Chapter 215: The Big Boss Who Doesn’t Believe In Ghosts!
“Xiao Lu. Where are you right now?” Tong Yuan’an called Lu Cheng, his voice full of anticipation.
Lu Cheng had just arranged the time for his next meeting with Zhang Xibei, so Zhang Xibei took a taxi to Feng County by himself and had just gotten off the car.
Lu Cheng was in a good mood, so he said, “I’m in Jishi City, Professor Tong.”
“Uh, I have some urgent matters to discuss with you, so I’m informing you in advance.”
“I’m being held up by a boss who insists I bring him to find you personally,” Tong Yuan’an said.
“I’m on my way to Jishi City by an unofficial car from Long County.”
Lu Cheng: “A boss? Held up? What do you mean?”
Tong Yuan’an then organized the entire sequence of events in detail.
The professor calling Tong Yuan’an was Professor Du Lianshan from the Hand Surgery department at Huashan Hospital, and Professor Du wanted to meet Lu Cheng in person.
Coincidentally, Tong Yuan’an had a very close friend who had developed in Magic City, and that friend fell while riding an electric scooter and injured his hand. Tong Yuan’an had approached Professor Du Lianshan once for this friend.
And before Du Lianshan was promoted to Associate Professor, he had also gone to Huashan Hospital for further study, and his supervising teacher was Professor Du Lianshan.
People at Xiangya Hospital also need to go for further study to get promoted.
“My original intention was for Professor Du to contact you by phone, but he said that a phone call lacked sincerity. He found out that our hospital has no direct connection with you.”
“He wants to come and see you in person, and asked me to introduce him,” Tong Yuan’an said.
“I can’t help but say, if our boss had such execution, you would have joined us long ago.”
Lu Cheng didn’t refute Tong Yuan’an’s words.
Compared to Xiangya and Xiangya Second Hospital, the professors at Xiehe Hospital and Huashan Hospital have very strong execution.
Of course, when they give benefits, they are very straightforward, and when they give up on you or use you, they are also decisive, leaving you completely unprepared.
“Teacher Tong, since you are the one introducing him, I will definitely meet him.”
“However, I need to go to the laboratory first. After you meet with that teacher, please call me immediately.”
“Even if the deal doesn’t go through, we should still be cordial. They have traveled far, and they are distinguished guests; we cannot neglect them.”
“I will come to pick you up at the first possible moment,” Lu Cheng said.
On the phone, Lu Cheng could indeed be indifferent, but since they had arrived in Jishi City in person, even if they were people Lu Cheng didn’t get along with, as long as they were in the same profession and not villains, he had to fulfill his duty as a host.
This was something Mu Nanshu had taught Lu Cheng, a very important etiquette in teaching hospitals.
This includes, but is not limited to, people who are lower in seniority or rank than you; as long as they are from another hospital and their rank is not too different from yours, you should treat them warmly.
“Yes, okay, I’m already in the car. Mainly, I wanted you to be mentally prepared, so it wouldn’t be a surprise attack,” Tong Yuan’an said.
“I’m really sorry, I really couldn’t refuse.”
Lu Cheng said, “It’s alright, Teacher Tong!~”
Tong Yuan’an then said, “Xiao Lu, I think some knots in your heart, it would be better for you to directly say them openly when you have the chance, and you’ll feel much better.”
“From now on, the sky will be vaster, and you won’t have to dwell on this.”
Lu Cheng said, “Teacher Tong, I’m not dwelling on it anymore. I already know the outcome, and I’m not dwelling on the past anymore. For now, I just want to follow the path that suits me best.”
“Whether it’s Huashan Hospital or Xiehe Hospital, they are just platforms. In the end, it all depends on oneself.”
“The supporting capability of platforms doesn’t differ much.”
“What’s the difference in the support that Huashan Hospital, Xiehe Hospital, or Xiangya Hospital can provide? In the end, it still comes down to oneself?”
Long County and Xiangzhou People’s Hospital are not even worthy of carrying their shoes compared to these hospitals.
But if you say there’s a big gap between Xiangzhou People’s Hospital and other top prefectural city hospitals in Xiang Province, that’s nonsense.
Having a relatively good platform is enough for you to exert yourself.
Even an Academician is not a monopoly of any single hospital or university.
