Chapter 206: The National Competition Begins!
A nobody, even if they deliberately try to showcase themselves, will hardly enter the public’s or most people’s field of vision. Even internet celebrities need a certain opportunity.
Therefore, if a nobody deliberately wants to conceal and erase their presence, it is very, very easy.
Lu Cheng is just a nobody, just a small emergency department doctor. No matter how extraordinary he is currently, only a few people in the emergency department truly understand him.
For nearly a month, Lu Cheng’s daily life has been very regular.
When on duty, he’s on duty; when Director Du Qiang in the department performs standardized surgery, he performs standardized surgery; when a patient is referred, he handles the referral!
When not on duty, he teaches or goes to Jishi City for experiments, and doesn’t cause trouble.
Therefore, Lu Cheng’s rhythm of life and work has become flattened, no longer influenced by anyone.
More importantly, the leadership of Long County People’s Hospital has spoken with Lu Cheng several times, but Lu Cheng has not agreed.
Moreover, the prefecture-level selection process has completely concluded. With Lu Cheng’s presence becoming weaker and weaker, no one would be paying attention to him.
December 18th, Friday, cloudy weather.
Jishi City is mountainous, with a biting cold wind; winters are very cold.
But in the animal laboratory, Lu Cheng and Tong Yuan’an, among others, are all wearing thin long-sleeved shirts over isolation gowns.
After leaving a modern surgical operating room, Lu Cheng took off his mask and said with a smile, “Teacher Tong, brothers, that’s about it. You’ve all seen the test data just now.”
“You have indeed learned these techniques, and the data you’ve operated are even better than mine.”
“Now you understand, right? I’m just a lucky bum.”
Lu Cheng looked at his Skill Point Balance: 154.6 points!
After a month, it only increased by eighty; this rate is a historical low.
If all these skill points were used, Lu Cheng would have a chance to continue suppressing these elder brothers and “teachers,” but Lu Cheng felt it was unnecessary.
Lu Cheng’s basic skills in suturing are not as good as these elder brothers’, so his overall data is lower than the data produced by their use of techniques, which is quite normal.
Tong Yuan’an, with his chubby face, surveyed the group: “Aren’t you going to greet him yet? Xiao Lu has taught you wholeheartedly, without reservation.”
“Are you turning your back on him after surpassing the master?”
Hu Yi is the youngest and closest in age to Lu Cheng. He was the first to completely lower his face, speaking almost ingratiatingly, “Teacher Lu, where will you be heading later?!”
“Teacher Lu, you’re joking!”
“Luck is also a part of absolute strength. You’ve worked hard this past month.” Xie Ziyuan has a delicate appearance, a well-proportioned physique, and a pleasant voice; he is also quite straightforward.
In contrast to Xie Ziyuan, Han Yun Shen’s appearance is more geared towards technical work.
Han Yun Shen is 1.8 meters tall, with an aura of absolute strength!
Han Yun Shen’s tone was a bit awkward and exaggerated, “Brother Teacher Lu, Nujia will definitely remember your kind care and will never forget it.”
Lu Cheng listened expressionlessly because Han Yun Shen had used this tone many times before. This person’s personality, like his appearance, is unrestrained and unpredictable: “Ahem.”
“Teacher Han, Teacher Xie, didn’t we agree before? You call me Xiao Lu, and I call you brothers.”
“If you insist on calling me this way, then we’ll each call each other by our preferred titles. From now on, I will also call you Professor or Teacher.”
The two looked at Tong Yuan’an; Tong Yuan’an was the true ‘big brother’!
Tong Yuan’an had also learned the techniques, but since Tong Yuan’an had taught Lu Cheng things before, he didn’t change his address.
“Forget it, forget it. You young people sort it out yourselves.”
“We have a batch of results for both the control and experimental groups for vascular and nerve suturing, which can be submitted for review.”
“I’ll be busy with my own work, you be busy with yours, just don’t get caught!” Tong Yuan’an voluntarily got up and left.
As soon as Tong Yuan’an left, the very sensible Han Yun Shen walked behind Lu Cheng and began to massage his shoulders: “Brother Lu, what are we eating later?”
“How about we get a young chicken for you to supplement your strength?”
“We’ll be flying to Rongcheng for the competition tomorrow, and we won’t see each other again for several days.”
Xie Ziyuan felt a bit disgusted by Han Yun Shen’s words, but since Han Yun Shen had lowered himself, he also proactively said, “Brother Lu, since Brother Tong isn’t here, we can be more informal.”
