The Surgeon's Studio

“Chief Su, why are you here?” Zheng Ren said in surprise.

Chief Su from the obstetrics and gynecology department was walking toward him. The last they met was a few days ago when they went to check on the placenta abruption patient.

“Let’s talk in the office,” Chief Su said.

They went into the office. “Thank you for yesterday night.”

“Anytime.” Zheng Ren lowered his head in respect when talking to the department chief.

“Then, there is something that I would like your help with.” Chief Surgeon Su did not beat around the bush.

Two days before, at midnight, her deputy chief had rushed off to check on the situation. She was an old horse in the department and had been quick to get the details from the chief resident.

It had been a tricky situation. Although the sun had yet to rise, the deputy chief called the obstetrics and gynecology department chief.

Chief Surgeon Su reached the patient’s room early in the morning. She took a look at the patient’s charts as the chief resident communicated the incident. After knowing the relevant details, she rubbed her forehead and sighed.

‘Do not fear trouble. Admit your mistakes. That is the rule.’

However, this patient was a difficult person. If the hospital did not compensate, there was the possibility of the family coming at her with matchsticks and gasoline.

There were a few people she could reach out to for help but she had been uncertain who was the more reliable candidate.

The next morning, as Chief Surgeon Su was ruminating about possible solutions, she overheard some chatter from the staff. It appeared the patient’s family had held a banner in gratitude in front of the emergency department entrance last night.

A weight was lifted from Chief Surgeon Su’s chest. It must have been Old Chief Physician Pan’s doing.

She went to thank Old Chief Physician Pan and found out Zheng Ren was the one who solved the problem.

Youngsters these days were wild.

The medical field was full of ambitious and talented people looking for an opportunity to shine. Every doctor would encounter a case beyond their abilities and wish for a miracle worker to come save the day.

It was an honor to know friends or coworkers who had the expertise and experience to solve a problem.

Zheng Ren’s was one of those doctors. Chief Surgeon Su learned that he was the one who performed the surgery. She had also heard rumors of him completing 49 back-to-back appendectomies.

Initially, she did not believe the rumors.

A lot of rumors were exaggerated as they passed from mouth to mouth, therefore she placed little weight in them.

Chief Surgeon Su only started to notice Zheng Ren after he helped the obstetrics and gynecology department with two difficult cases.

The recent one was the emergency case at midnight. The patient had suffered from postpartum hemorrhage. If she had died in their care, Chief Surgeon Su would have a million and one questions to answer.

If that had happened, the patient’s family would have acted in the total opposite to what she heard today. She was glad the situation was resolved.

A thought entered Chief Surgeon Su’s mind and she smiled. “Do you remember the pregnant patient who was vomiting?”

A look of surprise came across Zheng Ren’s face. He tried to recall the patient he saw in the obstetrics and gynecology department.

“You were right about the diagnosis. We did not manage to save the baby.” Then, she continued with a smile, “But, next time, we will be able to.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“Another thing, Chief Zheng. I have a friend whose child is suffering from appendicitis. He asked for a referral. Are you free today?”

This…

It was the first time Zheng Ren encountered such an offer so he felt a bit awkward.

Usually, a patient would call up a doctor they were familiar with for consultation. Zheng Ren was not accustomed to referrals for surgeries.

He had been an ordinary resident doctor. Why would anyone want him specifically for their surgery?

Now, he was the chief resident of the emergency department. His surgical skills were acknowledged by the department chiefs so surgery referrals were going to be a norm.

“Yes. I’ll always have time for Chief Surgeon Su,” Zheng Ren said and smiled.

Chief Surgeon Su nodded. She did not expect any less from Zheng Ren.

“Then let me connect the both of you. Once the fast is complete, you can start with the surgery.” A pause later, Chief Surgeon Su continued saying, “Thank you for today, Chief Resident Zheng.”

Zheng Ren knew she was referring to the postpartum hemorrhage patient.

A short exchange later, Chief Surgeon Su left.

“Who knew you could hold a proper conversation sometimes.” Su Yun brushed the mop of hair covering his forehead.

“Of course. It’s basic respect for the elders,” Zheng Ren replied.

Zheng Ren’s phone rang after a few minutes. It was Chief Surgeon Su’s friend.

Zheng Ren asked about the patient’s fasting time and gave some details about the procedure. He gave them directions to the second floor of the emergency department building. The man thanked Zheng Ren profusely before ending the call.

Zheng Ren texted the WeChat group and informed them about the surgery preparations.

Soon, hurried footsteps echoed in the emergency ward corridor.

A middle-aged woman appeared with four panicky elders, asking for a Dr. Zheng.

Hearing his name, Zheng Ren stood up to greet them.

The middle-aged woman was taken aback by the young man. She assessed Zheng Ren and asked a few seconds later, “You are Dr. Zheng? The one who was on the phone with my husband?”

“Yes.”

“You are the surgeon suggested by Chief Surgeon Su?”

“Yes, that’s me.”

“Aren’t you a bit young?” one of the eldery asked with doubt in their tone.

“Didn’t Chief Surgeon Su say she would get the best surgeon in the hospital?”

“Doesn’t look like it. This boy is too young.”

The four elders discussed among themselves as Zheng Ren stood aside. The woman was beginning to feel embarrassed.

They could opt for another surgeon or hospital but it was rude to discuss it in the face of the surgeon.

“Dad, Mom, shut up,” the woman whispered harshly.

“I’m disappointed in how you two are handling this!” the old man with a squarish jaw said.

He was a septuagenarian with ruddy cheeks and a healthy physique. He spoke in a hushed tone but the words still registered in Zheng Ren’s ears.

“I said I would find an experienced doctor to look at Yaya but you guys disagreed. I’m not trying to find fault but this surgeon is way too young to be performing surgeries. What if something happened!”

Zheng Ren could only watch this drama play out as he stood there awkwardly.

He would be fine with whatever the patient’s family decided as it was their choice. Zheng Ren was not about to boast his surgery skills.

“Please keep your voices down. No one is forcing you to have the surgery here. At least have some decency to not trash-talk in front of us.” Su Yun’s face was drawn into an unhappy scowl.

“You…” The old man pointed at Su Yun. Halfway through, the man regained his senses and realized he had overreacted. He glared at Su Yun and turned to the middle-aged woman. “Wait a minute. Let me make a phone call.”