The Surgeon’s Studio

Chapter 253: Poaching (Part 2 of 5)

Hua Yingying stood by the river, a desolate expression on her face. The cold winds blew by mercilessly.

The monotonous dial tone on her phone mocked her.

She had gotten the news from a client regarding the prostate interventional embolization surgery in Imperial Capital. They had completed the surgery in the morning and the execution was rumored to be perfect.

Another insider told her Changfeng Microinvasive Surgery’s interventional surgery materials were being adopted throughout hospitals in Imperial Capital.

There was a blank look on Hua Yingying’s face. The wind had messed up her hair but she paid it no heed.

Her current situation was akin to that of a rebel from the 1949 Chinese Revolution who had failed to escape to Taiwan…

She had been defeated by that useless Feng Xuhui?

The thought of Feng Xuhui’s innocent and clueless expression made her blood boil.

How frustrating!

She was resourceful, competent and presentable. How had she lost to a rookie like him?

Hua Yingying looked into Huangpu River and saw Feng Xuhui looking back at her.

Go to hell! With all her might, she threw her phone at the illusion.

Everything she did was futile.

The phone fell into Huangpu River with a subdued splash.

Utterly defeated, she sat down by the river and let her tears fall.

…

…

Zheng Ren had a headache.

With the surgery over, he had expected to be able to return to Sea City within two or three days. All that was left to do was to observe the patient’s post-surgery condition.

His job was done and he could finally rest. He wanted to stay in his room, read some novels and chat with Xie Yiren.

Unfortunately, reality was not as kind.

Once the patient had been wheeled back to the wards, Department Chief Kong caught ahold of Zheng Ren and would not let him go.

By lunchtime, more than half of the city’s interventional surgery department chiefs had congregated in Imperial Capital General’s Small Stove Canteen.

They had heard rumors of the surgery and were intrigued.

Such a perfect surgery deserved praise and recognition.

In future international meetings, they could stand a little taller in front of those prideful foreigners.

The place was filled with merry conversation and laughter.

The smile on Zheng Ren’s face had frozen in place as his mind buzzed.

He had wanted the completion of the surgery to be a happy epilogue to his time in Imperial Capital, but now, he felt nothing but exasperation.

It would be more bearable to continue performing surgeries than to sit here and watch Su Yun mingle with these department chiefs. There was alcohol and raucous laughter amidst all the conversation.

To him, surgery was the best pastime.

All these lively social encounters were more Su Yun’s repertoire.

Zheng Ren disliked them immensely.

Department Chief Kong returned Zheng Ren’s side, the smell of alcohol lingering on his breath. With a smile, he said, “Little Zheng, you should be more sociable.”

“Yes, you’re right, Chief Kong,” Zheng Ren replied, nodding.

It was a perfunctory answer. Zheng Ren was tired physically and emotionally; this whole social engagement was more tiring than performing ten surgeries with a lead apron on.

Department Chief Kong seemed unperturbed by Zheng Ren’s muted response and chuckled.

“How many have approached you with an offer?” the old man asked.

“Huh?”

“The people who want to interview you. Little Zheng,” Department Chief Kong’s face turned serious as he continued his speech, “we’re both close and I’ve asked you about this before. You declined then, but if you ever wish to come to Imperial Capital, contact me. I promise I’ll match whatever remuneration and benefits offered by the other party.”

Zheng Ren frowned at Department Chief Kong.

“How many? I saw some people talking in hushed voices with you.”

“About five. Some offered me a research studentship, some offered to let me lead a project,” Zheng Ren replied faintly.

A leadership position… Department Chief Kong had not expected someone to make such a grand offer in order to poach Zheng Ren.

Project leads in hospitals had consequential clout.

It was a prestigious role that required a not-insignificant level of popularity, technical skill and resources. A slight shortcoming in any of those would immediately disqualify one from it.

Each position was highly coveted.

However, someone was using this position to poach Zheng Ren right under his nose! Department Chief Kong was offended by such an unscrupulous move.

In the old man’s mind, Zheng Ren was operating under his banner.

Resentment rose in Department Chief Kong and he whispered, “I can offer you a lead professor role. I can’t guarantee you’ll take my place one day, but when I retire, I will definitely tell my people to support your claim.”

Zheng Ren was dumbfounded.

He had never encountered a situation like this before. An offer to lead a project and potentially become a department chief in Imperial Capital?

It was beyond his imagination.

Although he had reached Prime rank in interventional surgery, he did not have illusions of grandeur.

That rank alone did not guarantee him success in Imperial Capital.

Zheng Ren had spent more than 10 years in the field. He had seen and heard many things.

When a department chief retired, the fight for the position was vicious and brutal.

Back when the world was less regulated, there had even been violence.

Deaths and maiming had happened in the past.

Nowadays, the moral standard of society had improved significantly and condemned acts of violence. Rumors spread like wildfire, so subordinates were careful with their bid for power. Nominated figures would often be scrutinized—all their skeletons dragged out of the closet and paraded in public.

Why would he, an orphan with no resources or support, try for the position? Technical skill was important in surgery but was only one of many factors when climbing the hierarchical ladder.

Zheng Ren believed Sea City General Hospital was good enough for him.

Were he to leave Sea City, he would aim for a position in newly-built Class Three Grade A hospitals. He did not want to compete with others for positions in more established places.

Money was an instigator of chaos. He had seen threats of violence being hurled at others as fans competed for the top spot on the novel platform that he used. He wished to stay far away from such conflict in life.

Department Chief Kong studied the prudent expression on Zheng Ren’s face and laughed. “If you wish to stay in Sea City, that is your choice, but you have to come when I invite you for a surgery.”

“Chief Kong, don’t you worry. I am more than willing to come and help with any breakthroughs in the field. As for the research write-ups, Su Yun will take care of it,” Zheng Ren answered truthfully.

His words satisfied Department Chief Kong and he steered their conversation to the more mundane.

The lunch lasted three hours.

Zheng Ren visited the patient, who was in a stable condition and felt minimal pain, as expected. Finally, he dragged his tired body back to his accommodation with Su Yun to get his well-deserved rest.

There was a middle-aged man in a suit waiting at the accommodation block entrance. At the sight of Zheng Ren, he approached with a warm smile that stood out amidst the cold winds. “Boss Zheng, we finally meet!”