Chapter 214: Good News And Joining The Group!
“Little Mu Mu, thank you for picking me up. I thought I’d have to take a taxi to the hotel,” Xie Yuan’an said, her phoenix eyes narrowing, her voice proud and a little charming.
Mu Nanshu twisted around in the passenger seat and said, “Sister Xie, if you hadn’t messaged me, I wouldn’t have known you were coming to Jishi City.”
“Next time you come, you can give me a heads-up in advance.”
After Mu Nanshu had dinner with Lu Cheng and Professor Chen Song, she had already gone to watch a movie. After all, it was the weekend, and it was normal to watch a movie on a weekend night.
But halfway through, Mu Nanshu received a message from Xie Yuan’an saying she was almost there, so they left right after the movie started.
It wasn’t easy for Xie Yuan’an to travel from Rongcheng to Jishi City; she had to fly to Zhang City and then take a high-speed train from Zhang City to Jishi City, a journey of nearly five hours.
“Have you eaten, Sister Xie?” Mu Nanshu asked.
“Not yet, I had a bread on the plane.”
“You guys?” Xie Yuan’an clearly wanted to go get something to eat.
Mu Nanshu said, “Lu Cheng, let’s drive to Qianzhou to have barbecue…”
The hotel Xie Yuan’an booked was in the Economic Development Zone, not too far from Qianzhou.
Lu Cheng immediately turned the steering wheel to the left upon hearing this.
“Teacher Xie, why did you suddenly decide to come to Jishi City?” Lu Cheng asked while driving.
Mu Nanshu also chimed in, “That’s right, Sister Xie, didn’t you say you were going back to Hanshi City with Professor Xie?”
Xie Yuan’an’s face instantly flushed slightly, but it wasn’t obvious in the dark. Her voice was a little timid, “My dad arranged for me to come to Jishi City first.”
Having started, Xie Yuan’an regained her normal, generous demeanor and continued, “Lu Cheng, Little Mu Mu, you’re not outsiders anymore. Actually, my dad sent me here with a little ulterior motive.”
“Before, although I asked Lu Cheng to learn suturing techniques, I didn’t realize how important the follow-up to these techniques would be.”
“My dad just wants me to slack off here.”
Mu Nanshu’s expression stiffened slightly, and she smiled, “You can come just because Professor Xie asked you to? What about Professor Zhong?”
Xie Yuan’an replied, “I asked my dad that too. He said he’d talk to Professor Zhong.”
“Try to keep it within the family! ~”
“Little Mu Mu, I actually feel a bit embarrassed to barge in like this. But let me state my position first: I’m just here to help. I don’t care if I’m credited on the paper or the research project.”
Xie Yuan’an’s directness in stating her intentions caught Mu Nanshu off guard, leaving her unsure how to react.
Lu Cheng, however, said, “It’s fine. I was planning to collaborate with Professor Xie on tendon suturing techniques anyway.”
“Teacher Xie, we need to make one thing clear: the parenchymal organ suturing technique was done by Teacher Chen and me.”
“And for the nerve and vascular suturing techniques, I collaborated with Professor Tong and Professor Tan from Xiangya Hospital.”
Xie Yuan’an immediately replied, “It’s fine, I can do anything…”
“But, Lu Cheng, if I’m not involved in the research project, can I learn the suturing techniques in advance? I promise not to spread them! ~”
Xie Yuan’an’s visit was not her own decision, but a task assigned by Professor Xie Xiao.
Professor Xie Xiao’s intention was to leverage proximity.
The research project on techniques could be skipped, and her name could be left off the paper, but she absolutely had to learn and master new, good techniques.
Given the relationship between Xie Yuan’an and Mu Nanshu, it shouldn’t be a big problem for Lu Cheng to teach her the suturing techniques.
Currently, the suturing techniques were only effective for individual sutures, but functional reconstruction surgery is definitely a comprehensive procedure that has not yet been finalized. Everyone is expanding on functional reconstruction surgery with their own understanding and methods.
However, a widely recognized effective method in the industry is to advance the expansion of functional reconstruction surgery using individual suturing techniques.
“That’s definitely possible,” Lu Cheng agreed immediately.
Before the competition, Xie Yuan’an, Tong Yuan’an, and others had not asked Lu Cheng which suturing techniques they would learn; Lu Cheng decided who would represent them.
But that was before. During a dinner, Tong Yuan’an had also mentioned wanting to learn tendon suturing techniques to pave the way for future research and development in functional reconstruction.
