Chapter 63: New Encounters in the Emergency Department

The first to arrive was a female nurse in her mid-thirties. With a round face and burly hands and feet, her build looked surprisingly robust.

“Dr. Xu, you’re still on duty!”

The nurse greeted with a warm smile.

“I ended up chatting with a couple of doctors, so I’m a bit late,” Dr. Xu explained, his eyes turning to the next arrivals.

He glanced at the two who had just entered.

One was Dr. Lu, and the other, a man of average stature with gentle brows that hinted at his age of around forty-five, also bearing a kindly demeanor.

“Dr. Fu sure made it at the perfect time!”

“Haha, Dr. Xu is my senior—arriving late is just impolite! And these two must be the new residents joining the Emergency Department, right?” Dr. Fu chuckled as he casually sized up Zhou Can and Dr. Jin Mingxi.

“This is Dr. Jin Mingxi, and this is Dr. Zhou Can!”

Dr. Xu introduced them with a slight turn of his body.

“Hello, Dr. Fu!”

Both Jin Mingxi and Zhou Can replied in unison.

A sign of respect from the junior members to their senior.

“Haha, hello everyone! I heard our Emergency Department recruited two stellar talents—seeing you in person today truly confirms the buzz!”

Dr. Fu proved to be even more affable than expected.

He was genuinely outgoing.

“Dr. Fu, may I have a word? Zhou Can would love to stick around and learn more—he asked me to put in a good word on his behalf. Could you allow him to gain some hands-on experience in the Operating Room?”

Dr. Xu considered the request and, in a couple of words, deemed it solid.

Whatever Zhou Can asked for, once promised, was taken to heart.

Having such a down-to-earth superior was definitely Zhou Can’s good fortune.

Many senior doctors tend to be aloof and unapproachable in front of newcomers. Even asking for a favor or seeking medical advice would depend solely on their whims.

“No problem! More hands are always welcome,”

Dr. Fu, ever courteous to Dr. Xu, didn’t hesitate and agreed cheerfully.

“Since Dr. Xu thinks he’s ready for further training, he must have faith in his surgical abilities. I’ve also heard that Dr. Zhou has already made significant contributions to the Emergency Department within just two days. Spare no details, so I know exactly what I’m dealing with.”

Dr. Fu’s smile faded.

His tone took on a much more serious note.

It was a clear message to Dr. Xu that the introduction had to be candid, without any exaggerations.

“He’s diligent enough. His suturing skills and basic work are on par with a resident of two or three years. Sure, his surgical experience is lacking, but his diagnostic abilities are outstanding. In short, see it for yourself—if he’s not up to par, you can halt his training at any time.”

Dr. Xu’s appraisal of Zhou Can was rather conservative.

It was for the benefit of both sides.

If anything were to go wrong, the introducer would share some responsibility.

“Alright!”

Dr. Fu now felt reassured.

Dr. Xu led Dr. Jin Mingxi and the others out towards the Operating Room.

“Goodbye, Dr. Zhou!”

Qiao Yu waved farewell to Zhou Can.

Having gotten to know him better, she found herself admiring her peer even more; their rapport had deepened over two days of collaboration.

“Bye!”

Zhou Can returned her wave with a bright, beaming smile.

“By the way, I’m on night duty tomorrow. Once I tally up the cost of my bubble tea, could you send the money to my phone?” Laughing, she pulled out her phone and tapped a few times on the screen. “Scan this and add me as a friend.”

Dr. Lu’s gaze lingered on Qiao Yu ever since he stepped into the Operating Room.

Seeing Qiao Yu proactively ask to be added on WeChat made his somewhat effeminate features flush with jealousy on the spot.

Yet, the man was shrewd.

Suppressing his envy without rushing in angrily,

he took a deep breath and, almost like a performer executing a quick-change in a Sichuan opera, forced his anger down. A slightly strained smile appeared on his face.

He then whipped out his phone and edged closer.

“Qiao Yu, aren’t you working on your thesis? Why not add me too? Any surgical questions you have, just text me. With my experience as a senior resident, I guarantee your paper will pass with flying colors.”

Dr. Lu’s nerve was impressively thick when pursuing a girl.

At least, his excuse wasn’t half-bad.

