Chapter 369: The Satisfaction of The System
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Huh? I don’t know.” Zheng Ren kept a straight face as he spoke. His innocent eyes bore into Ding Zhongtai’s, betraying nothing.
“Little Zheng!” Ding Zhongtai barked sternly.
Zheng Ren’s expression remained stoic. Ding Zhongtai’s loudness and disapproving tone had no effect on the young doctor.
The futility of his approach made Ding Zhongtai change tack. He put on a concerned expression and sighed. “Little Zheng, I’m trying to protect you.”
“Yes, yes. I know. Thank you very much, Office Director Ding,” Zheng Ren said.
This conversation with Ding Zhongtai was going nowhere and Zheng Ren wanted to continue his chat with Xie Yiren. He would rather perform a surgery than be engaged in this hushed conversation with Ding Zhongtai.
“Your attitude clearly shows you do not comprehend the severity of the matter. Let me ask you again, were you responsible for calling in the Provincial Department?” Ding Zhongtai questioned.
“No. I’m sure you know I do not have the background to pull such a stunt,” Zheng Ren answered truthfully.
Ding Zhongtai knew that was true.
If Zheng Ren was someone important, he would not have been threatened with termination from the Professor Moriyu incident.
However, this time around, someone had informed Ding Zhongtai that Zheng Ren was making it hard for the case to progress. They wanted Zheng Ren to step back so this Porsche case could be deflated and buried.
An immediate sentencing was undesirable and they would only accept a suspended sentencing at worst.
Ding Zhongtai had wanted to avoid treading into treacherous waters if he could.
The suspect in this case had committed a crime, and the case was under scrutiny by the province leaders. All Ding Zhongtai could say was that the driver of the Porsche was terribly unlucky.
In another time, this incident would be a trivial matter.
Zheng Ren would have been charged for driving the ambulance into the Porsche.
Ding Zhongtai studied Zheng Ren, hoping to find some clue as to what the young doctor was thinking.
He was disappointed.
Zheng Ren’s eyes remained steady and unwavering.
“Little Zheng, I’m only trying to protect you. Trust me.” Ding Zhongtai pondered on how he should inform the people about this as he tried to convince Zheng Ren. “Yang Lili’s awake now and this horrible incident can soon come to a close. When the leaders’ attention is no longer on the case, who knows what would happen.”
Zheng Ren nodded absentmindedly.
Ding Zhongtai was annoyed at the flippant attitude Zheng Ren was displaying.
There really was nothing he could say to this man.
He cared little about Zheng Ren’s career or life.
After Ding Zhongtai left, Zheng Ren remembered he ought to treat Chu Yanran and Chu Yanzhi to a meal.
The sisters had done him a huge favor that day.
To think he had forgotten about it… He only had himself to blame.
Zheng Ren texted in the groupchat, asking if everyone wanted to have dinner together.
Zheng Ren only cared about the money spent, and so did not participate in the restaurant selection.
Today was Chang Yue’s shift and, after some discussion, everyone decided to move the dinner to tomorrow.
Having one less person meant less fun, especially since Chang Yue was Su Yun’s rival when it came to drinking. Often they would be embroiled in running arguments and drinking matches.
As the texts went on, the clock struck 12.
Just as Zheng Ren was planning to leave for lunch, the emergency department called. There was a patient with acute appendicitis.
‘Oh well, I guess lunch may be forfeited.’
He texted in the group chat to inform the others. If the diagnosis was confirmed, they would have to prepare for surgery.
The group chat was bombarded by lamentations and cries of injustice.
Zheng Ren ignored the bunch of drama queens and pocketed his phone. Although everyone complained about having a case during lunchtime, when push came to shove, each of them did their duty.
The patient, a middle-aged female, was wheeled into the emergency ward. The routine examinations and tests were ordered while Zheng Ren confirmed her diagnosis through the System.
The patient had to fast for a few hours before they could begin.
In the group chat, the few ladies were discussing what to order for delivery. Su Yun walked over to Zheng Ren.
There was a sly smile on Su Yun’s face, which made Zheng Ren cautious. “What’s up?”
Su Yun laughed and said, “The professor is quite an impressive man. We talked about research and he said we can apply for funding for the new TIPS method.”
“Funding?” Zheng Ren had little knowledge about such things.
“On the outside, it’s like a charity fund contributed by big companies like Boston Technologies and Medtronic. This fund aims to help develop methods and techniques relating to interventional surgery. These companies want to keep tabs on what’s happening in the field and through these funds, they can curry favor with the doctors. Boss, congratulations, you’re worthy of their attention!” Su Yun explained.
“Oh.” The mention of money immediately dispelled whatever interest Zheng Ren initially had in the topic.
Dealing with international funds was a complicated matter that Zheng Ren would rather someone else handle as it involved foreign laws.
According to Su Yun, the funding would be from big medical device manufacturers like Boston Technologies and Medtronic. Zheng Ren believed the money would not be given without some stipulations which would work against their favor.
The money was similar to the red packets from patients; Zheng Ren would avoid them if he could.
Su Yun saw the indifference on Zheng Ren’s face and said, “You probably don’t know the amount, right? That’s why you look so disinterested.”
“How much?”
“A few million US dollars, and the whole amount would be yours. If you’re in a good mood, I don’t mind receiving a small share,” Su Yun replied.
‘Wow… That’s a lot of money.’
Zheng Ren was stunned.
“And you won’t have to worry about being threatened by the medical device companies. If Changfeng Microinvasive Surgery heard about this, they would amass at least a million dollars to throw into your research,” Su Yun said.
“Why?”
“The prostate interventional embolization you did back in Imperial Capital was complex, but it was a niche procedure. On the other hand, TIPS surgery is an established procedure, but you made significant improvements to it. Your research will shake the world of interventional surgery.”
“I see.” Zheng Ren was not a big fan of fame.
He was not interested in rankings or renown. In his medical journey thus far, he only paid attention to two things: the benefits to the patient and the satisfaction of the System.
As long as a procedure could benefit the patient, Zheng Ren believed it was justified.
As for the System, Zheng Ren believed over time, he would reach the peak in every skill tree. Of course, he still had to worry about other competitors, but for now, Zheng Ren had his sights set low.
At the moment, he had to complete nine TIPS surgeries to pass the second stage of his main mission.
3000 cases worth of radiofrequency ablation experience was on the line…
Right, it was time for Zheng Yunxia’s follow up.
“Chang Yue, how’s Miss Zheng’s progress?” Zheng Ren asked.
“She’ll be coming in in three days for her check up,” Chang Yue said without a moment’s thought.
Although Zheng Ren could recall the patient’s name, his relationship with Zheng Yunxia could be summed up as a brief coincidence. On the other hand, Chang Yue could provide the patient’s appointment date without referring to the hospital’s records. Chang Yue’s dedication to the patients under her care was truly admirable.