The Surgeon's Studio c1-799

by Black Ursa Prime

  Liu Tianxing had to have been blind to not notice someone as talented as Zheng Ren in his own department. It was unthinkable that Zheng Ren had remained a junior doctor for a few years in general surgery.

  Department Chief Sun regretted not having Zheng Ren in his own department.

  He would have been able to leave all the surgeries to his subordinate while he managed clinical consultations. Old Chief Physician Pan was probably having an easy time.

  What a bummer.

  As such, he chose his words to Zheng Ren with care—humility, even.

  "Su Yun and I will close the abdomen up, but we won't be writing up the report," Zheng Ren said with a smile.

  The patient was under the care of the second general surgery department and Zheng Ren did not intend to take full credit for it. Although Department Chief Sun seemed like an understanding person, Zheng Ren preferred to clarify the issue.

  He was, after all, doing the department chief a favor.

  "Of course," Department Chief Sun reassured them with a smile before taking the specimen tray, which contained a dark grey gallbladder with a twisted and tangled base, and walking out of the operating room.

  Chu Yanran followed him.

  Professor Rudolph Wagner had the whole surgery recorded. Although he was not a general surgeon, his years as a medical professional gave him some insight into the difficulty of the procedure.

  A floating gallbladder… He had never seen a case this severe before, but that young doctor, whose interventional surgery skill surpassed his, had performed the general surgery with ease.

  A darkness clouded the professor's heart.

  He had initially planned to persuade the young doctor to be his assistant. They could work on the prostate surgery together in Germany.

  Convincing a small town doctor to do so would be easy, he had thought. It would be an honor for many.

  However…

  Since arriving, Professor Rudolph Wagner had already witnessed 1.5 surgeries and it was not even lunchtime.

  The interventional surgery was perfect, but Professor Rudolph Wagner had expected as much.

  He had not expected the junior doctor to successfully resolve a floating gallbladder.

  Were his eyes playing tricks on him? Professor Rudolph Wagner thought long and hard. In the end, he decided to send the video to someone with pertinent expertise.

  As soon as he delivered it, he walked out of the room to make a call to its recipient, currently doing research on floating gallbladders, to make sure the doctor watched the recording.

  Stitching up the abdomen was child's play for Zheng Ren and Su Yun.

  Zheng Ren sewed while Su Yun knotted and trimmed. The scissors in Su Yun's hand danced across the patient's body. He was making no effort to look good, but his natural elegance was undeniable.

  Su Yun was like a swordsman in white, standing atop a hill with his handsome silhouette… slightly marred by Zheng Ren's presence beside him.

  The routine rinsing and checks were performed before they closed up the abdomen, layer by layer.

  When the surgery was complete, Zheng Ren took off his surgical gown and said, "Old Chief Physician Pan, I think I'll need a few days off."

  "No problem. You have to entertain Department Chief Kong and Professor Rudolph." Old Chief Physician Pan was elated after seeing Zheng Ren perform one successful surgery after another.

  Department Chief Kong waved his hand and said, "I'm leaving on an early flight tomorrow. I just dropped by to visit Boss Zheng. Oh, I've gathered around a dozen or so patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Come over to Imperial Capital when you're free and you can perform the surgeries."

  It was the minimum sample size they needed for their study. There were still other elements—like interviews, methodology and consent—that Department Chief Kong did not mention, but he was likely the one shouldering those burdens.

  The most important part of developing a new method was its application. If Zheng Ren had to deal with such extraneous things, Department Chief Kong would be embarrassed to claim any contribution to the research work.

  Zheng Ren gave him a grateful smile. "Thank you, Chief Kong."

  "No, I should thank you. All I'm doing is the paperwork." Department Chief Kong then pulled Zheng Ren aside and whispered, "Also, I've put in an application for a research grant worth three million yuan solely for this project. I'm prepared to give you one million to spend on anything you want; let me deal with the accounts."

  Zheng Ren was stunned by this offer.