It was a legitimate reason that wouldn’t leave him looked down upon.

“Thank you, Dr. Lu, for your kind offer. I know you’re usually busy, so I feel bad interrupting. But haven’t you already added Dr. Zhou as a friend? The same applies for consulting on surgical matters!”

Qiao Yu smiled in gratitude at Dr. Lu, though her phone screen had naturally dimmed.

“Uh, well…” Dr. Lu tried to add more, hoping to salvage his pitch.

“Goodbye, Dr. Lu!”

She waved goodbye with a smile.

Leaving behind nothing but her graceful silhouette.

Dr. Lu’s expression was like that of a student certain of his exam results, only to look up and see a shocking score—his hopes drenched by a bucket of cold water.

One can only imagine the taste of that disappointment.

Zhou Can almost burst out laughing at his dejected look.

These days, girls had mastered the art of giving the ‘friend zone’ card. Faced with undesired suitors, they courteously handed it out with a smile.

Or, like Yang Chan, they would subtly let them down.

Although Dr. Lu didn’t manage to add Qiao Yu on WeChat, he wasn’t ready to give up. His wits, after all, were sharp.

He then turned to Zhou Can.

“Dr. Zhou, didn’t you add Qiao Yu on WeChat? Could you share her contact card with me?”

Such a request was audacious coming from him.

Was he treating Zhou Can like some pushover? They were all single, yet he assumed Zhou Can would just hand over his catch.

One couldn’t fathom where that arrogance and self-assuredness came from.

“Aren’t you looking to hone your medical skills? In the future, I can offer you some guidance.”

Seeing Zhou Can hesitate, Dr. Lu immediately sweetened the deal.

Zhou Can nearly chuckled out a pig’s snort upon hearing him.

Dr. Lu’s level was something Zhou Can knew all too well. Who knew who might end up teaching whom?

“I’m sorry, but out of respect and protection for women, I can’t agree to your request. If you really want to add her, I can pass the message along. With your striking looks and your reputation as a seasoned resident at Tuyu Hospital, I’m sure she’ll seriously consider it.”

After all, a ‘friend zone’ card costs nothing, and Zhou Can handed one over without hesitation.

Better not offend a gentleman than to provoke a petty person.

He preferred to avoid upsetting such individuals at all costs.

When it came to recommending Qiao Yu’s WeChat contact, he drew a firm line.

“Alright, then please put in a good word for me, Dr. Zhou. If it works out, I’ve got your back in the future,” Dr. Lu declared with a haughty air.

He painted a rosy picture for the newcomer.

But he failed to realize that with Dr. Xu as his mentor, Zhou Can didn’t really need a half-hearted resident like him to back him up.

Sometimes, you just need to speak plainly.

Zhou Can readily agreed.

“Liu Xia, get ready for surgery! Dr. Lu, you’ll assist me while Dr. Zhou stands by to learn. If anything is unclear, just ask me at any time.”

Dr. Fu then outlined a series of surgical arrangements.

Although he had heard glowing reviews of Zhou Can’s performance, not having witnessed his skills firsthand, he remained particularly cautious when delegating surgical tasks.

Zhou Can understood completely.

Such matters simply couldn’t be rushed. Trust had to be built step by step.

Dr. Fu had already done a great service by letting him observe and allowing him to ask questions whenever needed.

Before long, surgical cases began streaming in relentlessly.

Mostly minor, first-level procedures.

Occasionally, a second-level hemorrhoidectomy would be considered a high-grade surgery.

Zhou Can observed carefully, absorbing every detail of Dr. Fu’s techniques and methods.

Every doctor had his own distinct surgical style.

Dr. Fu’s approach was rather forceful.

In contrast, Dr. Xu’s style was more delicate—possibly honed by past mishaps, keeping him ever cautious.

After watching four operations in a row, Zhou Can had a pretty clear picture of Dr. Fu’s surgical prowess.

Compared to Dr. Xu, it left a lot to be desired.

For someone in his forties, his skills barely reached the level of an attending physician.

The roster of doctors in the Emergency Department was truly a mixed bag.

It felt as though the entire Emergency Department was a sort of dumping ground, crowded with the elderly, infirm, and ailing from other departments.