70: Chapter 70: Having connections makes things much easier!
The matter of the Operating Room proceeded faster than Lu Chen had anticipated.
The next morning, Director Li Sen announced some news within a small circle in the department.
"The Hospital held a special meeting and has, in principle, agreed to the establishment of an independent Operating Room for the Emergency Department. We are currently going through the processes for site inspection and equipment budgeting."
This news caused an uproar in the Emergency Department.
"For real? This has been talked about for so many years; is it finally going to be implemented?"
"I heard it was pushed personally by President Zeng."
"Then there's no problem. There has never been anything pushed by President Zeng that didn't come to fruition."
Wu Fan stood to the side, his expression somewhat complex.
He glanced at Lu Chen.
Lu Chen was writing medical records at his workstation, his expression calm.
"This Operating Room, it has something to do with you, right?"
Wu Fan walked over and lowered his voice.
"What?"
"Don't play dumb. The whole department is gossiping, saying you're President Zeng's person, and that this Operating Room was proposed by you to those at the top."
Lu Chen stopped writing.
"Brother Wu, who benefits the most from the implementation of the Operating Room?"
"Of course, it benefits the department."
"Then that's all that matters."
Wu Fan thought about it, and it made sense.
Regardless of who proposed it, once the Operating Room is built, the rescue efficiency in the Red Zone will increase significantly, and ultimately, it is the patients who benefit.
"Alright then, regardless of anything else, this is a good thing."
Wu Fan patted Lu Chen on the shoulder.
"But you should be careful too. Your tree is growing bigger and bigger now, and there will be more and more people watching you."
"I know."
"As long as you know."
Wu Fan left.
Lu Chen continued writing medical records.
In the afternoon, Director Li Sen called Lu Chen to the Director's office.
Once the door was closed, Director Li Sen leaned back in his chair and looked at him.
"Sit."
Lu Chen sat down.
"The matter of the Operating Room, you heard about it?"
"It was announced this morning."
"What do you think?"
"It's very good. It's a huge benefit to the department."
Director Li Sen nodded.
"It is indeed a huge benefit. Our department has been proposing this for three years, and it was never approved."
"This time, President Zeng personally pushed it. From submitting the proposal to approval in principle, it only took one week."
There was emotion in Director Li Sen's tone, and something else as well.
"Having connections at the top really makes things easier."
Lu Chen didn't respond.
Director Li Sen glanced at him.
"You don't need to be nervous. I don't mean to criticize you. The Operating Room is a good thing; it's good for the department, good for the patients. Regardless of who pushed it, as long as the result is good, that's fine."
"Director Li, I understand what you mean."
"What do you understand?"
"You are worried that I'm getting too deeply involved."
Director Li Sen was silent for a moment.
"You do indeed understand."
He stood up and took two steps around the office.
"Lu Chen, let me tell you the truth. I've worked at this Hospital for over twenty years; what kind of factional infighting haven't I seen? You think there's only conflict between President Zeng Dayang and Vice President Peng Zhao? There were even more complex ones before: three-way games, four-way games, tearing each other down, and mutual reporting—it's all happened."
"What happened in the end?"
"The winners did win in the end, but the losers didn't lose everything. The ones who truly lost were those who stood in the middle, used as pawns, and then discarded."
Lu Chen's expression didn't change.
"I won't be discarded."
"On what basis are you so certain?"
"Because I am useful."
Director Li Sen stopped walking and turned to look at him.
"I have always been useful, and I will become increasingly useful."
Lu Chen's tone was not arrogant.
It was a statement of fact.
Director Li Sen looked into his eyes for a long time without speaking.
"You..."
Director Li Sen sighed.
"Sometimes I feel like you aren't twenty-four years old; your mindset is so old that it scares me."
"Children who come out of an Orphanage are all precocious."
This sentence softened Director Li Sen's expression.
"Alright, I won't say anything more. You need to gauge the situation yourself. There is one thing you must remember: no matter how things change outside, you are a person of the Emergency Department, you are my person. I don't get involved in factional matters, but I will protect you."
"Thank you, Director Li."
