Chapter Twenty-Seven: He is in the operating room. He is still in the operating room.

Ever since his system upgraded, Zhang Fan had become even busier than before, rarely even stepping foot in his own department. He essentially lived in the operating theater, and the head nurse, moved by his dedication, even arranged a bed for him in the male nurses' lounge so he could rest.

"Director, our hospital is a major surgical center. This opportunity for advanced training is invaluable to me, and I would like to gain experience in other surgical specialties as well. Could you please put in a word for me so I can assist in other surgeries?"

"Haha, joints or spine?" Lin Cong assumed Zhang Fan wanted to specialize further in orthopedics.

"Both of those, and I’d like to learn general surgery as well!"

"You know how to perform general surgeries? Which procedures are you capable of?"

"Appendectomies, thyroid surgeries, perforated ulcers, bowel obstructions, and various types of hernias—I can handle the basics." Zhang Fan hadn't let his system-based training slide for a single day; after all, the system was his most important asset.

"Uh!" Lin Cong’s mouth hung open for a long time, utterly stunned. Was this even a mere talent? This was a genius, plain and simple. There were some procedures Zhang Fan mentioned that even he couldn't perform. "Alright, I will consult with the Dean. It shouldn’t be a problem." After Zhang Fan left, Lin Cong muttered to himself, "Is this truly how effective our major surgery department is at honing talent?"

Lin Cong reported Zhang Fan’s situation directly to the Dean, who was also surprised, having started his own career in general surgery. "Go ahead. We shouldn’t fear him learning too much; we should only fear him not learning enough. Open all surgical departments to Zhang Fan, including obstetrics and gynecology. Let him assist in whatever he wants. I want to see how far he can go." This was a level of vision and magnanimity—a true scholarly mindset.

Zhang Fan spent his mornings at the joint and spine surgical tables, and his afternoons in general surgery. His sleep was reduced to a cumulative four hours a day. The system’s requirements were too demanding, and he dared not slack off; once his training ended, he would have to wait a year for his medical license before he could apply to work at a major hospital, and even then, there was no guarantee they would let him operate with such freedom.

During a laparoscopic gallbladder surgery in the general surgery department, the hospital’s top surgeon spoke up, "Dr. Zhang, try to place the ligature a bit higher; it’s safer." With the hospital leadership giving the green light, every department was highly cooperative. The director of general surgery even stood by to support Zhang Fan during the cholecystectomy. "Why don't you come to general surgery? Orthopedics doesn't require much technique. In a few days, I'll let you assist on a subtotal gastrectomy—that is true skill. A decent carpenter could do orthopedic surgery." The general surgery director tried to entice him; he liked Zhang Fan for his skill, high aptitude, diligence, and humility.

"Nonsense! Try finding a carpenter to perform a hip replacement. Zhang Fan, general surgery is either cleaning up messes or cutting out lumps; orthopedics offers the ultimate sense of achievement." There was a hierarchy of snobbery even within the hospital's surgical departments!

He was tired—exhausted to the bone. But Zhang Fan didn't dare rest. Two months had passed, and he hadn't seen the sun. Deep indentations from his surgical mask remained etched into his face. "Where is Zhang Fan?" Batu had come to Qingdao Medical University Hospital for management training, and after he finished, he would likely be transferred to the Health Bureau.

"He's in the operating theater." The director of internal medicine, who shared a dorm with Zhang Fan, hadn't seen him since they arrived in Qingdao.

A few days later, Batu went looking for Zhang Fan again. "He's still in the operating theater. Once he goes in, he never comes out. He has become a legend here at Qingdao Medical."

"That brat, he's going to kill himself." With that, Batu called Zhang Fan. "Where are you?"

"Dean Batu, I'm in the operating theater."

"Get out here immediately. Are you signing up for the exam or not? I’m waiting for you downstairs in the surgical building."

It was time to sign up; Zhang Fan had completely forgotten. Half an hour later, he went to ask Lin Cong for leave. Even though he was assisting in all kinds of surgeries, he was still officially part of the trauma orthopedic department. "Director, I need to step out for a few hours. The Dean of our hospital is here."

"No rush. I’ll give you three days off. Go see the ocean. We’re holding a department event tomorrow night, and you must attend. You’ve been here for months, and we haven't even treated you to a meal." Zhang Fan’s performance had led Lin Cong and his team to treat him as one of their own.

"Dean Batu, I’ve missed you!" After two months of non-stop surgery, despite the exhaustion, the stress of the system being unable to upgrade was gone. A heavy weight had been lifted from his heart, and he finally looked like a young man again. He gave Batu a hug.

"You kid, you smell like disinfectant. You’ve lost so much weight; you can't push yourself this hard." Batu was happy to see him, too. Humans are emotional creatures, after all, and after half a year together, he had grown quite fond of Zhang Fan.

"Don't tell me you came all the way to Qingdao just to get me signed up?"

"You wish! I'm here for training, too—for a month. I’ve been here a few days and tried to find you several times, but I couldn't."

"Why didn't you call?"

"I just wanted to check on you; there was nothing urgent, so I didn't call. Today is the registration deadline, so I finally reached out. I’ve already prepared your registration documents; all that's missing is a photo." Zhang Fan had prepared the photo long ago; he made a quick call to Li Liang to arrange it, and it was settled.

"Come on, let me show you the world," Batu said after Zhang Fan finished his tasks.

Zhang Fan was happy to have Batu around. They went to a five-star hotel. "We're having the buffet today. It’s over eight hundred per person. I’ve never tried it myself, so let’s see what it's like." When Zhang Fan first arrived, he had eaten well at a government banquet, but for the last two months, it had been nothing but boxed lunches. Hearing about a feast, his mouth began to water; his taste buds felt like they had almost gone numb from the constant cafeteria food.

Fish, big fish, meat of all kinds, shrimp, giant prawns—the plates in front of him were replaced again and again. Batu had been full for half an hour, but Zhang Fan was still eating. He hadn't said a word since they started.

"Slow down and have some drink. Bringing you to a buffet is certainly no loss, but cover your face when we leave. Otherwise, they might not let you back in next time," Batu teased, sipping his red wine.

"I’ve been eating boxed lunches for two months. I’m counting on this meal to satisfy my cravings."

"In a few days, I'll take you all out on a boat. It would be a pity to come to the seaside and not go out on the ocean."

"I'll pass. You can just give me the cash instead."

"Haha, you fool. You’re young, don’t be in such a hurry; you have a long life ahead of you. What are your plans after the exam?"

"Uh! I haven't thought about it yet." Zhang Fan felt awkward answering; he couldn't very well be eating the man's food while saying, "I'm heading to a big hospital after the exam because the county hospital is too small." That would be ungrateful.

"I know you well enough. The county hospital is too small to hold you, and I can't hold you back either. We’ll see when the time comes. If I can't get into the Health Bureau, I'll go to a city-level hospital. When I need support then, you won't be allowed to refuse."

"Don't you worry. Just one phone call, and whether it's fire or water, I’ll be there."

"Haha, now that’s some spirit." Batu’s own son was also studying medicine and nearing graduation, but his grades were average—there was no hope for graduate school.

After the meal, Zhang Fan and Batu returned to the hospital. Batu’s training was essentially a vacation. A few days later, he took the other three people from the county hospital out to sea. He invited Zhang Fan, but he declined—there would be plenty of opportunities to go to sea later.