After waiting a little longer and seeing no patients in internal medicine, Liu Banxia cheerfully slipped in.
"What are you up to?" Looking at his expression, Xu Hui instinctively sensed danger.
"Nothing much. I've just been busy the past few days and haven't had time to chat with you," Liu Banxia said.
"With that expression, you're like a weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken. Spit it out, what's up?" Xu Hui asked, suspicious.
Liu Banxia gave him a thumbs-up. "Brother Hui, you really don't miss a thing. It's this teaching business; it's been giving me a headache. Can you clear up some doubts for me?"
"What can I help you with? Internships in internal medicine are different from those in surgery. We need to accumulate experience. Can it be done without a sufficient knowledge reserve?" Xu Hui questioned.
"Take you, for example. You can now fully handle the internal medicine workload during diagnosis and treatment. Just share how you learned, and we'll understand, right?"
Liu Banxia nodded. "Indeed, whether it's internal medicine or surgery, a lot of experience is needed to become a qualified doctor."
"Symptoms nowadays are very cunning. Many diseases present with similar outward signs, differing only subtly. Our job is to find those subtle differences and then diagnose the illness."
"You've mentored Zhou Shangkai and Cao Peng very well. Even if they don't stay in our emergency center, they'll do fine in other hospitals. But you need to keep it up to cultivate more talent for our emergency center in the future."
Xu Hui frowned, feeling Liu Banxia was beating around the bush and not getting to the point.
"So, Brother Hui, what do you think about Wang Chao's fecal transplant this time?" Liu Banxia asked.
"It's great. The patient's bowel movements have decreased significantly. I think one more treatment should do it. The first case being so successful is genuinely good news," Xu Hui responded.
"So, you don't have any other thoughts?" Liu Banxia asked with a smile.
"Other thoughts? What are you getting at?" Xu Hui became alert again.
"What else could it be? I plan to make this therapy a standard, routine medical procedure in our emergency center. It could not only generate revenue for us but also help more patients," Liu Banxia explained.
"What are you really up to?" Xu Hui was puzzled.
No wonder he felt that way. After treating so many patients, each requiring careful examination, he felt his brain was a bit overloaded.
"Actually, I just had an idea. Fecal transplantation is originally internal medicine work, so could you help Wang Chao manage this in the future?" Liu Banxia revealed his true intention.
"Don't tell me there isn't a sufficient theoretical basis or data to support this method now. As long as it can help patients, and many hospitals in our country are using this therapy, it means it's feasible."
"Tomorrow is Brother Huan's shift. I want to talk not only to you but also to Brother Huan. Don't worry about this stealing Wang Chao's credit. If it's just him alone, that kid will work himself to death and still won't be able to handle this workload."
"His main job is still in surgery; getting the initial credit is enough for him. In the future, if you're interested, you can also conduct further research in this area and publish some papers, and so on."
"You… aren't you strong-arming me? I'm already exhausted from seeing patients every day. If I participate in this, how much time will I have left?" Xu Hui argued.
"That's why I plan to have the three of you support this project together. I'll ask the director to add equipment to the lab, and we can also hire two more people to lighten their workload," Liu Banxia explained.
"At least we have this initial success. If we work hard, I think it's achievable. What needs to be done is donor collection, separation, and storage. You can also slowly develop the transplantation methods."
"Don't think this is all gain with no pain; a lot of work needs to be done. After all, our domestic environment is different from abroad. Donor collection has certain difficulties, so you'll have to take turns going out to find them."
"Of course, if you think doing this work is a bit... well, that's also okay…"
"Get lost! Are you here just to annoy me?" Xu Hui shot him a glare.
"So that's a yes, then? Anyway, I just think this is a great thing that kills three birds with one stone. If you agree, I'll go talk to Wang Chao," Liu Banxia said merrily.
"Are you trying to push me to my death? Can't you let me think it over properly?" Xu Hui said helplessly.
"I know, if we really get this project up and running, it will definitely benefit my future evaluations and promotions. Even if there isn't much data to support it yet, we'd be the only three people involved."
"But I want more time to rest; I don't want to work so hard. Seeing patients in the hospital every day is already busy enough. I don't want to divide my energy to work on this too."
"With great power comes great responsibility," Liu Banxia said.
