Very soon, Xia Xiaoyu completed the remaining chest drains.
At this point, the surgery was over.
The patient was quickly sent back to the ward. Before leaving the operating room, Song Siming said to Zhao Heng with a very affirmative tone, "Xiao Zhao, keep up the hard work. I'm optimistic about you."
"Mm, thank you, Director."
Upon hearing Song Siming's words, Zhao Heng felt a bit stirred.
Could the matter of becoming the Director's assistant, as mentioned before, be resolved soon?
Seeing Zhao Heng deep in thought, Song Siming, usually known for his stern demeanor, couldn't help but smile.
After all, he's a young man!
Just judging from his performance during surgery, Song Siming almost thought Zhao Heng was someone who could always remain as calm as still water!
Now it appears he's just a normal young person, but that's even better. Besides work, Song Siming hopes that young doctors nowadays also have a good life.
After speaking, Song Siming quickly left the operating room with Li Yang.
Just as they stepped out, Li Yang asked Song Siming, "Director, have you really decided to observe more before letting Xiao Zhao be your assistant?"
"You've seen Xiao Zhao's performance yesterday and today. Do you think he's qualified to be an assistant to the director?"
Song Siming said slowly.
"Mm, Xiao Zhao's level is indeed a bit beyond my expectations. What's most valuable is his ability to remain calm on the operating table, which I think is the hardest to attain."
Li Yang pondered for a moment and spoke truthfully.
"Indeed, skills can be practiced, but some aspects of composure are innate; hardly something you can develop over time."
Song Siming nodded in agreement.
"I'm just concerned about what people might say."
Li Yang expressed with some worry.
Actually, being the Director's assistant, although just an assistant, is much more prestigious than being an ordinary official doctor.
After all, being alongside the big shots has a completely different significance.
Although they aren't part of the formal establishment, assistants can be chosen by department directors at their discretion.
However, generally, the assistants recruited by department directors are all PhD holders, and some directors even have their doctoral students take up the position.
"Xiao Li, do you know why your skills have slightly stagnated over the years? It's because you've lost focus and let external factors affect you. I'm over fifty already, back home I could be a grandfather, why would I care about gossip."
Song Siming said indifferently.
For professionals of his caliber, what do they care about what others are saying?
Meanwhile, in the operating room's rest area.
"It seems your good news is just around the corner. I've done quite a few surgeries with Director Song, but I've never heard him express optimism about anyone."
Xu Man Ni said surprisingly to Zhao Heng.
"It's just an assistant role, not an official job. Besides, even if I become Director Song's assistant, I estimate I'll still work on surgery-related tasks."
Zhao Heng said humbly.
Becoming Song Siming's assistant is undoubtedly a great opportunity.
In practical terms, following Song Siming immediately elevates his status at the hospital.
From Zhao Heng's unique abilities, being around Song Siming exposes him to influential people, from whom he can learn various experiences.
One could say, such an opportunity is extremely rare.
"Although it isn't a formal establishment, it's even better. You might not know, but by next year, it's certain that Director Song will become the vice president."
Xu Man Ni apparently knew more inside information and felt a bit envious at how easily Zhao Heng gained such an opportunity.
Even some officially established doctors within a department might not receive much guidance from their director.
Being a chief physician is unimaginably busy for most people.
They need to see patients, perform surgeries, manage their department, conduct research, and handle various miscellaneous things across the hospital.
So, when it comes to guiding younger doctors, it typically only happens during the routine daily rounds.
Unlike an assistant, who can always be by the director's side.
Think about it, how many leaders have risen from their secretarial positions.
It shows just how rare an opportunity it is to be close to a big shot.
"Maybe I'm just lucky."
Zhao Heng said.
However, he knew in his heart this wasn't about luck.
If any young doctor can demonstrate comparable skill to Song Siming in any area, they would receive his favor to this extent.
The experience gained from Song Siming, even if just in one aspect, once Zhao Heng integrated it, meant reaching a level equivalent to Song Siming in that area alone.
