Chapter 282: Chapter 282

When Liu Banxia first visited Jinbao, he was shocked. The shock Liu Qingdong and the others felt when they arrived was even more intense than his had been.

This was a leap in experience. It wasn’t that there were no large restaurants back home, but Liu Qingdong would never willingly spend such unwarranted money to dine in them.

"Granduncle Peng, Dad, I won’t drink today. A situation might come up, and I can’t treat patients if I’ve been drinking," Liu Banxia said after pouring drinks for everyone.

"Fine. You’re a doctor; you have many rules. You’ve indeed spent a lot this time," Peng Zhanyou said emotionally.

"Don’t mention it. How often can you come over in a year? Even if my Third Aunt is studying here, you don’t always visit," Liu Banxia said with a smile.

"Since you’re here, stay for a few more days. There isn’t much work to do back home anyway. School doesn’t start for a few more days, so take your time and look around together."

"Dr. Liu, why is she younger than me and yet she is your elder?" Qing Kewa asked curiously.

"This touches upon our Chinese concept of seniority within families," Liu Banxia said with a smile. "It’s like a large clan; some families have children early, while others have them late. It doesn’t make much difference within their own generation, but the impact becomes significant two or three generations down the line."

"She is indeed the youngest, but she’s my mother’s younger sister, so she’s my elder. I suppose you have similar situations where you’re from?"

Qing Kewa thought for a moment and nodded. "Though we usually just call each other by our first names."

"Banxia, is Qing Kewa here all by herself? Is she having any difficulty adjusting?" Peng Xiuqin asked.

"Her? Her adaptability is extremely strong. Her favorite food now is street barbecue," Liu Banxia said with a laugh.

"The barbecued meat is truly delicious, and so many people eat together. Even if we’re not at the same table, it feels like we’re having a big meal together," Qing Kewa said blissfully.

At first, Liu Qingdong and the others were a bit reserved, but they gradually relaxed as they made small talk. The dishes were impeccable. Even though it was a makeshift feast, every dish was sumptuous.

Qiaoqiao had even planned to serve lobster but was stopped by Liu Banxia. He couldn’t take too much advantage of her; Qiaoqiao had already helped him a great deal.

While they were eating, Liu Banxia’s phone rang.

"Ah, Director Jiang, what made you call me?" Seeing the phone number, Liu Banxia quickly answered.

"Sorry to disturb you on your day off. Are you busy right now? My mother-in-law has acute appendicitis. She was originally scheduled for laparoscopic surgery, but she’s afraid of it, so I have to trouble you," Jiang Tao said.

"Alright, tell them to get her prepped. I should be able to get back in about forty minutes," Liu Banxia said.

"Banxia, thank you," Jiang Tao said gratefully.

"Why are you being so polite with me? Let’s not chat now. I’ll have a few more bites and then head back," Liu Banxia said.

"Alright, don’t rush too much. Be careful on the road," Jiang Tao said before hanging up.

"Director Jiang wants you to perform a surgery?" Liang Xiaolin asked curiously.

"His mother-in-law has acute appendicitis and wants a small-incision procedure. You guys don’t need to come. I’ll go back by myself, finish the operation, and then return. Qiaoqiao, could I borrow your car later?" Liu Banxia said.

Jiang Tao had provided him with a lot of support in the past. It wasn’t often Jiang Tao asked for a favor, so Liu Banxia felt he had to oblige. Favors were hard to repay, and Jiang Tao had helped him a great deal during his conflict with Qin Hai.

"Are you guys always ? Having to go back to work even on your days off?" Watching Liu Banxia wolf down his food, Peng Xiuqin asked with a hint of concern.

"Mom, it’s not always . Normally, we get proper breaks. This time, it’s more like helping out a friend. I’m done eating. You guys rest at the hotel this afternoon. I’ll come over after the surgery," Liu Banxia said, wiping his mouth.

"Go on then. It’s good to be busy. It’s a problem if you’re not busy at work," Liu Qingdong said.

"But you need to rest too, or you’ll wear yourself out," Peng Xiuqin said.

"Mom, I also rest when I’m working at the hospital. Usually, Doctor Liang and the others handle some of the work, so I can slack off a bit. I have to go now. We can chat more tonight," Liu Banxia said and then dashed off.

"That boy of ours... He’s always been so impulsive. He didn’t even drink any water. What if he gets thirsty in the middle of the surgery?" Watching Liu Banxia’s retreating figure, Peng Xiuqin remarked helplessly.

"Auntie, don’t worry. Dr. Liu finishes surgeries very quickly. For this kind of routine appendectomy, he can complete it within twenty minutes," Liang Xiaolin reassured her with a smile.

"In our hospital, he’s the best and fastest surgeon. The person who just called him is the Director of our hospital’s Anorectal Department."

"I heard from Banxia that he won’t be coming home for Spring Festival, not even a two-day break?" Peng Xiuqin asked.

