After returning from the ward, Ye Xiu briefly washed his face in the restroom before appearing in front of Wang Yanchao's office, waiting for the midday ward rounds when Wang Yanchao would wake up from his nap.
He had inquired and learned that Wang Yanchao usually conducted ward rounds around two in the afternoon, and he was usually very punctual.
Although he hadn't explicitly asked Wang Yanchao to be his mentor, nor had Wang Yanchao formally accepted him as a student or agreed to teach him, Ye Xiu felt that he was indeed learning from Wang Yanchao's medical skills and experience. Since that was the case, he believed he should fulfill his duty as a student.
Waiting at the door, Ye Xiu greeted Wang Yanchao respectfully when he emerged from his office in a white coat.
"Good afternoon, Director Wang," Ye Xiu said politely.
Hmm?
Wang Yanchao hadn't expected to see Ye Xiu right outside his door, and his expression momentarily faltered before a hint of disdain flickered in his eyes. After the morning incident, his impression of Ye Xiu had plummeted to an all-time low.
Why did I have to run into him as soon as I stepped out?
The pleasant feeling of his midday nap was instantly ruined by Ye Xiu's presence.
However, despite his disdain, Wang Yanchao couldn't ignore Ye Xiu standing there. Continuing to walk towards the ward, Wang Yanchao replied, neither warmly nor coldly, "Dr. Ye, do you need something?"
"I'm here to accompany Director Wang on the ward rounds and learn," Ye Xiu said respectfully.
Accompanying me again?
Is he trying to butter me up?
Does he really think I enjoy this?
Upon hearing that Ye Xiu wanted to accompany him on the ward rounds again, Wang Yanchao's eyes flashed with disdain, and he was about to reprimand Ye Xiu for his sycophantic behavior and tell him not to bother. But just as the words were about to leave his mouth, he stopped himself.
Since he had already decided to get rid of Ye Xiu, there was no need to waste time lecturing him. If he wanted to follow along and show off, then let him.
"Dr. Ye, I appreciate your kind words, but my medical skills are mediocre. However, if you insist on accompanying me, feel free," Wang Yanchao said tersely.
Seeing Wang Yanchao's response, Ye Xiu didn't detect any hint of coldness or insincerity in his words. Instead, he felt delighted at being allowed to continue following along.
"A real brown-noser!"
"He really put in effort to suck up to Director Wang!"
"Tsk tsk, trying so hard to impress Director Wang! Pathetic!"
As Ye Xiu followed behind Wang Yanchao towards the ward, several doctors and nurses who had just come out of the break room and were preparing to start their shifts sneered and looked disdainfully at Ye Xiu's back.
Too bad Director Wang doesn't fall for that. Otherwise, with all that effort, he might have gotten a raise or even been promoted to vice director! Not even the interns are following him around at noon, yet he's tagging along with Director Wang. That's dedication!
With disdain evident on their faces, the doctors and nurses turned and walked towards their respective offices, ready to start their work.
Wang Yanchao's midday ward rounds were a cautious habit he had developed himself. The purpose was simply to get an overview of the patients' conditions, unlike the more formal rounds in the morning where teaching and demonstrations were involved. The pace of these rounds was usually quick, and today, with Ye Xiu tagging along, Wang Yanchao's pace was even faster. He glanced briefly at each patient's chart and condition before moving on, only pausing for a bit longer when encountering a new patient.
As they went along, Wang Yanchao noticed Ye Xiu's suggestions on the charts once again.
Looking at the recommendations, Wang Yanchao's heart skipped a beat. Old Huang is checking up on me again?
"Follow the plan outlined here and adjust the medication for this patient," Wang Yanchao instructed the nearby nurse after confirming the patient's condition.
"Yes, Doctor!"
Strange, why is Old Huang being so diligent lately?
As he proceeded to the next bed, Wang Yanchao couldn't help but feel a sense of puzzlement.
Today, Wang Yanchao didn't bother asking the nurses which doctor had visited at noon. He was already certain that the one who had left the suggestions was Huang Maoqing. After reviewing the plan, he had no doubts. Such comprehensive and insightful recommendations could only come from an experienced physician like Huang Maoqing. Even Dr. Li, another associate director in the department, would likely fall short in comparison.
Seeing his suggestions acknowledged by Wang Yanchao filled Ye Xiu with joy. These were the recommendations he had formulated after learning from Wang Yanchao's morning lecture. For Wang Yanchao to adopt his plan was tantamount to an affirmation of his knowledge.
If Wang Yanchao's first acknowledgment had only made Ye Xiu quietly pleased, this time, as they finished the ward rounds and stepped out of the ward, Ye Xiu's heart was brimming with excitement and elation. In the process of the rounds, all of his suggestions had been accepted!
However, Ye Xiu wasn't arrogant or complacent. He knew that today's success was like scoring full marks on an ordinary test—it wasn't a graduation or final exam, merely a routine check.
Unaware of Ye Xiu's thoughts, Wang Yanchao caught sight of the satisfied smile on Ye Xiu's face and mistook it for smugness at having succeeded in showing off in front of him. His disdain for Ye Xiu deepened.
Turning his back, Wang Yanchao resolved to find the deputy dean immediately. He had intended to do so in the morning, but the busy morning had made him forget. Now he was determined not to delay any longer. He had to get rid of this nuisance from the respiratory department as soon as possible to avoid further annoyance.
Ignoring Ye Xiu's expression of gratitude, Wang Yanchao walked briskly towards the elevator, leaving Ye Xiu behind.