Chapter 213: Tsundere Chen Song!
“Teacher Chen, please sit.” As Chen Song drove himself to a small courtyard of a farmhouse restaurant, Lu Cheng politely hurried forward to greet him.
Chen Song, however, did not move. He touched his thinning hair and high forehead with one hand, bit his lip, and looked at Lu Cheng playfully for a while.
After Lu Cheng finished speaking, he took a few steps forward. Noticing Chen Song hadn’t followed, he turned back: “Teacher Chen?”
Chen Song then said, “You brat, you really know how to get me into trouble!!”
Lu Cheng blinked and smiled broadly: “Teacher Chen, what’s the matter this time?”
Lu Cheng thought carefully. It seemed he hadn’t caused any trouble for Chen Song recently.
Actually, Chen Song knew that he was being called and scolded today was not Lu Cheng’s fault.
Lu Cheng wasn’t the one competing; it was just that Tong Yuan’an had let slip Lu Cheng’s idea of “competing to earn money,” so the young people from Xiangya Hospital had taken this label as a shield.
Chen Song wasn’t angry; after all, people only resort to scolding when they are desperate.
“It’s nothing, let’s eat first, I’m a bit hungry.” Chen Song followed Lu Cheng into the private room.
Mu Nanshu was scrolling through her phone at this moment. When Chen Song entered, she also stood up and politely greeted him as Professor Chen.
Mu Nanshu had collaborated with Chen Song on a research project for a long time and was quite familiar with him, so she was not as formal as when they first met.
After sitting down, Chen Song complained: “Xiao Mu, you need to manage your Lu Cheng. He’s a bit mischievous.”
Mu Nanshu glanced at Lu Cheng and gently shook her head: “Teacher Chen, I can’t manage him.”
“You are the teacher, you can criticize him directly!”
Chen Song thought for a moment, then said: “Forget it, I can’t afford to offend either of you bandits!”
In that brief moment, Chen Song truly thought of the titles “Big Boss” and “Damsel of the Stronghold” for bandits. Neither Lu Cheng nor Mu Nanshu were easy to deal with.
They were definitely from the same litter of troublemakers.
Mu Nanshu knew Chen Song was just joking, so she changed the subject: “Lu Cheng, the matters at Long County People’s Hospital have finally made it into relatively official news.”
Lu Cheng nodded: “I saw the report on my way here. It’s hard to imagine that a county hospital president would be involved in a case worth eighty million.”
“That’s so much money. I probably won’t earn that much in my lifetime.”
Lu Cheng’s current annual salary, including social security and housing fund, is at most 150,000, which amounts to only 15 million in total income over a hundred years.
Chen Song thought for a moment and replied: “When you say that, you’re still underestimating the upper limit of this field.”
“Let’s not talk about these things.”
“I heard from Xiao Mu that we will have an excellent newcomer tomorrow? Is that true?”
Upon hearing this, Mu Nanshu’s delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly: “Teacher Chen, a ‘Big Brother’ we visited before will be coming, but it’s uncertain whether he can stay for now.”
“After all, Lu Cheng and I have too thin a foundation and cannot offer him adequate treatment. We can’t keep people here on sentiment alone.”
Zhang Xibei had indeed informed them of his itinerary, and Mu Nanshu had been tracking Zhang Xibei’s movements. He was flying directly to Zhang City on Monday and then taking a high-speed train to Jishi City from there.
But even if Zhang Xibei was interested in the research project, what about his income?
If Zhang Xibei were to find a job as a doctor in Jishi City and join the team part-time, that would undoubtedly be asking too much.
Chen Song then asked: “Xiao Mu, what is the typical annual salary for this kind of full-time research talent?”
“For a general teaching hospital, the lowest is around 400,000 before tax.”
“If I give him all my salary, I still can’t reach that amount.”
“And that’s just the minimum. If it’s in a company, a million annual salary or even higher is possible because such talent is exceptionally scarce.”
Chen Song, being older and having experienced more, said: “Since there’s such high income in companies, and Xiao Zhang didn’t choose that option, he must be someone with some sentiment.”
“Perhaps, we really have a chance to keep him.”
Mu Nanshu knew the approximate annual salary, so Zhang Xibei himself must know it too.
Mu Nanshu said: “Teacher Chen, that may be true, but as adults, economic income is quite important.”
