Chapter 332: The Lure of Super Doctors and Difficult Choices

The world’s top super doctors usually serve as the heart of a highly sophisticated medical team. For example, one world-renowned hematologist I know leads over a dozen specialized research teams. These teams cover everything from immunology, genetic research, blood sugar and lipid studies, pathology, tumor markers, internal circulation and metabolism to cardiology, hepatology, and even hematopoietic stem cells and bone marrow research.

It’s jaw-dropping that a single hematology expert commands more than a dozen research teams.

Just imagine the astronomical funds needed to support so many elite biologists, scientists, doctors and nurses.

Even building the labs alone would be enough to scare off top provincial hospitals like Tuyu Hospital.

Let alone gathering such a breadth of talent all in one place, which is almost impossible.

Right now, domestic hematology is stuck in its most primitive phase.

Not long ago, only the cardiology department tackled blood disease research. Cardiac and vascular surgery barely touched blood studies, focusing solely on the pathology of the heart and major vessels and surgical methods.

A decade ago, even heart bypasses and stent surgeries ranked among the most cutting-edge procedures in the country.

You can see the gap between us and the rest of the world is still pretty wide.

That medical center became globally famous almost entirely because of that super doctor. Everyone in the elite circles knows it’s unrivaled for treating blood disorders. Every year, wealthy patients and VIPs charter private jets to get treatment there. The team under that super doctor currently leads over 1,500 world-class research projects in hematology—putting them fifty or sixty years ahead of other countries.

Director Tian looks like any woman in her fifties, but her knowledge is astounding.

To be honest, I always used to think of her as a ‘terrible director.’

Under her leadership, Xinxiang Maternity and Child Hospital slid from one of the province’s top five specialty hospitals to the brink of closure in under two years.

Her management and leadership skills have always been doubted.

Just a few days ago, I saw firsthand how the hospital’s staff are lazy and irresponsible.

That left me with an even worse impression of Director Tian.

But talking at length with her for the first time, I realized this woman is far from simple.

Anyone with this level of vision couldn’t possibly be ordinary.

“Dr. Zhou, forgive my frankness, but I see the makings of a super doctor in you. If you join our hospital, I’ll invest everything into turning you into the first true super doctor in the country. We don’t have any yet, but you can already see the beginnings at some major hospitals. Their teams are catching up quickly, getting closer to the world’s super doctors each day.”

Director Tian watched Zhou Can with hopeful, slightly excited eyes.

You had to admit, she was a master at selling a dream.

At least, Zhou Can’s heart was racing—her vision really tempted him.

“Thank you for your kind words and trust, but I don’t plan on leaving Tuyu at the moment. It’s getting late and I have work tomorrow, so if there’s nothing else, I’ll be heading out.”

Zhou Can worried that if they talked any longer, he might be convinced by her dream and throw himself into the arms of Xinxiang Maternity and Child Hospital on a whim.

He couldn’t help but think of Liu Bei from the Three Kingdoms era—the ultimate persuader.

Just look at Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Zilong, Zhuge Liang, Wei Yan… All those civil and military experts who pledged undying loyalty to him.

Director Tian definitely had that same talent.

“The doors of Xinxiang Maternity and Child Hospital will always be open for you, Dr. Zhou. If you’re ever unhappy at Tuyu, or if our hospital surpasses Tuyu one day, you’re welcome to join us at any time. My promise to you stands—no expiration date.”

She didn’t push him to stay but stood up instead, ready to see him out.

She knew just when to advance and when to retreat. If something couldn’t be forced, she wouldn’t push—truly impressive.

“Thank you for your kindness! Goodbye!”

Zhou Can waved as he opened the door and left.

“I’ll see Dr. Zhou out!”

Section Chief Tang hurried after him and walked Zhou Can all the way to the hospital entrance.

“It’s late and it might not be easy to get a cab. How about I drive you home?”

Even after Zhou Can had turned down Xinxiang Hospital several times, Section Chief Tang was still just as warm and friendly.

“No worries, I’ve already called a ride through the app. Please don’t trouble yourself, Chief Tang!”

Zhou Can declined directly.

