The Enhanced Doctor

Liu Banxia was quite popular in the Second Hospital. On his way back, familiar faces would congratulate him.

There was no denying it; he was the Second Hospital's new rising star. The previous star had been Zhou Shuwen, though Zhou Shuwen had started from a somewhat higher position. Liu Banxia, however, was a homegrown talent, cultivated entirely by the Second Hospital.

"Teacher Liu, Teacher Liu, come take a group photo with us! We need to show off a bit." As soon as he returned to the emergency department, Xu Yino and his little group rushed over.

"Causing trouble again, are you? You guys are so hard to manage," Liu Banxia complained helplessly.

However, he didn't refuse their request for a group photo. Besides, what use would refusing be? They'd just take candid shots anyway.

"Alas... if Banxia was to be born, why was I, Wang Chao, also born?" Wang Chao, who was in charge of taking the photo, sighed.

"Teacher Wang, you're the cutest," Xu Yino complimented.

Wang Chao stopped sighing and happily snapped a few more photos.

"Just let them have their fun. Have you heard anything about my matter?" After the photoshoot, Liu Banxia pulled Wang Chao aside.

"President Liu, I really haven't. That's at too high a level; I can't reach that far," Wang Chao said, shaking his head.

"We were just chatting with Dr. Wei earlier. We reckon only the top brass knows what's really going on. No one expected you to feature so prominently in that hard-won news interview."

"That's exactly what I'm worried about. They all told me it's a good thing and I should just secretly enjoy it, but I've been on pins and needles," Liu Banxia said with a bitter smile.

Wang Chao blinked, looked around, and then pulled Liu Banxia a bit further in.

"Why are you being so cautious and secretive?" Liu Banxia asked.

"President Liu, do you remember what I told you last time about Director Qin going to Dazheng Group?" Wang Chao asked in a low voice.

Liu Banxia nodded; Wang Chao had indeed talked about it before.

"I've heard some whispers—though I don't know how accurate they are—that our Second Hospital is currently facing a poaching crisis. People from private hospitals have come to poach staff from every department," Wang Chao said.

"Really? How come I haven't heard anything? This shouldn't be a small matter, right?" Liu Banxia asked in surprise.

"Well, it's because no one has officially processed their resignation yet, so the hospital is keeping a lid on it. Some people are also still observing the situation," Wang Chao explained.

"Private hospitals are poaching highly skilled, senior attending physicians. The packages they offer are certainly good, and there's ample rest time. If it were you, wouldn't you be tempted to go?"

Liu Banxia frowned. "You mean Dazheng Group is behind all this poaching? Don't they have a partnership with our hospital? They earn a lot from medical enterprises and supplies each year."

"I was just using Dazheng Group as an example; Dazheng Group itself wouldn't poach directly. But besides a 'Dazheng' (Major Righteous), couldn't there also be a 'Xiaozheng' (Minor Righteous) or even a 'Buzheng' (Unrighteous) out there?"

"Especially those hospitals involved in the medical aesthetics industry. Besides inviting some 'guest star' surgeons for procedures, they also cultivate their own full-time doctors."

"Let's put it this way: a double eyelid surgery earns more than one of our appendectomies. Can you imagine the profit margin? Even after deducting the high fees for guest surgeons or the high salaries for their staff, there's still plenty left over."

"And I hear some of these cosmetic surgery hospitals even co-employ doctors. Today they're in this city, tomorrow in another; several hospitals share one anesthesiologist or surgeon, so the costs are spread out."

"Anyway, that's just my thinking. Haven't you noticed how packed Director Zhou's and Dr. Shi's surgery schedules have been lately? I suspect this might be one of the reasons."

"You know, what you're saying might actually be true," Liu Banxia said thoughtfully, stroking his chin.

"But I still find it a bit absurd. If those people want to leave, would they dare to openly challenge the hospital like this? They might earn more outside, but their professional skills would probably just stagnate, wouldn't they?"

Wang Chao looked at him but didn't say anything.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Liu Banxia asked.

"It's somewhat related to you. Our hospital bent its own rules to hire you. Although it was justifiable, some people would inevitably feel it's unfair," Wang Chao said.

"People like us don't really have strong feelings about it. But for some attending physicians who've been at the Second Hospital for a long time without securing tenure, how could they feel comfortable?"

"But this is just my speculation; I don't know if it's really the case. Having tenure or not still makes a difference."

Liu Banxia sighed inwardly. He hadn't expected this matter to escalate so quickly. To be making such a fuss over him at this critical juncture was undoubtedly like pouring oil on the fire.

He was starting to worry for Zhou Shuwen now. The emergency department was already short-staffed. If more people really resigned, could they even recruit replacements? At that point, it wouldn't just be the emergency department; the entire Second Hospital's operations could face problems.

The Second Hospital, as it stood now, was truly a place of turbulent undercurrents.

If everyone worked overtime like mad, three to five days, or even ten days, might be manageable. But any longer, and lives would genuinely be at stake.

