The Enhanced Doctor

After chatting with Jiang Tao for a while, Liu Banxia felt he had benefited a lot.

He seemed quite successful now, a role model for the younger generation in the Second Hospital. But is this true success? Any small accident could send him right back to where he started. It's not easy to rise, but falling is swift. To put it bluntly, only a single medical accident separates a renowned doctor from an incompetent one. Regardless of the cause, you'd be affected.

Since it was regular work hours, Qiu Huaili arrived. He first changed Liu Banxia's dressing privately, then began today's dressing change instruction.

Liu Banxia's dressing change skill was now at a solid Level 3, and his physical attributes had also been enhanced. When he performed dressing changes now, for many students just starting their internships, it could truly be described as a divine technique.

Liu Banxia himself hadn't personally performed a dressing change in a long time, and even he was startled by his own proficiency.

Although he wasn't sure if this was due to the enhancement from his dressing change skill or if his actual abilities had truly reached a certain realm, he eagerly anticipated what it would be like when his skill reached Level 4.

"Your skills have become more and more adept, and the more I see, the more jealous I become," Jiang Tao sighed.

"Director Jiang, aren't you praising me too much? After the move to the new building, how many people will you assign to the Emergency Department from your department?" Liu Banxia curiously asked.

Jiang Tao laughed and said, "Almost every department will contribute a standard of four people. As the scale of the Emergency Department expands and the patient volume increases, your Emergency Department will be able to hire its own staff."

"However, these are all long-term plans. For now, the Emergency Center can only gradually increase your patient intake via ambulance. Otherwise, if it increases too much too quickly, you might not be able to cope."

Liu Banxia nodded. "No wonder there's been a significant increase in patients arriving by ambulance lately. So that's the reason. I'm still too young and inexperienced."

"Director Jiang, when I get some time off, I'll treat you and President Qiu to a meal. President Qiu is always saying he wants to thank you. I'll tag along to make sure you two don't sneak off for good food without me."

"Sure, you're the busy one, you arrange it. I'm free anytime," Jiang Tao readily agreed.

After a bit more casual chat, Liu Banxia led the interns back in a large group.

"Teacher Liu, are you and Director Jiang close? My classmates say that you are often discussed in the Anorectal Department too," Xu Yino asked curiously.

Liu Banxia laughed. "Director Jiang recognized my potential, and Dr. Shi and Director Zhou were the ones who guided me on my path in medicine."

"Back when I was just a rookie, Dr. Shi helped me get an anal fistula surgery case in the Anorectal Department. Then Director Jiang took a liking to me, and by a stroke of luck, Director Zhou also noticed me."

"Doctor Liang knows all about these things; they're all part of my 'glorious history.' When you're free, you can ask Doctor Liang about it. Feel free to praise me generously."

Liang Xiaolin rolled her eyes. He's the chief resident now, but he still talks so informally.

"Next time I have a day off, I'll see if I can secure a surgery in Jinshui District. If there's one available, I'll take you all for a stroll," Liu Banxia continued.

"Although I won't be splitting any money with you, you'll get to taste the special iron plate cuisine of Jinshui District. It's really tasty; I can't ever get enough."

"Teacher Liu, can you bring so many of us?" Liu Yiqing asked curiously.

"Of course not. One or two would be fine. Any more would put pressure on Chief Director Xu. So, if it happens, you'll have to take turns."

Regarding this 'freelance surgery' matter, I need to sit down and have a proper discussion with Xu Chengjun when I have time. It can't just be limited to small-incision appendectomies; I need to branch out into other types of surgeries too.

This has to be discussed in person. The money I'm making from the hospital now is barely enough to cover basic living expenses. The girls put in a lot of effort to smarten me up, and while that's considered my 'hardship pay,' I can't just keep taking without giving back.

However, he was a bit frustrated. He hadn't received any task prompts from the system all day. Not only were there no daily tasks, but no regular tasks either.

Could it be that because the system upgrade isn't complete, the entire task system is on hold?

In my understanding, even if the system is updating, it shouldn't delay task releases. A daily reward of 300 experience points and 5 Glory Points is pretty valuable.

Others play dumb even when they understand, but I'm genuinely clueless right now. I don't know what's gotten into the system. Why has it become so lazy after I reached Level 40?

"Why do you look so listless?" Xu Hui approached.

"Dr. Shi is here today, so I can slack off. Brother Hui, I've also inquired about the house buying issue. When you have time, just go and look at some properties. No matter which property it is, we can find connections," Liu Banxia said.

"Alright, I'll go take a look when I have time off. I didn't dare to look before, and then it became more and more daunting," Xu Hui said helplessly.

Liu Banxia smiled. "You're already doing great. I don't even dare to think about it now, let alone look. Actually, I didn't ask anyone else; I just talked to President Qiu. He has connections with many developers and can always put in a good word."

"Is this a big favor we'll owe him?" Xu Hui asked worriedly.

