Healing Doctor

Chapter 13 Exam (Part 1)

That night.

Zhao Tianjiao was sitting on the sofa chatting with his father, Zhao Jixiang.

Zhao Jixiang is the vice president of the Second Affiliated Hospital, in charge of logistics, equipment, pharmaceuticals, and so on. He graduated from a top-tier university in China in his youth and rose through the ranks after more than a decade of clinical work.

He has had a smooth and successful career, and now he occupies the coveted position of vice president of the Second Affiliated Hospital, with signs that he may be on track to become the president.

"Tianjiao, do you know what you'll be doing after you go to the clinic?" Zhao Jixiang asked with an air of official authority, even when speaking to his own son.

"Dad, I tried my best."

The atmosphere of the father-son conversation was a little different today. Zhao Tianjiao knew what his old man was going to do, so he didn't act presumptuously, but instead gave a cautious and vague answer.

"I couldn't help you with your undergraduate studies, but you should have noticed since you started your internship last year."

Zhao Tianjiao nodded; he understood perfectly what his father meant.

During the internship, the other students only glanced at it briefly.

Some students even rarely went to clinical practice when they were preparing for graduate school entrance exams. Their supervising teachers turned a blind eye and let it go without anyone investigating.

I am different.

The old man had paved the way for himself. His supervising doctor at the internship hospital was willing to take him into surgery. He was able to tie knots on the first day, and after becoming proficient, he was even given a few minor surgeries.

Although it was just a minor surgery, the teacher didn't trust me to do the key steps like vascular ligation, but it was clear that my starting point was much higher than that of the other students.

Life is a relay race. Thanks to my father's hard work, the baton has been passed to me, and I am already many times stronger than the average person.

"As for preventing you from taking the postgraduate entrance exam, it's all because of this damn residency training system," Zhao Jixiang said calmly. "Nowadays, postgraduate and doctoral students have to undergo residency training after graduation, wasting several years of their lives." (Note: There were indeed similar problems when the residency training system was first introduced.)

"Dad, didn't I hear a few days ago that we need to combine several certificates into one?" Zhao Tianjiao asked.

"The ministry does have this plan, but who knows when the regulations will be finalized," Zhao Jixiang said calmly. "As for working at the hospital, the postgraduate entrance exam and doctoral studies can be discussed later. Self-administered exams, single or double certificates are all negotiable; it's not difficult."

"I understand, Dad." Zhao Tianjiao was a little confused. He didn't quite understand what his father meant, but he didn't need to understand it himself. He just needed to follow his father's plan. His father would never lie to him.

"First year of standardized residency training".

As he spoke, Zhao Jixiang held up one finger.

"The most important thing is to pass the professional qualification exam."

Zhao Tianjiao nodded heavily.

"Go through the motions in internal medicine; focus your main efforts on surgery. Take your time to look around and see which department you prefer. I'll find the best surgeon to train you."

"When the opportunity to be the lead surgeon arises, you must be able to seize it."

As he spoke, Zhao Jixiang seemed to be thinking of something and let out a deep sigh.

"Dad, what's wrong?" Zhao Tianjiao asked anxiously.

"I didn't have such good opportunities when I was young," Zhao Jixiang said with a smile. "Back then, I would tie knots first, and then work my butt off to get the teacher to let me have a surgery."

"And then?"

"My hands were shaking when I performed my first surgery," Zhao Jixiang recalled. "I knew very well that if I could seize this opportunity, I could avoid three years of detours. If I didn't, I don't know when I would be able to have surgery again."

That was the most important surgery of my life. And you, without even realizing it, your internship is already over.

Thinking back to the situation his grandfather faced back then, Zhao Tianjiao could vaguely sense how difficult it must have been.

"Let's not talk about that. After your standardized training ends, stay on and choose a department to get familiar with first. The following year, I'll send you to Beijing or Shanghai for further studies." Zhao Jixiang shook off his nostalgic feelings and continued to explain his plans to his son.

"Is it based on the department I chose, Dad?"

"Hmm." Zhao Jixiang nodded. "I suggest you choose orthopedics, and then I'll send you to Jishuitan Hospital. I have a classmate who's a director there. You can go for a year and learn some techniques that our Second Affiliated Hospital doesn't have."