"If I weren't so swamped with work right now, I'd really want to help Wang Chao get this going. We have some experience now, so it's the perfect time to press our advantage."
"You haven't even asked Wang Chao. What if he sees we've agreed and then just backs out?" Xu Hui asked with a furrowed brow.
"Heh, that just shows you don't understand Wang Chao at all," Liu Banxia said with a wide grin.
"If he had to do this alone, he'd definitely chicken out. But if someone helps him carry it through? He'll be full of enthusiasm."
"You know his family situation, right? Why did he stay in our emergency center back then? He was actually spurred on by Qi Wentao and me."
"He might seem indifferent to everything, but he actually has a competitive streak. Otherwise, with his family background, I guarantee that within five years, he could smoothly become one of our actual leaders."
Xu Hui nodded. He believed that. Sometimes, comparisons were futile; Wang Chao's resources were truly abundant. Even working in the emergency center, his future potential was not to be underestimated.
After all, Wang Chao was still young. Even if he wasn't as dazzling as Liu Banxia, he had plenty of resources. This was something that had to be considered in any workplace, whether one liked it or not.
"So, you don't need to worry that he'll have any bad feelings, thinking you're there to steal his thunder or take his credit. He won't care about that," Liu Banxia continued.
"Besides, this is a big project. Even with his resources, it would be difficult for him to get it approved on his own. But if you and Brother Huan join in—two seasoned veterans with rich experience—plus Wang Chao, it'll be a sure thing."
"Actually, with this project, there won't be many opportunities to shine much further down the line. It might even be a somewhat thankless task. If patients don't recover successfully, we might even get blamed."
"Anyway, I've thought about it for a long time, and I really don't want to give up this opportunity. And only if the three of you collaborate can the benefits be maximized."
"We're all close. So even if this project doesn't have many shining moments, there are still some benefits, right? If the hospital were to assign someone else to do it later, wouldn't we lose out?"
"Coaxing, still coaxing. Good heavens, you're hitting me with both logic and emotion. You're making it sound like I'd be letting you down if I don't agree," Xu Hui gave him a helpless glare.
That said, he had to admit, he was genuinely tempted.
He previously didn't know much about this therapy. But now, with one successful patient case, although the upcoming tasks would be tedious, they didn't seem insurmountably difficult.
It was as if Wang Chao had already blazed a small trail in the wilderness, and all they needed to do was widen that trail into a proper road.
Besides, one works to earn money. If he joined this project, his salary would undoubtedly increase.
If he managed his time well, it probably wouldn't add too much burden to his existing work. It would just mean being responsible for a few more things and paying a bit more attention.
"That's about it. I've considered it very seriously. Anyway, I just feel this is the best way to handle it right now. Don't let fertile water flow into others' fields," Liu Banxia stated.
"Let me think about it some more. I'll give you an answer the day after tomorrow, okay?" Xu Hui said.
"Alright! I'll wait for your good news. I'm off to find Chao now," Liu Banxia said jubilantly, then ran off.
Xu Hui felt helpless. Honestly, he was now a bit wary of Liu Banxia's powers of persuasion.
Leaving Xu Hui, Liu Banxia approached Wang Chao, ready for another round of persuasion.
"What are you up to? Why are you so excited?" Wang Chao asked guardedly.
"Heh heh, you need to make arrangements for tonight," Liu Banxia urged.
"Why? What are you trying to pull now?" Wang Chao asked, annoyed.
"I've been racking my brains for your sake! Brother Hui is almost on board. Tomorrow, I'll work on Brother Huan. Then, you guys can form a three-person fecal transplant team. I'm a good buddy, right?" Liu Banxia said, obviously delighted.
"Really? Brother Hui and Brother Huan will really agree?" Wang Chao instantly perked up.
"What do you think? You don't think I went to all that trouble talking my mouth dry for nothing, do you? I just feel it would be too much of a pity if you gave up after putting in so much hard work," Liu Banxia said.
Wang Chao subconsciously nodded.
"This is on me. I'll definitely get Brother Huan on board tomorrow," Liu Banxia said, then returned to his seat.
He didn't dare linger, lest Wang Chao figured things out. Coax one, then the next.
Wang Chao blinked. Something seemed off, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.