“The current research group is still too weak, and my current position is too low. I don’t have much disposable funding, so I can’t allocate that much.”
Mu Nanshu isn’t even considered a boss yet; she doesn’t have her own laboratory, so she can’t offer anyone a job.
And a newly hired researcher wouldn’t be allocated research assistants. Even if the hospital was willing, the salary for a research assistant wouldn’t be enough for Zhang Xibei.
“Then why did you still invite him?” Chen Song asked, slightly taken aback.
Mu Nanshu and Lu Cheng exchanged a glance, and finally, Lu Cheng spoke: “Teacher Chen, our needs are mutual. We must meet first to confirm if Brother Zhang can undertake the division of labor for our project.”
“Otherwise, discussing his treatment would be meaningless, wouldn’t it?”
Chen Song said: “Did you two use reverse psychology when you met him last time?”
Lu Cheng shook his head: “No, we just had a very specific discussion with Brother Zhang about the current research project scope and details.”
“Brother Zhang himself evaluated whether he had the ability, and he couldn’t give a direct response, so he said he needed some time to consider.”
“A few days ago, when we asked again, Brother Zhang said he would come to see it first. The animal experiment model isn’t easy to build.”
“If Brother Zhang could build it without personally visiting the site, then this job would be too easy.”
“However, based on Mu Nanshu’s assessment of his overall capabilities, she believes Brother Zhang has the opportunity to build the standard model.”
Chen Song nodded slowly and said: “Let’s just leave it at that for now!”
Then, Chen Song, who loved eating and gourmet food, called out: “Boss, we came here hungry today. Please hurry, or I’ll get hypoglycemia and faint.”
Lu Cheng: “…”
Mu Nanshu’s expression was a bit conflicted, but Chen Song, as a gourmand, was always so endearing, so she was used to it.
When Lu Cheng returned after taking the menu, Chen Song received another phone call.
Lu Cheng suppressed the words that were about to come out and quietly sat down.
Chen Song then said: “Yes, Teacher Xiong, that’s the case. Lu Cheng and I are currently collaborating to test the animal application of this technique.”
“Oh, I see, Teacher Xiong. Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease. In fact, Director Xiang also thinks the same way.”
“Clinical practice and scientific research are separate, and emergency and specialty departments are indeed separate, but they aren’t that far apart. Whoever can do it, does it. Why worry so much?”
“Whoever is weak, let them watch!”
Lu Cheng and Mu Nanshu heard Chen Song’s words and instantly exchanged glances.
It seemed that Chen Song and the so-called Teacher Xiong were not people to sit still either.
“That’s impossible, Teacher Xiong. Our Emergency Department comes first, and then there’s the matter of specialty departments and the Emergency Department being in the same hospital.”
“If there’s any follow-up to the research project, I will report it to you promptly. Yes, you can also contact Director Xiang; I am accountable to Director Xiang.”
“Yes, yes, yes, thank you, Teacher Xiong.”
“Since Teacher Xiong supports me so much, then I’ll just say two words: Let’s do it!”
“I knew it, our teachers wouldn’t just stand by and watch.”
“Yes, Doctor Lu is here too. Yes, he’s eating with me.”
“Okay, alright. Next time you have a chance to come to Magic City, I’ll definitely take him and Teacher Xiong to learn from you and receive your guidance in person.”
“Thank you, Teacher Xiong, thank you, thank you.”
…
After hanging up the phone, Chen Song directly used his fingers to grab a few peanuts, rubbed off their skins, and tossed them into his mouth. The corners of his mouth twitched for a while as he smirked.
Then he said: “In this world, some people are quite amusing. In their desperation, they call Teacher Xiong Dansheng from the Emergency Department for help.”
“Isn’t that like throwing a bone to a dog?”
Lu Cheng and Mu Nanshu didn’t quite understand. To be precise, they didn’t grasp the details, so they gave Chen Song two confused looks.
Chen Song understood their meaning and explained in detail: “The person who called me is Director Xiong Dansheng from the Emergency Surgery department at Huashan Hospital. Director Xiong is the Deputy Director Committee Member of the Emergency Medicine branch of the Chinese Medical Association.”
“He just said, ‘Let’s do it.’ It doesn’t matter who else tries to provoke us, whether it’s from Hand Surgery or General Surgery.”