If Section Chief Tang drove him back to his apartment and word got out to the staff at Tuyu Hospital, what would they think?

And if upper management heard about it—who knows what could happen.

“I don’t mind staying out a bit longer! By the way, here’s a little something for tonight’s visit—don’t mind the amount, just think of it as some tea money.”

Section Chief Tang shoved an envelope into his hands.

Zhou Can refused it twice, but then accepted it. It felt heavy—there had to be a decent sum inside.

Xinxiang Maternity and Child Hospital is always generous with these things.

Last time they ran an expert clinic event, Zhou Can got two envelopes: one for the clinic and one for surgery and treatment.

Altogether, it totaled 7,200 yuan.

He never knew what the other experts received, but it couldn’t have been much less.

After all, Zhou Can only started seeing patients on the third day, and the previous two days’ patient flow was low. This hospital isn’t a charity—they calculate the envelopes based on the impact and revenue doctors create.

Just then, Zhou Can’s ride arrived.

“Chief Tang, you should head back! Goodbye!”

“Safe travels! Goodbye!”

Section Chief Tang bent down, waving goodbye through the car window until Zhou Can’s car disappeared, then turned back to the hospital.

When Zhou Can got back to the dorm, he opened the envelope—it was 3,000 yuan.

That’s a generous consultation fee.

It was just an endoscopic surgery. Normally, these are team efforts and the lead surgeon gets a little more, but it’s never three thousand just for one operation.

Even if he’d gotten a 1,000 yuan envelope, it would still count as generous.

“This money really does feel hot to the touch! Next time they ask me to do another surgery, I’ll have to make sure I mention it.”

Zhou Can knew that some money was better left untouched.

There’s also the chance Xinxiang Hospital was playing the long game.

They might be giving Zhou Can a taste so he’d be tempted to switch jobs.

But if that’s the plan, they’re seriously underestimating him.

He’s from a wealthy family and grew up with a healthy skepticism and resistance toward money. Now he even runs his own company, pulling in tens of millions a year.

So there’s no way a little cash will sway him.

……

The next morning, Zhou Can arrived early at the gastroenterology department. He’d been called in by Director Shang, who said there would be two interventional surgeries today.

One of them was for removing a stone from the common bile duct, using an ERCP procedure.

This required device implantation as well as balloon catheter usage.

The technique is simple: you first thread a guidewire into the bile duct, then follow it in with a balloon catheter. Once the balloon reaches behind the stone, you inflate it, pull the guidewire back, and the stone comes out with it.

Never underestimate this small balloon technique—it works wonders for removing stones or clearing blood clots.

It’s incredibly effective.

But these endoscopic surgeries also demand a very high level of skill from the doctor.

That’s exactly why Director Shang values Zhou Can’s top-tier endoscopic abilities and asked him to come in early.

Once he got to the department, Zhou Can did his usual rounds and helped with tough cases—just like always.

By around 8:30, Director Shang called him over to assist in the intervention room.

With Zhou Can’s help, both surgeries went off without a hitch and were all done before 11 a.m. Director Shang was in great spirits.

Zhou Can actually thought both procedures were on the easier side—almost too easy for his taste.

Too bad, there aren’t all that many surgeries in internal medicine, and when there are, they’re usually the simpler interventional ones. As for the trickier ones, the internal med doctors know better—they’ll just pass those onto the surgical department.

“Xiao Zhou, looks like your skills haven’t dulled after a few days of seeing patients elsewhere. In fact, you’ve only improved!”

Walking out of the operating room, Director Shang couldn’t help but praise him.

“I think Dr. Zhou’s endoscopic techniques are looking cooler than ever!”

Xie Lin was always bubbly, and by now, she and Zhou Can were pretty familiar with each other.

Her compliments often came with a bit of teasing.

Usually when someone says an operation went well, they use words like ‘smooth’ or ‘brilliant.’ Calling it ‘cool’ is definitely rare.

“I have to head over to Tuyu Medical University soon to give a lecture. Keep an eye on things in the group here, and help out around the department too. After all, the most capable people always end up doing more!”

Before Zhou Can could reply, Director Shang had already tasked him with a few things.