Reputable universities have the ability to support you to reach the pinnacle nationwide or even worldwide.
“That’s true,” Tong Yuan’an hung up the phone unilaterally.
Lu Cheng then continued to take Mu Nanshu to the laboratory.
In the passenger seat, Mu Nanshu was a little nervous. She still didn’t use Lu Cheng’s name or any other form of address: “Are you nervous?”
“A little, definitely not as nonchalant as when I talk to Professor Tong.”
“However, I don’t have the same obsession as I did a few months ago, because the people I brought have proven what I wanted to prove.”
“Moreover, they only learned the technique I developed, and they already surpassed the superiors of my classmates.”
“The contrast in this outcome is significant enough.”
“Although very few people know about this, it’s enough that we know ourselves.”
“Time cannot be rewound, and what has happened cannot be reversed. It’s enough to have a clear conscience.”
Mu Nanshu said, “Yes, we’ve done what we could and what we should have done.”
Lu Cheng said, “Thank you for accompanying me all this way, and for silently being a scheming girl.”
If not for Mu Nanshu’s confession yesterday, Lu Cheng would not have known that Mu Nanshu had used foreign IP addresses to tamper with Huashan Hospital’s papers while she was abroad.
“Aren’t you scared?” Mu Nanshu looked at Lu Cheng with a smile.
Her state of mind also seemed to have cleared up.
Lu Cheng’s excellence had far surpassed his peers who were nurtured through normal, conventional channels.
Although, based on speculation, if Lu Cheng had received formal training much earlier, his achievements might be even greater now.
But reality is not about ‘if’, and there’s no need to dwell on it. What everyone recognizes is your present.
Lu Cheng’s present is strong, excellent, and that’s enough.
“I’m not afraid even if you eat me,” Lu Cheng said, his posture relaxed, his tone casual, though his words were a bit cheesy.
Mu Nanshu rolled her eyes at Lu Cheng: “I can’t be bothered with you. You’re learning to be glib.”
“These are all taught by society; we are all students of society.”
“If you’re glib, you won’t learn anything, so how will you get by?” Lu Cheng replied honestly, so honestly it was a bit helpless.
In his undergraduate days, Lu Cheng had thought he could avoid studying sociology, but the harshness of sociology made his ‘thought’ a delusion.
Since he had to study sociology, Lu Cheng would master ‘sociology’ and then blend in some of his own ideas to form his worldview and values.
Among them, clarity in love and hate was what Lu Cheng wanted most to achieve.
Regarding clarity in love and hate for this matter, even if it meant offending some teachers at Huashan Hospital, even if it affected his future prospects, Lu Cheng had no regrets.
…
Three hours later, Lu Cheng finally picked up Professor Tong Yuan’an and Professor Du Lianshan, whom Tong Yuan’an had mentioned, by car.
Accompanying Professor Du Lianshan was another person, Cao Qiheng.
To be honest, if Cao Qiheng hadn’t introduced himself, Lu Cheng would never have imagined that such a simple-looking person like Cao Qiheng could be associated with the title “Junior Brother Cao.”
Cao Qiheng had a large, round head, big eyes, and dark skin, making him look somewhat ‘ugly-cute’ in a realistic way.
“Teacher Du, Teacher Cao, you probably haven’t eaten yet, have you? You’ve traveled a long way, shall we go eat first?”
“What are your preferences?” Lu Cheng asked very politely and formally after they got into the car.
Du Lianshan was lean and upright, with a standard oval face, eyebrows that extended vertically to the inner corners of his eyes, and the tail of his eyebrows connected to the outer corners of his eyes and the base of his nose.
Professor Du had a refined and calm countenance. At first glance, there was nothing special, but he had long hands, similar to “Boss Liu,” with exceptionally slender upper limb joints!
“I’m fine with anything, I can go with the local customs. What about you, Xiao Cao?” Du Lianshan’s voice was much gentler than on the phone.
Cao Qiheng smiled honestly, his slightly plump face showing dimples: “I’m fine with anything too, Teacher Du, it’s mainly up to your preference.”
Lu Cheng then said, “Then let’s go to a Shashi cuisine restaurant. It’s not very spicy. It’s a standard Shashi dish flavor.”