  He had little experience with research, but from his past observations, underhanded practices were widespread. Supervisors treated grants like their personal bank accounts. Why would Department Chief Kong be sharing one with him?

  Moreover, the amount offered was very generous—one million yuan to be spent freely. Was this the beat of money playing?

  Department Chief Kong was glad that his offer had made Zheng Ren pause. The young were unacquainted with money and one million was enough to shock them into silence. Given another year, this sum would mean little to Zheng Ren.

  The chief's danger sense was tingling, which was why he had rushed to reveal the offer even before they had stepped out of the operating room. He was not worried about Sea City General Hospital but the arrival of the German professor; if he did not make a bid for Zheng Ren now, the young doctor could slip from his grasp.

  "I have also recently applied for a national-level grant for natural sciences. All the particulars are complete; we just need around 20 cases of surgeries as proof and we'll be given the money. We can split it equally between us." Department Chief Kong made sure to emphasize the last point, making no effort to lower his voice.

  The muscles on Su Yun's face twitched.

  The National Natural Science Grant was not given to just any group with quality research. It was mostly about networking and reputation.

  Department Chief Kong had offered to split the money with Zheng Ren. How much was the chief willing to invest in him?

  There were many who would pay for the prestige of being a recipient of the grant.

  Zheng Ren tried to refuse politely. "Uh… I don't think I can spend that much money."

  "As a man of science, you should be able to live comfortably. Otherwise, how would we elevate the scientific community in this country? Movie stars and singers have hundreds and thousands of fans, but none of them are saving lives like you," Department Chief Kong said with a gentle smile. "Alright? Give me your account number and I'll transfer you the money once I get it."

  "Oh." Zheng Ren had heard of district-level research grants when he had been in medical school. In order to be promoted to deputy chief physician, the hospital he had interned at required the applicant to have received at least a district-level Natural Science Grant before.

  The money was not much, but the recognition that came with it was prestigious.

  It was, however, nothing compared to a national-level grant.

  He nodded at Department Chief Kong.

  Old Chief Physician Pan asked jokingly, "Chief Kong, how much did you ask for?"

  "I applied for 50 million, but I will be happy if they offer 20," Department Chief Kong replied, sounding dissatisfied.

  When Director Xiao heard the figure, his pupils shrank to needlepoints.

  The annual net profit of Sea City General Hospital did not even reach 20 million yuan...

  Chapter 283 - Show-Off (Part 3 of 4)

  Chu Yanran followed Department Chief Sun out of the operating room.

  Once she was out of the sterile space, she took off her mask and massaged her face, practicing her smile to get the right degree of sincerity.

  Department Chief Sun noticed a set of footsteps behind him and turned to look. It was the young woman who had been in the emergency department operating room.

  "Who are you?" he asked.

  "Chief Sun, I'm a medical graduate undertaking anesthesiology training in the emergency department. My name is Chu Ya
nran," the woman said, introducing herself.

  "I see. Do you need something from me, Dr. Chu?" Department Chief Sun asked. It was uncommon to have a young, pretty woman tailing him.

  "The patient's family are friends of my parents, so I figured I'd follow Chief Sun to see them." Zhou Wenxiang's suggestion back in the emergency department had made her uneasy.

  Despite the success of the surgery, the man's words gnawed at her heart.

  She was a cool-headed person by nature but was hardly a pushover.

  An older Chu Yanran could have let words like these slide, but being in her twenties, she was all too ready to clash.

  Department Chief Sun raised his eyebrows slightly but said nothing, keeping on a warm smile.

  He had had an inkling of the patient's background upon receiving the call to join Department Chief Xia for consultation.

  Clearly, Chu Yanran was connected in some way.

  They both chatted as they walked, but he was unable to glean anything off the young woman.

  She was tight-lipped and revealed nothing about her family. Her parents had taught her well.

  He found himself liking this young woman.

