He had some savings of fifty to sixty thousand yuan.
However, he knew that Xie Yiren's family owned a few properties in the central business district of Sea City… He could not even afford a decent house.
The self-confidence he had gained during the surgery left him like a deflating balloon.
Su Yun smelled blood as he watched Zheng Ren panic and went on the offensive. "Let me tell you, young man, it's always a dilemma between loyalty and filial piety. Are you trying to emulate the Buddha? Stop dreaming. Since Xie Yiren's parents are still traveling the world, take this time to think about it."
"..." Zheng Ren lowered his head like Su Yun usually did. The only difference was that his fringe was not swaying in front of his forehead. His heart was in shambles.
Life was much more complicated than surgery.
Even without support from the System, Zheng Ren still felt that surgery was easier.
"Right, before this, I had told you to buy something back for Little Yiren. Have you thought about it at all? You'd better not get a huge bouquet of flowers. That would be extremely tacky." Su Yun did not let up, knowing Zheng Ren's weak points.
"I bought one already," Zheng Ren said quietly while he racked his brains for a solution.
"Oh? Are you getting the hang of it? Tell me, what did you get her?" Su Yun asked, curious.
"I'm not telling you." Zheng Ren's refusal was final.
"That's the spirit. I'll tell you this: you've got to stay mysterious when you're courting someone. Also, don't buy any necklaces or rings. Xie Yiren's collections of jewelry are all globally limited editions. If you buy something ordinary, it'll be difficult for her to match it with her clothes. You can't just wear a ring that costs a few hundred while you're wearing clothes that cost a few hundred thousand," Su Yun prattled on.
In the middle of their conversation, Su Yun's phone rang.
"Zhao Yunlong? Why is he looking for me?" Su Yun answered the call, "Old Zhao, what's up?
"Oh, alright.
"Let me ask him." Su Yun covered his phone before asking Zheng Ren, "It's a dinner invitation, do you want to go?"
Zheng Ren shook his head.
…
…
I had thought about what to give Little Yiren for many days since the day I uploaded the chapter. I'm quite satisfied with the gift idea, hopefully, you guys will like it as well. Most importantly, Xie Yiren will be pleased.
Chapter 257 - Recruitment Starts from His Assistant (Part 1 of 5)
"Brother Yun, you've arrived." Chief Resident Wang from the general surgery department stood to give his greetings.
"Eh? How did you get out here?" Su Yun picked out Zhao Yunlong sitting beside Li Xiaochen, the executive deputy director that he and Zheng Ren were just talking about. Next to Zhao Yunlong was an empty seat, which seemed to be reserved for him.
There were also a few doctors of middling seniority from the hospital.
"Despite being a chief resident, I still have the basic human right of one day off per month." Chief Wang took Su Yun's coat and hung it in the closet with a smile, seemingly unperturbed by his own subservience.
Su Yun skipped the formalities and occupied the seat beside Zhao Yunlong with a smile.
"Director Li, this is Su Yun—Brother Yun—in the flesh," Chief Wang said, making the standard introductions.
"Mr. Su, this is our second meeting. It is a p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e to see you again." Li Xiaochen stood and extended his hand with a light bow.
Su Yun did not bother standing, opting instead to casually extend his own hand to take Li Xiaochen's for a short shake, his fringe swaying in the air as usual.
Li Xiaochen did not display any offense and continued to exchange a few pleasantries, brushing off Su Yun's coldness. They did not dive right into business; instead, they started toasting and drinking, a warm atmosphere permeating the room.
After talking for a while, Su Yun understood what was going on.
Chief Wang had a simple name: Wang Lu. He would be completing his PhD next year and would most likely not continue working in the same hospital. Coincidentally, Li Xiaochen had been recruiting and clicked with Wang Lu instantly. The latter had even signed a letter of intent to work as an attending physician in the general surgery department in Straits Hospital after his graduation.
Acquiring a job was a joyful event, which was why Wang Lu had brought a few of his friends along to dinner at Li Xiaochen's invitation.