"Don't overthink it for now; these are just my wild guesses. Right now, with our limited strength, we can't make much of a splash anyway. You just need to keep the emergency department running smoothly and prevent any mistakes. That's more important than anything," Wang Chao said.

"Chao, tell me, who's your contact in the hospital? Don't try to be vague with me," Liu Banxia said, throwing an arm around his shoulder.

"My big mouth... Must I really show off? Did I really have to say all that?" Wang Chao asked with a bitter smile.

Liu Banxia nodded very seriously. Yes, Wang Chao had to tell him.

Wang Chao had always been a well-informed figure. Whenever there was the slightest stir in the hospital, this guy could always sniff it out. It couldn't all be just his guesses; there had to be a reason.

"Vice-Director Zheng and my mom are good friends. And, well, my dad has some connections in the city. So... I tend to hear a bit more. Is that... okay now?" Wang Chao said somewhat resentfully.

Liu Banxia rolled his eyes. "Others with connections would be dying to tell everyone. But you? You hide it. I'm not planning to ask you for any favors; I just wanted to gauge how accurate your earlier statements were."

"President Liu, I was just worried people would say I stayed at the Second Hospital because of connections. If I really used connections, I would have gone to the Municipal Hospital," Wang Chao said, looking a little aggrieved.

This made Liu Banxia laugh. "Don't worry, I'll keep it a secret. But who among those who managed to stay in the hospital doesn't have some connections? It's just me, a country bumpkin."

"You really shouldn't say that. President Liu, you are both talented and virtuous. It's the Second Hospital's honor to have you," Wang Chao responded, giving him two thumbs up.

"What are you two talking about?" Wei Yuan joined the conversation at that moment.

"Brother Wei, have you heard any news? I heard many places are trying to poach people from our hospital lately," Liu Banxia asked.

Without any hesitation, Wei Yuan nodded. "It happens every year. Don't you remember? I was tempted myself not too long ago. After talking with you, I decided I should continue to train and gain more experience in our hospital."

"Each path has its advantages. Going elsewhere would at least make life a bit better and less tiring. Staying in the hospital means more high-difficulty surgeries and a chance for future achievements. Why are you two suddenly talking about this?"

"Brother Wei, Director Zhou and my boss have had very packed surgery schedules recently. Do you think it's related to this?" Liu Banxia asked.

Wei Yuan's eyebrows furrowed as well. If that was really the case, then the impact of this matter would be quite significant.

He naturally also thought of the potential consequences that Liu Banxia and Wang Chao had considered. If the emergency department couldn't hold firm, a lot of people would be affected.

"I've been in the emergency department constantly lately, so I really haven't heard anything. When I get a break, I'll try to find out," Wei Yuan said after some thought.

The three of them had what could be considered a small impromptu meeting, but this was as far as their discussion could go. These were all just hearsay and speculation, not easily confirmed. Discussing them further would just be spreading rumors.

It could also be because the emergency department was somewhat detached from the main body of the Second Hospital. Working there meant being tied down there. During their rest time, they were desperate for more sleep, so how could they find the time to inquire about all sorts of miscellaneous matters?

"Brother Liu, Brother Liu, Sister Qiaoqiao is here!" Qiu Mingyuan ran over at that moment.

"The patient?" Liu Banxia asked as he went to meet her.

Qiaoqiao rolled her eyes. "Do I have to beat someone up and send them to you for treatment every time I come over?"

"Oh? Has the sun risen from the west? Tell me, which time have you come here *without* bringing a patient?" Liu Banxia retorted.

Qiaoqiao blinked, then chuckled. "That's true! Yanzi, Tang Dou, and even myself. Stop digressing. Yanzi said you even made the news, so I came to see what you look like now."

"Hey, why are you digressing? That's not important. Didn't you promise Jiaojiao you'd back her up? When are you going? A person can't go back on their word, am I wrong?"

"Good heavens, haven't you seen me? Have I rested? I haven't rested at all yet," Liu Banxia said with a bitter smile.

"If you don't believe me, go ask Qing Kewa and Liang Xiaolin. Who knows when my days off this month will be scheduled. I'll let you know then, alright?"

"You really haven't rested? How tired must you be? Heavens, you need to put on a face mask; your eye bags are showing," Qiaoqiao said, staring at him for a moment.

"Me? A face mask? If a patient with a history of heart disease came for a consultation, wouldn't I scare them into having an attack?" Liu Banxia said helplessly.

"Don't worry. Once I get through this period and have some time off, I'll definitely complete this task. And isn't Yanzi doing that live streaming thing? I'll make a guest appearance for her then too. We can get it all done in one day."

Qiaoqiao nodded in satisfaction. "That's more like it."

Liu Banxia let out a long sigh of relief. Qiaoqiao had a very straightforward personality, which was quite endearing. However, it was this very straightforwardness that made her prefer the simplest ways to get things done. For her, one was one, and two was two. If he really took a break and stood them up, given her temper, he would definitely not have an easy time.