CHAPTER 65: 065 MUTUAL FLATTERY

Ma Zichen took the publication. A whirl of emotions churned within him, but envy was predominant as he looked at the article.

However, with just one glance, his eyes fixed, his breathing quickened, and he suddenly felt his limbs go rigid.

Slowly, he turned his head toward Du Heng, his mouth agape, but no words came out.

Then his gaze kept shifting back and forth between the article and Du Heng.

Just then, Wu Buwei finished his call, his exhilaration palpable.

Seeing Ma Zichen’s stunned expression, he laughed heartily. Wu Buwei had just experienced that same feeling. Even after sharing his excitement with his father on the phone, the thrill still coursed through him.

"Are you surprised?" Wu Buwei asked Ma Zichen, smiling.

Ma Zichen nodded blankly.

Wu Buwei patted Ma Zichen’s shoulder. "Don’t believe it?"

Ma Zichen nodded blankly again.

"Calm down. This is all real."

Ma Zichen looked at the silent Du Heng and only after a while did he ask, "Du, is this really me?"

Du Heng smirked. "Is there a problem?"

"But I didn’t do anything?"

"You certainly did. You helped me input over two thousand disease records. There’s no problem with you being listed as the third author."

Ma Zichen’s breathing became noticeably heavier.

Just a month ago, he was the intern with cerebral palsy, an outcast in the intern community, unwanted by anyone. He had been dispatched to a Health Clinic for his internship, considered a dumping ground for the unlucky.

But who could have imagined that in this godforsaken place, he would actually be credited as the third author on two papers in core journals?

With these two authorships, Provincial First Hospital, however I left, that’s how I’ll return.

"Thank you, Du. Thank you, Wu."

Ma Zichen steadied himself on the table, stood up, and bowed sincerely to them both.

Wu Buwei put his arm around Ma Zichen’s shoulder, understanding completely how he felt.

His father was the Director of Pancreatic Surgery, but if Wu Buwei wanted an authorized job, he had no choice but to use methods others might scoff at.

First, he’d secure an authorized job in a lower-tier hospital. Then, his father would use his connections to gradually transfer him to a second-level hospital or even a third-class hospital.

The reasons boiled down to two main points. First, pancreatic surgery wasn’t a sought-after specialty at the Second Hospital. Although his father was the Director and could easily arrange internships there, his influence wasn’t enough if Wu Buwei wanted an authorized job. This was even more true in Big Hospitals, where his father’s connections were even more limited.

Second, Wu Buwei himself hadn’t achieved anything noteworthy during his studies that could bolster his father’s efforts.

Third, all Big Hospitals currently imposed strict limits on authorized positions. Some hospitals might offer a few slots each year for open competition. Others had a clear-cut rule: to get an authorized job, you simply had to reach the deputy senior rank.

Otherwise, even if you were a long-serving attending physician who had worked in the hospital your entire life, you’d still be on a contract.

Some might say that for doctors, having an authorized job doesn’t matter; what’s most important is competence—talented individuals can work anywhere. Besides, hospitals now implement equal pay for equal work, so there’s little difference.

If anyone voiced that opinion to Du Heng and Wu Buwei, they could only scoff.

Take Du Heng for example. As mentioned before, he had a classmate who joined a Class A hospital after graduation. Now, he was a rising star in the orthopedics department of that hospital, but he didn’t have an authorized job.

His monthly salary was more than double Du Heng’s, ranging from 6,000-7,000 to over 10,000 yuan.

However, the biggest issue was that even after five or six years, the funds in his housing provident fund account were less than Du Heng’s. After various deductions, his actual take-home pay each month was only one to two thousand yuan more than Du Heng’s.

This was despite Du Heng being at a First-level health clinic while his classmate was at a third class A hospital. If they were in the same hospital, the disparity would be even more stark.

In the developed southern cities, the importance of an authorized job might be somewhat diminished. However, in the North and the Northwest regions, the difference between having one and not was truly significant.