The source of the techniques is with Lu Cheng, so Lu Cheng would definitely teach them to the people at Xiehe Hospital. The hand surgery departments of both hospitals are on a relatively equal footing; who can run faster and further depends on their own abilities.
…
A barbecue stall in Qianzhou was packed with people.
When Lu Cheng and his group arrived, they had to wait for five minutes before finally getting seated.
While Lu Cheng was ordering, Xie Yuan’an was showing Mu Nanshu her “certificates.”
A hard-shell certificate with a gold-plated border, along with a special first-place trophy, inscribed with the first China Youth Microsurgery Skills Competition （ Tendon Suturing, Parenchymal Organ Suturing ） track first-place award.
The awarding bodies were the China Workers’ Technical Association, the Chinese Medical Association, and the Chinese Society of Hand Surgery.
The prestige was extremely high.
While Xie Yuan’an was showing Mu Nanshu, she kept glancing at Lu Cheng because Xie Yuan’an knew that Lu Cheng wanted to participate in the competition to win prize money.
Lu Cheng’s family background was ordinary, so he needed to earn money through other legitimate channels.
This was a national competition, and the prize money for a single track first-place award was as high as 120,000.
Xie Yuan’an then said, “Teacher Lu, I’ve won the honor of this competition, and I’ll give you the prize money. Consider it a fee for becoming my master, okay?”
“For me, the benefits of this medal are far greater than this prize money.”
If 120,000 could buy a first-place medal in a national competition, then there would have been long queues at the organizers’ entrance.
“That won’t do!” Lu Cheng shook his head and then stood up, “If you’re not ordering, I’ll go and give them the order.”
After Lu Cheng stood up, Xie Yuan’an secretly said, “Your significant other is a bit image-conscious, aren’t they?”
Mu Nanshu put away Xie Yuan’an’s award certificate and medal, saying, “It’s not about image, it’s that this money shouldn’t be his.”
“Then let’s split it fifty-fifty, it has to be fifty-fifty. What do you think, Little Mu Mu?”
“If I were to exchange it for gifts, it would involve an extra procedure, you know my personality.”
“You should understand the value of these two items.”
“More importantly, my overall score and potential in our department have increased by at least this much,” Xie Yuan’an said, covering her palm with her hand and raising it above her head!
The most fundamental skill in hand surgery is suturing, but in actual clinical practice, basic suturing is rarely used for surgery; it is mixed with various “techniques.”
If there are no techniques at all, then simple interrupted suturing has to be used as a makeshift solution.
“Don’t ask me. This matter must have Lu Cheng’s agreement,” Mu Nanshu said, refusing to agree to such a thing.
“Then do you think he’ll agree?” Xie Yuan’an felt a bit embarrassed.
Mu Nanshu shook her head, “Probably not.”
Xie Yuan’an said, “Then that’s that.”
“This money, for me, is ill-gotten gains. If it weren’t for Lu Cheng, it wouldn’t have come to me. If Lu Cheng had participated in the competition, this money would all be Lu Cheng’s.”
Mu Nanshu replied, “Your reasoning doesn’t work on me!”
Lu Cheng returned and asked, “Teacher Xie, would you like something to drink? I just took a look, and they have beer, yogurt, and coconut milk over there.”
“I’ll have a bottle of coconut milk.”
“Lu Cheng, I want to discuss something with you,” Xie Yuan’an directly stated her idea.
Lu Cheng’s expression changed from serious to amused as he leaned back in his chair, “Teacher Xie, you’re not treating me like a person.”
“Am I someone who is solely focused on money?”
Xie Yuan’an quickly waved her hands, shaking her head like she was swatting away flies, “No, no, that’s not what I meant.”
“It originally belonged only to you; I was just holding it for you.”
Lu Cheng said, “I didn’t participate in the competition, so it doesn’t belong to me, and there’s no such thing as ‘originally belonging to me’.”
“When I was in the provincial competition, I also received prize money.”
Xie Yuan’an suddenly realized, “Oh, right, the prize money from the provincial competition should also go to you.”
Lu Cheng made a joke and gestured outside, “Then don’t give it to me. You can just go back. We won’t have any cooperation to discuss.”
This was a loophole; if he could earn money this way, Lu Cheng could train a large number of first-place winners in provincial competitions and rake in a fortune.
This would be a change in character; although it wouldn’t affect the outcome of making money, his reputation would definitely be ruined.
