A large private room, spacious enough to hold several tables.
"Come on in, Xiao Yang, sit here." Seeing Yang Ping enter, Lao Han waved him over.
There was an empty seat next to him, clearly reserved. Yang Ping couldn't refuse and had no choice but to sit down.
This table, at the center of the private room, was filled with department heads: Director Han, Director Tian, Director Ouyang, Director Bai, the Emergency Department's Director Xiong, the ICU's Director Pan, the Anesthesiology Department's director, and the head nurse of the Operating Room.
Neither Director Xia nor Director Sun attended—this seemed to be a gathering among doctors rather than one with senior leaders, as their presence might make everyone uneasy. Director Han would probably meet with them separately later.
Yang Ping felt out of place but could only sit silently, listening to their conversation.
"Old Han, you've got such a 'cannon,' why haven't we seen you firing it in the operating room before? I didn't know he existed until today," remarked the Anesthesiology Director.
"Nah, Xiao Yang is new, just joined recently. Remember the case with the infant finger reattachment? He did that," said the head nurse of the Operating Room, clearly better informed.
"An infant? That's the toughest. How old? Could this be the first case in the world?" asked ICU Director Pan.
Director Han said, "The baby was just a month old. The blood vessel diameter was only 0.05 millimeters. Suturing at such a diameter represents the pinnacle of microsurgery. Infant finger reattachments are rare—one that young might really be a global first."
Director Xiong of Emergency, a giant of a man who dwarfed his chair, said, "A five-segment reattachment on an emergency case? That's amazing. National orthopedic forums will stream this live, Old Han. This is a big win for you. Come on, drink up later! The blood supply—no issues, right?"
"None at all. I just checked earlier," Director Pan confirmed.
"Xiao Yang, you came from the People's Hospital, right?" Director Xiong asked.
Yang Ping nodded. "I started there right after graduation, just recently transferred here."
"People's Hospital, that's Wu Siwen as the director, right?" Director Bai asked, his rotund frame causing his chair to creak as he turned.
"Yeah, Director Wu," Yang Ping replied.
"Wu Siwen and I were at the same school; he was a year behind me, so technically my junior. How is he to work with?" Director Bai asked with a chuckle.
"He's a decent guy," Yang Ping said cautiously.
"Decent? That guy's notoriously stingy and a bit of a schemer," Director Bai said bluntly.
The medical community in G City was a small world; everyone knew each other from frequent meetings.
"He's angling for the deputy dean position now. He saved Jiang Baicheng's son last time, and Jiang Baicheng is powerful, with connections in both politics and business. Wu's promotion likely involves Jiang pulling strings," Director Bai said, well-informed.
"I wouldn't know. I was just a temp there, a junior doctor. We barely interacted; I hardly spoke to him in the few years I was there," Yang Ping explained.
"The People's Hospital didn't appreciate your talent. It's good you joined our Sanbo Hospital," chimed in Director Ouyang.
"Enough talking, let's eat! Start serving the dishes and pour the wine!" Director Xiong shouted.
Several bottles of Flying Moutai were placed on the table, and the waitstaff began pouring the liquor.
Around the central table were several others, filled with other orthopedic doctors, operating room staff, emergency personnel, and trauma ICU doctors and nurses—everyone who had been involved in the rescue efforts.
Dishes quickly filled the table.
Director Han raised his glass. "This success with the five-segment limb reattachment is thanks to everyone's united effort and dedication. I believe that with our Trauma Emergency Center's continued collaboration, we'll only grow stronger!"
"Cheers!"
Orthopedic surgeons were indeed straightforward drinkers. Except for Yang Ping, no one hesitated to down their glasses.
"Xiao Yang, come on—cheers!" Director Xiong held a glass in one hand and a bottle in the other, heading toward Yang Ping after toasting Director Han.
Director Han quickly got up to intercept. "Xiao Yang isn't a big drinker. He's already had a bit tonight. Let him rest on the side while we enjoy ourselves, alright?"
"If you say so, fine. Let's drink!" Director Xiong flipped his glass and downed it.
Amidst the noise and chaos, Yang Ping quietly slipped to the couch, his eyes wandering toward the operating room table, where he spotted Su Yixuan.
The nurse assigned to his surgical team had delicate features, shoulder-length black hair, and a pink T-shirt that accentuated her youthful vitality and graceful curves. Her smile revealed two charming dimples, and her dark, clear eyes sparkled under long lashes.
When Su Yixuan noticed Yang Ping looking her way, he tried to avoid her gaze but failed. She smiled and approached with a glass of juice.
"Dr. Yang, cheers to you, our hero!" she said cheerfully.
"小五" handed Yang Ping a glass of juice, pressing it firmly into his hand as if signaling him to seize the moment.
"Thanks! You were an excellent scrub nurse, or the surgery wouldn't have gone so smoothly," Yang Ping complimented her.
Su Yixuan's smile widened. "The head nurse has arranged for me to work with your team regularly. Please take care of me!"
Feigning nonchalance, Yang Ping replied, "Let's look out for each other."
Their conversation continued lightly, with Su Yixuan offering to pour more juice for him, and Yang Ping, despite his distaste for coconut juice, eagerly accepting.
The lively banquet was loud and boisterous, but Su Yixuan and Yang Ping soon found themselves stepping outside for a quiet walk, away from the noise.
Under the trees along the street, they strolled and chatted casually, enjoying the fresh air, even if it wasn't truly refreshing.
"You really enjoy performing surgeries, don't you?" Su Yixuan asked.
Yang Ping nodded. "It's my craft. I have to love it."
"Me too. I love being in the operating room."
Their simple conversation meandered under the trees, punctuated by the occasional car passing by.
Eventually, Su Yixuan expressed an interest in learning more about orthopedic surgery. Yang Ping promised to compile a reading list for her, and in exchange, they added each other on WeChat.
As their phones connected, their gazes lingered briefly before they returned to their respective tables, their world slightly more intertwined than before.