“You really have faith in me, huh? There’s Deputy Director Shi for group affairs, and big names like Dr. Zheng Hongtao running the department—what do you even need me for?”

Zhou Can gave a helpless, wry smile.

“Don’t act like I haven’t noticed! Director Shi’s always asking you for help, and nowadays Director Zheng can’t stop singing your praises every time he sees me. Even if I push you, it’s only for a few days more.”

Director Shang didn’t buy it for a second.

Everyone in the department knows Zhou Can is famous for being humble.

“I can’t believe I’m leaving so soon! I really don’t want to go.” Zhou Can had been in gastroenterology for a little over two months—not even three.

Internal medicine is harder to master than surgery because it covers so much.

So the learning period takes a lot longer.

A bit over two months in such a key department like gastroenterology—it’s just too short.

But there’s no helping it. Zhou Can already finished most of his three-year residency and still has several internal medicine departments left to do standardized training in.

During residency, the focus is on learning the basic clinical skills.

To go deeper, he’ll have to wait for a chance at sub-specialty training in the future.

“If you don’t want to leave, that’s easy! Just stay for two more months of residency!” Director Shang smirked.

“It’d be great if you could—then the three of us could learn even more from you.” Luo Jingyin had always gotten along well with Zhou Can.

She genuinely hated to see him go.

Of Director Shang’s three graduate students, only Qiu Chengyu was a little distant from Zhou Can. They’d butted heads ever since day one.

Mostly because Qiu Chengyu thought Zhou Can had stolen his thunder and threatened his standing as Director Shang’s protégé.

So there was always some underlying hostility between them.

And the fact the two female grad students were getting closer to Zhou Can just made Qiu even more uncomfortable.

That’s how it is between people—first impressions and conflicting interests can make it tough to ever truly get along.

Most you can hope for is to keep things polite on the surface.

“I’d love to stay, but there’s no way I could finish my residency requirements. I only have thirty-six months total, and not that much time left.”

Zhou Can had grown close to people in a lot of departments.

Even when he left, he’d still keep in touch with his old colleagues.

It wasn’t unusual for him to drop by and visit other departments now and then.

“You really say one thing and feel another. Time’s almost up, so I’d better take these three over. Keep an eye on the department, and join me in the afternoon clinic—I want to see if you learned anything from seven days at Xinxiang Maternity and Child Hospital!”

A couple last words and Director Shang hurried away.

It was clear from their conversation that Shang didn’t talk to Zhou Can like before, giving orders.

Instead, he spoke half-jokingly, lifting Zhou Can up to a new level.

Ability really is a wonderful thing—it helped Zhou Can climb high, to a position beyond even regular attending doctors.

As Zhou Can watched Director Shang leave, he barely sat down in the office before getting a call from pediatrics.

“Dr. Zhou, it’s Director Dai from pediatrics!”

“Hello, Director Dai!”

“Did you see a four-year-old boy with purplish skin all over yesterday?”

“Yes, what about him?”

“The boy suddenly fell into a coma this morning. He was diagnosed at the Provincial Children’s Hospital with congenital heart disease and severe hypoxia. Now his parents and grandparents are all here and they’re looking for you.”

“Why are they looking for me? I told his mother yesterday that the boy had a congenital heart condition. She called me a liar and stormed off. Now something’s happened, and I’m not taking the blame.”

Just thinking about that absurdly confident mother gave Zhou Can a headache.

Any doctor who meets someone like her would feel the same.

Now the whole family was here, obviously to cause trouble.

“The family insists on meeting with you. Could you come over for a bit? The hospital’s security is here, so nothing’s going to happen.”

Director Dai kept his voice low.

When a family causes trouble at the hospital, the department usually has other staff—a lot of times from the medical affairs office—step in. The doctor involved doesn’t even have to show up.

It’s mainly to keep the doctor safe from angry family members.

“Alright, I’ll be right over. Is it in the pediatrics clinic?”

“Yes, out in the corridor beside Clinic Room 17!”

Director Dai sounded relieved when Zhou Can agreed to come.

It’s bad for everyone when a family brings a child to make a scene in the clinic.