They talked about recent gossip at the hospital over the table. Since Zheng Ren and Su Yun had both been involved, Li Xiaochen brought them both up repeatedly, possibly even deliberately. Zhao Yunlong called Su Yun over.
Zheng Ren was not a sociable person but had a good enough personality that did not gain slander.
After three rounds of drinks, they had emptied several bottles of Feitian Maotai. Li Xiaochen stood, raised his glass to Su Yun and said, "Mr. Su, I may be older than you, but you're a legendary figure. May I call you Brother Yun?"
Su Yun knew the climax of the evening was about to start and nodded with a smile.
"Cheers, Brother Yun."
Li Xiaochen had a huge glass that could hold half a pint of alcohol. The rich aroma of clear Maotai wafted from it.
After studying abroad, Li Xiaochen did not enjoy Maotai, preferring wine or whiskey. However, he went with his targets' preferences in his homeland.
"Cheers." Su Yun remained seated. He picked up a glass similar to Li Xiaochen's, filling it to the brim. He waved his hand briefly and downed it in one shot without waiting for Li Xiaochen to speak.
"You can certainly hold your liquor!" Li Xiaochen exclaimed before finishing his own as well. "Brother Yun, it's probably not my place to do so, but may I say something?"
"If you don't think it's your place to do so, don't do it. Let's eat." Su Yun was not sarcastic and acerbic to only Zheng Ren. It was said that gifted people were usually arrogant, but… most people disliked his attitude.
With the exception of the fairer s.e.x, of course.
"Director Li, don't mind him. That's just how he is." Zhao Yunlong took a sip from his glass and tried to ease the tension. "Go ahead and say what you want."
Li Xiaochen's smile remained unchanged and he accepted Zhao Yunlong's invitation: "Brother Yun, have you thought of leaving Sea City General Hospital? Give me a figure. If it's within my authority and I can't match it, I'll drink all of the alcohol on this table."
"Don't bother wasting your energy." Su Yun huffed, fringe swaying gently in front of his forehead. "I just asked Mr. Zheng about this and he said that he has yet to make up his mind."
"You can come over first," Li Xiaochen prodded, refusing to give up.
After leaving Zheng Ren's room, Li Xiaochen had done a lot of work to try and understand the partnership between Zheng Ren and Su Yun.
The more he learned, the more amazed he was.
Zheng Ren had a fairly simple resume. There was nothing outstanding before this; it was as if he had appeared from the bottom of a rock.
On the other hand, his assistant Su Yun had a shiny list of credentials that almost blinded Li Xiaochen.
Between their accomplishments, Li Xiaochen deeply regretted his rashness. Had he planned beforehand, he would not have offered Zheng Ren a mere 1.5 million yuan a year after tax.
Even his assistant was also a savant, deserving of at least two million yuan annually; what manner of joke was he trying to pull with such a measly offer to the one who actually performed the surgery?
Over the meal, he had also learned about Zheng Ren's general surgery skill from Wang Lu, including the rescue from a few days ago.
They would likely have been able to manage without him, but it had certainly turned out better by leaps and bounds with his help.
Zheng Ren's value skyrocketed in Li Xiaochen's eyes. After some consideration, Li Xiaochen decided to start by recruiting Zheng Ren's assistant since the main man would be a tougher nut to crack.
It was all part
of the plan.
"You're poaching me." Su Yun laughed gleefully. As his smile grew, the colors in the hotel's private banquet room seemed to turn monochromatic, while their two beautiful waitresses faded into the background like two lifeless puppets.
Li Xiaochen was stunned by the sight. This man could really make a living out of his face. If he was a celebrity, he would surely be one of the most popular ones.
"Director Li, are you aware of the recent projects I'm in?" Su Yun asked, his smile dissolving.
"I've heard about it. Differential diagnosis and targeted interventional treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma nodules." Li Xiaochen was prepared. "We should be seeing it in The Lancet within a few months' time, right?"
Zhao Yunlong patted Su Yun on the back with his hand open like a palm-leaf fan. "Good for you. You're writing another paper for The Lancet?"
