Chapter 183: What Award Did You Get?
In Hanshi City, at Mu Nanshu’s home.
Xie Yuan’an knocked on the room door. Mu Nanshu, who was mixing cold noodles for herself, came out from the kitchen wearing an apron to open the door.
“Sister Xie, you don’t need to go home anymore? Coming over this late, isn’t Professor Xie looking for you?” Mu Nanshu asked.
Xie Yuan’an put on her slippers. “My dad wishes I’d get married tomorrow, he couldn’t care less about me now.”
“You’re eating this for dinner?” Xie Yuan’an saw that Mu Nanshu was eating simple cold noodles and felt a little guilty.
“The pickles and chili peppers I brought from Long County, they taste great,” Mu Nanshu said.
“Do you want to try some?”
“Is this the Xiangming Pickles you brought me last time? It’s so spicy.” Xie Yuan’an sniffed closer, recognizing the chili pepper scent.
“Yes, this is amazing with cold noodles, and the hot dry noodles in Hanshi City have more chewiness than our cold noodles, making them taste even better when paired.”
“Wait a moment, I’ll get you a bowl too.” Mu Nanshu’s expression was relaxed and natural; she didn’t show any ‘displeasure’ towards Xie Yuan’an.
Xie Yuan’an is Xie Yuan’an, Xie Xiao is Xie Xiao, and Professor Zhong Junyun is Professor Zhong Junyun.
Regardless of anything else, Xie Yuan’an’s “gossiping” back then had led Lu Cheng into the advanced study class, which was the reason for Lu Cheng’s subsequent growth.
Five minutes later, the two sat at the dining table, each with a tablet to watch dramas.
Xie Yuan’an had already eaten dinner, so she wasn’t hungry at all. After a few bites, her appetite vanished, but Mu Nanshu ate heartily, her tongue burning from the spiciness.
“Xiao Mu Mu, is your fiery personality something cultivated by the chili peppers from your region?”
“I just casually said one thing to you, and you directly went to confront Professor Zhong?” Xie Yuan’an asked pointedly.
Mu Nanshu said, “When things happen, you solve them. I was just asking Professor Zhong some basic information, I didn’t say anything wrong?”
“So spicy, so spicy, too much chili pepper. That boss used chili paste made from bird’s eye chilies. I need to order some milk tea.” Mu Nanshu fanned her tongue with her palm.
Xie Yuan’an only ate a few small bites, so she didn’t feel the intensity as much as Mu Nanshu.
She said meaningfully, “You call this ‘just saying some basic information’?”
“Have you forgotten what you told Big Boss Zhong?”
Mu Nanshu said, “What did I say? Isn’t it just the facts?”
“Sister Xie, I’m not afraid to tell you, don’t just focus on Lu Cheng’s tendon suturing project. His development in general surgery would be several times better than staying in hand surgery!”
Mu Nanshu then handed her phone to Xie Yuan’an. “This is for another order. See if you want to add anything and order quickly.”
Xie Yuan’an took Mu Nanshu’s phone but had no intention of looking at the milk tea menu. She simply tapped to add one more item. “Xiao Mu Mu, what do you mean?”
“What’s Lu Cheng’s connection to general surgery? Isn’t he a hand surgeon?”
Xie Yuan’an’s mind recalled Lu Cheng’s answer from back then.
“Why are you learning suturing?”
“‘To compete’!”
Xie Yuan’an’s spiritual foundation crumbled.
“No, he’s an emergency department doctor now, and most of the surgeries he performs are in general surgery, like appendicitis or splenectomy,” Mu Nanshu said.
“He’s doing more general surgery operations? Then he?”
“Finger replantation?” Xie Yuan’an felt despair in her heart.
Mu Nanshu felt she had laid enough groundwork for Xie Yuan’an. “I told you before, his clinical talent is quite good.”
“Otherwise, how could I have taken him to seek out a doctoral supervisor to pledge allegiance? Why would that professor agree?”
“Explain it more specifically.” Xie Yuan’an traced back the past.
“You only told me that you contacted a professor in orthopedics at Huashan Hospital, you never said how you did it.”