"You can publish a paper after performing a few hundred surgeries. Although you can publish a paper without performing surgeries, it's still better to have surgery skills, since that's your livelihood in the future."

However, the paper has already been submitted; what I just mentioned was something you did yourself.

Zhao Tianjiao didn't ask what happened next, and Zhao Jixiang didn't say anything either.

Leading a team and becoming a director—things that seem impossible to others—will all come naturally.

It's so good to have Dad around.

"Get some rest and do well on your exam tomorrow." Zhao Jixiang smiled as he saw his son's expression. "Take things one step at a time. Life can't be rushed."

……

……

The lights were still on in the Science and Education Department.

"Director Sun, you truly care about the future of the hospital, placing such importance on the residency training exams," a staff member from the Medical Affairs Department complimented.

Director Sun of the Science and Education Department didn't say anything. He finished reading the exam paper and squinted his eyes in deep thought.

The junior clerk was unsure what Director Sun was going to do and was somewhat apprehensive.

A dozen minutes later, Director Sun turned on his computer and searched for information in the medical records database.

After a very long time, he finally found the medical record he needed.

"This will be the last case analysis question."

The junior clerk readily agreed.

But when he looked at the medical records, his face turned sour.

The medical records were filled with in-hospital consultations, and he had no idea which ones were the key points.

If we were to convert the medical record into a math problem, the difficulty of this problem would definitely exceed the problem-solving range of college students.

Even graduate students and doctoral students probably wouldn't be able to do it.

The junior clerk didn't know why his Director Sun had assigned this particular question. Afraid of delaying things, he mustered up his courage and went to find Director Sun, who hadn't been home for a while.

Director Sun was in a particularly good mood today. Seeing that his junior staff member, who wasn't from a clinical background, couldn't solve the problem, he took matters into his own hands.

Two full hours later, Director Sun finally let out a sigh of relief.

"If this question were thrown into the clinic, even the department heads in our hospital would be stumped."

"Director Sun, is this to instill a sense of awe for clinical practice in the resident trainees? You're truly farsighted." The junior clerk had no idea what Director Sun meant and could only offer random flattery.

Director Sun smiled slightly, offered no explanation, and sent the answer via WeChat.

……

……

The next morning, Ji Xiang arrived at the hospital.

I visited the Second Affiliated Hospital for two days. Today was the exam, and the results will be released this afternoon. If I pass, I can start my residency training tomorrow.

For a top student like Ji Xiang, exams are no big deal at all; they're just a formality.

Getting a perfect score is normal for Ji Xiang. It's only when he can't answer a question that he gets serious.

Sitting in the examination room, waiting for the proctor to curl his hair, Ji Xiang's mind was filled with the words spoken by the system NPC.

Once the system store opens, you can buy gene-altering drugs. This kind of incredible ability is just too awesome.

Then there's the long-term main quest issued by the system, which is clearly visible.

It's just cutting a leather bag, why issue a main quest?

Most importantly, the system NPC makes it very clear that this main quest is very difficult, and the success rate for the "chosen ones" selected by the system is less than 10%.

Furthermore, once approved, the system's in-game store can be accessed, allowing users to purchase gene-altering drugs.

Just then, the student in the front row passed the test paper over.

Ji Xiang left one of the papers behind him and then passed it to the student behind him.

He glanced at it only once, then picked up his pen and began to write.

The handwriting is elegant, with a faint trace of the slender gold script. In an era where everyone types and exams are computer-based, it is rare to see someone with such skillful penmanship.

Everything else was fine, but the last question was a bit difficult.

Ji Xiang seemed to finish writing the previous answers without thinking, but was stumped by the last question.

He hesitated for a moment, held his breath, and entered the system space.

……

"Dean Zhao, you've come in person." A staff member from the Science and Education Department suddenly saw Director Sun from the Science and Education Department accompanying Dean Zhao as they walked over from the other side of the corridor. He quickly ran over and greeted them with a smile.

"Come and take a look," Dean Zhao said with a smile. "Resident trainees are fresh blood, the future of our hospital. If I, an old clinician, don't take a look, I'll feel like something's missing."