“How about we go eat that duck place later?”
“That place has a decent taste.”
Lu Cheng took out his mobile phone and said, “I need to report first and ask my wife if she wants to go.”
“Sister-in-law is also in Jishi City? Let’s invite her along,” Xie Ziyuan asked eagerly.
Han Yun Shen patted Xie Ziyuan and said sternly, “What sister-in-law? That’s the boss. Brother Lu’s boss!”
Lu Cheng understood one point: a person’s personality and temper have little to do with their status; it mainly depends on whether you can break through their social defenses.
In front of outsiders, Xie Ziyuan and Han Yun Shen are Associate Professors at Xiangya Hospital, appearing very aloof and refined.
Who would have thought that Han Yun Shen is a shameless comedian who can change his persona even when joking?
Xie Ziyuan is slightly more normal, but he has a bit of social anxiety. Whenever he interacts with people of higher status than him, Xie Ziyuan stutters a bit.
He’s much better now. It’s said that when Xie Ziyuan was pursuing his doctorate, he even stammered when talking to his teacher.
“Brothers, my wife said she wants to go, and she’s bringing a best friend with her, Xie Yuan’an from Xiehe Hospital. Do you think that’s convenient?”
“If it’s not convenient, we can sit at two separate tables,” Lu Cheng asked.
“Convenient, of course it’s convenient!” How could Han Yun Shen and Xie Ziyuan say it wasn’t convenient?
They both knew very well that Lu Cheng’s output rate was even faster than a prolific sow.
This is precisely Lu Cheng’s most prolific age. Who knows what kind of ‘extended and thickened’ suturing technique Lu Cheng might come up with next?
If, just in case, Lu Cheng develops such a suturing technique, he would be the god of middle age and a friend to all women.
Compared to Han Yun Shen and Xie Ziyuan, Attending Physician Hu Yi seemed more ‘calm’; he was just an honest person, not showing off or deliberately trying to please Lu Cheng anymore.
…
Xie Yuan’an and Han Yun Shen’s group were meeting for the first time, and they were colleagues.
Therefore, after a brief introduction, Xie Yuan’an became familiar with them and began to discuss professional matters.
For example, they talked about industry big shots, industry development trends, and the upcoming microsurgery skills competition in a few days.
Lu Cheng and Mu Nanshu, on the other hand, were talking alone about Mu Nanshu’s research project.
Although Mu Nanshu is away, she still needs to apply for the National Natural Science Foundation for Young Scholars next year. The proposal is ready, but there are many factors that will affect whether it is successful.
After Xie Yuan’an and the others had been chatting for a while, the topic suddenly shifted to Lu Cheng, the listener.
Han Yun Shen’s expression at this moment was incredibly disbelieving. His already free-form features expressed a free-form amplitude, almost deformed: “Doctor Xie, are you saying that just two months ago, Lu Cheng was still a little rookie?”
“And all he’s done so far happened in the last two months?”
“Is that so?”
Although Xie Yuan’an didn’t understand the last sentence, she understood the meaning of the preceding words. Xie Yuan’an said with a clear conscience, “Yes, it’s just that incredible.”
“This world is also that unreasonable.”
“Before, I only heard Xiao Mu Mu say her boyfriend’s talent was very good, but I had only heard it.”
“From then on, I gained real insight.”
“Now it’s good, I’ve been dragged into it too, realistically being 0.5 generations younger.”
Mu Nanshu was confused: “What does 0.5 generations younger mean?”
Xie Yuan’an started doing elementary school math: “I call you Xiao Mu Mu, and I call him Teacher Lu. If you average it, isn’t that 0.5 generations?”
This calculation made even the other honest listener laugh. Hu Yi said, “Then are you, Doctor Xie, also 0.5 generations older than us? How should we address you?”
Han Yun Shen, that scoundrel, blurted out, “A woman in her thirties…”
Han Yun Shen’s words made Xie Yuan’an’s face darken. That address was too unpleasant.
Being over thirty herself, she of course knew what “a woman in her thirties” meant, but Xie Yuan’an didn’t feel shy or blush: “Let’s all still address each other as peers.”
“It’s not good to directly discuss generations/seniority within academia! Otherwise, terms like uncle-master, master, senior brother, and junior brother would all be messed up.”
Han Yun Shen and the others agreed with Xie Yuan’an’s suggestion, nodded, and shifted the topic elsewhere!