Mu Nanshu thought for a moment before saying, “It was Professor Su from the trauma surgery department at Huashan Hospital. He gave me an assessment standard. I didn’t tell Lu Cheng, I just had Lu Cheng practice in that direction.”
“Later, I showed that operation video to Professor Su. After watching it, Professor Su thought it was acceptable.”
“The teaching secretary for orthopedics also felt that Lu Cheng’s first degree and preliminary examination scores were quite good. And that’s how it happened…”
Xie Yuan’an nodded. “Later, Professor Su unfortunately passed away due to a work accident shortly before the second round of master’s examinations, so his feedback and promises to you became invalid, right?”
Mu Nanshu continued to eat a few more bites of cold noodles, then went to get a glass of ice water. “Of course. Each teacher has their own preferences for admitting students. Some prefer clinical practice, while others prefer scientific research.”
“These are all personal choices.”
Xie Yuan’an sighed. “Familiarity fades when people are gone, and things fall apart when the tree falls. The fairer the place, the colder it is. The more solidified the circles become.”
“Sigh…”
“So, what you’re saying is? Lu Cheng is going to develop in the direction of general surgery now?”
Mu Nanshu shook her head. “Not exactly. He has his own ideas, I just happened to know about his capabilities.”
“Then these two clinical research projects can bring him a lot of benefits.”
“The preliminary preparations are all done. Now, all that’s left is project operation.”
Xie Yuan’an thought for a long time before asking, “What two projects?”
Mu Nanshu walked back to the dining table and slowly sat down. “Well, one project is the tendon suturing project in hand surgery, and the other is the spleen suturing project, which is a sub-project of spleen preservation surgery.”
Xie Yuan’an, being in hand surgery, could well understand what Mu Nanshu meant by spleen suturing surgery.
Before limb replantation surgery, surgeries on severed limbs were called ‘suturing surgery’; at least, that was the initial name, and only later was it defined as ‘limb replantation’!
For spleen preservation surgery, it should also be cautiously referred to as spleen suturing surgery first. Once the procedure is mature, it can then be reclassified as spleen preservation surgery. This is the research direction for clinical projects.
“This… is that possible?” Xie Yuan’an’s eyes widened, her lips pouted, and her heart-shaped face was about to turn into a watermelon shape.
“Of course, there are clues. If there were no preliminary research, would I dare to speak like this?” Mu Nanshu chuckled lightly.
“A while ago, I had already arranged with the hospital’s research department that if I could manage these two projects, I wouldn’t have to return to the laboratory for several years.”
Good teaching hospitals have their own full-time researchers.
Full-time researchers, as the name suggests, only do research and don’t need to handle clinical work. They are paid an annual salary.
The core requirement is to have a certain amount of research output, thereby enhancing the hospital’s overall research strength.
The basic tasks are a few points: first, obtain research project bidding documents; second, conduct the research projects; and third, produce papers.
As long as you can excel in these few basic points, you become the ‘top seller’ in the hospital, and you don’t need to be physically present in the laboratory.
Moreover, top-tier full-time researchers cannot produce results sitting in an office.
Projects are achieved through doing, not by looking or writing.
Xie Yuan’an’s eyes widened further. “You contacted the research department directly, bypassing Professor Dong and Professor Zhong?”
“Sister Xie, I am a free agent.”
“The contract I signed is with the hospital, not with the gastroenterology department laboratory. I am not hired personnel by the laboratory or a department hire, so why can’t I communicate directly with the research department?” Mu Nanshu replied very directly.
Mu Nanshu’s talent introduction policy was something the laboratory couldn’t provide. After she settled her work, she was assigned to the gastroenterology department laboratory by the hospital, not ‘caged in’.
The research department of Xiehe Hospital is also quite pragmatic. As long as you have sufficient research output, let alone leaving the laboratory, they are amenable to arranging a dedicated laboratory for you.
“Alright then. Xiao Mu Mu, you’re still impressive.”
“I wouldn’t dare bypass our boss and confront the hospital directly.” Xie Yuan’an looked at Mu Nanshu, inevitably recalling some past events.
Xie Yuan’an truly suspected that Mu Nanshu might have previously had unusual interactions with that academician from Huashan Hospital’s hand surgery department.
“But Xiao Mu Mu, how can you be sure the hospital will approve your application?”