“Then? But…” Xie Yuan’an hadn’t considered prize money distribution before. She just wanted to win the award and increase her overall score when applying for a promotion.
“Teacher Xie, there’s no ‘but’.”
“Let’s talk about tomorrow’s tasks. Since Teacher Xie also wants to join our team, you have the right to know the problems our team is currently facing.”
“It’s like this…” Lu Cheng explained the situation about Zhang Xibei coming.
After listening to Lu Cheng’s concerns, Xie Yuan’an said, “That’s not a problem. I think it’s very easy to solve. My dad’s laboratory has many vacant research consultant positions.”
“They post recruitment notices every year, but they can hardly find anyone.”
“And it’s even with establishment positions.”
Mu Nanshu heard this and looked down at her feet. At this moment, she felt a little inferior.
However, Mu Nanshu didn’t doubt Xie Yuan’an’s words.
Lu Cheng retorted without thinking, “Can anyone with a Master’s degree just walk into your dad’s lab positions?”
Xie Yuan’an’s expression was slightly surprised, “That won’t work. He’s only a Master’s? A Master’s won’t work. A Doctorate would be feasible.”
However, after saying this, Xie Yuan’an thought seriously, “It’s not that a Master’s is absolutely impossible. If he has many papers, it could be negotiable.”
Mu Nanshu smiled, “Sister Xie, please don’t make suggestions.”
If Zhang Xibei had many papers, he wouldn’t have returned to his hometown.
Xie Yuan’an then fell silent but was still seriously contemplating the matter.
Of course, such issues are difficult to resolve without meeting Zhang Xibei in person.
After a brief chat, Xie Yuan’an shifted the topic to the “outer field” of the national competition.
“Lu Cheng, my dad told me that he passed on some of your personal information, but only a few pieces, no more than five.”
“My dad asked me to explain it to you,” Xie Yuan’an said in a rather formal tone, then she started gnawing on some beef tallow.
The grilled beef tallow and ham sausage in Jishi City are exceptionally delicious.
“Mmm, I have indeed received a lot of calls recently, but there are fewer today. It’s okay.”
“I didn’t tell you that it absolutely couldn’t be leaked, so I never thought of hiding it.”
“Anyway, I have a clear idea of the current direction,” Lu Cheng replied indifferently.
Xie Yuan’an threw away two skewers, “Lu Cheng, are you really going to the Emergency Department?”
“Is there any room for negotiation?”
“My dad said that he’s not taking a position, which doesn’t mean he can’t bring someone along,” Xie Yuan’an said sternly, it was unclear if she was conveying Professor Xie Xiao’s or Professor Zhong Junyun’s wishes.
Lu Cheng glanced at Xie Yuan’an, shook his head, and said dejectedly, “Professor Xie has shown me great kindness. I don’t want to mix colleague and departmental relationships with him. I’m even a bit afraid now.”
“Alas, actually, you don’t know, when I was attending a training class in Hanshi City, teachers from Zhongnan Hospital also contacted me.”
Xie Yuan’an knew about these things, Xie Xiao had told her, “But haven’t all those matters been resolved?”
Lu Cheng preemptively said, “My future superiors and I will have minimal personal interference, so it will just be a professional relationship.”
“We can reciprocate favors, or part ways with few ties.”
“Once we become superior and subordinate, there will inevitably be conflicts of interest.”
After experiencing so much, Lu Cheng naturally understood a principle: How many nails can you drive with a body full of iron?
Social graces are important, but for someone without a background, the most crucial way to build their network is to be strong enough, so strong that everyone else is powerless.
Only then will you not become a pawn or a cast-off.
Otherwise, you will always be a mere pawn on the chessboard, one that can be discarded at will.
Xie Yuan’an, who had been well protected by Xie Xiao, hadn’t considered many things so deeply, “But Lu Cheng, isn’t it more beneficial for your development if a good teacher guides you?”
Lu Cheng then directly asked, “Xie Yuan’an, how are you so sure that Teacher Xie Xiao is a good teacher for me?”
“From my perspective, what’s the difference between him and Professor Zhong Junyun?”
Xie Yuan’an fell silent at this.
For a long time afterward, Xie Yuan’an did not return to this topic. She simply shifted the conversation to the actual research project, and also told Mu Nanshu and Lu Cheng about her arrangements to return to Hanshi City to wrap up previous projects…
The next day, Monday.
The sky was clear, the sun was bright, and the warm sun was not scorching.
