The two examiners watched as Chen Cang left, still smiling as they said, "Goodbye!"
This left the scrub nurse and the assistant bewildered...
Is that even possible?
Examiners actively greeting students?
That's... too abnormal, isn't it?
After Chen Cang had left, both of them sighed.
"I feel that this young man, if he continues at today's level, will certainly achieve excellent results in the national competition, and he might even make it into the top ten," the chief examiner said with conviction.
The deputy examiner nodded in agreement, "Yeah, you're the chief examiner, whatever you say is right!"
After Chen Cang came out, he returned to the waiting area, where Ning Haosen saw him and proactively got up. "You're done with the exam so soon?"
Chen Cang smiled, "Yeah, I tend to be quite quick."
Upon hearing this, Ning Haosen was momentarily stunned and then said with considerable envy, "Speed is a talent. I just watched the video of your first surgery, and you're really amazing, especially your suturing speed. It's among the top... top few I've seen."
Ning Haosen wanted to flatter, but after thinking for a long time, he couldn't go against his conscience and ended up with a rather vague number.
Why is it so hard to flatter?
Ning Haosen gave an awkward smile.
Chen Cang, hearing this, also sweated a little and gave an awkward smile.
Ning Haosen said with a smile, "Take a rest. The results will be out in a while, and regarding your first surgery, I have a lot of thoughts. I think it's necessary for us to communicate and exchange ideas."
Chen Cang realized that Ning Haosen was truly a scholarly tyrant. Regardless of his talent, his solid and diligent professional pursuit was commendable.
The two discussed based on the video of Chen Cang's first competition.
It must be said that Ning Haosen provided a lot of constructive suggestions and even directly pointed out many of Chen Cang's shortcomings.
Chen Cang accepted them with an open mind. Honestly, Chen Cang felt that if the competition were anything but the ascending aortic injury repair surgery, the results wouldn't necessarily be...
But... unfortunately, Dr. Ning was simply unlucky.
At this thought, Chen Cang suddenly felt sympathy for Ning Haosen.
Suddenly, with some trepidation, Chen Cang asked, "Dr. Ning, if you're eliminated... you won't be upset, will you?"
Upon hearing this, Ning Haosen's eyes lit up immediately. "Upset? Of course not. Anyone who can eliminate me must absolutely be better than me in a certain area, so I really value every learning opportunity. This, for me, is a good thing."
"I won't only not be upset, I'll be happy. The reason I participate in this competition every year is because I want to discover my deficiencies!"
"Actually, the purpose of the cardiac surgery skills competition is not for you to gain much honor, but its original intent is to provide a platform for professionals to compete. Only through comparison can we discover deficiencies and truly improve!"
"As competitors, we mustn't place honor as the primary goal; we need to understand its true meaning and then continuously improve our own strength and refine our surgical skills. That's the key. You too, Dr. Chen, must not get the cart before the horse!"
"We are doctors, not athletes. Our stage is the operating room, not the sports arena. Likewise, our goal is not medals, but to treat and save people."
"No matter at which stage I'm eliminated, it's the same principle for me. The real strong person is invincible!"
"Therefore, this competition, to me, is just an opportunity to discover my shortcomings."
Ning Haosen's remarks were made in an even tone, but they rang loud and clear in Chen Cang's ears!
Our stage is the operating room, and our goal isn't the championship but to treat patients and save lives.
The purpose of the competition is to discover one's own inadequacies, not to advance by luck.
In that moment, for some reason, Chen Cang regarded Ning Haosen with a bit more respect.
"Well done, Dr. Ning! You will definitely become the greatest doctor!" Chen Cang said sincerely.
Regardless, Ning Haosen truly had a persistent, ever-striving, and confidently independent heart.
Thinking this, Chen Cang felt even more inclined to befriend Ning Haosen.
In life, choosing friends should naturally be done with care.
If you have more people to remind you all the time, it's a good thing for you.
Soon, the results were announced. Ning Haosen opened his transcript and smiled, "My average score this year is 3 points higher than last year, 95 points this year. My first surgery was also 95 points, and the second one remained at 95."
Chen Cang, too, didn't hide anything and opened his own transcript, "98 points, my first round was 90 points, the second round 98 points, I'm developing in a specialized field. It seems I took advantage, having bumped into Dr. Ning in an area I'm good at. It feels a bit like an undeserved victory."
Ning Haosen didn't seem to have any emotional fluctuations, but instead... seemed a bit happy!?
Ning Haosen smiled, "98 points? It looks like my luck is as good as it has always been!"
"Honestly, even Guo Yunfei has never faced an opponent with 98 points. So, it's like I've already participated in a national competition. Last year's champion scored 99 points. As you can imagine, Dr. Chen, you have reached a leading position among the young generation in ascending aortic repair surgery!"
"I'm really looking forward to your surgery video, Dr. Chen. It might be the biggest takeaway for me this time."
Ning Haosen smiled genuinely. For him, it was a good thing. The tougher the competition, the stronger he would get, continually raising his own bar. That's the mindset of a true strong person.
Chen Cang nodded with a smile, "Let's have hot pot tomorrow night, bring your wife and kids too. I've also invited Dr. Cui Yuanwu."
Upon hearing about Cui Yuanwu, Ning Haosen smiled, "Looks like someone is going to treat us tomorrow."
Chen Cang suddenly burst into laughter.
It seems Dr. Cui's generosity is well-known in the circle!
Ning Haosen said, "Dr. Cui is really nice, wealthy without the attitude. Every time we have an annual cardiothoracic surgery gathering, he always takes us out for a great meal and then insists on picking up the tab."
Chen Cang smiled, truly, people are different, a hundred people with a hundred natures!
Cui Yuanwu has his own way of living. He has money to spare and uses it to build connections.
While Ning Haosen is not afraid of failure, for him, every failure is a step towards his own improvement.
Chen Cang smiled, "You're quite a good person, Dr. Ning!"
Ning Haosen smiled, "I'm thinking about something right now; maybe it's better not to call your sister-in-law tomorrow."
Chen Cang was taken aback, "Why's that?"
Ning Haosen said with a smile, "Because after this, you'll eliminate three more opponents, I'm guessing it's going to be another small industry gathering!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Cang immediately burst into laughter.
ps: Attitude determines altitude!