Now, with Du Heng’s two papers published in core journals, both Wu Buwei and Ma Zichen, as the second and third authors respectively, stood to benefit significantly, though not as much as Du Heng himself.

This was especially true for Wu Buwei, who needed an authorized job and a transfer, and for Ma Zichen, who had been exiled to this internship. For them, it was like receiving charcoal in snowy weather—a desperately needed boon.

So, Wu Buwei’s words came from the heart, as did Ma Zichen’s bow.

Du Heng stood up, walked over, and patted them both on the shoulder. "It’s not such a big deal; it’s just a third authorship. Study hard, treat your patients well, and there will be plenty more opportunities like this. Aim to be the first author next time."

Looking at Ma Zichen, who was still somewhat excited, Du Heng smiled and changed the topic, "Is Dean Song’s office all ready?"

Ma Zichen also made an effort to compose himself. "Yes, we’ve helped move everything into the Dean’s office. Dean Song can start working there normally tomorrow."

Du Heng gestured for them to sit and then returned to his own office desk.

Yesterday, Li Qingde had officially become the Dean of Fanjiaping. Consequently, Song had successfully taken over Li Qingde’s former position, becoming the acting Dean of the Zhonghu Town Health Clinic.

Today, Song had eagerly begun moving his belongings, impatient to occupy the Dean’s office.

Initially, only the Logistics Department was assisting with the move. Du Heng had instructed Ma Zichen to lend a hand as well, to make sure he was visible to Song.

After all, Ma Zichen’s internship report would ultimately be evaluated and graded by the Dean of the Health Clinic. Du Heng could only offer verbal assessments and suggestions.

Once the three of them had settled and their excitement subsided, they began discussing plans for the upcoming May Day vacation.

The Health Clinic wasn’t like Big Hospitals; its staff enjoyed regular holidays.

Thus, they would have the full May Day vacation off, with only one person required to be on duty.

Of course, being on duty merely meant answering the phone and keeping an eye on the place, as the Health Clinic didn’t operate during public holidays.

This time, the Logistics Department was scheduled for duty, so the three of them began planning their respective holiday activities.

Just as they were happily chatting, Song walked in, laughing heartily. "Xiao Du, why didn’t you tell me about such a big thing?"

Song entered, beaming. "If the leader hadn’t called to ask if you were part of our clinic, I’d still be in the dark! Two papers published in core journals! Congratulations, Xiao Du!"

Song was grinning from ear to ear. This young man is a true lucky star!

On my very first day as Dean, he delivers such a huge gift! This is almost too much excitement!

Although the papers were accepted during Li Qingde’s time, they were published during my tenure as Dean! So, the achievement is mine!

Du Heng stood up as a show of respect and said modestly, "Dean Song, you are too kind. This is the result of everyone’s hard work."

Song regarded Du Heng with great satisfaction. This young man is capable and talented, yet so humble and composed. No wonder Li Qingde was willing to help him.

Now that he’s working under me, it’s a fantastic development for me as Dean!

"Xiao Du, May Day is the day after tomorrow. We should have a dinner party tomorrow evening to celebrate your success."

"Dean Song, you’re giving me too much credit. If we’re organizing a get-together, it should be to celebrate your promotion."

"Oh, there’s no need for that. I’m just the acting Dean for now; it’s best not to be too high-profile."

Du Heng was very straightforward. "Dean Song, you’re being too modest. The deanship is definitely yours. If it were anyone else, I’d be the first to object."

"Haha, you sly fellow! Alright, we’ll do as you say, but the main purpose is still to congratulate you."

After some more mutual compliments, Song returned to the main topic. "Xiao Du, now that Director Li has departed, the Deputy Director position is vacant. It’s not good to leave it empty. I see you’re driven, capable, and have publications. You fit the criteria for the policy on cultivating young doctors. I’ve decided to recommend you to the higher-ups for exceptional consideration in the Deputy Director Title Evaluation."