At a duck restaurant, Lu Cheng raised his wine glass with a beaming smile and said, “Brother Zhang, thank you so much for being willing to stay and help us. Truly, our team needs you desperately right now.”
“I’ll toast you!”
Zhang Xibei sat diagonally opposite Lu Cheng. He was not tall, only about 1.7 meters, with a ruddy face and dark skin. He was a typical Northwestern man, robust but not tall.
Zhang Xibei had thick skin and thick lips. His expression seemed difficult to change with emotion, and his voice was deep. He sighed, “Doctor Lu, I won’t hide it from you, I really can’t stay in my current unit anymore.”
“That’s why I agreed.”
“I ask for nothing else, just a job and a way to make a living.”
Lu Cheng downed his drink, and Zhang Xibei followed suit. Mu Nanshu and Xie Yuan’an also had a glass of beer.
The conversation and cooperation with Zhang Xibei went surprisingly smoothly.
After Lu Cheng put down his wine glass, he asked, “Brother Zhang, forgive my impertinence, but when we last met, you said your parents hoped you would stay.”
“Do your father and mother know about you coming to our Xiang Province this time?”
Zhang Xibei nodded, “Of course they know.”
“I’m a straightforward person. I’ll tell you a joke, please don’t laugh at me. Originally, I’m already of a certain age. I went on a blind date once.”
“I was scammed. The money I saved from my previous job was all spent on the bride price.”
“So, my parents don’t pressure me about anything anymore.”
Zhang Xibei only told a small part of the story, but Lu Cheng could tell Zhang Xibei’s plight.
Zhang Xibei was two years older than Lu Cheng, thirty-two this year.
Working in a prefectural city hospital, his salary was decent, and his savings were not particularly meager. Not being married at such an age was “a crime.”
Zhang Xibei probably resigned himself to it and agreed to the family’s arranged blind date.
After the blind date, his parents arranged the rest, including the bride price and engagement.
But his parents probably never expected the scam marriage. The person ran away; even if you could get the money back, what would be the point?
Moreover, Zhang Xibei was already feeling a bit depressed and frustrated, so he couldn’t be bothered to think about it.
Furthermore, because of this incident, Zhang Xibei felt uncomfortable staying there. Not wanting to become a laughingstock at his workplace, he simply resigned without notice.
“Brother Zhang, there are indeed all sorts of people in blind dates. Was the loss significant?” Lu Cheng pressed.
“It wasn’t much, but it was embarrassing and felt ridiculous.”
After saying that, Zhang Xibei added, “Let’s not talk about it. Anyway, you all know my current situation. I’m currently looking for a job.”
“And to relax a bit.”
“The reason I chose to meet you is that I’m going to Zhang City and Feng County to relax and travel.”
“Xiangzhou is very close to Zhang City and Feng County. You came to find me before, so I should give you some response.”
Mu Nanshu casually asked, “Brother Zhang, with your strong abilities, haven’t you collaborated with other professors before?”
“I have collaborated, but it was all my director’s credit. I just did the work.”
“We fell out. The director then targeted me everywhere. He wanted me to be his slave, but he lacked the ability and resources,” Zhang Xibei said very frankly.
“I’m sorry, Brother Zhang, I didn’t mean anything else. It’s just that our team currently might not be able to offer you a very high salary,” Mu Nanshu said.
“How much is it per month?” Zhang Xibei also asked directly.
“Perhaps, temporarily, five to six thousand?” Mu Nanshu said.
“That’s enough. In the hospital, my director put me in administration, and my salary wasn’t even this high,” Zhang Xibei said with a bright smile.
Zhang Xibei’s response left Lu Cheng and Mu Nanshu speechless.
No, is that for real?
Not even five to six thousand? Zhang Xibei is a seasoned attending physician!
However, considering the cost of living and basic consumption in Shaan Province, Zhang Xibei’s salary was considered high there.
“Then, Brother Zhang, what are your plans for the future? Are you just going to visit Zhang City and Feng County?” Lu Cheng asked.
Zhang Xibei nodded, “Yes, I’ll visit first, it won’t take long. Then I’ll come back to work.”
“When I return, you can start paying me. It doesn’t matter.”
Xie Yuan’an looked at Lu Cheng and Mu Nanshu with confusion, as if to say, haven’t you tested his abilities at all, and you agreed so readily? Isn’t that a bit hasty?
However, since Lu Cheng and Mu Nanshu didn’t bring it up, she didn’t either.
