CHAPTER 38: CHAPTER 38: FIRST TIME AS LEAD SURGEON

Standing on the operating table, fully responsible for a surgery, it was a very peculiar feeling for Zhao Heng.

In the past, he was always watching others perform surgeries—not to mention hosting a surgery, he didn’t even have the qualification to assist.

The two resident doctors were initially a bit disgruntled as to why Zhao Heng, an anesthesiologist, could lead the surgery, but as the procedure progressed, they were astonished.

Because the level of stump repair Zhao Heng displayed, his handling of exposed nerves, vessels, and muscles, seemed almost on par with Li Haiyang in the eyes of these two resident doctors.

Us?

Is this a joke?

The level of performing surgery, even worse than an anesthesiologist?

The two resident doctors fell into deep self-doubt.

Sitting on the side and watching, Li Haiyang’s mind was not at ease either; originally he planned to guide Zhao Heng a little during his surgery.

After all, Zhao Heng is still so young; no matter how talented, he surely lacks experience.

But now, looking at it, huh, it seems there’s really nothing that needs his guidance.

Competence can be improved, but this experience, where did he gain it at such a young age?

The young are indeed formidable!

This was what Li Haiyang thought at the moment.

After about half an hour, Li Haiyang felt well-rested enough, so he stood up and said to Zhao Heng, "Xiao Zhao, let me take over."

Zhao Heng was getting into the flow when he saw Li Haiyang getting up to continue the surgery, feeling slightly regrettable, but he nodded.

"Okay."

Li Haiyang then took over, and the surgery continued.

It could be said that Zhao Heng also led this surgery, though only for half an hour.

But this is still a very good start!

The surgery went on; Zhao Heng’s anesthesia was well done, and with Li Haiyang’s wealth of experience, the surgery proceeded smoothly.

At this moment, the door to the operating room opened, and standing outside was Gao Jun.

"How’s it going?"

Gao Jun came in and stood beside to ask.

"Everything’s smooth, blood potassium levels are normal."

Zhao Heng answered.

"Old Gao, it’s all thanks to Xiao Zhao, otherwise I might have collapsed on the operating table."

Li Haiyang also said.

"That’s good, as long as things are smooth here."

Gao Jun nodded, feeling reassured.

His situation over there was more complex; anesthetizing a high-level paraplegic patient was extremely difficult and risky.

So only until now did he let another anesthesiologist temporarily watch that surgery, giving him a little time to check on Zhao Heng’s side.

In the end, although he had confidence in Zhao Heng, it was still Zhao Heng’s first time independently performing anesthesia.

"Xiao Zhao, did you also do the surgery?"

Suddenly, Gao Jun noticed the surgical attire set aside and couldn’t help but ask Zhao Heng.

"I was too tired, so I let Xiao Zhao take over for a while."

Li Haiyang explained.

"Alright, Xiao Zhao, if there’s anything you can’t handle, just have someone call me from next door."

Gao Jun felt at ease; although slightly displeased with Li Haiyang letting Zhao Heng perform surgery, he didn’t say anything and continued to assist with the operation.

"Xiao Zhao, Old Gao still cares a lot about you."

Li Haiyang naturally noticed Gao Jun’s discontent, as they were quite familiar with each other.

Having known Gao Jun for so long, this was the first time Li Haiyang saw him care so much about someone.

Upon hearing this, the two resident doctors felt even worse inside.

Despite both being PhDs, they were overshadowed by a bachelor’s student in the operating room, merely becoming a backdrop.

Following this, the surgery concluded very smoothly.

Once the surgery ended and the patient was sent back to the ward, Li Haiyang said to Zhao Heng, "Xiao Zhao, thanks to you today, otherwise I might have collapsed on the operating table."

"Is the ER really this short of people now?"

Seeing Li Haiyang’s pale face and fatigued expression, Zhao Heng couldn’t help but ask.

"Not just short, it’s extremely short, there’s no helping it. Actually, it’s not a shortage of doctors; plenty of resident doctors are hired every year. But being a doctor doesn’t mean having a lot of book knowledge will surely make you good at it. Ultimately, it depends on individual aptitude."

Li Haiyang shook his head, a bit helpless.

Nowadays, hospitals, especially top national hospitals like Eastern Hospital, heavily emphasize academic credentials.

The threshold to become a formal doctor at Eastern Hospital has become dauntingly high.

Yet, even with such high requirements, the entire Eastern Hospital still relies on doctors cultivated over the years, like Li Haiyang, to support it.

And now, despite the high academic credentials of doctors, their capabilities often left Li Haiyang sighing.

"It would be great if you could join the ER, Xiao Zhao."

After a pause, Li Haiyang added.

Zhao Heng didn’t say anything when he heard this.

To be honest, his mindset had undergone some subtle changes now.

If it were before, as a barely noticeable surgical assistant, when Song Siming suggested he become the director’s assistant, he would have gratefully and diligently accepted, working tirelessly for it.

But now, after spending time with Gao Jun, Zhao Heng fully realized how great it was to have someone watching his back.

Gao Jun really took great care of him.

"I’m quite happy following the teacher in anesthesiology,"

Zhao Heng said.

"Xiao Zhao, how about I speak with the director? You’re a natural-born surgeon; staying in anesthesiology, to be honest, wastes your talent a bit."

Li Haiyang thought for a while and said; he genuinely felt that although Zhao Heng’s skills in anesthesiology were impressive, he should be performing surgeries to better utilize his talents.

"Even though becoming the director’s assistant isn’t possible anymore, I can still try to get you a contract position in the ER."

After a pause, Li Haiyang added.

"I’m really doing well now."

Zhao Heng shook his head slightly and said.

A contract position in the ER?

The workload is at least double that of a formal doctor, yet the income is less than half!

This is completely different from a contract position in anesthesiology, where one can assist in surgeries, and from the assisting fees alone, one could earn quite a substantial amount each month.

But in the ER?

If performing surgery, only the chief surgeon and formal doctors earn fees for the operation.

ER doctors on contract only get a pitiful consultation fee.

Moreover, to be honest, now even if the director’s assistant position were available, Zhao Heng no longer yearns for it.

"Xiao Zhao, although Old Gao treats you well, he’s ultimately just an attending anesthesiologist; joining the ER would give you greater career prospects."

Li Haiyang advised, clearly wanting Zhao Heng to join the ER.

"Dr. Li, honestly, at first I did want to join the ER, to be an assistant to an expert like Director Song would have been a dream come true. But now I’ve realized, it’s better to keep my feet on the ground."

Zhao Heng spoke calmly.

Compared to Gao Jun’s dedication, in Song Siming’s eyes, Zhao Heng might mean nothing; maybe at some point, he said he valued or praised Zhao Heng, but for such prominent figures, such words are routine in social settings.

Simply put, they like to make empty promises to young people.