Xie Ziyuan said, “Doctor Xie, there’s a rumor in the industry that your Xiehe Hospital also has an original nerve suturing technique. Do you know it? Can you demonstrate it sometime?”
Xie Yuan’an nodded and shook her head: “I’ve heard of it, but I haven’t encountered it.”
“Mainly, I don’t have time to encounter it. I’m truly sorry.”
Mu Nanshu added, “Xie Yuan’an has been here since October learning suturing techniques, so she’s spent very little time at our hospital.”
“This rumor started at the end of September, so it’s normal that she wouldn’t know about it.”
Xie Ziyuan rubbed his chin and smiled, “Actually, I’m very curious. Since they are both suturing techniques, who is superior?”
Xie Yuan’an and Xie Ziyuan are from the same clan. They directly discussed seniority by age, saying, “Brother Yuan, I don’t know either, but based on my feeling, the quality of the techniques you learned might be slightly better.”
“Although I haven’t seen the specific suturing, I have seen the test data.”
“The techniques you operate might be about five percent higher on average.”
Xie Ziyuan immediately frowned: “The average advantage is only five percent? The surgeon’s proficiency greatly affects the outcome.”
“Then we need to be cautious.”
Lu Cheng said, “Brother Xie, five percent is already very good. It’s also possible that Teacher Xie Yuan’an is being modest.”
Lu Cheng hasn’t seen Xiehe Hospital’s suturing techniques, but anything that can be called a suturing technique is not ordinary.
For example, the Tang method has undergone years of clinical validation and is still very effective today, and it’s a commonly used suturing operation in clinical practice.
“That’s true.” Xie Ziyuan asked no further questions.
After chatting for a while longer, the dinner party temporarily dispersed.
Xie Yuan’an still had to take the high-speed rail back to Hanshi City to prepare, and she would depart for Rongcheng tomorrow. Xie Ziyuan and the others were similar, but their travel plans differed, and since it was just their first meeting, there was naturally no reason to form a team to travel together.
Lu Cheng and Mu Nanshu simply saw Xie Yuan’an off at the high-speed rail station, while Xie Ziyuan and the others made their own way.
On the way back, Mu Nanshu said, “Sister Xie sent me a thank-you message. She asked me to convey her gratitude to you in person, and she will strive not to let down your high expectations for her.”
Mu Nanshu was reading the message, but her tone was somewhat jealous.
Lu Cheng smiled and said, “Mainly, I don’t know anyone else. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have invited Xie Yuan’an to the competition.”
“Why?” Mu Nanshu asked.
“Originally, she was pure and innocent. This girl doesn’t know how to handle interpersonal relationships at all, making it seem like she’s not pure anymore.” Lu Cheng said while turning the steering wheel.
“Someone in my house has yeast on them and easily makes vinegar.”
Mu Nanshu lifted her chin: “Are you overthinking it…”
“I’m just thinking, some people, when they get busy, not only forget my birthday, but also don’t give gifts, nothing at all,” Mu Nanshu mumbled.
Lu Cheng was truly speechless about this.
He had truly never considered that he would actually forget Mu Nanshu’s birthday!
Of course, in October, Mu Nanshu wasn’t in Long County; she had been called to Hanshi City by Xie Yuan’an. And that day, Lu Cheng was on a day shift and couldn’t get away.
However, Lu Cheng hadn’t even mentioned it during their conversations. Lu Cheng could only accept his fault.
Saying “Happy Birthday” the next day meant that the disappointment had already occurred.
Although Lu Cheng made up for it the next day and also said he had prepared a birthday gift for Mu Nanshu, Mu Nanshu refused to accept it.
A gift on the birthday is a birthday gift. Can’t you receive a gift if it’s not your birthday?
Lu Cheng said, “Alright, it’s my fault. What do you want? How can I get a chance to erase this terrible stain?”
“I won’t tell you!” Mu Nanshu said.
“Give me a chance, boss?” Lu Cheng continued to ask.
“Fine, I’ll tell you when I’ve thought of it.”
“Oh, by the way. Are you sure you’ve thought about it? Aren’t you going to participate in the competition tomorrow?”
“Now, you actually have several competitors. You might not get very good results,” Mu Nanshu changed the subject.
Lu Cheng said, “I’m not going. If I say I’m not going, then I’m not going?”
Mu Nanshu asked, “Then what do you plan to do? Watch the competition online?”