“Our hand surgery’s Professor Zhong still carries significant weight within the hospital.”
“Aren’t you afraid of repercussions?” Xie Yuan’an, certain that Mu Nanshu had her own plans, turned back to ask about Mu Nanshu’s thoughts at the time.
“I am a full-time researcher, so naturally, I have my instincts.”
“Xiehe Hospital is definitely willing to have more ‘firsts’,” Mu Nanshu said.
“The main thing is that my operational confidence is high. Without confidence, how can I talk about operations?”
Xie Yuan’an suddenly realized. “You mean, from the moment you first came to the hospital, you never intended to stay in the gastroenterology department laboratory for long?”
“Not necessarily. My initial plan was to first secure my own project in the gastroenterology department laboratory, and then take it out to implement.”
“Completing my own project is only right and proper.”
“But now it’s not necessary. I don’t need to rack my brain so much.”
“Lu Cheng has already produced a better project than mine.”
Xie Yuan’an suddenly asked again, “Aren’t you afraid that Lu Cheng might not want you to participate in these projects?”
Mu Nanshu didn’t reply, instead, she scanned Xie Yuan’an up and down with a meaningful gaze.
Xie Yuan’an’s expression instantly became constrained, and then she proudly puffed out her chest. “Lu Cheng and I have a very clean relationship, don’t look at me like that.”
“I know.” Mu Nanshu continued to eat her noodles with her head bowed…
…
In Shashi City, in a private room.
After a few rounds of drinks between Tan Zhongyuan and Lu Cheng, Tan Zhongyuan finally said, “The situation is as it is, and the circumstances are as they are. I’m not exaggerating; I just want to inform you in advance.”
“Xiao Lu, you’re a smart person, you’ll surely make your own decisions. Knowing about this situation early will help you prepare and avoid being caught off guard.”
Tan Zhongyuan did not exaggerate or kick Lu Cheng when he was down; instead, he told Lu Cheng the truth, allowing Lu Cheng to make his own choice.
The intention was to foster goodwill, even if Lu Cheng didn’t choose to align with Xiangya Hospital.
There’s a truth in the market that says when you are strong enough, you will find that most people around you are good.
If you don’t see this situation, it usually means you are not strong enough yet.
“Director Tan, thank you for your heartfelt words. However, at present, Teacher Zhong has not contacted me to discuss this matter.”
“From my perspective, I am an uninformed party, so I cannot give you any response,” Lu Cheng said with a smile.
Lu Cheng is not someone who hears rumors and spreads them.
We are in an era of high information flow, and the authenticity of various information is difficult to ascertain. It’s best not to form preconceptions prematurely.
Otherwise, if Tan Zhongyuan were to play a trick on him, he would be in a difficult position.
“However, Director Tan, I truly feel your care and support for me, as well as Teacher Tong’s.” Lu Cheng felt his words were hypocritical.
But hypocrisy is inherently a business card for adults.
Lu Cheng addressed Tan Zhongyuan as “Director Tan” while referring to Tong Yuan’an and Zhong Junyun as “Teacher.” Everyone heard this clearly.
Tan Zhongyuan’s voice was refined, and he stroked his chin. “Doctor Lu, my intention is actually very simple.”
“We certainly have a connection. Even if we can’t be colleagues, we can be excellent partners.”
Lu Cheng shook his head. “Director Tan, you flatter me. At my current age, how could I be qualified to cooperate with you?”
“Everyone’s growth first requires guidance from a teacher. It will likely continue to be this way in the future.”
Lu Cheng didn’t believe he had the qualifications to discuss cooperation with Tan Zhongyuan’s team. If he thought holding a tendon suturing project made him an equal to Professor Tan, he would be gravely underestimating Professor Tan.
At all times, accurately recognizing one’s own position is key to avoiding arrogance and inferiority. This is Lu Cheng’s approach to handling matters.
“Doctor Lu is very polite. If I were your age, I would have been floating somewhere else,” Tan Zhongyuan said, quite surprised.
However, recalling Lu Cheng’s past experiences conveyed by Tong Yuan’an, he found it understandable.
Lu Cheng had been through severe hardship, so he had a very clear self-positioning.
