmed down somewhat after a few minutes.
He struggled hard to tamp down his many questions and tried to continue conversing with Department Chief Kong.
Doubt soaking his words, he asked, "Chief Kong, is Dr. Zheng not needed in Imperial Capital to continue work on prostate interventional surgery?"
"Well, yes, but during the demonstrative surgery, I discovered that he was very good at the differential diagnoses of nodular hepatocellular carcinoma, which is why I decided to work with Mr. Zheng on another study." Department Chief Kong's voice was full of pride.
Truly he was akin to the expert horse tamer Bo Le1, his sharp eyes discerning the extraordinary from the mundane.
His satisfaction and sense of accomplishment were through the roof.
Even though Zheng Ren was not one of his students, the man still owed him a favor.
Department Chief Kong did not consider his visit to Sea City uncalled for. Even Professor Rudolf Wagner had not stayed in Imperial Capital to wait for Zheng Ren; it was better to come in person to express his sincerity.
Ding Zhongtai stayed mum. He could tell that Department Chief Kong was gloating.
Nothing more needed to be said.
He cursed internally. Liu Tianxing, you b*stard! Go wherever you want for treatment!
He would not stick out his own neck any further.
Also, he was going to cut the man off from now onwards.
Ding Zhongtai had been present the whole time during Professor Moriyu's live surgery and knew about the whole ordeal.
He was aware of Liu Tianxing and Director Fu's cover-up, but back then, who was willing to offend an executive deputy director and a department chief to bring justice to a few young doctors?
The doctor was of extraordinary skill?
So what?
In a place like Sea City, a dragon would have to coil up; a tiger, crouch down.
He had never expected a dragon to get its way in Sea City General Hospital.
Director Fu had denied Old Chief Physician Pan's multiple requests for those young doctors.
Ding Zhongtai had kept this from Director Xiao since it was not under his purview; his main priority was to serve Director Xiao and occasionally report things that he wanted the man to know.
If there ever was a dragon in Sea City General Hospital, it could only be Old Chief Physician Pan.
He was already old and focused mainly on the emergency ward, thus he was no threat.
Now, there was another one.
Ding Zhongtai knew that he had to change tactics upon returning to his office. His demeanor became serious.
For the remainder of the journey, he was restless, managing only a few friendly exchanges with Department Chief Kong and keeping silent for the rest of it.
When they reached the airport, Ding Zhongtai woke Zheng Ren up.
Zheng Ren had been sleeping like the dead—h
e was confused upon opening his eyes and realizing he was already at their destination.
Chief Kong's smile embarrassed him. He apologized profusely, but Department Chief Kong dismissed it, choosing instead to reaffirm Zheng Ren's surgery schedule and specifying that the payment for each surgery would follow the specialist rate.
The money for this would be taken from the research grant.
Department Chief Kong did not reveal the exact amount of the grant and Zheng Ren did not bother to ask.
They accompanied Department Chief Kong to the security gate after claiming his boarding pass, and when the man disappeared from view, Zheng Ren yawned and turned to leave.
Ding Zhongtai decided to poke around. "Little Zheng, how long have you known Chief Kong?"
"About half a month," Zheng Ren answered lethargically.
"..." The answer confirmed Ding Zhongtai's speculations. He kept quiet, thoughts racing through his mind.
How would he emphasize the fact that he had done the man a favor?
Zheng Ren felt much better after his nap and was contemplating whether or not to regularly consume the energy elixir.
He was still worried about its side effects, if there were any at all. The System was certainly of no help in this regard.
What a dilemma.
After much thought, Zheng Ren chose to err on the side of caution and avoid taking the elixir unless he absolutely had to.
He would just have to endure his shifts as a chief resident.
Since he was still young, short naps ought to be able to pull him through.
When they entered the airport highway, Ding Zhongtai's phone rang.
He glanced at it briefly before rejecting the call.
"Safety comes first while driving," Ding Zhongtai said, laughing.
Zheng Ren nodded.
Any other physician in the office director's car would be busy s.u.c.k.i.n.g up to Ding Zhongtai, and he had never had to confront a situation this awkward.
His face darkened, but his phone rang again before his anger could be unleashed.
He dismissed it… and it rang again.
Ding Zhongtai cautiously activated his car's hazard lights and stopped at the side of the road to answer the call.
"Office Director Ding, Director Fu has just resigned!" the office clerk shouted from the other end.
"..." Ding Zhongtai's expression froze for a second before he smiled and said, "Noted."
He then hung up.
The drive back resumed. Ding Zhongtai hid his inner turmoil behind the unwavering smile on his face.
Zheng Ren was staring out of the car window, bored by the endless snow-covered plains.
The tiredness crept back as he watched the scenery go by.
Ding Zhongtai was first to break the silence. "Little Zheng, I'm sure you are aware that Old Chief Physician Pan fought to get you guys."
"Huh?" Zheng Ren was caught off guard, answering in a daze, "The hospital was short-handed since there were no new staff."
"You're a young and talented professional; you deserve to enjoy greater flexibility and convenience." Officer Director Ding smiled and said, "I've always wanted to transfer a few more people over, but because someone got in the way, my request didn't go through. Department Chief Kong had just criticized me for that. Upon my return… I will bring it up to Director Xiao again."
Zheng Ren did not respond.
"Don't worry. Even though the hospital is short-handed, with my assistance, I can still get you a few staff." Officer Director Ding's words were so sincere, it was as if he had been moved by his own gesture. "You're the hope of our hospital. Old Chief Physician Pan also does not have it easy; he was rehired after retirement just to build the emergency department. You guys have suffered all this while."