"What are you thanking me for? You are my soldier; if I don't protect you, who would I protect?"
Director Li Sen waved his hand.
"Go get busy. There are things waiting for you in the Red Zone."
Lu Chen stood up and walked to the door.
"Oh, right."
Director Li Sen called him back.
"Hmm?"
"After the Operating Room is built, I plan to have you be responsible for a portion of the Emergency Surgery Department operations. Are you ready?"
"At any time."
"Good, then go."
Lu Chen walked out of the office.
In the corridor, he ran into Zhao Yaqin.
"You're out? What did he say to you?"
"He talked about the Operating Room, and also said some words of concern for me."
"He is just tough-mouthed but soft-hearted. Don't look at how fierce he is usually; in reality, he is the one who protects you young people the most."
"I know."
"As long as you know. Let's go, a patient just arrived in the Red Zone; you should go take a look."
"What's the situation?"
"An elderly man over sixty years old, he had a fall and got a cut on his head. Currently, he is conscious, but he has a history of hypertension, so we need to rule out intracranial hemorrhage."
"Alright, I'll go."
Lu Chen walked quickly toward the Red Zone.
Behind him, Zhao Yaqin watched his back and shook her head.
"This kid, he's even walking faster than before."
Meng Yan poked her head out from the Nurse Station.
"Sister Zhao, what did you say?"
"Nothing, just praising your Suturing God."
"He's not just the Suturing God anymore; now everyone calls him All-Rounder Little Lu."
"All-Rounder Little Lu?"
"Yeah, Wu Fan came up with it."
Zhao Yaqin laughed.
"Wu Fan's ability to come up with nicknames is better than his surgical ability."
"Sister Zhao, if Brother Wu hears you say that, he will get upset with you."
"He wouldn't dare."
Both of them laughed.
In the following days, Lu Chen's life rhythm entered a relatively stable state.
During the day, he worked in the Red Zone, handling critical illnesses, performing Suturing, performing intubations, and assisting senior physicians in rescues.
At night, he read books in the Duty Room, reviewed theory, and occasionally chatted with Shen Xiaoning on WeChat.
His gratitude points were rising.
His skills were rising.
His experience was rising.
Everything was progressing according to the direction he planned.
Shen Xiaoning had also been improving over these ten days.
Sister Fang said that although she was a newcomer, she learned things quickly, wasn't afraid of getting dirty or tired, and her attitude was better than many veteran employees.
Lu Chen occasionally met her in the corridor, and she would always greet him with a smile.
"Dr. Lu, I learned Puncture on a vein today!"
"Hmm."
"My master praised me!"
"Hmm."
"Can you say two more words?"
"Hmm, hmm."
"You!"
Shen Xiaoning stomped her feet in anger and turned to leave.
She walked three steps and then came back.
"Um, what are you eating tonight? I'll bring you some."
"Whatever."
"You say 'whatever' every time. Can't you order a dish for once!"
"Then braised pork."
Shen Xiaoning's eyes lit up instantly.
"Okay! I'll make it for you!"
"You'll make it?"
"Yeah, I make it myself; it tastes better than what you buy outside!"
Lu Chen glanced at her.
"You know how to cook?"
"Of course I do! My cooking skills are great!"
Sister Fang, who was nearby, interjected.
"Last time she cooked instant noodles, she burned the pot."
"Sister Fang!"
Shen Xiaoning's face turned bright red.
"That was because the stove fire was too big that time! It wasn't my fault!"
"Oh, a problem with the stove."
Sister Fang's expression was very calm.
The corner of Lu Chen's mouth twitched.
"Just buy it outside; don't make it."
"I really know how to make it! You wait, I'll go back and practice, and I'll make it for you tomorrow!"
Shen Xiaoning ran away like the wind.
Sister Fang looked at Lu Chen.
"Do you not know what you mean to her?"
"I know."
"If you know, why do you still eat her food every day?"
"She insists on giving it to me."
"You could not eat it."
Lu Chen was silent for two seconds.
"The food is quite delicious."
Sister Fang rolled her eyes.
"Men."