Tong Yuan’an then said, “Director Tan, the current situation is this: Lu Cheng has a research partner, Doctor Mu Nanshu from Xiehe Hospital.”
“This Doctor Mu is also a formidable figure and has her own project funding.”
“Additionally, Doctor Lu has project collaborations with Professor Chen Song of Xiangya Second Hospital…”
Tong Yuan’an’s statement was very formal, laying out Lu Cheng’s current foundation on the table.
Tan Zhongyuan said, “That’s excellent. There are quite a few strong hospitals in our Central China region, such as Xiehe and Tongji in Central China, and our Xiangya Hospital, which are all connected.”
“Collaborating on projects will further enhance the overall level of our Central China region.”
…
After the meal, Lu Cheng sat in the hotel lobby, carefully reflecting on Professor Tan Zhongyuan’s conversation that evening.
Lu Cheng was certain that he was no match for a magnate like Tan Zhongyuan in terms of social graces and research cognition.
What he could do was to diligently work on his own projects, become a good clinician step by step, and first accumulate more skill points to improve his strength.
Development directions and win-win collaborations were not things Lu Cheng should be considering.
“Let’s go, back to the hotel. The designated driver I called has arrived,” Tong Yuan’an said, patting Lu Cheng’s shoulder.
Lu Cheng quickly stood up. “Teacher Tong, you’ve spent too much.”
“Ah, don’t say that. I was just afraid you’d think I was too thick-skinned and unethically took your resources and position.”
“You should understand now how sought-after your two suturing techniques are?”
“If Chen Song and I hadn’t taken the initiative, we wouldn’t even have had the chance to scrape the pot,” Tong Yuan’an said, blushing slightly.
It was unclear whether it was from shyness or the alcohol.
“That’s not true. Even without me, Teacher Tong and Teacher Chen would have had other projects to work on.”
As Lu Cheng spoke, he followed Tong Yuan’an, holding an umbrella, into the car and sat in the back seat.
The designated driver was a very honest person. After asking Lu Cheng and Tong Yuan’an to fasten their seatbelts, he slowly started the car.
Before Lu Cheng and Tong Yuan’an could say anything, Mu Nanshu happened to send a message. It was initially three large paragraphs, briefly recounting the information she had inadvertently overheard from Xie Yuan’an.
“Yes, it might be a coincidence. I also heard about this from Professor Tan of Xiangya Hospital today,” Lu Cheng typed back.
“Lu Cheng, I called Professor Zhong behind your back again. Professor Zhong’s opinion is that only through cooperation can we achieve win-win.”
“Your tendon suturing technique, combined with Doctor Han’s nerve suturing technique, has a high potential to forge your own path in functional reconstruction surgery.”
“Currently, the surgical scope for functional reconstruction surgery in your hand surgery department is very narrow, and it’s time for you to broaden and redefine the surgical methods.”
“I think Professor Zhong’s advice is reasonable,” Mu Nanshu gave more pertinent advice when chatting with Lu Cheng privately.
Lu Cheng was not drunk, nor even tipsy. He was very, very clear-headed at this moment.
Lu Cheng: “The projects will definitely be done through cooperation, but the direction of the projects can be chosen by oneself.”
“Bookworm, it’s highly probable that I’ll be working in the emergency department for a long time. Functional reconstruction surgery is an elective disease.”
“When working on projects, I can help if needed, all for the sake of the patient’s recovery.”
Mu Nanshu: “Don’t you find it surprising?”
Lu Cheng replied, “Unexpected, but within reason.”
“Professor Tan Zhongyuan, who told me this, has also mentored many people. A big boss, how can they possibly dedicate all their energy to just one person?”
“Such immense favor, aside from a big boss’s offspring, I, Lu Cheng, cannot bear it, nor do I think anyone else can.”
“Perhaps, Doctor Han from Xiehe Hospital will also discover that Professor Zhong will prioritize others after he officially starts working.”
“Even the most outstanding individuals, except in movies and novels, cannot be fully trusted and appreciated overnight.”
“This is too surreal.”
Lu Cheng paused here for a moment, then continued, “Let’s not overthink this for now. When Professor Zhong finds time to talk to me, I will state my thoughts then.”