"It's nothing. His family has always been looking for ways to repay me, so they wouldn't feel indebted. I can't afford a house right now anyway, so I can't let this opportunity go to waste, right?" Liu Banxia said.

"Besides, favors are like that – they grow stronger the more they're exchanged. Think of it as me regifting a present to help you out. Then, when you have the chance, you can help me out more."

"I'll have to talk to Dr. Shi about this later. We can't go to all this trouble just for one apartment. It's only worth it if you get one and he gets one; then the total makes our effort worthwhile."

"Alright, hurry and help Dr. Shi to solve this. In our hospital, at his rank he's the only one not married yet. It's not just him, you should get moving too. You'll only get busier in the future," said Xu Hui.

Liu Banxia nodded. "Dr. Shi has spent all the money he's earned these past few years supporting his family. He had a tough time during his studies and racked up a lot of debt. Plus, he has a younger brother, and he's helped him get on his feet too."

"I heard from Sister Li that Sister Wang introduced him to several women in the past, but it never worked out because he was too devoted to his family. Now? He doesn't have to worry so much about family, but he doesn't have a house."

Xu Hui patted his shoulder. "Dr. Shi's hardships haven't been in vain, meeting someone like you. Go talk to him. Maybe he and I can even go house-hunting together."

Liu Banxia saying this shows he's a truly loyal and righteous person.

With Shi Lei and Liu Banxia's relationship, Liu Banxia asking would definitely be much more effective than if I asked myself. This time, I'm just riding on Shi Lei's coattails.

But even so, I have to thank Liu Banxia. With current housing prices, a decent place would easily cost over two million. Even a one percent discount is twenty thousand.

"Why do I get the feeling you're up to something?" Seeing Liu Banxia approaching with a beaming smile, Shi Lei asked cautiously.

"What makes you say that? When you have time off, go house-hunting with Xu Hui. I had a good time drinking with President Qiu last time, and he offered me two discount slots," Liu Banxia said casually.

Shi Lei furrowed his brows, keeping his silence while watching him.

"Don't worry, I didn't extort this from President Qiu, and it doesn't involve any shady deals," Liu Banxia said.

"President Qiu offered the discount out of goodwill. I was originally thinking of discussing it with Old Liu. We can't always be fleecing the same sheep, right? Since President Qiu brought it up, I just mentioned it."

"The developers he works with always set aside some units for connections or to settle debts. Sometimes he even forgets about them, and they go to waste. Even if we don't use them, someone else will get them cheap."

"I'll think about it then," Shi Lei hesitated.

"What's there to think about? Hurry up, find a wife, and have a chubby baby! You're so indecisive, I'm worried for you. If it weren't for the fact that it's a lot of money, I'd have already put a deposit down for you," Liu Banxia said.

"Alright, once I've bought the house, I'll treat you to dinner," Shi Lei said.

"Hehe, make sure to leave a room for me before you find your partner," Liu Banxia said with a chuckle.

Shi Lei ignored him, just lightly punched his shoulder. He wasn't a man of many words, but he knew Liu Banxia meant well.

Helping Shi Lei with this was a weight off my mind. Shi Lei has helped me the most. I've always wanted to repay him, and now I finally have the chance.

As for favors, just like I said, they have to be exchanged. Reciprocity makes them more valuable. If you just hold onto them, or only use them one-way, they'll just depreciate.

DING! System update complete.

System Announcement: The system mall is now open.

System Announcement: The host has successfully completed the first stage of training tasks. The second stage of auxiliary training will now commence. Daily tasks are canceled. All rewards can only be obtained from diagnosing and treating patients.

System Announcement: As the host has reached Level 40, the mall items have been updated.

Liu Banxia didn't have time to think about anything else; he immediately opened the system mall. This damn system even canceled daily tasks! Now that it's version 2.0, the items in the mall had better be something spectacular.

Indeed, a batch of new items had appeared. The most eye-catching were the gems. What were previously rubies, sapphires, and so on, had now become Exquisite Rubies, Exquisite Sapphires.

Originally, these gems only added 5 attribute points. Now, they generously added 8 points. Of course, true to the system's consistently greedy nature, the cost was also higher: 100 Glory Points each.

These definitely weren't cheap or cost-effective items, but I'm still happy.

Attribute points are so hard to come by. Every single point increase is a huge help. The system didn't double the effect, so it's probably already being generous with me.

He then looked down at the potions and immediately rolled his eyes.

The new potions now had 'Potent' added to their names. The attribute points they provided matched the gems, adding up to 8, but they cost 20 Glory Points each.

Then, he saw a few squares with question marks at the bottom of the potions section, labeled 'Unlocks at Level 45' and 'Unlocks at Level 50.' I'll probably have to reach those levels before new items appear.

The system has cut off my path to freeloading with daily tasks. From now on, I can only diligently diagnose patients and perform surgeries to improve my professional skills.