Chapter Forty-Nine: Three Years

The city hospital specialists came to the county hospital for consultations, and the news quickly spread from the government to various departments. Suddenly, the outpatient clinics were flooded with patients. Surgeries increased as well, and Director Yang of General Surgery hurriedly took on patients during the outpatient hours.

“The director from the city hospital is here. This is a minimally invasive procedure—just three small incisions on the abdomen,” someone explained.

“Yes, the expert will perform the surgery personally, so don’t worry,” another assured.

By the end of the morning, old Yang had admitted three gallbladders and one appendix case. After outpatient, he instructed the department doctors to promptly conduct examinations, then went to the second surgical department to find Zhang Fan. “Doctor Zhang, there are several gallbladder and appendix cases tomorrow. Are you available?”

Zhang Fan replied, “Director Yang has time. You arrange it.”

In recent days, the orthopedic surgeries had also been busy—plate removals, degenerative joint disease cases, and the like. The hospital had even assigned old Li an outpatient clinic as a surgical expert, but he was overwhelmed alone, so he took Wang Yanan to assist. He said Wang Yanan was very capable with paperwork. That morning, there was a humerus plate removal surgery, and old Chen took Li Liang along. Zhang Fan didn’t join; he had to step out for a while.

Driving to Batu’s home, Zhang Fan realized it had been over half a year. Batu’s case still had no resolution. The door was open, and after parking, Zhang Fan found Bayin there too.

“Sister-in-law, I came to see you. Any news on Director Ba’s case?” Batu’s wife was a delicate woman who had aged considerably in these past months.

“Zhang Fan, come in and sit. There’s finally some progress on Batu’s case. Thank you for all your trouble.”

“That’s good to hear.” Zhang Fan sat down as Bayin busied herself brewing tea and offering cigarettes.

“Brother Zhang, since my uncle’s incident, you’re the only one who has visited. Sigh.”

“It doesn’t matter whether you visit or not. Go get some cheese for Doctor Zhang,” Bayin said.

“Sister-in-law, what’s the situation with Director Ba now?” Bayin addressed Zhang Fan as “brother,” since Batu was his uncle.

“There was compensation, fines, and then a relative from the tribe who works in the provincial judiciary helped out. In the end, he was sentenced to three years.” As she spoke, tears began to fall.

“Aunt, don’t cry anymore, you’ll hurt your eyes. Three years will pass quickly. You must take care of yourself.” Bayin comforted her, then turned to Zhang Fan. “Brother Zhang, have some food. This time it cost a lot, and still, three years’ sentence—ah!”

After sitting a while and exchanging a few words, Zhang Fan left. Three years was neither too long nor too short; it was at least good news.

Back at the department, Zhang Fan coincidentally ran into Wang Yanan, exhausted from outpatient duty. “I’m dead tired. You skipped duty again. Tomorrow you come with me to accompany Director Li for outpatient.” It wasn’t too tiring, given fewer patients than the city hospital, but the uneven workload frustrated her. She had been busy all morning while Zhang Fan was leisurely, which annoyed her.

Zhang Fan bluntly said, “Want to be the lead surgeon for a procedure? If so, pour me some water quickly—I have to go to the city.”

“Here, choke on it.” She threw a bottle of some drink at Zhang Fan’s hand and turned to leave.

The next morning, Zhang Fan went early to the operating room. Old Li was set for outpatient, but when Wang Yanan saw Zhang Fan heading to surgery, she brought a newly hired doctor to assist old Li and went to the operating room, thinking there would be an orthopedic surgery. The county hospital had only three operating rooms—two for surgery and one for obstetrics and gynecology. Upon entering, she found Zhang Fan in the general surgery operating room.

Inside, old Yang handed Zhang Fan the medical record. “Doctor Zhang, take a look. All tests are normal; the surgery can proceed.”

Zhang Fan glanced over the records. “Alright, let’s begin.”

Washing hands, sterilizing, making incisions, inflating the abdomen—the laparoscope entered the abdominal cavity. Zhang Fan proceeded with calm precision. Wang Yanan, standing at the door, was stunned. “This guy even knows how to do laparoscopic general surgery? Is he even human?” She felt wronged. After persevering for half a year, she believed that with enough effort, she could catch up to his level. But now, this shameless guy had taken a completely different route, speeding ahead. She wanted to shout out loud: scoundrel!

The general surgery procedures were all scheduled in the morning. Zhang Fan performed one operation after another. The last was an appendectomy. Old Yang hesitated, his expression awkward, which Zhang Fan noticed.

“What’s the matter, Director Yang?”

“Doctor Zhang, could I do this appendectomy? I’m not confident with gallbladders, but I’m familiar with appendices. You could supervise me, please?” He fumbled over his words. Zhang Fan was about the same age as his son, and he felt embarrassed—too awkward.

“Okay, I’ll hold the laparoscope for you.” Watching surgeries a thousand times isn’t as good as doing one yourself. Zhang Fan held the scope and pointed out key steps, staying attentive throughout. Surgery was no joke; lives depended on it and there was no room for carelessness. It was old Yang’s first laparoscopic appendectomy. Though not too nervous, he was still inexperienced with the laparoscope and worked slowly.

Zhang Fan remained patient. Not everyone had systematic training. Finally, they finished. Old Yang sighed with relief. “After over twenty years in general surgery, I never thought a single appendix operation would leave me sweating so much. Thank you, Doctor Zhang. Without you here, who knows when I’d get to do a laparoscopic surgery myself.”

“You’re too kind, Director Yang,” Zhang Fan smiled.

“Not kind at all. Doctor Zhang, your licensing exam should be fine this year, right?”

Zhang Fan was puzzled by the sudden concern about his results. “It should be fine. Why?”

“Well, our hospital can’t count on the director’s support anymore. To be blunt, his mind isn’t on the work. But we’re still young. If one day we can’t work here and have to find a job elsewhere, as a general surgeon who can’t even perform laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, who would want you? Open surgeries are gradually being phased out. Once you pass, I plan to gather a few specialized cases every week or two and have you spend a day training us. The director definitely won’t support this, so there might be some shortfall in payment—I’m putting my reputation on the line telling you this.” Actually, old Yang had contacted several general surgeons from city hospitals, but when they heard about the fees, they refused outright. So old Yang turned his attention to Zhang Fan.

Zhang Fan wasn’t too concerned about money. More was better, less was fine. He agreed readily, “Sure, just pay me whatever you think is fair. After all, I came up from a county hospital.”

“Really, thank you so much, truly grateful.” Because of the hospital director’s issues, old Yang didn’t want to stay at the county hospital much longer. His child was studying at a university in the south and about to graduate, unwilling to return. The couple considered moving to follow their child, and when they called several local hospitals, the first question for a general surgeon was always whether they could do laparoscopic surgery.

After surgery, when Zhang Fan returned to the second surgical department, Wang Yanan chased after him. “You actually know how to do general surgery!” Then she pulled out a laparoscope and shouted, “Reveal yourself, monster!”

“You must be well rested these days. I’m impressed you could come up with that.” Wang Yanan was deeply shaken.