Su Yun shook his head and said, "That's old news. The only reason I'm choosing to publish in The Lancet is that I'm friends with one of the reviewers, so it'll save me a lot of trouble."
"..."
"..."
The table fell silent in shock.
Why was Su Yun acting like publishing in The Lancet was no big deal, even implying that he was doing the journal a favor?
This man… was unbelievably narcissistic.
Su Yun lowered his head, ignoring the looks he was getting before continuing slowly, "Director Li, I believe Straits Hospital has their own recruitment procedure that adds value if one has published an article in The Lancet or is experienced in the Whipple procedure."
"Brother Yun, you're well-informed," Li Xiaochen said.
"I'll be sending out the paper on prostate interventional surgery after I return to Sea City."
"Also to The Lancet?" Whether Zhao Yunlong's eyes were red due to alcohol or envy was difficult to tell.
"The Lancet? What about it?" Su Yun said disdainfully. "I don't even think The Lancet had the highest impact factor among all medical journals last year."
"It was the New England Journal of Medicine. They have an impact factor of 72.4." Li Xiaochen had all the numbers on hand.
"Director Li, I'm starting to like you." Su Yun chuckled. "I've already contacted the New England Journal of Medicine. Theoretically, it shouldn't have any problems with the paper."
"..." Li Xiaochen wanted to cry.
Chapter 258 - I Have A Suggestion (Part 2 of 5)
The recruitment process of Straits Hospital was much more detailed than Su Yun's description.
Publishing papers was just one of many other criteria. Even though Straits Hospital was entirely owned and funded by Americans, it was still run by the top medical manager in China.
Journals that were popular among local PhD graduates such as PLOS ONE and Scientific Reports were excluded from the list. No amount of papers published on them would earn any extra credit.
Why?
The reviewing criteria of these journals had relaxed, which made them lose their prestige. Pay-to-publish journals no longer had value.
The impact factor of PLOS ONE had fallen below 3, according to the year's latest figures.
The New England Journal of Medicine that Su Yun had mentioned… it was first on the list with an impact factor of 72.4, outdoing The Lancet which had an impact factor of 47.83.
If these were to be taken into account when calculating an annual salary, the figure that Li Xiaochen came up with was so vast that he was left dumbfounded.
It was the same as that of an American professor… No, it exceeded that by leagues…
The balance of the ecosystem in Straits Hospital would be demolished.
Su Yun's words put an end to Li Xiaochen's recruitment plans.
"Congratulations, Brother Yun. I'll be the first to read your article once it's published," Li Xiaochen said, laughing.
There was not an ounce of humility in Su Yun's words. "It'll be very soon."
He lifted his head and looked directly at Li Xiaochen. "You're trying to recruit Mr. Zheng, right? I'm pretty sure it's beyond your authority to grant him the amount he deserves. Let me give you a piece of advice: if you really want him, get him as soon as possible. His net worth will only grow over time, until one day no amount of capital you have behind you will be able to afford him."
Zhao Yunlong and Wang Lu sighed gently. Wang Lu, especially, was dealing with a storm of emotions roiling within him.
From Brother Yun's words, recruiting Zheng Ren would need them to pull out all the stops and drop all pretenses of negotiation, or else even their American hospital would lose the opportunity forever.
Tsk tsk, if there ever was a living embodiment of confidence, it would be him.
Li Xiaochen nodded with a smile. As he made to refill his glass, his phone rang.
As he was in the middle of dinner, Li Xiaochen had his phone put on silent mode, sparing it a glance at most and rejecting the call if it was unimportant.
It was basic business etiquette and Li Xiaochen followed it to the letter.
However, after seeing the caller ID, his face turned serious and he excused himself. "It's from an old friend. I have to take this, sorry."
It was the upper management of a prominent international headhunting firm.
"Sure, go ahead." Zhao Yunlong was not bothered by the interruption. He filled Su Yun's glass before his own and they both continued drinking.
Li Xiaochen left the private room and answered the call in a remote, quiet corner.
"Li, I've got leads on the information you want," the caller said..
"Oh?"
"Dr. Mehar is very interested in the surgery performed by the young man you're following. As you know, Dr. Mehar couldn't attend the Nobel Prize award ceremony because of that damned prostate."