  The electronic door opened and Department Chief Sun walked out with the specimen tray. He called out once, and Zhou Wenxiang ran over immediately.

  "Chief Sun, Chief Sun, how did it go?" Anxiety was written all over Zhou Wenxiang's face.

  An elder gentleman in his sixties walked up to them with a frown on his face. He was much calmer than Zhou Wenxiang.

  "Uncle Zhou, you're back!" Chu Yanran's professionalism gave way to youthful exuberance when she saw the man.

  "Yanran, thank you for helping us with this," the older man said with a gentle smile after seeing the contents of the specimen tray.

  Chu Yanran replied in kind, "I deliver my promises. I got Auntie the best surgeon we had."

  "Thank you." He smiled gracefully.

  "This is the gallbladder, its neck, and here…" Department Chief Sun probed the organ with a hemostatic clamp as he explained the matter to Zhou Wenxiang and the older gentleman.

  It was not an anatomy class for the patient's family but a reassurance that the surgery was a success. The department chief wanted to convey the skills and techniques the surgeon had had to employ to overcome this adversity.

  Were it a failed surgery, he would not be talking them through the process.

  "This part is gangrenous. This occurs when blood supply to the tissue is restricted. It's a dangerous development and difficult to manage."

  Department Chief Sun eyed the family. The old man seemed unaffected by his words; perhaps he had to be more dramatic. "Look here: we found the ducts and vessels too tightly knotted. The necrotizing gallbladder contained a lot of toxins that risked leaking into the liver if we untangled the knot, which could lead to infection and toxic shock syndrome."

  He paused for a moment to let the implications set in, then continued, "Hence, we could not perform a standard cholecystectomy. This was why I chose to change tactics."

  Chu Yanran smirked. All that jargon just to justify his reasons for changing the surgical procedure.

  Department Chief Sun was truly a cautious person.

  "And then?" The older man stared at the oddly-colored gallbladder. The tissue had darkened, reflecting irreversible damage. When the gallbladder was cut open, a slurry of green and black flowed out. The rot was unmistakable and reaffirmed the decision to prevent leakage into the liver.

  The older man held his composure with dignity.

  "This disorder is very rare. Chief Resident Zheng's diagnosis in the emergency department was correct. Neither I nor Department Chief Xia have ever seen such a case," Department Chief Sun admitted.

  "It's out now and all is well," Zhou Wenxiang uttered softly.

  "Auntie is lucky. Chief Zheng had just completed an emergency rescue surgery and managed to assist. If more time had passed, the outcome could have been different," Chu Yanran piped up.

  Department Chief Sun smiled as he looked at her.

  If the young woman had not followed him out, he would have been spinning a completely different story now.

  He then recalled what the patient's son had said to her earlier in the emergency department.

  Suddenly, Department Chief Sun understood why Chu Yanran was here. "Thankfully, Chief Resident Zheng from the emergency department was available."

  "Chief Resident Zheng?" Zhou Wenxiang murmured, doubt creeping into his voice.

  "Yes. It was lucky for us Chief Resident Zheng stepped in. If Provincial Capital had had this case, they would have succeeded without someone like Chief Zheng," Department Chief Sun said resolutely.

  "Yes, it's true. A professor from Imperial Capital even dropped in today to discuss the National Natural Science Grant with Chief Zheng. Also, a German professor experienced in similar cases complimented Chief Zheng's handling of the surgery."

  Professor Rudolph Wagner had said nothing. All he had done was record the whole surgery.

  Chu Yanran was not lying, however; she was simply depicting the situation in a way the patient's family could understand.

  "The surgery is over and done with. Are there any risks of complications after?" the old man asked.

  "Unlikely. She should be able to walk after a day of rest and discharged within a week," Department Chief Sun answered.

  Chu Yanran said nothing, but there was a smug smile on her face as she moved beside the old man.

  She had said everything she wanted to say and was thoroughly enjoying the displeased expression on Zhou Wenxiang's face.

