Chapter 35: Master, your sister-in-law is an excellent cook

Anyone familiar with Zhang Fan immediately realized that the application requirements for the Orthopedics Department at the City Hospital had been tailored specifically for him. Yang Chengming from the Department of General Surgery II in Kuake County was so frustrated he could barely contain his anger; he had spent half a year in the City Hospital's Orthopedics Department and had intended to apply for a position there this year, but upon seeing the new requirements, all his prior preparations had gone to waste.

Zou Pingshan had truly been dealt a bad hand. Before the standardized entrance examinations were implemented, there were no college graduates in Kuake County. Just as he took office, the government introduced a policy for civil service and institutional recruitment. All the newly arrived college graduates applied for positions in the city. Those with connections or higher qualifications aimed for the City Hospital, while others settled for secondary hospitals in the city; regardless, none of them wanted to stay in the county. They left in a mass exodus just days after he assumed his post. It was no surprise that his superiors were unhappy with him. Desperate, he tried to open new channels while cutting costs, announcing over twenty vacancies and lowering the qualification requirements to a junior college degree.

The relentless series of exams left Zhang Fan exhausted. After he had finished his deployment in Sumutai, his small bedroom at the County Committee was reclaimed by Zou Pingshan, forcing him to move into the hospital dormitory with the help of the office director. Zou Pingshan had initially considered mending his relationship with Zhang Fan, but upon learning that Zhang Fan had applied for the City Hospital’s entrance exam, he decided there was no point in bothering. In the Department of General Surgery II, Old Chen’s demeanor had improved significantly; he was much kinder to others and treated Li Liang with newfound warmth, especially since Li Liang had visited him in Sumutai.

Zhang Fan continued to scrub into surgeries. What began as a way to practice suturing had evolved into him handling almost all general surgery cases. No one in either the Department of General Surgery I or II dared to speak against him—not because Zhang Fan was overbearing, but because his skills were so superior that he simply outclassed everyone else. The hospital’s newly acquired laparoscope was something only Zhang Fan knew how to use. Whether it was appendectomies, gallbladder stone removals, liver cyst fenestration drainage, or liver abscess drainage, he was the go-to surgeon for anything they were willing to perform at the county hospital.

Li Liang followed Zhang Fan’s lead closely. If Zhang Fan performed a laparoscopic surgery, Li Liang held the camera; if it was an open surgery, Li Liang handled the retractors. Regardless of whether he fully grasped the techniques, he became Zhang Fan’s designated first assistant at Kuake County Hospital. Li Liang understood the gap between them; while he was still practicing basic knots, Zhang Fan was already dominating the Department of General Surgery II. Still, he knew he could learn something by following him. Zhang Fan was not secretive; as long as someone was willing to learn, he was willing to teach.

The Department of General Surgery I was slightly better than the second, with a younger, more motivated, and eager-to-learn medical staff. Laparoscopic surgery was a new technology in Kuake County, and no one from the director down to the residents knew how to perform it. Since Zhang Fan was willing to teach, they were more than happy to learn. Zhang Fan explained every step—puncturing, insufflation, ligation, and dissection—clearly outlining the difficulties and precautions for each.

As the time to leave approached, Zhang Fan felt a tinge of reluctance. During the confusion of his graduation, this hospital had taken him in. It was the starting point of his medical career; here, he had obtained his system, performed his first surgery, and seen his first patient pass away under his care. Although it was a small hospital, his colleagues were simple and lovable, wearing their emotions on their sleeves. But he had to move on; this place would eventually become a cherished memory in the depths of his heart.

The results of the entrance exam were released in mid-October. Only Zhang Fan and Li Hui from the county hospital passed, which plunged Old Zou into despair once again. Because he had set the criteria too low and opened too many spots, over twenty people were admitted, while only Zhang Fan and Li Hui were leaving. He was so furious he smashed his teacup. Perhaps he just had bad luck in Kuake County; nothing ever seemed to go his way.

Once the scores were released, the official hiring notices followed. They were expected to report to the City Hospital in early November. Knowing that Zhang Fan and Li Hui were leaving, and especially because Zhang Fan was well-liked in the surgical departments and was heading to the city’s largest hospital—where they might one day need his help—he was constantly being invited out for meals. The surgical departments, the Department of General Surgery I, and the Emergency Department all hosted farewells. Shi Lei even insisted on taking Zhang Fan out for a private meal. On their final day, the Department of General Surgery II booked the largest private room at the Kuake County Hotel, with Nuer, Tushun, and Shi Lei all in attendance. The spectacle stunned the group of newly assigned college graduates.

Whenever Zhang Fan visited the hotel, the chubby manager would always come over to offer a toast. After doing so, he reported to Tang Jingjing that Zhang Fan was leaving and the hospital was holding a farewell party. Once Tang Jingjing knew, Dong Hua found out as well, and after a moment of thought, she decided to attend. When Tang Jingjing arrived early to scout the situation, Shi Lei was shocked and ordered a new table to be set.

Once Dong Hua arrived, Zou Pingshan followed closely behind, having learned to keep his ears to the ground in every department. The presence of leadership dampened the casual atmosphere of a colleague-to-colleague farewell. Zhang Fan couldn't really drink, and once Dong Hua was there, no one dared to pressure him. Shi Lei finally understood: no wonder Batu had been so cautious, acting like a thief—it was because Zhang Fan was a protégé of a Standing Committee member!

"You're not being very loyal, leaving without a word. It seems you don't really consider me a friend," Tang Jingjing teased, finding amusement in the situation as no one dared to urge Dong Hua to drink at such a formal gathering.

"That's really not it. Ever since the results came out, my colleagues have been treating me to meals every day. I don't have much of a tolerance for alcohol, and I get drunk as soon as I start. If you hadn't come today, I might have already been carried out. Besides, I'm just going to Chasu City; it’s not that far."

"Fine, I'll let you off this time. The leader came specifically to see you off; you certainly have a lot of pull."

"I owe it all to your guidance, Sister Tang."

"Hypocrite. Don't leave after the meal; the leader has something to say to you." Tang Jingjing stood up as soon as Dong Hua rose to leave, and she quickly followed.

After seeing Dong Hua off, both Old Zou and Shi Lei realized the truth. Shi Lei finally understood who Zhang Fan had been treating after work, and Old Zou realized why Dong Hua had been giving him a hard time. Their tone toward Zhang Fan changed completely.

"We’ve only worked together for a short time, and now you’re leaving, Dr. Zhang. But that’s fine. The city isn’t far from the county; you must come back to visit often. This will always be your home. If you ever need anything at the City Hospital, just say the word. I’ve been there for over twenty years and can still help with a few things," Old Zou said with a warm, intimate tone. He had once made things difficult for Zhang Fan, and had he known this, he would have treated him like a saint. Now, he was doing his best to be friendly, hoping to mitigate any resentment.

"Brother, it's a great thing to move to a superior hospital. If you ever need anything, just give me a call. As a vice director, I may not have much power, but I can still help with things like expense reimbursements. It won't be a problem at all," said Shi Lei, who was more emotionally intelligent than Batu.

"Brother, once I'm settled, I'll come over and work with you again."

"Teacher, next time you visit, I'll have your sister-in-law make you some *latiaozi*. I feel ashamed that you never came to our home for a meal while you were here," said Old Chen, his voice trembling with emotion as he held Zhang Fan’s hand, tears welling in his eyes.