139: Chapter 139 Overall Individual Ranking First Place: Lu Chen
At the operating station.
Lu Chen glanced at the score on the big screen, his expression showing no obvious change.
He tidied up the instruments on the operating table and turned to walk off the stage.
As he passed by Zhou Haoran, Zhou Haoran stood up.
"Lu Chen."
Lu Chen stopped.
Zhou Haoran looked at him and was silent for two seconds.
"You won."
"There are still seven people who haven't gone up yet."
"They won't surpass you."
Zhou Haoran's tone was very calm.
He was someone who could afford to lose.
"You don't have two months' worth of experience; you've deceived everyone."
"I haven't deceived anyone. I have indeed only worked in the Emergency Department for less than two months."
Zhou Haoran stared at him for a good while.
"Then you are a monster."
Lu Chen didn't take the bait, nodded, and continued walking toward the observation seats.
Returning to his seat, Zhao Yaqin had already stood up.
"You..."
"Sister Zhao, don't get excited."
"I'm not excited; I just think that five-thousand-yuan bonus is yours for sure."
Lu Chen smiled.
"That's good."
The corner of Zhao Yaqin's mouth twitched.
You really are something.
The remaining seven contestants went on stage one after another, with varying performances. The highest score was eighty-six, and no one exceeded eighty-eight, let alone ninety-two.
The assessment for all contestants concluded.
The chief examiner stood up and announced the final rankings.
"For this provincial Emergency Medicine skills assessment, based on the combined written test and practical operation scores, the rankings by total score are as follows."
"First place in individual total score: Lu Chen, Jiangcheng City Central Hospital, written test 86 points, practical operation 92 points, total score 178 points."
The entire hall went quiet for a moment again.
Then, applause erupted.
This time, it was louder than before.
Even a few contestants who previously held prejudices against Lu Chen were applauding.
They were convinced.
A written score of 86 might not be the highest, but a practical score of 92 was a cut above the rest. Adding the two together for a total of 178 points, he firmly held the top spot.
"Second place: Zhou Haoran, Provincial Peoples Hospital, written test 89 points, practical operation 88.7 points, total score 177.7 points."
Zhou Haoran stood up and gave a slight nod.
177.7 versus 178.
The gap was only 0.3 points.
He had won by three points in the written test, but lost by 3.3 points in the practical operation.
The total score difference was 0.3.
He glanced at Lu Chen and took a deep breath.
Just 0.3 points difference.
But losing was losing.
"Third place: Lin Zhuo, Guangfu Hospital, written test 84 points, practical operation 86.3 points, total score 170.3 points."
The top three were out.
Director Qian Fangxu nodded slightly from the back row.
His person took third, which wasn't a loss.
But today's protagonist wasn't Lin Zhuo.
It was the young man he had taken a liking to during the Suturing competition.
The awards ceremony was brief.
The chief examiner personally presented certificates and trophies to the top three.
When Lu Chen received the first-place certificate and trophy, the chief examiner took an extra look at him.
"Young man, how old are you?"
"Twenty-four."
"A 24-year-old Resident Physician winning the first prize in a provincial assessment—this is the first time in the eight years we've held this assessment."
The chief examiner patted his shoulder.
"Keep up the good work; your future is limitless."
"Thank you."
As Lu Chen walked down holding the certificate and trophy, Zhao Yaqin greeted him.
"Congratulations."
"Thank you, Sister Zhao. When will the bonus be issued?"
Zhao Yaqin looked at him deeply.
"You really don't hide your enthusiasm for money at all."
"Why hide it? I earned it fair and square."
Zhao Yaqin smiled helplessly.
"The Hospital will issue it uniformly after we return; it should be paid out with next month's salary."
"That's good."
At this moment, Director Qian Fangxu walked over.
He patted Lu Chen's shoulder.
"Well done. Director Li didn't waste his time training you."
"Thank you, Director Qian."
"Tell Director Li for me when you get back that this soldier under his command is tough."