Everyone knows that Dean Zhao came to see his son, but it's only right that he speaks in a respectable and polite way; that's called emotional intelligence.

"How long has the exam been going on?" Dean Zhao asked.

"Fifteen minutes," the staff member from the Science and Education Department replied with a smile. "This year's students are of very high caliber. There will be a practical component after the written exam, but it's very simple—just taking blood pressure, tying knots, and doing an electrocardiogram, things like that."

Dean Zhao nodded slightly. Just as he reached the door, a figure walked out in front of him.

Although he was facing away from the sun, the person seemed to radiate light, exuding a bright and sunny aura.

"You need to report when you go to the restroom. This is a formal exam," an unhappily clerk from the Science and Education Department snapped.

"Teacher, I've handed in my paper," Ji Xiang said with a smile.

"..."

The people in the Science and Education Department felt like they had a hearing problem. Three hundred questions, including not only clinical theory but also case analysis, how could they finish them in fifteen minutes?

Even finding a chief clinical resident to take the exam would be a headache.

"You need to be serious. If your exam scores aren't good enough, you won't be able to do your residency training at our Second Affiliated Hospital." The director of the Science and Education Department adopted a persuasive tone, much like a big bad wolf talking to a little lamb.

"Very serious, teacher." Ji Xiang looked down at the group.

He was tall, but he didn't make people feel intimidated; instead, they instinctively made way for him.

"Teachers, please go first." Ji Xiang stepped aside and politely addressed the group in front of him.

Dean Zhao glanced at Ji Xiang, then walked into the examination room with his hands behind his back.

It's not necessarily good to hand in the exam paper early. I guess this kid glanced at the paper and didn't find it very helpful, so he just gave up.

Upon entering the examination room, Dean Zhao saw his son engrossed in answering questions and smiled with a nod.

He walked around silently, pretending to be on patrol.

Just then, a familiar voice came from outside.

"Where's Ji Xiang?"

Dean Zhao frowned, his face darkening.

Even the dean wouldn't call someone by their first name directly in the Second Affiliated Hospital. Who the hell is this guy?!

Director Sun of the Science and Education Department recognized who was speaking. He looked puzzled, but still quickly ran out before Dean Zhao could lash out.

"Where is Ji Xiang?"

The person outside shouted again, hurriedly, as if afraid that Dean Zhao's anger was not enough.

"Old Mo, keep your voice down, the students are taking an exam!" Director Sun scurried out and scolded.

His eyes were constantly flashing signals, his eyeballs almost popping out.

But Professor Mo seemed to be possessed today, completely oblivious to Director Sun's gaze.

"Director Sun, I'm sorry, I have something urgent to attend to. Where's Ji Xiang?" Professor Mo asked in a low voice.

"Cough cough cough."

Dean Zhao walked slowly to the front row and stood in the classroom, coldly watching Professor Mo.

"..."

Professor Mo was stunned when he saw Dean Zhao come into view.

Ji Xiang, Zhao Jixiang...

He cursed inwardly.

You don't care about science and education at all, who knew you, Dean Zhao, were here?

"Dean Zhao, Dean Zhao, you're here." Professor Mo cursed inwardly, but he bowed and walked in with a humble, subservient expression.

"Yes, I am. What do you need me for?" Dean Zhao asked casually.

"I'm not looking for you, I'm looking for a resident trainee named Ji Xiang," Professor Mo quickly explained.

"Ji Xiang?"

Dean Zhao kept repeating this name.

"Dean Zhao, the student who just handed in his paper is named Ji Xiang."

"You've handed in your paper? So fast?!" Professor Mo was taken aback. He glanced around but didn't see Ji Xiang.

"Why are you looking for him? It seems like this student has already given up," Director Sun said, changing the subject for Professor Mo.

Professor Mo glanced gratefully at Director Sun and explained in a low voice, "Yesterday I asked Ji to lend me a hand, but I was in a hurry when I left and forgot to leave his phone number. I came to find him after I finished my shift today."

Dean Zhao frowned, a dark cloud passing over his face.

"I didn't expect him to finish faster than me. How did he hand in his paper so quickly?"

Dark clouds gathered, and a torrential downpour was imminent.

(End of this chapter)