The Surgeon’s Studio

Chapter 292: The Way of the Dragon (Part 4 of 4)

Officer Director Ding calmed down somewhat after a few minutes.

He struggled hard to tamp down his many questions and tried to continue conversing with Department Chief Kong.

Doubt soaking his words, he asked, “Chief Kong, is Dr. Zheng not needed in Imperial Capital to continue work on prostate interventional surgery?”

“Well, yes, but during the demonstrative surgery, I discovered that he was very good at the differential diagnoses of nodular hepatocellular carcinoma, which is why I decided to work with Mr. Zheng on another study.” Department Chief Kong’s voice was full of pride.

Truly he was akin to the expert horse tamer Bo Le[1], his sharp eyes discerning the extraordinary from the mundane.

His satisfaction and sense of accomplishment were through the roof.

Even though Zheng Ren was not one of his students, the man still owed him a favor.

Department Chief Kong did not consider his visit to Sea City uncalled for. Even Professor Rudolf Wagner had not stayed in Imperial Capital to wait for Zheng Ren; it was better to come in person to express his sincerity.

Ding Zhongtai stayed mum. He could tell that Department Chief Kong was gloating.

Nothing more needed to be said.

He cursed internally. Liu Tianxing, you b*stard! Go wherever you want for treatment!

He would not stick out his own neck any further.

Also, he was going to cut the man off from now onwards.

Ding Zhongtai had been present the whole time during Professor Moriyu’s live surgery and knew about the whole ordeal.

He was aware of Liu Tianxing and Director Fu’s cover-up, but back then, who was willing to offend an executive deputy director and a department chief to bring justice to a few young doctors?

The doctor was of extraordinary skill?

So what?

In a place like Sea City, a dragon would have to coil up; a tiger, crouch down.

He had never expected a dragon to get its way in Sea City General Hospital.

Director Fu had denied Old Chief Physician Pan’s multiple requests for those young doctors.

Ding Zhongtai had kept this from Director Xiao since it was not under his purview; his main priority was to serve Director Xiao and occasionally report things that he wanted the man to know.

If there ever was a dragon in Sea City General Hospital, it could only be Old Chief Physician Pan.

He was already old and focused mainly on the emergency ward, thus he was no threat.

Now, there was another one.

Ding Zhongtai knew that he had to change tactics upon returning to his office. His demeanor became serious.

For the remainder of the journey, he was restless, managing only a few friendly exchanges with Department Chief Kong and keeping silent for the rest of it.

When they reached the airport, Ding Zhongtai woke Zheng Ren up.

Zheng Ren had been sleeping like the dead—he was confused upon opening his eyes and realizing he was already at their destination.

Chief Kong’s smile embarrassed him. He apologized profusely, but Department Chief Kong dismissed it, choosing instead to reaffirm Zheng Ren’s surgery schedule and specifying that the payment for each surgery would follow the specialist rate.

The money for this would be taken from the research grant.

Department Chief Kong did not reveal the exact amount of the grant and Zheng Ren did not bother to ask.

They accompanied Department Chief Kong to the security gate after claiming his boarding pass, and when the man disappeared from view, Zheng Ren yawned and turned to leave.

Ding Zhongtai decided to poke around. “Little Zheng, how long have you known Chief Kong?”

“About half a month,” Zheng Ren answered lethargically.

“…” The answer confirmed Ding Zhongtai’s speculations. He kept quiet, thoughts racing through his mind.

How would he emphasize the fact that he had done the man a favor?

Zheng Ren felt much better after his nap and was contemplating whether or not to regularly consume the energy elixir.

He was still worried about its side effects, if there were any at all. The System was certainly of no help in this regard.

What a dilemma.

After much thought, Zheng Ren chose to err on the side of caution and avoid taking the elixir unless he absolutely had to.

He would just have to endure his shifts as a chief resident.

Since he was still young, short naps ought to be able to pull him through.

When they entered the airport highway, Ding Zhongtai’s phone rang.

He glanced at it briefly before rejecting the call.

“Safety comes first while driving,” Ding Zhongtai said, laughing.

Zheng Ren nodded.

Any other physician in the office director’s car would be busy sucking up to Ding Zhongtai, and he had never had to confront a situation this awkward.

His face darkened, but his phone rang again before his anger could be unleashed.

He dismissed it… and it rang again.

Ding Zhongtai cautiously activated his car’s hazard lights and stopped at the side of the road to answer the call.

“Office Director Ding, Director Fu has just resigned!” the office clerk shouted from the other end.

“…” Ding Zhongtai’s expression froze for a second before he smiled and said, “Noted.”

He then hung up.

The drive back resumed. Ding Zhongtai hid his inner turmoil behind the unwavering smile on his face.

Zheng Ren was staring out of the car window, bored by the endless snow-covered plains.

The tiredness crept back as he watched the scenery go by.

Ding Zhongtai was first to break the silence. “Little Zheng, I’m sure you are aware that Old Chief Physician Pan fought to get you guys.”

“Huh?” Zheng Ren was caught off guard, answering in a daze, “The hospital was short-handed since there were no new staff.”

“You’re a young and talented professional; you deserve to enjoy greater flexibility and convenience.” Officer Director Ding smiled and said, “I’ve always wanted to transfer a few more people over, but because someone got in the way, my request didn’t go through. Department Chief Kong had just criticized me for that. Upon my return… I will bring it up to Director Xiao again.”

Zheng Ren did not respond.

“Don’t worry. Even though the hospital is short-handed, with my assistance, I can still get you a few staff.” Officer Director Ding’s words were so sincere, it was as if he had been moved by his own gesture. “You’re the hope of our hospital. Old Chief Physician Pan also does not have it easy; he was rehired after retirement just to build the emergency department. You guys have suffered all this while.”

“No worries, we’re fine.” Zheng Ren interrupted Officer Director Ding midway, afraid to make any further promises or deals with the devil.

Little Zheng seemed to not understand the rules of social etiquette very well.

Ding Zhongtai kept the thought to himself.

However, it was easier to get on the good side of someone who was so learned that they lost out in every other human aspect.

“As you know, it’s difficult to do that in our hospital.” Out of habit, Ding Zhongtai redirected the conversation to how much trouble he had gone through for Zheng Ren.

It was the safest way of insinuating a favor.

Under normal circumstances, Zheng Ren should be thanking him politely. Those more theatrical would even shed tears of gratitude.

However… Why was Zheng Ren not saying anything?

Officer Director Ding stole a glance at Zheng Ren as he drove.

His chest almost exploded with anger.

This little doctor, Zheng Ren had f*cking fallen asleep again!

[1] Bo Le was a horse tamer in the Spring and Autumn Period, and the legendary inventor of equine physiognomy (“judging a horse’s qualities from appearance”). By studying the body of a horse, Bo Le was apparently able to assess its hidden capacities with unfailing accuracy.