"Others can take turns for time off, but Dr. Liu can’t. He’s also considered a leader in the Emergency Department, so he has to be on call there all year round," Liang Xiaolin said after a moment’s thought.

"Auntie, you could come to Binhai City for Spring Festival. If he can’t go back, you can come here, can’t you?" Qiaoqiao suggested.

"We did consider that, but if we come, we’d have to stay in a hotel, and we wouldn’t be able to cook for ourselves," Peng Xiuqin said.

"You can stay at my place; we have spare rooms," Qiaoqiao blurted out without much thought.

She regretted it a little after saying it. These were Liu Banxia’s parents, his elders, not her own close friends. But the words were already out, so she had to stand by them, trying to maintain her composure.

"We’ll think about it when the time comes. Thank you so much for your hospitality today. You took time out of your precious day off to accompany us, and Liu Banxia even had to run off halfway through," Peng Xiuqin said, looking at Qiaoqiao with a smile.

This smile made Qiaoqiao feel even more flustered. She really needed to change her habit of speaking without thinking.

He was driving Qiaoqiao’s car to the Second Hospital.

"President Liu, why are you back?" Wang Chao asked curiously.

"I need to perform a small-incision appendectomy. Su Wenhao, you’ll assist me," Liu Banxia casually called out.

"President Liu, can I come and observe?" Wang Chao asked with a grin.

"Sure, as long as the Emergency Department isn’t too busy, right?" Liu Banxia asked.

"Not busy at all. It’s the calm before the storm. We’ll probably get really busy once we move to the new building," Wang Chao reported.

Liu Banxia nodded and headed straight to the operating room.

"Banxia, we really owe you big time for this," Jiang Tao, who was waiting at the door of the operating room, said as he saw him, quickly coming forward.

"Director Jiang, you’re giving me an opportunity. Otherwise, I’d only have performed two surgeries recently. My hands have been itching for some work," Liu Banxia said with a smile.

"But we’re intruding on your rest time," Jiang Tao said, looking a bit embarrassed.

"No problem. I’ll just continue resting after I finish the surgery," Liu Banxia said nonchalantly.

Actually, he wasn’t just being polite; his current position at the Second Hospital was somewhat awkward.

He was an Emergency Department doctor, and patients with acute abdominal pain were indeed prioritized for the Emergency Department. However, some patients with higher pain tolerance would still go to the outpatient clinics.

So, even though he was the foremost surgeon at the Second Hospital for small-incision appendectomies, he wasn’t assigned many such operations. Nowadays, patients generally preferred laparoscopic surgery. Consequently, when discussing options with patients, he wouldn’t specifically push his small-incision technique.

And in the Emergency Department itself? Even if appendicitis patients came in, he couldn’t just take all of them. Other doctors also needed to make a living and perform surgeries. Generally, the principle was that the doctor who initially received the patient handled the case.

If he really became a "surgery hog," it would make things difficult for him at work. How would that make him any different from the Qin Hai of the past?

Following his usual habit, Liu Banxia first carefully examined the diagnostic report. Good, it was a routine surgical case. Although the appendix was somewhat inflamed, there were no signs of pus formation or exudate.

The elderly lady had chosen the small incision because she didn’t want general anesthesia, always feeling that after general anesthesia, there was a chance she might not open her eyes again.

For Liu Banxia, this kind of surgery was incredibly easy. While chatting with the elderly lady, he removed her appendix. When the elderly lady was wheeled out of the operating room, she still seemed a bit wistful, as if she could have stayed a little longer.

This simple surgery earned Liu Banxia 80 experience points: 50 skill proficiency points for Diagnosis, 20 for Dressing Change Technique, 40 for Suture Technique, 100 for Appendectomy Skill, and 2 Glory Points.

Even with his rating, the experience points he received now were pitifully few. This was because he was exceptionally proficient at appendectomies, a fact that became even more pronounced after the system upgrade.

That’s why he was now even more eagerly anticipating the Emergency Department’s move to the new building. More patients meant more potential surgeries, and then he could happily level up.

The system wasn’t always so stingy. It all depended on his proficiency in the respective surgery and the complexity of the cases he encountered.

"That was quick work. I’ll treat you to a meal when I’m free," Jiang Tao, who was waiting outside, said with a smile.

"I won’t be polite then. How did you know I was off today?" Liu Banxia asked curiously. Read complete version only at novel•fire.net

"Chief Director Xu called me. The elderly lady said she had abdominal pain. An examination revealed appendicitis, so I immediately thought of you," Jiang Tao explained.

"That’s the spirit. You can think of me more often in the future. Director Jiang, I can’t chat any longer; I have to get going," Liu Banxia announced.

"Alright. When you come to work tomorrow, drop by my office for a chat," Jiang Tao invited.

Liu Banxia was taken aback. Jiang Tao definitely had something on his mind. However, he didn’t know what it was. For now, accompanying his parents was more important. He couldn’t just leave them with the three young women and shirk his responsibilities.