Wu Guoxi's words were simple and straightforward; the other attending physicians in the room immediately went to the observation room.
After all, they weren't foolish.
Dr. Liu was a favorite of Director Wang and had ordered them to find trouble for Shen Qiang. They dared not refuse, but Wu Guoxi was the Deputy Director of Tumor Surgery at Bikang, a senior member, and he was clearly intent on protecting Shen Qiang.
In such a situation, leaving would incur Director Wang's displeasure, but not leaving would certainly anger Wu Guoxi. So, obediently going to the teaching operating room's adjacent observation room was their best option.
Once the attending doctors left, the interns naturally followed them.
Ignoring Dr. Liu, who was frozen in front of the teaching operating room, Wu Guoxi told Shen Qiang and the others to go prepare for surgery then turned to leave.
By this time, the nurses and the anesthesiologist, already in their gowns, disinfected, and sterile, had entered the operating room, and so had Shen Qiang, Zhao Hui, Zhang Liwei, and Xin Xiaoting.
While changing into the surgical gowns, Xin Xiaoting, the "belle of their class," happened to be next to Shen Qiang and whispered, "Shen Qiang, thank you for what you did just now."
Shen Qiang was taken aback, "Thank me for what?"
Xin Xiaoting said, "That Dr. Liu wanted to end my internship early as well. Thanks for standing up for me."
Shen Qiang laughed, "It's me who should thank you. If it weren't for you speaking up for me, that Dr. Liu wouldn't have targeted you."
Xin Xiaoting smiled.
Zhang Liwei, standing nearby, immediately snorted coldly, "Shen Qiang, I'm glad you understand. Don't bring your troubles to us. Stay further away during Director Wu's surgery."
Xin Xiaoting frowned, "Zhang Liwei, how can you talk to Shen Qiang like that? We're classmates."
Zhang Liwei said, "Xiaoting, didn't you see those people in the observation room waiting to find fault with Shen Qiang? He is about to be chased away, but we still need to stay here for our internship."
"So don't be foolish, stay away from Shen Qiang, it's no harm to you."
Hearing Zhang Liwei's words, the always silent Zhao Hui spoke up, "That's right, anyway, Shen Qiang has already obtained his medical license, so he won't miss this rare learning opportunity. During Director Wu's surgery, it's just fine if Shen Qiang stands by and watches."
Xin Xiaoting frowned and said, "How can you be like this."
Zhang Liwei glanced at Shen Qiang triumphantly and laughed, "We're also helping Shen Qiang. If he stands a bit further away, he won't be in the way, and those people might just leave him alone."
Hearing this, Xin Xiaoting angrily ignored them and said to Shen Qiang, "Shen Qiang, stay close to me during Director Wu's surgery. This kind of surgery, which is only overseen by a Deputy Chief Physician or above, is a rare learning opportunity."
Shen Qiang smiled, "Alright. I'll stand close to you later."
Hearing this, Zhang Liwei berated angrily, "Shen Qiang, don't be shameless. You've already caused enough trouble for yourself, don't bring trouble to Xiaoting."
"I don't mind." Before Shen Qiang could speak, the class belle Xin Xiaoting said coldly, "My matters have nothing to do with you."
After that, Xin Xiaoting got up to wash her hands and then entered the sterile operating room.
Shen Qiang glanced calmly at Zhang Liwei and then also went to wash his hands.
By the sink stood a nurse, seemingly more petite than the belle Xin Xiaoting, wearing a mask. Her face was not clearly visible, but her watery large eyes and long lashes looked beautiful.
When Shen Qiang's gaze met hers, he could feel her smiling.
"Spread your hands."
The nurse with the mask had a clear voice.
Shen Qiang was somewhat surprised but, in the hospital, the scrub nurse was responsible for supervising the pre-surgery disinfection process, so he obediently spread his hands. The scrub nurse poured disinfectant into Shen Qiang's hands.
"Wash them."
After washing his hands, Shen Qiang just turned around and hadn't yet entered the operating room.
Zhang Liwei walked up to the washbasin and, with an air of casualness, held out his hands to the scrub nurse beside him, saying, "Disinfectant."
Bang!
A large bottle of disinfectant was tossed into the washbasin.
"How old are you? Can't you take care of yourself?"
Having said that, the graceful scrub nurse smiled at Shen Qiang and said, "Go on in, Doctor Shen."
Shen Qiang smiled, nodded, and entered the operating room, leaving behind a clearly embarrassed Zhang Liwei, his face flushed, and Zhao Hui, giggling by his side.
Inside the operating room, everything was ready.
Before long, Wu Guoxi, the Deputy Chief of Tumor Surgery, came in, dressed in surgical attire.
Shortly afterward, the patient was brought to the operating table.
The anxious-looking young woman stared intently at Shen Qiang; he understood the pleading in her eyes.
After the doors of the operating room closed,
the anesthesiologist began administering anesthesia to the patient.
At that moment, Shen Qiang looked up to see, through the sealed glass wall of the observation room opposite the teaching operating room, not only were the interns brought by Doctor Liu there, but other doctors had also arrived.
Perhaps to alleviate any pressure on Shen Qiang, Wu Guoxi, on his way to the operating table, passed by Shen Qiang and said, "Focus on your work, and treat those in the observation room as if they don't exist."
Shen Qiang smiled and followed Wu Guoxi to the operating table.
But just as he reached the table,
Zhang Liwei suddenly stepped forward and positioned himself opposite Wu Guoxi, casting a smug glance at Shen Qiang.
In the operating room, usually there are two doctors assisting the lead surgeon besides the surgeon himself.
These are commonly referred to as the first and second assistants.
And the position directly opposite the lead surgeon, given its convenience for observation and action, has always been where the first assistant stands.
But before Zhang Liwei's smugness could flicker across his face, Wu Guoxi, with a calm demeanor, said, "Who's that, come here, Shen Qiang, you go on my opposite side."
Zhang Liwei was stunned, then seeing Shen Qiang walking towards him with a beaming smile, he blurted out anxiously, "Director Wu, this is not fair."
Wu Guoxi raised an eyebrow, "What's unfair? Shen Qiang has his medical license, do you have one?"
Zhang Liwei was immediately at a loss for words.
Almost at the same time, Shen Qiang turned to Xin Xiaoting, the class beauty standing by his side, and with a smile and a glance, he gestured to the position of the second assistant by his side, saying, "Xin Xiaoting, come over here."
Xin Xiaoting looked nervously at Wu Guoxi, only to see that he showed no reaction.
So, somewhat apprehensively, Xin Xiaoting smiled at Shen Qiang and then positioned herself by his side.
Seeing that everyone was in place and that the patient was fully anesthetized,
Wu Guoxi, the Deputy Chief of Tumor Surgery, picked up the surgical knife and looking at Shen Qiang, said, "I don't care how many people outside are targeting you, nor do I care whether you are truly excellent."
"But as today's first assistant, you must set aside all distractions and help me complete this surgery because this concerns not just your career prospects but the patient's life and death."
Shen Qiang took a deep breath and said earnestly, "I understand."
Wu Guoxi nodded, then with a flick of his wrist, the sharp surgical knife instantly drew a white line across the patient's abdomen, and immediately after, blood began to flow.