With the surgery done, the patient’s life is temporarily stabilized. Whether they can withstand the severe infection after the burn depends on their personal constitution.
"Thanks to you both today."
Song Siming unusually addressed Gao Jun and Zhao Heng, looking at them with appreciation, especially Zhao Heng.
He already knew about Gao Jun’s high level, but Zhao Heng had certainly given him a pleasant surprise today.
"It was mainly thanks to young Zhao helping me a lot."
Gao Jun acknowledged Zhao Heng’s contribution, knowing that while he himself was just at this level, he wanted to ensure Zhao Heng left a good impression in front of the big bosses.
Impressions are built little by little, and over time, they subtly change a person’s opinion.
"Hmm, young Zhao, it seems you’ve been working hard."
Song Siming looked at Zhao Heng with great admiration and said.
This young man had consistently given him great surprises.
Honestly, in recent years, especially in the past few years, Song Siming felt that there was a gap in the younger generation of doctors, and a shortage was emerging.
At Eastern Hospital, even though the qualifications of incoming doctors were getting higher, it was taking longer to train them into independent practitioners.
This was something that concerned him deeply.
"Yes, I see young Zhao working hard too."
Gao Jun nodded and said.
"Hmm, keep it up."
Song Siming encouraged before leaving the operating room.
After Song Siming left the operating room, Gao Jun finally said to Zhao Heng, "Young Zhao, I know what you’re thinking, but I can only help you this far."
"Teacher, I’m already very grateful for everything."
Zhao Heng said gratefully, feeling the strong support from Gao Jun.
After all, since his time at Eastern Hospital assisting with surgical instruments, he had not felt this kind of care before.
However, despite Song Siming’s appreciation, Zhao Heng still sensed a slight cold indifference beneath it.
Yet, understanding it without speaking of it, Zhao Heng knew not to get discomfited by a few words of encouragement from a big boss.
"Junior, you’re quite amazing. If there are patients like this in the future and they find you, you must come help me."
Xia Xiaoyu said to Zhao Heng.
In the mind of this sweet senior, Zhao Heng was probably already the most reliable person to rely on.
However, Li Haiyang didn’t say much, just glanced at Zhao Heng with a slight regret before leaving the operating room.
Seeing Li Haiyang’s gaze, Zhao Heng felt somewhat puzzled.
Once only Gao Jun and Zhao Heng were left in the operating room, Gao Jun then said to Zhao Heng, "Did you see the look Li Haiyang gave you just now?"
"Yes, I saw it."
Zhao Heng nodded. That look of regret; Li Haiyang must have known something.
"Focus on preparing for the anesthetist exam and forget about everything else. Once you pass, you can follow me and specialize in anesthesia. Solve your livelihood matters first before pursuing your dreams."
Gao Jun spoke as tactfully as possible, knowing Zhao Heng had high ambitions and worried he might get his hopes up only to be disappointed.
Song Siming’s remarks had not gone unnoticed by Gao Jun. Perhaps naive young people might think a few compliments from the head might soon lead to some opportunity.
But having worked at Eastern Hospital for many years, Gao Jun knew being a director’s assistant wasn’t that simple. Even if Song Siming expressed appreciation for Zhao Heng, the probability of that assistant position going to him was low.
"Teacher, I wasn’t actually thinking too far ahead; as you said, I haven’t solved my own livelihood issues and don’t have the right to think about impractical things."
Zhao Heng said self-deprecatingly.
He wasn’t belittling himself but in Eastern Hospital, he was indeed at the lowest rung of the hierarchy, completely grassroots with no backing at all.
Others praising him merely meant he was seen as useful, a practical tool. As for the truthfulness of those praises, it was hard to say.
"Hmm, get a foothold first. Even though I’m guiding you in anesthesia, I believe you won’t just be an anesthetist in the future."
Gao Jun patted Zhao Heng’s shoulder, speaking with deep emotion.
Such is reality: putting in ten efforts for just a three-point reward is already a blessing.
Sometimes, misplaced efforts lead to more failures, setbacks, and pain.
Coming out of the operating room, Zhao Heng was still thinking about what Gao Jun said.
In the lounge, Xu Man Ni looked at Zhao Heng in surprise and said, "Young Zhao, you were amazing today. I heard the most difficult anesthesia of the year was completed by you and old Gao?"
"Sister Xu, how did you know that?"
Zhao Heng was beginning to understand women’s curiosity.
"The operating room is just that big; any new gossip spreads to everyone within ten minutes."
Xu Man Ni pouted and said.
"Yes, that’s true."
Zhao Heng nodded.
"Young Zhao, I heard you signed up for the anesthetist exam. How confident are you?"
Xu Man Ni asked casually again.
"I’m fairly confident."
Zhao Heng said modestly. Although he was 99% sure of passing the anesthetist exam, barring any unforeseen cancellation.
"That’s great. Old Gao has some connections; as long as you pass the exam, getting you a contract worker position won’t be a problem. While it’s a contract position, the salary is only about two thousand less per month compared to a permanent post. Over a year, that’s 20,000 more. Young Zhao, that’s a big step forward for you."
Xu Man Ni was good at calculating economic gains. She realized that if Zhao Heng passed the exam and became a contract worker, his annual income might even surpass hers.
While a surgical instrument nurse position is nice, compared to doctors, the income is still relatively lower due to the greater responsibilities doctors shoulder.
And Xu Man Ni could tell from Zhao Heng’s answers that he was very confident in passing the exam, only being modest in his responses.
Unconsciously, Xu Man Ni found that although Zhao Heng started low, his progress was rapid.
In North City, an annual income above twenty thousand is quite decent.
Having an income in the millions annually is a dream!
Being very handsome, ambitious, and quickly bridging the economic gap, Zhao Heng was on track to become a hot commodity in the marriage market.
"Anyway, it depends on passing the exam first."
Zhao Heng couldn’t discern Xu Man Ni’s intentions behind her words, but he knew not to be too ostentatious before things settled.
Especially when fellow colleagues were still getting by on meager living, why should he suddenly prosper by leaps and bounds without inviting envy?
Not being able to see others succeed is just a part of human nature.