  She ought to have dragged Su Yun along. Some witty lines from him would surely make this scene even more enjoyable.

  Specifically, things she could not utter herself.

  The department chief's answer was a relief to the old man, whose expression softened as he said, "No wonder you refused to go to Harbin Medical University Affiliated Second Hospital when you came back from Sichuan. Evidently, you've found your master here."

  Chu Yanran said nothing as she gave Zhou Wenxiang a satisfied grin.

  Zhou Wenxiang fumbled as he tried to rack his brain for a response. His cheeks burned as he recalled his foolish words to Chu Yanran.

  However… Dr. Zheng was so young. Even if the older department chiefs admired him, Zhou Wenxiang could not believe an Imperial Capital professor would come all the way to Sea City for him, let alone to discuss the National Natural Science Grant.

  Zhou Wenxiang worked in culture and education, and although it was not in his department, he knew the application and selection process well.

  Prefecture-level recognition for medical research required a difficulty score of at least 9.5. It was much higher at the national level.

  Chu Yanran was sorely mistaken if she thought she could fool him with her tall tales.

  Chapter 284 - Intellectual Exchange (Part 4 of 4)

  Zheng Ren and Su Yun's closure of the abdomen was swift and methodical like the rest of the surgery.

  When the patient woke from anesthesia, she was already in the second general surgery ward. A trip to the ICU was not required.

  Director Xiao's compliment was muted. "Zheng Ren, that was a good show of skill."

  Zheng Ren smiled at him.

  Professor Rudolph Wagner sent the video he had taken to his friend in Berlin, then greeted Zheng Ren excitedly. "Zheng, you're finally free."

  "Your Mandarin is incredible." Zheng Ren was impressed by the professor's mastery of the language.

  "Come, let us have a meal to celebrate the successful surgeries," the office director behind Director Xiao said.

  Old Chief Physician Pan and Department Chief Kong were familiar with such events.

  After hours of waiting, it would be odd not to arrange for a meal together. They could talk business over food.

  Professor Rudolph Wagner was unaccustomed to the culture, but was willing to attend as long as Zheng Ren was present. He would put up with anythin
g for the chance to win a Nobel Prize.

  As the patient was wheeled out, Director Xiao's phone rang. A moment later, the office director left to make the arrangements for the patient to be transferred to the special demands ward.

  Zheng Ren was unaware of what was happening, blissfully ignorant of anything unrelated to treating patients.

  Once everyone had changed, they headed to the Small Stove Canteen.

  Six years ago, the hospital canteen's food had rivalled that of the best restaurants in Sea City. Sadly, its quality had deteriorated over the years.

  Although there was a drop in standards and dining space, the hospital maintained the canteen to cater to the fly-in surgeons who occasionally visited.

  The office director was busy making all manner of arrangements when his phone rang.

  He answered the call, frustrated.

  Seconds later, his face dropped in shock.

  His subordinate had discovered some doc.u.mentary being aired on Sea City News Network. It featured Sea City General Hospital, but its focus was the emergency department chief resident, Zheng Ren.

  This…

  The office director was speechless.

  Under normal circ.u.mstances, the media would require some form of payment in return for advertising the hospital.

  However, the hospital had not requested this. Had Sea City News Network and Sea City Metropolis Daily worked together to produce a doc.u.mentary on a nameless chief resident?

  Did the hospital administration mean nothing to them?

  Or the law, even?

  This was absurd!

  The anger in him dwindled just as quickly as it erupted. He considered the situation before him and realized the decision was not his to make.

  He was not a fool. There were lines he could cross and lines to avoid.

  Aftering ordering his subordinate to send over the doc.u.mentary, he waited for the crowd to thin before approaching Director Xiao to explain the issue.

  Director Xiao was also surprised. He could not understand why all this had happened, and the whole situation smelled fishy to him.

  However, there was nothing he could do but pretend ignorance

  The office director also provided Director Xiao some background information on Department Chief Kong and Professor Rudolph Wagner.