Du Lianshan had surely attended conferences in Shashi and tasted Xiang cuisine. Such chain restaurants cater to most people’s tastes and are not too spicy.
After Lu Cheng decided, Du Lianshan and the others began to admire the scenery of Jishi City.
They drove to the ‘Tianyuan’ parking lot. After the group entered a private room, looked at the menu, and ordered, Lu Cheng smiled and asked, “Professor Du, Professor Cao, what would you prefer to drink?”
“If you don’t have any preferences, you can try our ‘Xiangxi Wine Ghost’.”
“‘Wine Ghost’ sounds good!” Professor Du Lianshan did not refuse.
Tong Yuan’an chimed in, “Professor Du, this ‘Xiangxi Wine Ghost’ is a heritage famous wine, it tastes very good. It’s a rich aroma, with a sweet aftertaste once it’s in your stomach.”
“I’ve heard of it before, and I’ve tried it, but I don’t know if it was authentic.”
Du Lianshan said, “But I imagine what we drink here must be the most authentic.”
“Doctor Lu, wouldn’t you agree?”
Lu Cheng smiled and said, “It should be authentic. This is our specialty. A store this big, and the price is not cheap, so they wouldn’t dare to counterfeit.”
“By the way, Professor Du, actually, when you called me a few days ago, I was already flattered.”
“And now that you have personally visited Jishi City, I am truly a little apprehensive.”
Lu Cheng directly steered the conversation back to the main topic.
Tong Yuan’an continued to chime in, “Then Lu Cheng, remember this, Professor Du is a patriarch in our hand surgery field, a truly top-tier professor.”
“The only chance for me to see Professor Du is to register for his outpatient clinic or go to him for further study.”
“In any other situation, I wouldn’t be able to meet Teacher Du.”
Du Lianshan gently waved his hand, “Xiao Tong, are you being sarcastic with me, or do you have a big opinion of me?”
“No, no, Teacher Du, actually, I feel incredibly honored to have the opportunity to learn from you in person this time.”
“I’ve been thinking about what questions to ask you all the way here,” Tong Yuan’an said, his plump face serious.
Cao Qiheng’s plump face was certainly no match for Tong Yuan’an’s, and he said with a smile, “Junior Brother Lu, actually, Professor Du and I have already subtly indicated some of our intentions when we contacted you by phone.”
“I think, you and our Huashan Hospital have quite a destined connection.”
“We are already fellow disciples, so you are also half a person from Huashan Hospital.”
Cao Qiheng thought he was speaking very eloquently.
Lu Cheng said helplessly, “Then perhaps it’s my own insufficient destiny, I truly have the connection but not the fate.”
“I don’t have such good fortune.”
Du Lianshan directly said, “Xiao Lu, I only heard from Xiao Cao later that you were originally supposed to be a student of the old Professor Dong Qilang, but something went wrong later.”
“Is there some unresolved issue within you regarding this matter?”
Since people from Huashan Hospital had come all the way, Tong Yuan’an felt that some misunderstandings should be cleared up as soon as possible.
He said, “Professor Du, I’m not very clear about the specifics, but Xiao Lu shared some of his past experiences with me before.”
“The year he took the postgraduate entrance exam, he ranked first in the written examination, but because the master’s quota for the Orthopedics department at your hospital is extremely limited, he was still rejected.”
Lu Cheng glanced at Tong Yuan’an, who quickly lowered his plump face: “Hehehe, Xiao Lu, don’t make me talk too much, I won’t say anymore.”
Du Lianshan and Cao Qiheng’s expressions twitched instantly upon hearing this.
A rather comical aspect of the situation is that the records and archives from Lu Cheng’s second round of examination year only included the registration booklet, with no specific scores for each candidate.
Perhaps they existed, but they were never investigated.
The official website’s announcements only listed the preliminary examination candidates; there was no ranking.
Only within the specialty department would candidates be ranked from highest to lowest based on their preliminary test scores from different years.
“This… hmm? Xiao Lu, first of all, I apologize. I’m not very clear about the details of this matter either,” Du Lianshan said.
Lu Cheng said, “It’s okay, Teacher Du. Many people want to study at Huashan Hospital. In my year, there were a total of twelve people.”
“There were three spots for guaranteed admission through recommendation. The remaining nine people were inevitably going to be regretfully withdrawn.”
