8:40 AM.
Having eaten two servings of loving breakfasts, feeling the double love from his girlfriend and mom, Zhao Heng came to Gao Jun’s office. Every morning, the mentor and mentee would discuss their work.
As soon as Zhao Heng entered, Gao Jun said, "Xiao Zhao, you must be exhausted from last night. Haven’t had breakfast yet, right? I’ve got some freshly bought steamed buns here."
"Teacher, I’ve already eaten."
Zhao Heng reflexively waved his hand. He had already eaten two hearty breakfasts, one more and he’d be stuffed up to his throat.
"Director Liu called me this morning, telling me to give you a day off so you don’t wear yourself out."
Gao Jun looked at Zhao Heng, smiled, and said.
Speaking of which, that Liu Ziang, such a proud person, and Zhao Heng actually get along quite well.
Of course, Gao Jun was happy to see that.
"No need, I rested a bit, I’m fine."
Zhao Heng shook his head slightly as he spoke.
His body is quite strong now. If he gets tired, it’s just mentally, and after resting for five or six hours, he’d bounce back.
"I figured you weren’t that fragile."
Gao Jun nodded and said, for doctors, staying up late was the norm.
"There’s an interview meeting for the selection of the Top Ten Young Doctors at the hospital today. You should attend."
Pausing, Gao Jun continued.
"Huh? But I have so many things to do today..."
Hearing this from Gao Jun, Zhao Heng was a bit surprised. Just like when he was in school, what he hated most was having meetings.
With all that sitting around, he could get a lot done.
"You’re going as the candidate for our Anesthesiology Department. If you don’t go, are we leaving the position empty?"
Gao Jun said.
"If it’s a candidate, why am I the only one?"
Zhao Heng couldn’t help but ask.
"Isn’t one enough? Do we have to be like other departments, having three or even four candidates to compete?"
Gao Jun said with a hidden meaning.
The Anesthesiology Department was just established, so naturally, only Zhao Heng could go.
Unlike other departments, which have a long history, are bloated, and have loads of competition.
Where there are people, there’s rivalry.
"Alright then, but can I bring my laptop to write my thesis?"
Zhao Heng asked again.
"You little rascal, you weren’t planning on taking the meeting seriously, were you? This is an interview meeting. But the focus of competition for the Top Ten Young Doctors isn’t on our Anesthesiology Department. As long as you don’t go on stage singing, no one will mind you."
Gao Jun said with a laugh.
"That works."
Zhao Heng nodded. The thesis on brain function and consciousness recovery was completed; he had two more to go, well, one to be exact.
Because Li Haiyang from the Oncology Department said he would take care of the thesis on intrathecal pain relief for advanced cancer.
So there was only the thesis on the impact of anesthetic drugs on organs left. This was the thesis where Zhao Heng had invested most of his effort and intended it to be used as a clinical treatment manual in the future.
Of course, as a clinical treatment guide, that’s just a long-term goal.
After leaving the office, Zhao Heng went back to get his laptop and headed to the hospital’s auditorium.
The interview meeting for selecting the Top Ten Young Doctors in the hospital was to be held there.
As soon as Zhao Heng entered, he saw that the seats in the auditorium had been divided into many areas according to departments.
Zhao Heng found the section for the Anesthesiology Department, sat down, placed his laptop on his lap, and started writing his thesis.
With some time before the meeting, while Zhao Heng was engrossed in writing his thesis, Li Haiyang unknowingly sat beside him, watching him write.
"Dr. Li?"
Maybe he was too focused, Zhao Heng took a while to notice Li Haiyang had sat down next to him.
"Hmm, why are you writing a thesis at a meeting? You’re really working hard."
Li Haiyang looked at Zhao Heng, smiled, and said.
"I’m just here to make up the numbers. If I don’t write, should I just sit and space out..."
Zhao Heng said.
"Yeah, that’s true. You’re the only one from Anesthesiology who came, so there’s no competition. It’s all yours."
Li Haiyang smiled again and said.
"Take a look at where the other departments are sitting."
After pausing, Li Haiyang said to Zhao Heng again.
Hearing Li Haiyang’s words, Zhao Heng turned his head to take a look.
Whoa!
When he arrived earlier, not many people were there, so Zhao Heng didn’t feel it.
Looking now, at least three people were sitting in the smallest departments, and some had four or five.
Moreover, other people seemed to be glancing in Zhao Heng’s direction, either intentionally or unintentionally.
Because only one person came from the department Zhao Heng was in, making Anesthesiology a unique case.
It’s as if everyone was taking a competitive exam, and when it came to the interview, everyone was eager and prepared, except for Zhao Heng, who was the sole candidate.
Isn’t that just inviting envy, jealousy, and resentment!
More annoyingly, others looked tense, preparing for the interview, silently memorizing their scripts.
Zhao Heng, on the other hand, was here writing his thesis.
It’s as if he didn’t see other interviewees at all.
"Everyone votes for the selection, so why have an interview? It’s redundant."
Zhao Heng sat down and said to Li Haiyang.
"Of course there needs to be an interview. This is Eastern Hospital’s Top Ten Young Doctors. It’s the face of the hospital. How could it work without an interview? However, you probably won’t even need to go on stage since you’re the only one from Anesthesiology."
Li Haiyang said.
"Uh..."
Now Zhao Heng understood why others looked at him so weirdly just now.
While others fought fiercely, scrambling for the title, Zhao Heng appeared casual and indifferent, making it understandable why others would be annoyed.
Initially, when Gao Jun told him to come, he thought it was just a formality.
But after arriving and seeing other candidates’ earnest demeanor, Zhao Heng realized this interview meeting was far from what he initially imagined.
"Now you know how lucky you are, huh."
Li Haiyang said again, laughing to Zhao Heng.
Being chosen as one of the Top Ten Young Doctors isn’t just about having a title.
The perks are numerous; otherwise, young doctors from other departments wouldn’t compete so fiercely.
Without mentioning anything else, the priority for title promotion is enough.
People who’ve worked for a long time know that those who started working together will start showing differences after about ten years.
Sometimes, being one step ahead means being ahead in every step.
By the time you reach forty, others might have become directors, while you’d still be an attending doctor. It’s a very likely scenario.
From resident doctor onwards, it’s not just about tenure; there are quota limits and related assessments.
And the members of this assessment expert group are actually the directors of various departments.
Once you’ve been selected as one of the Top Ten Young Doctors, this priority is maximized.