Healing Doctor

Chapter 24 Life, Hairy Crab

The stamina value displayed in the system panel in the upper right corner of the field of view is approaching zero.

Ji Xiang felt exhausted, even more tired than if he had run two full marathons in one go.

He thought, "Let me sleep for a while." His eyes closed heavily, as if filled with lead, but then Ji Xiang suddenly remembered something and opened them again.

He struggled to pull out his phone and dialed a number without looking at the screen.

"mom."

"What's wrong?"

A woman's voice came from the other end of the phone.

If you only listen to the voice, almost everyone would think it's a young girl; the sweet and soft voice is warm and youthful.

"I need a set of surgical equipment, and also a handbag suture machine."

"The equipment... do you need an operating room?" Ji Xiang's mother asked casually, as if she were asking what they were having for lunch.

"No need for all that trouble, I can practice surgery at home. Just need the suture kit; I'll let you know if you need anything else." Ji Xiang's eyes were already closing; he struggled to stay conscious. "Mom, I'm going to sleep."

"Is being a doctor that tiring? Something feels off about you lately...."

Before Ji Xiang's mother could finish speaking, the phone call ended, and Ji Xiang fell asleep almost immediately.

"I'm so tired," was Ji Xiang's last thought.

……

……

After get off work, Mo Chenggui and Wang Daxiao, who were in charge of the outpatient department this week, informed their families and invited Deng Chaohong.

For the professors leading the training groups at the Second Affiliated Hospital, the entrance exam for resident trainees is a minor matter; they can simply exchange a word, while inviting them to dinner is a more formal affair.

But neither Mo Chenggui nor Colonel Wang wanted anything to go wrong in this matter.

The restaurant was small, with no storefront or sign.

In previous years, we did some things here that we couldn't say directly. In the past ten years or so, animal protection laws have been implemented, and the restaurant really suffered a period of decline.

However, the customer base remained, and after hiring a top-notch chef, the restaurant's business improved again.

The earthen kang (heated brick bed), the small dining table, and the feeling of taking off your shoes and sitting cross-legged on the kang—it all evokes a sense of retro nostalgia.

"Old Mo, I'm not used to you going to such lengths," Deng Chaohong said with a smile.

"Of course." Mo Chenggui handed Deng Chaohong a cigarette and lit it.

"That kid you've got your eye on is too conspicuous," Deng Chaohong said bluntly, not bothering to hide anything.

"Old Deng, you're being so rude. 'A show-off attracts attention,' but Dr. Ji is very proper," Colonel Wang said. "You should say he's stood out, or that gold always shines."

Deng Chaohong shook his head. "Let me put it this way, Dean Zhao's son is also in this batch of residents for standardized training, you know that, right?"

"I know, didn't I tell you? The first day was for us to go on stage and get a feel for things, just to give Zhao Tianjiao a chance," Colonel Wang said. "Old Mo is stubborn and doesn't want to talk to Dean Zhao. I performed the surgery, and it turned out I saw a diamond in the rough..."

When the words "uncut jade" were mentioned, Colonel Wang paused for a moment and exchanged glances with Mo Chenggui.

Is he a rough gem? It seems that Ji Xiang has already become a masterpiece before I've even had a chance to polish him.

"Zhao Tianjiao's first rotation during his residency was in orthopedics, and I was his mentor," Deng Chaohong said casually.

Uh……

Mo Chenggui and Colonel Wang exchanged glances and nodded, confirming their guess.

This sounds a bit far-fetched, but Deng Chaohong is indeed a top orthopedic surgeon, and he has connections and influence in the province.

Other provincial-level renowned doctors are just a gimmick, but Professor Deng is a genuine provincial-level renowned doctor.

But for Dean Zhao, there were many choices, so why Deng Chaohong?

"Old Deng, when did you get in touch with Dean Zhao?" Colonel Wang's eyes became much more intense.

"Don't even mention it. Originally, it was supposed to be our Director Sui who was in charge." Deng Chaohong sighed. "Later, it was said that Dean Zhao's wife and son were very loving, so she had someone calculate their birth charts. Director Sui was said to be incompatible with Zhao Tianjiao, and only my birth chart was compatible with his."

"!!!"

"!!!"

Mo Chenggui and Colonel Wang looked at each other, unsure of what to say.

This reason is so absurd! It's not like it's a wedding, why would they need to calculate your birth chart? This is just ridiculous!

However, Colonel Wang immediately laughed, "Old Deng, if you don't want to take Zhao Tianjiao with you, you can buy him a pair of Nikes."

"If he doesn't want to wear Nike shoes, I'll buy him a Buick instead," Mo Chenggui added.

Deng Chaohong had initially intended to show off, but the two men's banter, which resembled a stand-up comedy routine, made him burst into laughter.

"You two work together quite well. No wonder you wouldn't take on two teams and just stayed together."

"What's the benefit of leading two teams?" Colonel Wang said dismissively. "There's too much work in the department, and it doesn't pay well. It also delays our surgeries outside. Why bother? I'm perfectly fine as Lao Mo's assistant."

"Who looks like someone from your orthopedics department, all fat and greasy?" Mo Chenggui added.

Deng Chaohong sighed and shook his head, "That's all in the past..."

He only said half a sentence before abruptly stopping, "That kid named Ji Xiang seems to come from a wealthy family. The little bit of surgery fees you guys earn from practicing in multiple locations are probably not worth their time."

"Who would complain about money?" Colonel Wang scoffed. "Besides, which new clinical student doesn't enjoy performing surgery? I think Dr. Ji's surgeries are quite skilled; he probably put in a lot of effort during his internship."

Professor Deng glanced at the two of them and saw that they genuinely hadn't noticed. He wasn't sure what to say about such a thing, and besides, he didn't believe the bicycle was really worth that much money, so he stopped there.

