Chapter 6: A First Step in the Operating Room

The junior doctor at the back instantly panicked.

Before Director Liu could speak, someone rushed in saying, “Dr. Zhou, you’ve never done this before, and this time you’re asked to suture an extremely risky area on the neck. To be safe, you’d better not compete. Even though I’ve completed many level-1 and level-2 skin suturing surgeries, I can’t say I’m 100% confident.”

Another junior doctor nodded in agreement, adding, “Safety is paramount! It would be much safer if someone experienced in suturing handled this.”

Highly educated and brilliant as they were, everyone was fiercely vying for training opportunities—no one held back.

Director Liu, however, looked rather troubled.

Suturing a level-3 surgical wound is far more challenging than level-1 or level-2 procedures.

To be honest, Zhou Can was just an intern.

He was very uneasy about it.

Yet, Zhou Can had played a crucial role in this surgery—he had even preserved Director Liu’s reputation and saved the patient’s life, a debt he could never ignore.

Faced with Zhou Can’s eager gaze, Director Liu couldn’t bring himself to refuse.

“Alright then, try stitching one stitch first. If your technique is up to par, you’ll take over the suturing,” he instructed.

After a few seconds of thought, Director Liu finally decided to give him a chance.

“Thank you! Thank you! I’ll give it my all,” Zhou Can exclaimed.

Zhou Can was ecstatic.

He treasured this hard-won, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to suture in his first surgery.

Once he mastered this, future chances to suture would come much more easily.

That’s the value of experience.

Being a doctor is extremely unique—safety always comes first.

Experience is crucial.

For instance, if a doctor successfully performs a lung cancer removal surgery, he can confidently tell the next patient, “I’ve handled this type of surgery before; that patient’s now fully recovered.”

At those words, the patient instantly relaxed.

Finally, finding the right person meant the patient could say, “Doctor, please treat me as well.”

This, indeed, is one advantage of solid experience.

“Xiao Zhou, take the position next to me for suturing!”

The first assistant stepped aside to make room.

After a brief hesitation, Zhou Can walked over with determined eyes and took the prime spot on the operating table.

This was a high-difficulty level-3 surgery.

For an intern to secure the lead surgeon’s position was an achievement he’d boast about for a lifetime.

He took three deep breaths, trying his best to steady his nerves.

On the first day in the operating room, Director Liu had taught them that for any surgery, maintaining a calm mindset was crucial.

He accepted the needle holder and forceps from the instrument nurse.

The needle and suture were all in place.

All that was left was to stitch.

Every pair of eyes in the room was on him.

Gazing at the exposed, bloody tissue, Zhou Can instinctively gripped his suturing tools. No matter how much he tried to remain calm, the rising nervousness and rapid heartbeat betrayed him.

“Don’t be afraid. Just stay brave and meticulous; we’ve all been in your shoes,” the third assistant reassured him with a smile.

Earlier, the two had even made a pinky promise, forging a small bond.

Zhou Can looked up and nodded gratefully in his direction.

Then he refocused on the patient’s wound, quickly devising a suturing plan based on his understanding.

He selected the spot for the first stitch, angled the needle in, and threaded it through.

Then he carefully tied a knot.

【Suturing Experience +1】.

At that moment, fully absorbed in his work, every stitch added another point to his experience—he was completely unaware of everything else.

It was this intense focus that made him seem especially composed.

Director Liu didn’t call a halt, and no other doctor dared to disturb him.

So, Zhou Can simply continued stitching.

For subcutaneous suturing, interrupted stitches weren’t usually used; in low-tension areas, a continuous suture was preferred.

His movements became more skillful and confident with each stitch.

Any nervousness, fear of messing up, or worry about being scolded was left far behind.

Now, his only thought was to do everything he could to suture the patient’s wound perfectly.

【Congratulations, your Suturing Technique has reached Level 3! Current XP 0/1000. Suturing ability: Junior Doctor Lower Tier.】

His suturing XP had already reached Level 2 the previous night, 87.8/100.

From now on, each stitch granted him an extra experience point.

After he placed the thirteenth stitch, his suturing technique unexpectedly leveled up at this critical juncture.

Hard work really does pay off.

Those who persevere are truly blessed.

His suturing skills improved dramatically, reaching a junior doctor’s level—a fact immediately evident in every stitch.

Standing at the operating table, Director Liu’s eyes shone with deep admiration.

This kid was truly a prodigy, progressing at an astonishing pace.

When he placed his first stitch, his technique was awkward and rudimentary—barely passable.

Now, look at his current level.

Not only had his speed increased noticeably, his technique was clean, fluid, and precise; the tissue alignment was impeccable and the suture tension just right. There’s no doubt the wound he sutured would heal much faster.

A promising protege destined for greatness.

Director Liu was overjoyed to have discovered such a talent.

There are two things a doctor treasures most: a patient’s recovery and a successor to carry on the craft.

The first assistant was equally amazed at Zhou Can’s rapid progress.

The second assistant remained expressionless, though a hint of admiration danced in his eyes.

The third assistant kept nodding, his smile growing ever wider.

The Chief Resident wore an almost comical look, his eyes fixed on Zhou Can’s every move, nearly bulging out as he marveled. Perhaps he’d never imagined that the intern he bossed around every day could be this impressive.

The junior doctors at the back had initially hoped Zhou Can would falter, so Director Liu could kick him off the table.

Then, one by one, they got their chance to step in.

But to their surprise, the kid rose to the occasion, performing brilliantly.

Now, it was clear they had no chance.

One by one, their faces fell in disappointment.

The dozen or so interns at the back showed mixed reactions—some envied, some admired, and maybe a few were outright jealous.

All the interns wondered: why is the gap between us so wide?

Two unmarried nurses had already begun sizing up the standout intern.

Handsome looks, outstanding skills, and undeniable charm—he was quite attractive to the ladies.

Oblivious to the outside world, Zhou Can’s eyes, mind, and heart were solely fixed on the patient’s wound and his suturing.

After reaching Level 3, his subsequent suturing became remarkably effortless.

With every stitch, his performance only improved.

Moreover, both his suturing and ligature XP were increasing rapidly.

After finishing the subcutaneous suturing, the next step was closing the skin.

The sensation was drastically different from practicing on pigskin.

Not only was the texture distinct, but his mindset was completely altered too.

After all, he was suturing a real patient—it was like walking a tightrope. Every stitch, every knot, had to be executed with utmost care. There was no room for error.

…

【Congratulations, your Ligature Technique has reached Level 3! Current XP 0/1000. Ligature ability: Junior Doctor Lower Tier.】

Near the end of the skin closure, his ligature technique unexpectedly reached Level 3.

Now, he possessed two medical skills equivalent to that of a junior doctor—two ace cards for his residency training and recruitment.

With Level-3 suturing and Level-3 ligature, he was even capable of suturing ordinary blood vessels and could attempt challenging nerve anastomosis.

Finally, he placed his last stitch.

The freshly upgraded Level-3 ligature was immediately put to use.

He executed a beautiful and secure square knot.

“Director Liu, the suturing is complete. Please inspect it.”

Respectfully, Zhou Can stepped aside, clearing the prime spot.

Only then did he realize his back was drenched in sweat.

His complete focus during the suturing operation had not only taxed him mentally and physically, but it had also made him sweat profusely.

Yet, the sweat was a small price to pay.

For, as a rookie intern, he had finally completed his first real surgical suturing, bravely taking the first step in his medical career.

Years of study and countless hours of practice were all for the day he could stand on the operating table and save lives.

Though skin suturing isn’t considered a high-level surgical technique, it had opened a promising pathway for him.