"..." In that moment, countless possibilities assailed Li Xiaochen's mind.
"Professor Rudolf Wagner has booked a flight to Imperial Capital three days from now," the caller continued. "This information costs a hundred thousand US dollars."
"Okay, I'll transfer it to your account as soon as possible." There was a rare solemn expression on Li Xiaochen's face.
Dr. Mehar was a godlike figure.
He was the most influential judge on the panel of Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, and his opinion held the greatest weight.
Why had Professor Rudolf Wagner returned to Imperial Capital in such a hurry? Could it be that Dr. Mehar had also taken an interest in this whelp from Sea City?
Li Xiaochen shuddered at the thought of a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
That was impossible. He instantly dismissed the ridiculous thought.
Still, what amount could possibly tempt Zheng Ren before Professor Rudolf Wagner arrived in Imperial Capital?
1.5 million yuan after tax reduction seemed meager after conversion to US dollars.
Nevertheless, all the American doctors in Straits Hospital had an annual salary below a million yuan. Would it trigger a negative chain reaction if they discovered that a young doctor, not even in his thirties, was being paid so astronomically?
Li Xiaochen suddenly recalled Su Yun's words. The pretty boy was right; this matter was beyond his authority and he had to leave it to the board to make the call.
After pondering for a few minutes, he dialed the chairman's number.
"Su Yun, were you being serious?" Zhao Yunlong asked after half a glass of alcohol.
At this point, only Zhao Yunlong could keep up with Su Yun's drinking. Wang Lu and the other chief residents had already reached their limit.
Any more alcohol would end up in a hangover the next day. The physical suffering was one thing, but no one was willing to bear the consequences if it affected their performance.
"What do you think?" Su Yun answered scornfully, in a tone that Zheng Ren would find familiar were he around to hear it.
"You're doing really well. All your bosses are so talented."
"Were it not for me, he would need at least ten more years in order to pu
blish a paper in the New England Journal of Medicine," Su Yun said.
"I'm so envious. Do you think Mr. Zheng still needs an assistant?" Zhao Yunlong asked half-jokingly.
Su Yun scoffed. "A general surgeon working as the chief resident of the emergency department, about to publish a paper on interventional surgery, now with two leading cardiothoracic surgeons as his assistants? Are you kidding me? Besides, who's going to pick up from the cardiothoracic department?"
Zhao Yunlong burst into laughter. This Mr. Zheng was truly fascinating! None of the departments that Su Yun mentioned overlapped. Zheng Ren was not bound by the mortal rules of specialization.
What an incredible man!
Unbelievable!
They continued to chat for a while before Li Xiaochen returned with a smile on his face.
Despite the man's cheerfulness, Su Yun could see the anxiety under his facade.
Getting an idea, Su Yun grinned and said, "Director Li, I know you want to recruit Mr. Zheng. Is it above your pay grade?"
Li Xiaochen did not shy away from his question and nodded.
Honesty was sometimes the best way forward.
"I can give you a suggestion.. Whether or not it works depends on how you play it out," Su Yun teased.
Li Xiaochen straightened his back seriously. "Please share, Brother Yun."
"Wang Lu also knows about this. Boss Zheng has his own personal scrub nurse."
Wang Lu nodded in agreement, still not over the shock from Su Yun mentioning at the operating table that the scrub nurse had yet to arrive. At first, he had thought Su Yun was just bragging, but now it seemed strange for Zheng Ren not to have a personal scrub nurse.
"You mean if I want to recruit Mr. Zheng, I'll have to hire his entire team?" Li Xiaochen's eyes lit up instantly.
Chapter 259 - Gifts (Part 3 of 5)
Tang Xiu had been extremely busy lately.
She had flown from Sea City to Imperial Capital after obtaining approval from the chief editor for her interview proposal, then dedicated all her time and effort into collecting the necessary information.
However, before she could finish gathering intel, the news broke that Zheng Ren had successfully completed the surgery; livestreamed, no less.
The Surgeon's Studio c1-799 Page 125