“As long as it doesn’t affect our research progress, it’s fine. If anyone interferes, let’s deal with them!”
Lu Cheng rubbed his chin and chuckled sheepishly: “Teacher Xiong is so domineering.”
Chen Song chuckled: “Our Emergency Department is a special unit. We contend with patients, with colleagues, and with other departments.”
“We also have to handle various emergencies. We definitely can’t afford to be weak.”
“Magic City is an international metropolis, and the emergency departments there are even more complex. How could we possibly cope without some backbone?”
Lu Cheng then asked: “Teacher Chen, how did Director Xiong you mentioned know about your relationship with me?”
Chen Song crossed his legs and said: “It’s a coincidence. Before I came, someone called to scold me.”
“But he was unlucky. He was the seventh or eighth person, I forget, and I got annoyed with being scolded, so I couldn’t be bothered to explain.”
“So I scolded him back fiercely and let off some steam. He went to complain, and it happened to reach Director Xiong.”
“When Director Xiong heard about it, he called me and said he strongly supports my work.”
Well, the person who complained had walked right into the lion’s den.
A little while later, the food was served. Lu Cheng and Chen Song and the others started eating and chatting happily. Since there was laboratory work in the afternoon, they did not drink alcohol.
…
Although it was said there were work arrangements, these arrangements were all for Chen Song. Lu Cheng and Mu Nanshu only needed to sort and collect data.
One of the main functions of developing a proper surgical procedure is its transmissibility.
That is to say, a suturing technique that others can replicate is a truly useful suturing technique, a more accessible suturing technique that can benefit more patients.
If an operation can only be performed by Lu Cheng, then it is Lu Cheng’s operating technique.
Therefore, Lu Cheng cannot be the only one in the experimental group.
A better arrangement would be to have Lu Cheng operate the control group and Chen Song operate the experimental group, or for Chen Song to operate both the experimental and control groups simultaneously.
Currently, Chen Song is in a state of full-time detachment, with ample time, so naturally, Chen Song will undertake the operations for both groups.
Lu Cheng and Mu Nanshu, on the other hand, handle all other logistics besides the operations, including but not limited to disinfection, preparing the operating table, anesthesia, and postoperative care.
After busying themselves in the laboratory for a full seven or eight hours, it was already nine o’clock in the evening.
The sky was dark, and the stars were sparse.
“Teacher Chen, shall we get some late-night snacks?” Lu Cheng suggested at the laboratory door.
Chen Song’s sparse hair was styled strangely by his surgical cap. Chen Song, who was very protective of his hair, dared not rub it, only gently parting it with his fingers: “No rush, there’s plenty of time for late-night snacks.”
“Xiao Tao and I will organize the learning pathway back there and try to get Xiao Tao to learn it as soon as possible so he can take on some tasks.”
“This is a teaching project that Xiao Tao and I will work on together.”
“Xiao Mu, you won’t mind, will you? The data we collect is for studying the learning cycle, while your teaching project is about the effectiveness of the teaching model.”
Mu Nanshu suddenly became a little shy: “Teacher Chen, you do your research project, you don’t need to explain it to me.”
Chen Song twisted his eyebrows and smiled sheepishly: “I wouldn’t dare not report it!”
Lu Cheng then glanced at Mu Nanshu, but Mu Nanshu did not reply.
…
As Tao Shibin drove back with his master Chen Song and junior brother, he said softly: “Master, is Teacher Mu really that scary? She seems quite gentle usually.”
Chen Song raised his eyebrows: “Have you never been severely beaten???”
Damn it.
I, Chen Song, am your teacher. How could I dare to say that Teacher Mu Nanshu from Xiehe Hospital revised my master’s thesis?
In the end, I quietly submitted the revised version and bypassed the issue without a word?
How could Chen Song say that? He was Tao Shibin’s teacher.
If the teacher’s master’s thesis had problems, wouldn’t Tao Shibin’s student’s resolve be shaken?
Tao Shibin said: “Master, I just feel that you are too polite to Teacher Mu.”
“It’s a bit of a contrast to your usual self. Right, Xiao Wen.”
Liao Hanwen nodded cutely: “Mhmm, mhmm.”
“If it were at our hospital, normally, attending physicians from other departments would be sprayed by you, Master.”