Du Lianshan said, “Doctor Lu must feel regret, right? Then Doctor Lu, have you considered patching up that regrettable past with a belated correction?”
Lu Cheng replied with a smile, “Professor Du, do you really think I am only left with regret?”
Lu Cheng’s question completely stunned Du Lianshan; he hadn’t expected Lu Cheng to answer like this.
As Du Lianshan and Cao Qiheng exchanged glances, Lu Cheng finally shook his head, took a deep breath, and said, “I suppose the teachers must have forgotten the arrogant boasts of a loser who spoke to you back then, without knowing the immensity of heaven and earth?”
Lu Cheng’s reminder instantly made Du Lianshan flustered: “That statement came from your year, you said it?”
Du Lianshan’s question clearly revealed that he only remembered the statement and the incident, but had no recollection of which year it was heard or who said it.
The professors and mentors from Huashan Hospital had only brief encounters with Lu Cheng during the second round of examinations.
Even though Lu Cheng had been a bit too emotional after failing the second round of examinations, in their eyes, he was merely a joke of impotent rage.
A joke, once heard, is simply laughed off and forgotten.
Lu Cheng nodded: “Yes, Professor Du. I am still only a Bachelor’s Degree holder, with a Bachelor’s degree, I haven’t pursued postgraduate studies, I don’t have a mentor, and I have no published papers.”
“However, I should, perhaps, probably, have done what I said back then and surpassed my peers.” Lu Cheng’s voice was somewhat nonchalant yet aggressive.
This statement stunned Tong Yuan’an.
Because this was a secret that Lu Cheng had never told him.
Lu Cheng was indeed very bold.
Du Lianshan’s expression became serious, while Cao Qiheng frowned in thought, trying hard to recall what Lu Cheng had said back then.
But the matter was too long ago, and he had experienced too many things himself, so he really couldn’t remember what Lu Cheng had said.
In fact, to Cao Qiheng, this matter was completely insignificant and held no memorable points.
Du Lianshan, having experienced much in life, finally said: “So, our visit this time was in vain. Doctor Lu, you have indeed achieved it.”
“And you’ve done even better than you said back then!” Du Lianshan’s voice was calm, without anger or irritation.
He had seen too many cycles of fortune turning, not just with Lu Cheng.
In fact, Du Lianshan knew of many instances far more severe than Lu Cheng’s “slap in the face.”
However, the rules of Huashan Hospital had always been this way, never changing: it all depended on an individual’s accumulated experience at the time.
“Not exactly!”
“Professor Du, I don’t believe I’ve done better than what I said. During this period, I’ve had regrets, and I’ve tried to give up on those so-called arrogant claims.”
“But it was useless. One step behind means every step is behind.”
“Learning in clinical practice is vastly different from learning during undergraduate studies.”
“Of course, due to these various experiences, I’ve found the path that I like and that suits me.”
“As the saying goes, a good horse doesn’t eat its past grass. Since I already know my path and destiny, I won’t force too much.”
Lu Cheng said, “Ultimately, no matter how much I say or do now, I am still just a loser who failed the postgraduate entrance exam. This identity will not change for any reason.”
“It has become a fixed point in historical evaluation.”
“Of course, although it is a fixed point, it does not seal my future. I am still me, and I can continue to move forward.”
“One failure does not mean the failure of one’s entire life. The postgraduate entrance exam is just one challenge among many forks in life.”
“I cannot influence the overall situation, but what I can do is continue to move forward according to my own preferences.”
“As long as I don’t starve and have a meal, that’s enough.”
Lu Cheng’s candidness could be considered an open-hearted confession.
Lu Cheng truly spoke his innermost thoughts and achieved what he wanted to do most.
Even if he didn’t do it directly, Lu Cheng was satisfied with the present.
“Doctor Lu, is there no opportunity anymore? As the saying goes, we become friends through conflict. You haven’t settled on a unit yet, and my sincerity is very genuine,” Du Lianshan was still trying to persuade him.
Lu Cheng’s tone was indifferent: “Orthopedics, I’m not returning to that field.”
“However, my techniques, and perhaps future research projects and scientific achievements, might go there.”
Cao Qiheng trembled slightly upon hearing Lu Cheng’s audacious tone: “Doctor Lu is still so confident.”