"Luck is obviously a good thing, but your skills are also very high; both are indispensable."
Xu Man Ni said with some admiration.
Having been at the hospital for all these years, she's never heard of such a matter happening with Zhao Heng, let alone witnessed it.
A doctor's skills need time to accumulate and improve; in reality, there's no such rapid enlightenment that dramatically boosts a young doctor's abilities.
Medicine, to put it bluntly, is about honing skills through experience.
Being a chief physician essentially means seeing more, handling more, and refining skills through practice.
But the current medical environment naturally limits younger doctors' opportunities to practice and improve.
So, when Song Siming came across Zhao Heng's promise, it wasn't surprising he was excited.
As the two spoke, Gao Jun entered the rest area and said somewhat begrudgingly upon seeing Zhao Heng, "Xiao Zhao, congratulations; I was going to have you work on anesthesia with me."
"Old Gao, you should report to the hospital and get them to recruit more anesthesiologists. Xiao Zhao will have a lot more to gain following Director Song than in anesthesia."
Seeing Gao Jun's slightly displeased expression, Xu Man Ni smiled as she spoke.
It makes sense. Finally finding a hardworking, anesthesiology-suited young man to share the workload, only to have Song Siming call him away.
However, he is a prominent director, while Gao Jun is just an anesthetist, albeit a senior one, who can't compete.
"Teacher Gao, the assistant role is still uncertain. If you don't mind, I'll do anesthesia with you these days."
After pondering it for a while, Zhao Heng said sincerely.
Following Song Siming is great, but considering practical matters, the anesthesia platform fee Gao Jun mentioned lured him.
If, when not working, he could perform more anesthesia with Gao Jun, an extra ten thousand monthly could significantly improve his living standards.
Although being a director's assistant is better and offers more prospects, it's all uncertain until confirmed by Song Siming.
Two birds in the bush aren't better than one in hand; Zhao Heng understood this principle.
"I don't mind, I don't mind, I'd be glad to have you helping me,"
Hearing Zhao Heng's words, Gao Jun, who was initially a bit disappointed, beamed with happiness.
"Xiao Zhao will be with Director Song in the future, how could he have much time?"
Seeing Gao Jun so happy, Xu Man Ni pursed her lips and said.
"Xiao Xu, you must not know. After this year, it's almost certain that Director Song will become vice president. Therefore, the hospital has already allocated an administrative assistant for Director Song. If Xiao Zhao goes there, he'd only handle the medical aspects. It won't be as busy as you imagine."
Gao Jun, being an experienced anesthesiologist, had more information.
"And," he added, "that's for the future. Xiao Zhao isn't an assistant yet."
What do you mean by not yet? It's just a matter of time."
Hearing Gao Jun, Xu Man Ni found it a bit confusing and questioned.
"Xiao Zhao, if you want to follow the director, then focus on it and don't get distracted."
After thinking for a moment, Xu Man Ni advised Zhao Heng, obviously suggesting he concentrate on securing the opportunity to follow Song Siming and perform well to finalize it soon.
"Xiao Zhao, look at me, that's not what I meant."
Gao Jun, realizing he might have been misunderstood, explained.
"It's alright, Teacher Gao."
Zhao Heng said without caring.
After speaking, Zhao Heng smiled wryly and said to Xu Man Ni, "Senior, I also need to eat."
Upon hearing Zhao Heng's words, both Xu Man Ni and Gao Jun fell silent.
Especially Xu Man Ni, who felt a pang in her heart upon hearing it.
"Brother, don't worry. During this period, besides assisting with emergency surgeries, you'll be doing anesthesia with me. As agreed, you'll get half of the platform fee. And I can apply to specifically do anesthesia for emergency surgeries, allowing you to combine anesthesia and surgery."
Gao Jun comforted Zhao Heng, recalling the hardships right after graduation.
"Thank you, Teacher Gao."
Zhao Heng nodded, feeling a warm sense inside.