The cafeteria's stir-fries were actually quite good; Second Hospital was, after all, a place teeming with hidden talents. Even if you pulled strings to get the cafeteria contract, if the food wasn't up to par, you'd be out of business.
However, even though the food usually suited his palate, Liu Banxia found no taste in his meal today. He had worries on his mind concerning his future; it felt like he had reached a crossroads requiring a decision.
He had finally seen a glimmer of hope, what seemed like a possibility of staying at Second Hospital. But what about the future? He was now completely torn between practicing general surgery and going into medical aesthetics.
He hadn't possessed the system for long, but the improvement it had brought to his abilities was tangible.
The dressing change and suturing techniques he was most familiar with had already brought about a world of change for him. If he diligently leveled up and completed tasks, he could undoubtedly gain more benefits from the system.
Through using it these past few days, he had also discovered that as his proficiency in certain skills increased, the experience points gained from defeating 'small mobs' decreased.
Only by staying in a large hospital like Second Hospital could he encounter higher-level techniques, which was equivalent to undertaking more advanced tasks, fighting higher-level 'mobs,' or even 'bosses.'
But how many choices did he really have? He couldn't even get a foot in the door of other Grade A tertiary hospitals, not even a speck of a chance. At least he had undergone his residency training at Second Hospital; there was still a sliver of hope.
His last resort would be to return to a county-level hospital, where the best he could hope for was an 'institution-hired' position, with no chance of any advanced 'missions.'
Hadn't Wang Lei mentioned it when they had dinner at Zhou Li's place? Smaller hospitals nowadays hardly had any patients. Were the fees too high? Patients would leave. Was the surgical difficulty too high? Patients would still leave.
And medical aesthetics? Initially, he would definitely have to work as a medical assistant. Even if he obtained his attending physician qualification this year, they wouldn't hire him based on that. Then he'd just be suturing endlessly. Although he could earn some money, it probably wouldn't be as thrilling as 'grinding mobs' in the Colorectal Department.
"What are you so lost in thought about? Are you really planning to go to the Colorectal Department?" Just as he was deep in thought, Shi Lei, who was approaching, grabbed him.
"Boss, I'm your man, in life and death. You'll have to take care of my meals," Liu Banxia said with a straight face.
"Follow me. I have something to tell you," Shi Lei said, glancing at him before turning and walking away.
Liu Banxia was surprised. The matter Shi Lei wanted to discuss seemed serious; he hadn't cracked even the slightest smile.
DING! Task Issued: Shi Lei's Concern
Shi Lei is very worried. You need to prove yourself to Shi Lei and obtain his approval.
Task Completion Reward: 300 Experience Points. Task Failure Penalty: Deduction of 400 Experience Points, and you will be unable to trigger any tasks from Shi Lei for 30 days.
Liu Banxia was a bit bewildered. He felt that the tasks issued today were becoming increasingly unconventional. Apart from that teaching task, none of them seemed to have anything to do with medicine.
They all came with failure penalties. Did this imply that being a doctor required more than just medical skills?
When they reached the area behind the junction of the Inpatient Department and the main building, Shi Lei stopped.
"Boss, what is it? You're making me really nervous," Liu Banxia asked.
"I'm asking you, why didn't you go and talk to Wang Mingxing and his father? Is it because the failed attempt to save that pregnant patient has become a psychological burden?" Shi Lei said in a grave tone.
Liu Banxia was taken aback, hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Boss, there is indeed some of that. I don't know why. I've witnessed death before, but I don't understand why this time it has affected me so profoundly."
"Perhaps it's because I was communicating normally with the patient during her admission, and then, in an instant, she was rushed into emergency resuscitation, and ultimately, she still passed away."
"Now I'm a bit scared. I'm not afraid of patients dying, per se; I'm afraid of a patient dying because my medical skills aren't good enough. I know that in our profession, some things are unavoidable, but right now, I just can't get over this mental block."
Shi Lei looked at him and patted his shoulder. "I had a feeling you were bottling something up. I noticed yesterday that your state of mind wasn't quite right."
"But I actually think that having such thoughts is what makes a competent doctor. Otherwise, if you didn't care about anything, that truly wouldn't do."
"Only we ourselves know how arduous our work is every day in this profession. Today's surgery, thankfully, Wang Mingxing's condition was good, and after opening him up, we saw no signs of lesion metastasis or adhesion. But what if there had been? Could we still have operated? If so, how long would the surgery have taken?"
"In the course of treating patients, we always encounter all sorts of problems. Often, the most complex issues aren't medical ones, but the lack of understanding from patients' families."
"It's hard to be a doctor, and even harder to be a good one. We're ordinary people, not gods. It's impossible for us to save every single patient; if that were the case, the Earth would have exploded long ago."
"This is a hurdle you have to overcome yourself. If you can't, then even if you manage to stay at Second Hospital, it might not be beneficial for you. If you really can't get past this, then go to the Colorectal Department. It's better than just muddling through out there."
After saying this, Shi Lei left directly. This was all the guidance he could offer Liu Banxia.
Liu Banxia sighed, remaining where he was. Although he knew Shi Lei was right and he understood the reasoning, things in this world were just so damn frustrating. It wasn't as simple as understanding something to be able to act on it.
HMPH.
Just as Liu Banxia was wrestling with his thoughts, unsure how to choose, he heard a cold snort.
He looked up and immediately rolled his eyes. It was Liang Xiaolin walking past, now glaring daggers at him. This is so infuriating, he thought. This girl holds such a grudge! I really didn't mean to take advantage of her.
He, however, was not one to back down. He opened his mouth and made a couple of mock biting gestures at Liang Xiaolin, which startled her. Why is this person like this? So improper! Liang Xiaolin thought.
This little antic from Liu Banxia actually lightened his mood somewhat.
He had to admire this girl. If it were him, he'd definitely have taken a few days of sick leave. That was a waist injury; even if sutured, it would require bed rest.
He collected his thoughts; he couldn't keep loitering outside. Shi Lei had already covered for him a lot. If he kept sneaking off without reason, Qin Hai would surely find fault again.
The moment he returned to the Emergency Department, a round of applause erupted.
"Haha, thank you, everyone! Today's achievement is all thanks to your support," Liu Banxia said with a beaming smile.
"You just love to show off. Think you can make it through the night shift?" Zhou Li asked, a bit peeved.
"Sister Li, don't worry. A single surgery like that won't tire me out," Liu Banxia said nonchalantly.
"Be careful, don't provoke Doctor Liang. I heard she has connections with the hospital administration, and she's currently being mentored by Chief Director Li from the Cardiac Surgery Department," Zhou Li whispered.
"You know, when you have a moment, you should really apologize to her. Even if your intentions were good, she's a girl. Why would a grown man like you bicker with a girl?"
Liu Banxia grimaced. What is all this? Talk about trouble falling from the sky! It was bad enough that I inexplicably offended Qin Hai, and now I've provoked the petty yet formidable Liang Xiaolin too.
Who was mentoring her was clearly a significant connection. If Liang Xiaolin didn't have such a powerful backer, he'd be willing to swallow the disinfectant cotton ball he'd just used to clean an anal fistula patient's wound.
He felt somewhat relieved, though. Fortunately, there wasn't much interaction between the Emergency Department and the Cardiac Surgery Department. Couldn't he just back down? He'd just make sure to steer clear of her in the future.