Cao Qiheng couldn’t recall what Lu Cheng had said, but he vaguely remembered that there was such a matter in the hospital, and he had a slight impression.
Lu Cheng had indeed achieved the “audacious boasts” he had made.
What were Lu Cheng’s peers compared to him? Whether in terms of specialization or academics, they were no match for Lu Cheng.
If Lu Cheng’s research achievements were to be published, he, as a senior brother, would only be Lu Cheng’s equal opponent. After three rounds, it was highly likely that Cao Qiheng would be defeated by Lu Cheng.
Originality is truly that invincible!
Moreover, this represented Lu Cheng’s pioneering talent and accumulation, with a long future ahead.
“It’s just talking amongst ourselves behind closed doors. Teachers Cao and Du, please don’t laugh at me, I’ll be satisfied.”
Lu Cheng said, “Also, Teacher Cao, you can rest assured, if I say I won’t go to Huashan Hospital, I won’t go.”
“If I say I won’t return to Orthopedics, I definitely won’t return to Orthopedics.”
Lu Cheng’s enunciation was precise and clear.
If Lu Cheng had no prior accumulation, this would be another arrogant claim.
But precisely because of this, in the original technique research Lu Cheng demonstrated, there was a suturing technique for a substantial organ.
If Lu Cheng were willing to refine this as a foundation, neither Cao Qiheng nor Du Lianshan would dare to doubt that Lu Cheng could make a living in this field.
The reason they came was that Lu Cheng’s clinical accumulation and understanding in the field of hand surgery were too profound.
With such original capability, Huashan Hospital might very well seize the biggest and most succulent crab of functional reconstruction surgery, soaring to become the undisputed number one in hand surgery in China.
But now, such an opportunity was likely gone.
It wasn’t that Huashan Hospital couldn’t lead, but rather that they couldn’t collaborate with Lu Cheng to lead the nation.
In other words, the path Lu Cheng was on, through the intertwined techniques of suturing to improve the overall efficacy of functional reconstruction surgery, was definitely no longer viable.
Du Lianshan said, “Lu Cheng, can we hear your reasons? Why aren’t you even returning to Orthopedics?”
“Do you still feel resentful?”
Lu Cheng said, “If I had applied for an academic Master’s degree, then fine, I would have lost wholeheartedly and without complaint.”
“But I applied for a professional Master’s degree. A professional Master’s student should be rooted in their profession. A professional Master’s student in Orthopedics should be grounded in the basic skills of surgery and clinical practice.”
Du Lianshan dissected Lu Cheng’s point of contention and explained: “Lu Cheng, but this is just your understanding and perspective, isn’t it?”
“Medicine has a broader application range than technology and is simpler.”
“Basic scientific research benefits patients equally.”
Lu Cheng emphasized, “Surgery is a specialty where surgical intervention is essential, and medication is completely useless.”
“Conversely, based on current understanding, even without specific medications, surgeons can resolve many, many patient conditions through surgical means.”
“At the very least, from the peak of medical development, surgical techniques remain the core of surgery.”
“As long as this fundamental principle is not broken, then surgery should still prioritize surgical techniques, shouldn’t it?”
“How many disease types in surgery can be cured without surgical intervention?”
“Not even appendicitis can be,” Lu Cheng added.
Du Lianshan stopped speaking, and Cao Qiheng also became quite well-behaved.
After the meal, Lu Cheng also suggested whether they wanted to take Du Lianshan and Cao Qiheng to visit Qianzhou Ancient City.
However, Du Lianshan politely declined, as he had already understood Lu Cheng’s intentions and confirmed that the purpose of their visit could not be achieved.
They had no interest in staying to admire the scenery and returned the way they came to Zhang City, planning to transfer flights to Magic City from Zhang City.
Lu Cheng did not force them to stay. After some polite remarks, he courteously saw them off to the high-speed rail station.
Lu Cheng stood at the entrance of the high-speed rail station and waved goodbye to them!
Tong Yuan’an also kept waving, but as he waved, Tong Yuan’an himself started to laugh.
Looking at the backs of Du Lianshan and Cao Qiheng, Tong Yuan’an felt that their trip to Jishi City was merely to have a meal with Lu Cheng, and then they would return, which felt both mocking and absurd.