“For now, I’ll act as if none of this has happened, right?”
“Regardless of what happens, judge by actions, not intentions. To date, Professor Zhong has not harmed me, and he has indeed provided us with considerable support.”
“Intentions are intentions, and human relationships are human relationships; they should be viewed separately.”
“The competition on my end is basically confirmed. Tomorrow, after I receive the award certificate, I can go home and diligently start my work.”
“Such a high-profile matter is still a long way from me directly making decisions. What I need to prepare for is the prefecture’s selection examination.”
Lu Cheng hadn’t even sent his last message!
A WeChat message from Zhang Tiesheng arrived on Lu Cheng’s WeChat, the message box dropping from top to bottom.
Lu Cheng only saw a few keywords.
“An inspection team has arrived in Xiangzhou, and President Peng has voluntarily surrendered himself…”
Upon seeing this, Lu Cheng was completely stunned!
Lu Cheng had joked with Mu Nanshu about the inspection team being in Xiang Province long ago, but he never expected them to come to Long County.
Moreover, President Peng voluntarily surrendered himself? Why? Has he gone mad?
Lu Cheng quickly sent the message he had been editing for Mu Nanshu.
Then, he opened Zhang Tiesheng’s lengthy message.
“Lu Cheng, it’s over. You might have to come back as soon as possible. According to insider information, the inspection team arrived in our Xiangzhou after the National Day. President Peng voluntarily surrendered himself on the 15th, but the inspection team has been conducting secret investigations… Director Lin and Director Peng were just called in for questioning…”
Lu Cheng: “???”
Lu Cheng recalled that Zhang Tiesheng had previously hinted to him that there had been some leadership changes in Xiangzhou recently.
But Lu Cheng hadn’t expected the inspection team to go down to Xiangzhou.
“It’s true. Our hospital will definitely not be peaceful for a while.”
“I suggest you return as soon as possible to avoid any trouble-making.”
“Anyway, Director Zhu of the clinical laboratory has been officially disciplined and will be removed this Friday evening.”
“We don’t know how far the investigation will go yet.” Zhang Tiesheng was also a bit flustered.
Lu Cheng covered his phone and closed his eyes, his mind also in a bit of a turmoil.
After careful consideration, Lu Cheng felt it didn’t matter much to him. He had no financial problems. The kickbacks within the department never reached a mere attending physician like him.
Since the volume-based procurement policy was implemented in the first half of this year, there have been no kickbacks. Everyone lives by surgery fees.
Lu Cheng thought for a while and replied, “Brother Zhang, I can only return tomorrow. It’s too late.”
“Besides, I won an award here. It would be inappropriate to leave without accepting it.”
Now it was Zhang Tiesheng’s turn to be shocked: “???”
“You won an award? What award did you win?”
“It should be the first prize,” Lu Cheng replied.
Winning first prize and not accepting it—whose face would that slap? The organizer’s?
Zhang Tiesheng hadn’t expected Lu Cheng to win an award, which is why he was urging him to return quickly.
If you don’t win an award, you just don’t participate, right? Who would care about a nobody like you on the field?
“Holy crap? You won first prize? That’s impossible, brother.”
“I didn’t study much, don’t lie to me.” Zhang Tiesheng sent a voice message, his voice filled with shock and even a slight tremor.
An emergency department doctor from Long County People’s Hospital participating in the Xiang Province Microsurgery Skills Youth Physician Competition and winning first prize?
What kind of fantastical headline is this?
He wouldn’t even believe the headline, let alone the actual details?
“As it stands, that’s the situation.”
“Brother Zhang, I don’t have any on-call duties. I’ll trouble you and Brother Zeng to cover for me,” Lu Cheng said.
Lu Cheng had checked his duty roster; he was not on call for the next two days.
Furthermore, participating in the provincial microsurgery skills competition was a perfectly legitimate learning and exchange activity. Anyone who dared to say it was wrong would be deliberately causing trouble.
“Alright then, you accept the award first.”
“Holy crap? You’re actually going to accept the award? I need to see the award certificate! Don’t fake the seal, that’s illegal, my brother.” Zhang Tiesheng’s voice was fragmented and disordered.
What is logic?