After saying this, Director Qian Fangxu left with Lin Zhuo.
Lin Zhuo paused when he passed by Lu Chen.
"Dr. Lu, regarding your Closed Thoracic Drainage operation today, could I find some time to ask you for advice?"
"Anytime."
Lin Zhuo nodded and quickly caught up with Director Qian Fangxu.
Zhou Haoran also walked over.
He stood in front of Lu Chen and extended his hand.
"Congratulations, it is well-deserved."
Lu Chen shook his hand.
"Dr. Zhou's written test score was three points higher than mine; your theoretical foundation is more solid than mine."
"But the assessment looks at the total score; you won, so you won."
Zhou Haoran let go of his hand.
"Next time there's a chance, I want to see your actual clinical operation level. A simulator is a simulator, after all; real patients are much more complex than this."
"If there's a chance, I'd like to see Dr. Zhou's as well."
Zhou Haoran smiled.
"Then see you next time."
He turned and left.
After walking a few steps, the young Resident Physician beside him who had been gossiping earlier asked in a low voice.
"Brother Haoran, has he really only worked for two months?"
"Mm."
"Then how did he train to reach this level...?"
Zhou Haoran was silent for a moment.
"Some people are just unreasonable."
The young Resident Physician stopped talking.
The people in the hall gradually dispersed.
Just as Lu Chen was preparing to leave with Zhao Yaqin, a voice came from behind.
"Xiao Lu."
It was Section Chief He Zhongfeng.
Lu Chen turned around.
Section Chief He Zhongfeng stood not far away with a smile on his face.
But this smile was clearly not as natural as when he had arrived.
"Congratulations, Xiao Lu, first prize, remarkable."
"Thank you, Section Chief He."
"After I go back, I will report your results to President Zeng; he will certainly be happy."
"Alright."
Section Chief He smiled again.
"A promising young man is a blessing for the Hospital."
After saying this, he turned and left.
He walked very quickly.
Zhao Yaqin watched Section Chief He Zhongfeng's back coldly from the side.
"I'm afraid he didn't come to congratulate you."
"I know."
"He probably thought you would embarrass yourself before he came."
"I know."
"And you ended up taking first place."
"Mm."
"How will he explain this to Vice President Peng when he goes back?"
Lu Chen thought for a moment.
"That's his business; it has nothing to do with me."
Zhao Yaqin shook her head.
This person would never be affected by these power struggles.
Over at the judges' bench, Jiang Weibang was packing up his things.
The chief examiner walked over and glanced at him.
"Old Jiang, did you score that 82 points too low?"
Jiang Weibang's hand paused.
"I scored according to my standards."
"Your standards differed by ten points from the other four judges; that gap is a bit large."
Jiang Weibang didn't speak.
The chief examiner didn't press further.
He just said faintly, "The scoring records for this assessment will be archived and saved. If anyone reviews them in the future, every judge's scoring will be traceable."
Jiang Weibang's expression changed slightly.
"I know."
"It's good that you know."
The chief examiner picked up the document bag and turned to leave.
Jiang Weibang stood where he was, the expression on his face very unpleasant.
He clenched his fists, ultimately said nothing, and left with his head down.
On the car ride back.
Zhao Yaqin sat in the passenger seat, and Lu Chen sat in the back.
"Report your results to Director Li first after we return; he should be waiting for the news."
"Alright."
"These results will be very helpful for your future promotion. A first-prize in a provincial assessment is a solid, concrete honor; it will definitely add points when you are evaluated for Attending Physician."
"Mm."
Zhao Yaqin glanced at him through the rearview mirror.
"Can't you say more than two words?"
"Sister Zhao, I'm thinking about a very important question."
"What question?"
"How much will the five-thousand-yuan bonus, plus the Hospital's performance reward, likely be?"
Zhao Yaqin closed her eyes.
She took a deep breath.
"I'm not talking to you anymore."
Lu Chen smiled, leaned back in his seat, and closed his eyes to rest.