"Old Deng, you said you'd be in charge of Zhao Tianjiao, does that mean you'll be performing a lot of surgeries?" Mo Chenggui asked.

"Yes, that's for sure. Anyone coming from our orthopedics department needs to be skilled at suturing skin. For minor surgeries, like clavicle fractures, we'll need to schedule one or two. But it also depends on the child's skill level."

"And then go out for further studies?" Colonel Wang said. "I'm figuring out that they're not after your birth chart, but rather your resources in the capital."

"Not necessarily. Dean Zhao can just say whatever he wants. Why would I refuse over something like this? There's no need to bring up horoscopes. Maybe we're just destined to be together? Right?"

Colonel Wang and Professor Mo both glanced at Deng Chaohong.

Deng Chaohong wasn't embarrassed. Taking care of someone else's child was no different. If he could become Dean Zhao's son's teacher, his future path would be smoother.

These are all facts, there's nothing to be ashamed of.

"Orthopedics is good," Colonel Wang sighed. "Everyone used to say that urology was easy, with no emergency surgeries, so I chose that, but I ended up on a sinking ship."

"It's good that there aren't as many emergency surgeries as usual, but fewer emergency cases are a good thing. Unlike our orthopedics department, where we handle emergency cases like crazy."

In orthopedics, even in emergencies, patients rarely need to be called in that same night, and the reasons for this are well-known.

It's no fun to talk about things that are understood but not spoken aloud.

"You all think so highly of that young man, are you planning to drag him over to be your slave?" Deng Chaohong asked.

"If we're prepared from the beginning, and if we're quick to learn and progress, it will benefit both of us over these three years. Who knows, we might even become colleagues in the future?"

Professor Mo was somewhat annoyed when the topic came up.

Seeing that Mo Chenggui spoke in a muffled voice, Deng Chaohong was somewhat puzzled. "And then?"

"That kid's skill level is too high, I don't think we can afford to use him..."

Even a high level of skill has become a source of confusion, which Deng Chaohong finds somewhat perplexing.

"Old Deng, let me tell you this, Dr. Ji's surgical skills are no worse than mine."

Deng Chaohong's eyes widened. Colonel Wang's evaluation was not just high, it was extremely high, to the point that Deng Chaohong could not believe it.

"Private hospitals do a lot of surgeries, and the Mexicans are so old-fashioned. If it were me, I'd do any kind of surgery," Colonel Wang said. "Even if it's just for specific indications, we can't keep up with all the circumcisions, and there's also lengthening surgery."

Now, the trend has taken off, and my brother and I are riding the wave to make some money.

"There's nothing to be ashamed of in earning money with your skills. Old Mo just isn't very bright. If he can get breast augmentation, why can't he get breast lengthening surgery? If you don't do it, plenty of others will," Deng Chaohong said. He was more interested in Ji Xiang.

"Being a doctor isn't easy. Everyone says it's about healing the sick and saving lives, and selflessly dedicating oneself," Colonel Wang said disdainfully. "What kind of nonsense is this about working like a bee, painstakingly making honey and sacrificing for humanity? What's the reality?"

"The person who said that is utterly shameless. Why don't you go into a beehive and collect honey without wearing beekeeping gear? Is that selfless dedication? That's outright robbery!"

As Colonel Wang spoke, the words "dirty" unconsciously began to appear in his speech.

"I'm just destined to work hard, but I think it's alright," Deng Chaohong advised.

"I don't care about the work, it's just that I can't stand that nonsense," Colonel Wang said indignantly. "Earning a little money with my skills and still getting criticized, what kind of nonsense is this?"

"Professor Mo, is there anyone else here? I'm starting to prepare the hairy crabs." The restaurant owner walked in carrying a basin full of live hairy crabs.

They struggled, seemingly aware of their fate, trying to escape from the jaws of death.

However, fate has already been decided, leaving them no room to struggle.

"It's just the three of us, let's begin." Professor Mo smiled.

"You're talking about hairy crabs," Colonel Wang said cynically. "We're just like hairy crabs."

"Before I died, I was put in clean water and starved for a few days to expel waste. Then I was tied up and scrubbed with a big brush until I was covered in wounds. Then I was doused with white wine and sprinkled with salt before being placed on a steamer."

That's not all. Just to prevent the crab legs from falling off due to the large temperature difference, the owner doesn't steam them directly with boiling water. Instead, he uses cold water, letting the crabs suffer before the water boils, unable to struggle at all, dying without any dignity.

Deng Chaohong swallowed hard. "Colonel Wang, stop talking. You're making me hungry. Add some aged vinegar, and it'll smell delicious."

"Hahaha." Professor Mo laughed awkwardly, "Let's not talk about that. Old Deng, you did us a favor, so we're here to express our gratitude."

Professor Mo opened a bottle of Xifeng liquor and filled it to the brim.

"Old Mo, is that kid named Ji Xiang really going to perform surgery?"

"Hmm." Professor Mo nodded. "Although my rational mind tells me it's impossible, I witnessed it with my own eyes. Circumcision under the suture device, Dr. Ji does one every five minutes, like an assembly line."

"Tsk tsk, this is your lucky charm." Deng Chaohong was also a little envious when he heard Mo Chenggui say this.

One surgery every 5 minutes, like an assembly line – it sounds like a myth.

But he knew Mo Chenggui's character very well.

Even when Dean Zhao's son came for residency training and had to go up on stage to experience it, he kept his distance. He was a very upright man and rarely lied.

It's not uncommon for surgeries to be performed like an assembly line, but those are usually top-tier experts who dominate their fields. A mere resident trainee...

Deng Chaohong was very interested in Ji Xiang riding his bicycle.

(End of this chapter)