"The professor wants to see me?" August temporarily put aside his resentment towards a pen, tidied up his white gown, braced himself, and made his way to Yang Ping’s office.
The door was slightly ajar. He gently pushed it open, poked his head in, and softly asked:
"Professor, you wanted to see me?"
"Come in!" Yang Ping was studying a surgery plan and wanted to discuss it with him.
August walked in, stood erect with his hands glued to the seams of his pants, leaning slightly forward.
The corner of his eyes was fixed on the Professor’s pot of tea. He knew that if the Professor poured a cup of tea from that pot for a student, it meant that the student was accepted by him—this was said to be a tradition.
So far, Dr. Ao had not been served that cup of tea.
Yang Ping pushed the 3D model of the spine to the center of his desk: "Dr. Ao, if we use an external spinal fixation frame to treat this case, how would you suggest we perform the osteotomy? This is your patient."
This model was taken from the Duke’s precious son’s spiral spine, so August was slightly excited.
Is this a test? August was confident. He had been intensively studying the new technique lately. He had been assisting with surgeries during the day and changing dressings before his shift ended. He returned to his dormitory to take notes and reflect on the day’s work.
"Professor, look!" August took out his pen: "Each vertebra needs to be cut, and the cut should preferably stay at the posterior column to maintain spinal stability and make full use of the tension osteogenesis. I would start from this vertebra—"
August used his pen to demonstrate, elaborately explaining the specific location, direction, and depth of each osteotomy.
The osteotomy site was going to be the area of tension, which not only required the consideration of corrective surgery but also the tolerance to spinal cord deformation.
Indeed, he was an expert in orthopedic spine surgery and understood the osteotomy of the new technique in great depth.
The promotion of this new technique in Europe depended on the doctor before him, Dr. Ao.
Yang Ping commended him and then made several adjustments to the osteotomy sites.
These adjustments would simplify the surgery, an issue August had previously struggled to understand. He always knew something was wrong, but didn’t know how to make the necessary adjustments.
After Yang Ping’s suggestions, the clever August finally understood the inner workings of it.
"Professor, when can I invite you to Germany for surgery on this patient?" August seized the opportunity to extend an invitation.
Yang Ping did not refuse, instead, he asked: "The patient’s cardiopulmonary function isn’t very good, is it?"
"Due to severe spinal deformity, the thoracic cavity is extremely narrow, causing serious twisting and compression on the heart and lungs. The cardiopulmonary function is very poor, and if other complications arise, it may endanger his life due to insufficient compensation of the cardiopulmonary function. That’s why my friend hopes to arrange surgery for his son as soon as possible."
August knew of the Professor’s temperament — if the patient didn’t get surgery quickly, he might not survive.
Will the Professor step in or not?
After some contemplation, Yang Ping nodded: "I’ll come to Germany with you after my current work is finished."
"We’ll take a look at the project funded by the Duke’s foundation while we’re there. I assure you, it is a very decent foundation."
August swallowed hard, as if his throat were dry.
"Alright, let’s go have a look."
"And also review a spinal cord injury research project, to see if our hospital meets the standards as a clinical research base. For this stage three clinical trial, the Duke’s foundation has contributed a hundred million Euros. Patients from all over the world can enjoy free treatment in Germany. Professor! Your every spinal fixator is benefiting humanity." August played his trump card.
The Duke was generous for his son’s sake and had signed an agreement with Harald’s Orthopedic Hospital in Munich. If the stage three clinical trial was successful, the Duke would provide a hundred million euros in funding.
This was a significant amount of money, no matter where you were.
Yang Ping lightly patted August’s shoulder.
August was disappointed. He had not received that cup of tea by the end of his conversation with the Professor.
August had to change a few patients’ dressings before leaving work, so he pushed the trolley with the medical supplies, put on a mask and hat, and prepared to change the dressings.
Out in the hallway, he saw Professor Zou from First Affiliated Hospital, standing at the door with a bag of fruit in his hand.
Professor Zou waved his hand.
August looked back, gestured for Professor Zou to leave, and then pushed the medicine trolley into the ward.
Watching his mentor’s back as he pushed the medicine trolley, Professor Zou felt a wave of sadness surge from within him, even stronger than the last time. My mentor, my mentor! His demeanor resembled that of a standardized training student, pushing a trolley to change patients’ dressings. Tears nearly sprung to Professor Zou’s eyes.
He was close enough now to greet Yang Ping, so he went to Yang Ping’s office.
Seeing Professor Zou with a bag of fruit, Yang Ping was surprised by his unexpected visit.
"I am passing by and thought I would come in to check on things. Good day, Professor Yang!" Professor Zou put down the fruit, took out a tissue, wiped his sweat, his eyes misty with moisture.
"Professor Zou, what’s going on?" Yang Ping noticed that he seemed off.
Professor Zou sighed briefly: "August is my mentor, please take care of him! I wanted to visit him just now."
No wonder he was carrying a bag of fruit.
Yang Ping nodded: "Of course, we’ll certainly look after him. Since you’re here, why don’t we get together for dinner later?"
"No need, I just wanted to see my mentor. I have other plans for tonight."
Professor Zou did indeed have some social engagements that evening, plus his impromptu visit and hurriedly arranged meal wasn’t fitting.
Li Guodong happened to be passing by the entrance to Yang Ping’s office when he heard the call and stopped.