The Surgeon's Studio

“I’ve looked through them. He’s suitable for surgery.” Professor Rudolf Wagner was not bothered by the emergency rescue. All the while, he was standing in front of the film viewer and carefully studying the scans.

“Boss, can you come over here for a minute. I think that there’s something wrong with your decision.” The professor took a piece of paper that was fully written in German.

“What’s the problem?” Zheng Ren stood up and side-stepped the plump man to walk toward the film viewer.

The professor put up one of the scans again and started discussing it with Zheng Ren.

The plump man felt conflicted.

Even though he was not pleased, his impression of Chief Zheng was renewed.

Why was he not responsive to his compliments?

It had to be his status; what else?

Did he not hear the foreigner addressing him as ‘boss’?

No hospital in Sea City was affiliated with international medical schools. The only exchange students they had were those who traveled overseas.

The plump courier was sure about this.

There was hardly anyone from Provincial Capital that could host a foreign medical student, not to mention in Sea City. Moreover, this foreigner looked rather mature. It only took him one look to know that the man was a professor instead of an exchange student.

He must be somebody to make a foreign doctor call him ‘boss’.

The plump courier quickly set himself straight. Besides, Zheng Ren was invited by Director Zhang. The more he got to know him, the easier he could get on Director Zhang’s good side.

He had no business with Zheng Ren, but Director Zhang had the power over his career.

He observed Zheng Ren carefully so that he could report back to Director Zhang about his deeds.

He was deeply aware that he would be commending Director Zhang indirectly if he complimented Zheng Ren, which had a much better effect than blatant flattery.

It would make Director Zhang look good by discovering such an amazing talent.

If Zheng Ren was great, Director Zhang would be even greater since he was the one who scouted him.

The plump man’s logic made perfect sense.

More than half an hour later, Zheng Ren and Professor Rudolf Wagner finally finished discussing the scans.

They checked each scan and put them back into their respective labeled envelopes. Then, Zheng Ren laughed and told the plump man, “We’re done with the scans. Everything looks good; there are no contraindications. Tell Director Zhang not to worry.”

“Mhm, as long as you’re satisfied.” The plump guy’s back was almost bent at a 90-degree angle. Zheng Ren felt tired just watching him.

“Chief Zheng, what about tomorrow’s surgery?” he asked.

“It should be fine. I’ll head over in the morning,” Zheng Ren said, “Please handle pre-op for the patient.”

“Sure, thank you so much,” the plump guy said smilingly. “I wanted to treat you for a meal to thank you on behalf of Secondary Hospital’s patients and their family members. Since you’re rather busy today, let’s do it tomorrow. Please don’t reject; it’s a small gesture of our appreciation.”

Zheng Ren smiled and kept quiet.

After seeing him off, Zheng Ren stretched his back and stood up. He briefed Chang Yue and the others on what to do before heading to the ICU.

Zheng Ren had nothing to worry about as Su Yun was monitoring the patient in the ICU.

However, after being a doctor for so many years, he felt like something was missing if he did not visit the patient after surgery.

He would feel restless if he kept worrying about them.

“Boss, where are you going?” the professor asked.

“I’m going to visit the patient,” Zheng Ren said.

“What patient?” The professor approached him. He intended to keep Zheng Ren pinned in front of the film viewer so that he could voice out his queries and discuss it with him for another three days.

Instead, his boss was going to leave right after glancing through the scans. Professor Rudolf Wagner had a hard time accepting that behavior.

“There was a patient who got stabbed. He suffered a cardiac tamponade and his heart had stopped when he arrived.” Zheng Ren took his phone to call the 120 emergency doctor while he spoke.

“Hello, it’s Zheng Ren.

“Yes, how long did the patient’s heart stop beating?

“Okay.”

Zheng Ren hung up after that.

The doctor called Zheng Ren the moment the patient’s heart flatlined. The entire exchange should not have exceeded more than five minutes.

Zheng Ren was relieved when he verified the duration again.

“Boss, I think you should focus on one goal at a time.” Professor Rudolf Wagner was angered by Zheng Ren’s ‘unprofessionalism’.

“We’re still saving lives. They are the same,” Zheng Ren answered nonchalantly.

“How could they be the same!” The professor said, “Do you know how many lives you’ll be saving if you come up with a standard procedure?”

“I have you, don’t I, Lil Fugui.” Zheng Ren walked toward him. “I’ll leave this mission to you.”

“…” Even though the professor was naturally gifted in language, he was still not well-versed enough in Mandarin to understand what Zheng Ren truly meant when he spoke in that tone.

Zheng Ren rang the ICU’s doorbell.

The surveillance monitor lit up. Suddenly, Zheng Ren sensed someone approaching him from behind.

“Doctor!”

Zheng Ren turned around in shock.

It was the patient’s spouse whom he had kicked earlier.

She rushed toward Zheng Ren with wobbly steps and kneeled on the floor with a thud.

Zheng Ren shied away immediately. What the h*ll was she doing?

“Doctor, I’m begging you! You must save Old Hai!”

“You…you’re welcome. Quick, help her up,” Zheng Ren said with desperation while he backed himself into the corner beside the ICU entrance.

“Doctor, thank you so much!” The patient’s cousin came to Zheng Ren and bowed deeply while the other family members helped the spouse to her feet.

“You’re most welcome. There’s no need for that. I will try my best.” Zheng Ren waved his hand.

The man did not know how to respond to Zheng Ren’s reply as he was still young, yet to be molded by society.

He could only thank him repeatedly.

The family members were still trying to process what just happened; it was all too sudden.

When the ICU door finally unlocked, Zheng Ren quickly opened the door and entered.

He let out a sigh when the door sealed shut, shielding him from the outer world.

“Boss, were they moved by your chivalry?” Professor Rudolf Wagner asked puzzled. “Is that lady swearing her loyalty to you?”

“…”

“Nowadays, we rarely have this medieval ceremony in my country,” the professor continued.

“Lil Fugui, this has nothing to do with knights or loyalty,” Zheng Ren said weakly and did not bother to elaborate further to the professor.

It would take at least a 100,000-word thesis to explain their entire history and culture.

Instead of doing that, he would rather spend his time visiting patients and chatting with Xie Yiren.

It did not matter to Zheng Ren whether the professor understood him.

After changing, he entered the ICU and saw Su Yun perching on the counter, happily chit-chatting with the nurses.