"Old Wang, let me introduce you to Old Xiao from our gastroenterology department. He transferred here after you left the Ninth Hospital."
Wang Youqing had already noticed Xiao Boheng and was just waiting for Wu Liguo to introduce him. Upon hearing this, he quickly stood up and greeted the other party, "Director Xiao."
Although Xiao Boheng rarely attended such gatherings, it didn’t mean he was unaware of social etiquette. Seeing Wang Youqing get up to greet him, he also quickly stood up and said:
"Teacher Wang, there’s no need to call me Director Xiao, just call me Old Xiao."
In Yong City, when someone isn’t too familiar with another’s title, or it’s inconvenient to use a title, it’s always safe to call them "Teacher." Xiao Boheng was clearly well-versed in this practice.
The two of them politely greeted each other, and then Xiao Boheng’s gaze shifted to another person, "Old Wang, you probably don’t know this individual."
With these words, Wang Youqing finally turned his attention to another unfamiliar man in the crowd.
He was obviously not from the Ninth Hospital, which Wang Youqing was certain of.
Although he didn’t know Xiao Boheng personally, he had heard of him and knew he was part of their small circle; they just hadn’t had a meal together before.
Xiao Boheng’s presence was somewhat unexpected for him this time.
After all, in the eyes of Wu Liguo and his group, Xiao Boheng was the kind of person who was afraid of his wife and daughter and wouldn’t dare to come out at night to drink with them.
Surprisingly, he came this time.
As for the person in front of him, he clearly hadn’t met him before, nor had he heard Wu Liguo mention him.
So he guessed, "Old Wu, is this an expert newly transferred from the Ninth Hospital?"
Upon hearing this, Wu Liguo burst into laughter, "I knew you would guess that."
"What, he’s not?"
Wang Youqing raised an eyebrow.
Old Li, sitting to Wang Youqing’s right, patted his shoulder and laughed, "Actually, no. But I bet you’ve heard of this person—Director Zhou Qihua of the emergency department at City First Hospital."
Wang Youqing was taken aback and then glanced at Old Li in surprise. He quickly reacted and greeted the other party, "Director Zhou, it’s a pleasure to meet you in person!"
Zhou Qihua’s reputation in the City First Hospital’s emergency department was exceptionally high within the entire Yong City medical system. His emergency surgeries were exceptional, having saved countless critical patients from the brink of death and received numerous banners from grateful patients every year. It could be said that Zhou Qihua single-handedly supported half of the emergency department at the City First Hospital.
Previously, Wang Youqing had only heard of Zhou Qihua but had never met him.
Although Wu Liguo had mentioned inviting a heavyweight in Yong City’s medical community, he hadn’t given it much thought, assuming it was just a director from some department at the Ninth Hospital. He didn’t expect Old Li and his group to bring this person over, so he was somewhat surprised at the moment.
Zhou Qihua quickly shook hands and said, "Call me Old Zhou. We’re all about the same age, so there’s no need for the formalities of calling me Director. I also heard from Old Li and the others that you’re a straightforward person. That’s why when I heard you were organizing this gathering, I agreed with Old Li and the others to come."
After exchanging pleasantries, everyone finally sat down.
After a few rounds of drinks, with the conversation flowing, Xiao Boheng, whose face was slightly flushed after two glasses, thought about his former patient, Li Qinxue. He poured himself a glass of wine, stood up, and looked at Wang Youqing:
"Old Wang, I propose a toast to you."
Wang Youqing was eating and immediately stood up upon seeing this, "Old Xiao, oh, I should be the one to toast you first."
But Xiao Boheng laughed and said, "It’s all the same. We’re all friends; it doesn’t matter who toasts whom first."
"Old Xiao, the sun must have risen from the west! You’re actually initiating a toast?" Wu Liguo looked surprised.
It wasn’t that Xiao Boheng was particularly arrogant; it was just his nature. He wasn’t very interested in alcohol and rarely came out with them. It’s not easy to get someone like him to toast others proactively.
Xiao Boheng gave Wu Liguo an annoyed look, "You’re so talkative, even alcohol can’t shut you up."
After saying that, he downed his drink in one go and looked at Wang Youqing, "Actually, Old Wang, there’s something I wanted to ask you about."
Upon hearing this, Wang Youqing’s expression turned serious, "Go ahead."
"It’s about a patient I previously consulted with. She mentioned your health center, so I wanted to find out more."
As he spoke, Xiao Boheng brought up the patient, Li Qinxue.