“If I’m not there in person, why would I watch the competition online? I’ll continue with my research projects and data. As for the competition, whether anyone wins a prize or not doesn’t matter that much anymore,” Lu Cheng thought seriously for a while before saying again:
“What I need to consider is, if I go to Zhou People’s Hospital, although it will be more convenient for research, what surgeries can I perform in the emergency department.”
“I must find a few reasonable disease types to research in advance.”
“I don’t want to go there and become a mascot.”
Mu Nanshu said, “Can’t spleen preservation surgery work? Hasn’t this surgery been filed already?”
“Where are there so many spleen ruptures for me to preserve every day?”
“Besides, after these research projects are completed, we won’t have any more. Research projects originate from clinical practice and return to clinical practice. I also need to think carefully about the follow-up.”
“Otherwise, I’ll just be hanging around the periphery and won’t be able to enter the formal arena.”
“Functional reconstruction for functional impairment is currently a better competitive direction.”
Mu Nanshu frowned slightly: “But functional impairment is not an emergency condition, is it?”
Lu Cheng thought for a moment and replied, “That’s not necessarily true.”
“Functional impairment is generally a complication after an emergency injury. If the follow-up problems of functional impairment can be resolved before the complication occurs, isn’t that preventing it before it happens?”
“That sounds difficult,” Mu Nanshu replied.
“What isn’t difficult? Anyway, with a direction, it will be easier to continue working.”
Lu Cheng yawned and continued, “Are you coming back to Long County with me, or staying in Jishi City?”
“I’ll wait for you in Jishi City. You’ll come over after your shift tomorrow anyway.”
“Professor Chen and Professor Tong are staying here to oversee the research projects, and we also have other things to do.”
“Oh, right.”
“Lu Cheng, you absolutely must be in Jishi City on Monday!” Mu Nanshu said, “Zhang Xibei is coming!”
Lu Cheng’s spirits lifted: “I’m not on duty on Monday. Has Brother Xibei finally come around?”
Mu Nanshu said, “He’s just coming for an inspection; it’s not necessarily decided.”
“But our trip to WZ City at the beginning of the month definitely had some effect.”
Lu Cheng said, “Okay, I’ll definitely be back on Sunday!”
After starting to engage in research projects, Lu Cheng gradually understood the importance of a big shot in animal experiment models.
If Zhang Xibei can indeed bring clinical models into the animal laboratory, Lu Cheng’s suturing techniques can become more proficient more quickly, and derivative papers can be produced, making technical learning more standardized. Then the transition from animal experiments to clinical trials will be more well-founded.
Shaan Province is indeed far away, but Lu Cheng is not very busy recently, so they took advantage of their free time to travel to Shaan Province.
It has been effective so far.
Mu Nanshu glanced at Lu Cheng and said, “My parents told us to choose an engagement date ourselves. What do you think?”
Lu Cheng said, “How about during the Lunar New Year? All the relatives and friends will be there.”
“I think the sooner I can whisk you away, the better. Sleeping alone is a bit cold.”
“Don’t touch my steering wheel!” Lu Cheng suddenly raised his voice.
Mu Nanshu lowered her head slightly: “Who told you to be so indecent?”
“It’s the truth. I feel now that I’ve accumulated a bit of experience too, and I’m not too far from you.”
“Once these few research projects are done, my contract in Xiangzhou will also expire. Then I’ll make a move to Xiehe Hospital.”
“Everything will fall into place naturally,” Lu Cheng said formally.
“What about your Deputy Senior title?” Mu Nanshu asked.
“I’ll apply next year… written exam in May or June, followed by interviews and practical exams… it should be, no big problem.” Lu Cheng looked at his panel.
His current comprehensive ability assessment is already at the level of Deputy Chief Physician, and he will only be stronger than he is now.
Although the Deputy Chief Physician title is not a permanent professional title, his current ability is not bad, even if not in a top-tier institution.
“You don’t have any papers?” Mu Nanshu was a bit worried.
Lu Cheng looked at Mu Nanshu: “I do. You don’t think Brother Xie Ziyuan and the others are so unreasonable, do you?”
“For the paper to be promoted to Deputy Senior, it’s easy to get one published at Xiangzhou People’s Hospital.”
Mu Nanshu was taken aback: “That’s true. I’d almost forgotten about them. You still have other people helping you now.”
Lu Cheng said in a low voice, “Only you are helping. Everyone else is about social graces.”
“I’m not blaming anyone; this is the basic operating rule of society. Unless it’s someone close to you, outsiders won’t care about your life or death.”
“Exchange resources if you have them. If you don’t, you can only wait for death.”
