CHAPTER 29: CHAPTER 29: PRELUDE

After lunch, Zhao Heng returned to the surgery rest room.

As soon as Zhao Heng entered the resting room, he saw Xu Man Ni sitting alone, looking somewhat displeased.

Seeing Xu Man Ni like this, Zhao Heng naturally knew why she was unhappy.

But Zhao Heng knew for sure that Xu Man Ni was competing with Song Chen, he didn’t consider himself charming enough to be the reason.

"Your competitor has arrived."

Xu Man Ni suddenly said to Zhao Heng.

Although she was a bit angry, she still wanted to remind Zhao Heng.

"The one who sat next to you earlier?"

Zhao Heng recalled that during lunch in the canteen, a scholarly looking man with glasses, sitting next to Xu Man Ni, seemed of high quality.

"Yes, the dean’s nephew, a returning PhD, named Yin Jian."

Xu Man Ni said in a somewhat annoyed tone.

"Yin Jian?"

Hearing this name, Zhao Heng felt a bit strange.

"Isn’t that just perfect, Xu Sis, don’t you like that type?"

After pausing, Zhao Heng laughed again and said.

"I’ve seen many like him."

Xu Man Ni said indifferently.

Originally, she wanted to remind Zhao Heng, but since her anger hadn’t yet subsided, she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

"Then it seems I really can’t compare."

Zhao Heng also said with a smile.

"Do you also realize you can’t compare?"

Xu Man Ni saw Zhao Heng’s gentle smile and wanted to punch him, but seeing he wasn’t dejected or self-mocking, she felt relieved.

If Zhao Heng were the timid type, she wouldn’t care for him as much as she did.

"He’s the dean’s nephew, a returning PhD, what do I have to compare with him? But being on the operating table, that’s a different story."

Zhao Heng said half-jokingly.

He never thought of competing with this Yin Jian outside. With no background, what could he use to compete?

So, the real contest is on the operating table.

As long as Yin Jian’s skills haven’t surpassed the major department heads of Eastern Hospital, Zhao Heng was confident he wouldn’t be outperformed.

Actually, becoming an assistant wasn’t that important.

As long as everyone knew Zhao Heng was better than Yin Jian, even if he didn’t get the assistant position, it would be a victory in defeat.

"You’re quite tough..."

Upon hearing this, Xu Man Ni’s anger at Zhao Heng suddenly vanished.

Thinking about Yin Jian’s face earlier, if Zhao Heng was outdone by such a person, Xu Man Ni felt she’d have nightmares for a long time.

"Without a dean uncle, without money to study abroad, if I’m not tough, wouldn’t I be trampled into dust?"

Zhao Heng joked half-seriously.

He wasn’t self-pitying — life is about striving!

As he said, without better backgrounds, if he didn’t rely on himself, he would truly be trodden into dust.

Hearing this, Xu Man Ni was momentarily taken aback and felt an indescribable emotion welling up inside.

Facing whatever comes. Life was always about such straightforwardness for Zhao Heng!

"Need help?"

Xu Man Ni suddenly asked.

"I couldn’t wish for more, Xu Sis!"

Hearing Xu Man Ni say this, Zhao Heng agreed without hesitation.

"Tch~ I thought you might be embarrassed, make some polite refusal or something."

Xu Man Ni chuckled.

Her mood suddenly improved.

"If Xu Sis wants to help, why would I refuse?"

Zhao Heng also laughed.

What’s the worth of pride and dignity?!

"Alright, I’ll keep an eye out for you."

Xu Man Ni nodded.

"Thanks a lot, Xu Sis. But how should I repay you? You see, aside from marrying you, it seems I have nothing else to offer."

Zhao Heng joked teasingly.

"Marrying you? I help you, yet you want such a great advantage, don’t you feel ashamed? Besides, Dr. Song values you very much."

Xu Man Ni rolled her eyes at Zhao Heng, not taking it seriously.

"Those are all rumors."

Zhao Heng waved his hand.

Thoughts of love and romance, at least you need to be well-fed, with a house and car to think about that.

After all, he has his priorities, Zhao Heng didn’t think this process would take too long.

"What if Song Chen really likes you, I mean hypothetically, what would you do?"

Xu Man Ni continued to ask.

"No hypotheticals, there are no such things as hypotheticals, Xu Sis, I need to get back to work."

Zhao Heng didn’t answer such questions; he disliked answering ambiguous ones.

After finishing, Zhao Heng left the rest room; he had many things to do today.

Watching Zhao Heng walk out, Xu Man Ni suddenly felt a bit muddled.

She quietly sighed.

Leaving the rest room, Zhao Heng headed directly to the operating room.

The afternoon surgeries were fully booked.

Upon entering the operating room, Gao Jun was already there, the patient hadn’t been brought in yet, and Gao Jun was fiddling with various instruments.

Seeing Zhao Heng enter, Gao Jun glanced at him and casually asked, "You know already, right?"

"Know what?"

Zhao Heng felt puzzled by Gao Jun’s abrupt question.

"Yin Jian, didn’t Xu Man Ni tell you?"

Gao Jun said.

"Yes."

Zhao Heng nodded.

"For now, just focus on preparing for the anesthesiologist exams, no need to worry about other things."

Gao Jun earnestly instructed Zhao Heng.

He must know something about this Yin Jian, which is why he advised Zhao Heng as such.

"Is this Yin Jian difficult to deal with?"

Both Xu Man Ni and Gao Jun mentioned him. Zhao Heng became somewhat curious about this person.

"His reputation wasn’t good even during his studies here. Just do as I say."

Gao Jun shook his head slightly.

"Teacher, how do you know so much?"

Zhao Heng asked again.

"We were in the same class, from the same school. How could I not know?"

Gao Jun said.

"Alright, enough about that. Today you’ll lead the anesthesia for this patient, relax, I’ll monitor you."

Pausing, Gao Jun continued.

Clearly, he didn’t want to talk further about Yin Jian.

"Understood, teacher."

Zhao Heng nodded, but after hearing reminders from both Xu Man Ni and Gao Jun, he now had a vague impression of this Yin Jian.

"What’s the surgery later?"

Zhao Heng asked again.

"It’s an acute abdomen case, exploratory laparotomy."

Gao Jun answered succinctly.

Acute abdomen cases are quite common in emergencies, and the anesthesia difficulty isn’t high. In his view, Zhao Heng’s skills are enough, and with him overseeing, there shouldn’t be any issues.

"Got it."

Zhao Heng nodded, feeling reassured. If it were something like cardiac valve repair anesthesia, he might still find it challenging.

After following Gao Jun for just this period, there’s still experience to be gained from him.

If it’s a standard acute abdomen anesthesia, Zhao Heng felt it was manageable.