3:00 PM.
Inside the operating room.
An interventricular septal repair surgery was underway in the cardiothoracic department.
Leading the surgery were Song Chen and two resident doctors, with Gao Jun and Zhao Heng in charge of anesthesia, and Xu Man Ni as the instrument nurse.
For this anesthesia, most of the work was done by Zhao Heng, with Gao Jun providing guidance.
While Song Chen performed the surgery, Zhao Heng and Xu Man Ni watched her closely.
Zhao Heng watched Song Chen, naturally hoping that, at least, as a highly experienced cardiothoracic chief physician, Song Chen might drop some cardiothoracic surgery experiences for him to pick up.
As for Xu Man Ni, who knew what she was thinking while watching Song Chen.
As expected by Zhao Heng, not long after the surgery began, a white light orb burst forth in front of Song Chen.
With a thought, Zhao Heng directed the white orb into his mind.
"Ding! Picked up [Heart Valve Repair Technique (Proficient Level)].."
After merging with the white orb that fell from Song Chen, Zhao Heng immediately mastered the heart valve repair technique, reaching the same level as Song Chen.
It seems that this Perfect Level skill orb can only be picked up from professionals like Huang Jincheng.
After merging with the skill orb, Zhao Heng couldn't help but think.
But the opportunities to perform surgery with big names like Huang Jincheng aren't available every time.
Most surgeries are still performed by chief physicians like Song Chen.
"Xiao Zhao, between these two, who do you think is better?"
Gao Jun suddenly asked Zhao Heng, who was sitting beside him.
With Gao Jun and Zhao Heng working together, the patient's anesthesia was naturally stable, allowing Gao Jun to sit steadily with Zhao Heng.
"Huh?"
Zhao Heng, who was familiarizing himself with the recently merged heart valve repair technique, was momentarily stunned by Gao Jun's question.
"I mean Dr. Song and Xu Man Ni, who do you think is better?"
Gao Jun asked again.
"How could I compare that..."
Zhao Heng was unsure how to answer Gao Jun's question.
At this moment, Song Chen, who was performing the surgery, suddenly stopped and frowned.
"What's wrong?"
Seeing Song Chen frown, Zhao Heng stood up and asked.
"There's an unexpected situation; the patient might have had myocarditis before, and the heart valve has scars."
Song Chen said.
"In that case, the original prosthetic valve must be replaced."
Having just merged with the heart valve repair technique from Song Chen, Zhao Heng naturally understood heart valve repair.
"You understand heart valve repair as well?"
Song Chen was somewhat surprised at Zhao Heng's comment.
"Should we call Director Huang?"
A resident doctor, Xiao Wang, asked.
Given this unexpected problem, the two resident doctors like Xiao Wang naturally couldn't assist, and an experienced director like Huang Jincheng would be needed.
However, Song Chen could handle it, but she needed an experienced assistant.
"The other day, I observed your assistance in surgery; you showed deep understanding of cardiothoracic surgery. How about helping me complete this surgery?"
Song Chen didn't answer resident doctor Xiao Wang but instead spoke to Zhao Heng.
Despite the unexpected situation, as long as there was an experienced assistant, Song Chen could complete the surgery.
From the previous surgeries, Song Chen still remembered Zhao Heng's seamless cooperation with her.
"Okay."
Zhao Heng nodded, eager to try the recently acquired heart valve repair technique.
"Xiao Zhao, you understand this, too?"
Gao Jun was even more surprised, as if Zhao Heng had some understanding of any surgery he encountered, wondering how much he had secretly learned.
"Teacher Song, are you sure you don't need to call the director or other teachers?"
A resident doctor, Xiao Wang, couldn't help but ask.
"It's fine, let the junior assist me,"
Song Chen said.
Inexplicably, she had a lot of confidence in Zhao Heng, thinking he could manage as an assistant while she remained the lead surgeon.
The resident doctor, Xiao Wang, seeing Song Chen's confidence, had nothing more to say.
However, his glance at Zhao Heng was filled with doubt.
After all, he had been in the cardiothoracic department for several years and had assisted in many surgeries, yet he couldn't assist in this situation.
And how could Zhao Heng, who mainly handled surgical instruments, have such cooperation skills?!
Zhao Heng stood opposite Song Chen, exchanged a glance, and they began the surgery with great tacit understanding.
As the surgery commenced, Zhao Heng's cooperation recreated that smooth, fluid feeling for Song Chen.
This extraordinary synergy felt as if another self was assisting her.
Both resident doctors, Xu Man Ni and Gao Jun, watched in amazement.
How could Song Chen and Zhao Heng work together in surgery with such remarkable synergy?
Watching their seamless cooperation, Xu Man Ni inexplicably felt a tinge of jealousy.
Soon, with Zhao Heng's assistance, the surgery was successfully completed.
After the surgery, and the patient had been returned to the ward, Song Chen took off her mask and said to Zhao Heng, "Junior, shall we grab a meal together later?"
Through this surgery, Song Chen confirmed her feelings; the synergy between them was something she had never felt before.
Moreover, regarding work, Song Chen felt she had more to discuss with Zhao Heng.
"Wouldn't it be inappropriate for the two of you to have a private meal?"
Just as Zhao Heng was about to nod, Xu Man Ni interjected.
Her comment drew surprised looks from everyone.
Two people having a meal—how was it any of her business?
"Sure, let's go together."
Song Chen smiled and, with a glance at Xu Man Ni, said calmly.
She always knew that Xu Man Ni wanted to compare herself to everything.
But in Song Chen's eyes, such comparisons were boring and meaningless.
The tension between the two almost instantly filled the operating room with a sense of rivalry.
Witnessing this, Zhao Heng couldn't help but feel distressed.
Gao Jun, on the other hand, watched with anticipation.
"Maybe we should just have a quick meal at the cafeteria."
Zhao Heng tentatively suggested.
Xu Man Ni glared at Zhao Heng but said nothing more and left.
Once Xu Man Ni left, Song Chen and Zhao Heng followed her out of the operating room. Just outside, Song Chen smiled at Zhao Heng and said, "Junior, I didn't expect you to have such charm."
"I didn't really see it that way."
Zhao Heng shook his head slightly.
"She's a local from North City, and she's pretty too. If you pursued her, you might avoid ten years of struggle."
Song Chen teased Zhao Heng.
"Uh... Senior, do you think I'm someone who mooches off others?"
Zhao Heng replied, slightly helpless.
Song Chen seemed to enjoy joking with him, even though they hadn't known each other long, they seemed very familiar.
"Maybe the other way around,"
Song Chen quipped with a slight smile.