"No worries, we're fine." Zheng Ren interrupted Officer Director Ding midway, afraid to make any further promises or deals with the devil.
Little Zheng seemed to not understand the rules of social etiquette very well.
Ding Zhongtai kept the thought to himself.
However, it was easier to get on the good side of someone who was so learned that they lost out in every other human aspect.
"As you know, it's difficult to do that in our hospital." Out of habit, Ding Zhongtai redirected the conversation to how much trouble he had gone through for Zheng Ren.
It was the safest way of insinuating a favor.
Under normal circ.u.mstances, Zheng Ren should be thanking him politely. Those more theatrical would even shed tears of gratitude.
However… Why was Zheng Ren not saying anything?
Officer Director Ding stole a glance at Zheng Ren as he drove.
His c.h.e.s.t almost exploded with anger.
This little doctor, Zheng Ren had f*cking fallen asleep again! Bo Le was a horse tamer in the Spring and Autumn Period, and the legendary inventor of equine physiognomy ("judging a horse's qualities from appearance"). By studying the body of a horse, Bo Le was apparently able to assess its hidden capacities with unfailing accuracy.
Chapter 293 - Flexible Shift for Second-Liners (Part 1 of 4)
After returning to the emergency building, Zheng Ren waved Officer Director Ding goodbye.
Officer Director Ding had composed himself and smiled at Zheng Ren. "Dr. Zheng, I have high hopes for you. Just come and see me if you have any requests. I will fulfil them as long as it's in my power to do so."
Zheng Ren returned the smile and nodded.
He did not hurry back to the emergency ward. Instead, he dropped by Old Chief Physician Pan's office.
There was an answer when he knocked on the door.
Old Chief Physician Pan was wearing his reading glasses and holding a magazine.
Zheng Ren noticed that it was a medical journal, but could not catch its name.
"Chief, I've returned." He stood upright.
"Take a seat." Old Chief Physician Pan removed his glasses before looking at Zheng Ren. "I have something to tell you: Fu Guangshi has resigned."
"Oh," Zheng Ren responded.
"Huh?" Old Chief Physician Pan was a little surprised. "You knew about this?"
"Su Yun told me that he would ask the man to resign as a last resort," Zheng Ren answered.
Old Chief Physician Pan looked at Zheng Ren with great interest, but laughed and did not pursue the topic any further.
"I heard from Su Yun that you participated in two research projects in Imperial Capital and are planning to publish it in international journals?" he asked.
"Su Yun's dealing with all that. I just performed the surgery," Zheng Ren said.
"This is major. You need to pay more attention to it," Old Chief Physician Pan said. "Your workload here is quite heavy and I'm thinking of how to reduce it. Do you have any ideas?"
"I'm still coping. Last night was an anomaly." Zheng Ren placed his hands on his knees and straightened his back.
"It's not that," Old Chief Physician Pan said. "Yesterday, in the operating room, did Chief Kong from Imperial Capital ask you to join a national research project?"
"Yes." Zheng Ren nodded. "Chief Kong said that he'll schedule twenty patients with nodular hepatocellular carcinoma every month for me to perform surgery on. I will head to Imperial Capital for one or two days to do so as part of the research."
"Hm." Old Chief Physician Pan fell into deep thought while tapping his fingers on a copy of Limited Views: Essays on Ideas and Letters.
"I can overcome those obstacles," Zheng Ren declared seriously.
The old man remained silent and continued to ponder.
The office phone suddenly rang.
Old Chief Physician Pan picked it up.
"It's me.
"Hmm? Sure, but we want those who can do their job. Don't just push every Tom, D.i.c.k and Harry in here.
"Okay, tell them to report for duty as soon as possible."
Old Chief Physician Pan hung up and smiled at Zheng Ren. "I'm glad that you've grown."
"Was it abo
ut the staff transfer?"
"Yes," Old Chief Physician Pan answered, "Ding Zhongtai said he had requested for Director Xiao to transfer two physicians over. This should be able to take some weight off your shoulders."
"Right."
"With both of them, on top of Yang Lei and Chang Yue, that'll be one night shift every four days." Old Chief Physician Pan did the math. "For surgery, you and Su Yun can work together or choose to be on different shifts."
Zheng Ren felt relieved instantly.
"Is Su Yun competent enough?" Old Chief Physician Pan asked.
His words were not befitting of a department chief.
Authority over personnel was supreme. It was already a huge milestone for a young doctor to be promoted to chief resident.
However, Old Chief Physician Pan was not using this to throw his weight around. It was simply something he often discussed with Zheng Ren.
Zheng Ren hesitated for a moment.
"For small procedures in general surgeries, Su Yun's skill is comparable to that of Chief Sun. In the cardiothoracic field… he's adequate. I heard that he performed a heart transplant on a mouse during his postgraduate study in Imperial Capital. He should be able to handle any emergency situations."
Old Chief Physician Pan's irises shrinked to needlepoints.
Someone who could perform a heart transplant was just adequate?
Even if it had just been an experimental surgery, Su Yun had exceeded expectations.
Nevertheless, Old Chief Physician Pan collected himself quickly, chuckling, "Put more effort into research. A successfully-developed surgical method could save countless lives in the future."
"Understood."
As they spoke, Old Chief Physician Pan's office phone rang once again.
Screaming erupted from the receiver as soon as it was picked up, so loud that it could be heard without putting one's ear to it.
It was another department chief calling Old Chief Physician Pan to kick up a fuss.
Zheng Ren just shrugged and laughed.
Every single department was understaffed these days. Not only were most doctors from the inpatient department working a night shift every three days, second-line physicians had to attend to over a hundred patients in the outpatient department before coming in to the night shift after.
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