Chen Song, whose ‘persona’ had collapsed, was instantly awkward and finally said sternly: “We should be kind to others.”
Chen Song’s words made Tao Shibin and his junior brother even more confused.
Setting aside other things, as far as they knew, Chen Song had never lost an argument when clashing with people from the Hand Surgery department at Xiangya Second Hospital.
In the department, apart from a few professors, Chen Song’s sharp chin could pierce through the foreheads of others.
This is called being kind to others?
However, however their master taught them, they could only learn that way.
Seeing that his two students were silent, Chen Song said: “I advise you both, it’s best not to take your master’s way of interacting with others as a standard.
“And don’t try to create unnecessary complications. Your master has his own way of socializing. Don’t cause trouble for me.”
Chen Song knew his students’ temperaments well. He feared that his students, in their pursuit of justice, would provoke that little lion, Mu Nanshu.
And then they would have trouble graduating.
It’s not that they definitely wouldn’t be able to graduate, but if you provoke someone like that, graduating would be much more difficult. There couldn’t be the slightest oversight; everything must be absolutely perfect.
…
“Shudai, did something happen between you and Professor Chen?”
“I’ve never asked before, but is it convenient to tell me now?” Lu Cheng’s mood relaxed, his left elbow resting on the window, his right hand on the steering wheel, in a relaxed posture.
The cold wind in December was strong, and there were few pedestrians on the street. The Economic Development Zone was clear.
Mu Nanshu thought for a moment and said: “I found some minor flaws in a few of Teacher Chen’s papers, small flaws that wouldn’t have caused any immediate issues.”
Lu Cheng slowly applied the brakes, straightened his left hand, turned on the right turn signal, and slowly stopped.
He looked at Mu Nanshu with confusion, saying nothing.
Mu Nanshu then said: “Lu Cheng, don’t look at me like that. I know your relationship with Teacher Chen Song, but when Teacher Chen Song and I first met, we were just strangers.”
“Besides, these loopholes didn’t exist because I found them; they always existed.”
“Once they erupt, they could affect his career advancement or ruin his reputation. I was just refining them for him.”
“I wasn’t causing trouble for him.”
“That’s the first point.”
“Secondly, I don’t want anyone to cause unnecessary complications in what we are doing.”
“Strike the snake at its vital point.”
“You have your own social graces and methods for interacting with people, and I have mine.”
“Regardless, Teacher Chen won’t be angry; in fact, he’ll be grateful to me.”
“Causing trouble and identifying and filling gaps are two different things!” Mu Nanshu said earnestly.
The streetlights shone on her pretty face, which had shed its youthful immaturity.
It was now a familiar yet intellectual face, her expression natural and her demeanor slightly aloof.
Lu Cheng said: “Teacher Chen Song is essentially an arrogant person, and he generally ignores ordinary people.”
“Having such a personality means he is very capable and produces a lot.”
“Why were you able to find loopholes in his papers?”
Chen Song’s personality wasn’t formed in a day. Why is he ‘sneaky’?
To be arrogant in an institution like Xiangya Second Hospital, if you don’t have some skill, you’ll be criticized to death.
“I am professional. Teacher Chen is not professional,” Mu Nanshu said softly.
Lu Cheng slowly started driving: “Professional? What do you mean?”
Since Mu Nanshu and Chen Song had no conflict, Lu Cheng didn’t blame Mu Nanshu.
His little girlfriend had truly grown. She had her own values and ways of handling things. As long as the fundamentals she spoke of weren’t compromised, it meant Professor Chen Song wasn’t angry, so there was no hatred.
Lu Cheng had never expected Mu Nanshu to get along with Chen Song like a master and disciple. Between them, they were just strangers and temporary “team members”!
“Avenge any hatred, repay any grievance.”
“During my years abroad, I spent most of my time doing these two things!”
“First, for my own papers and research projects, seek stability, practicality, and truth. Don’t seek quantity, only quality, and scrutinize every detail.”
“Second, for others’ papers and research projects, seek stability, practicality, and truth. Don’t seek quantity, only quality, and scrutinize every detail.” Mu Nanshu’s voice was ethereal, clear and cute, yet also chilling.
Lu Cheng could tell that this was the fiery side of her that he had rarely seen before.
Girls from Xiangxi are primarily spicy.
Girls from the Miao ethnic group are primarily clear about love and hate.
