The weather today was quite pleasant; a morning rain had washed away the oppressive heat, leaving the air exceptionally fresh. Beneath the overcast sky, it was particularly cool, drawing quite a few patients out into the Longjing Third Hospital garden. Such weather made for a very comfortable stroll or rest outdoors, and many patients who had been confined to their beds for long stretches finally emerged.

“Nannan, am I going to be alright?”

Walking through the garden, Fang Yun couldn't help but grip her daughter's arm again, asking with considerable nervousness.

Her surgery was scheduled for 3:30 this afternoon—it was fast approaching. Like so many facing surgery for the first time, her anxiety was spiking before the procedure.

“Mom, don’t worry, everything will be fine. Didn't Director Wang already say this is just a minor operation? He even arranged for the hospital’s best lead surgeon!”

Nannan chuckled softly and shook her head. In truth, she was nervous too, but to comfort her mother, she forced herself to control her emotions, refusing to let even a flicker of tension show.

“I know, I know. Director Wang did say that!”

Fang Yun nodded reflexively, saying the words, yet the tension etched on her face showed no sign of easing.

It was precisely because her mother was so anxious that Nannan had brought her to the garden for a walk, but it hadn't helped. At this moment, all Fang Yun could think about was the surgery.

“Auntie, Nannan!”

Not far away, Gu Cheng suddenly waved at them. Gu Cheng had been visiting daily for the past two days, and Fang Yun had developed a very good impression of the diligent young man.

“When did you get here?”

Nannan smiled slightly. Their relationship had solidified considerably over the last couple of days; though they weren't officially together yet, things were certainly much warmer than before.

“Zhang Yang and I came together. We just checked the ward, and when we didn’t see you downstairs, I figured you’d be out here!” Gu Cheng said cheerily.

It was Wednesday, which was also Zhang Yang's shift day, so Gu Cheng had hitched a ride with him.

This was also Zhang Yang’s first day working at the Third Hospital.

As he finished parking the car, Gu Cheng had already bolted away. Watching Gu Cheng's retreating figure, Zhang Yang could only shake his head with resignation.

However, he understood Gu Cheng well. If it were one of Mi Xue’s family members who was ill, he would have been even more proactive than Gu Cheng, determined to satisfy Mi Xue.

After parking the vehicle, Zhang Yang headed straight for Wang Guohai’s office. On his first day, he certainly needed to greet the director of his department first.

“Zhang Yang, you’ve arrived. Have a seat, wait for me a moment!”

Wang Guohai’s office already had someone in it. Upon seeing Zhang Yang, his eyes immediately lit up, and he gestured for Zhang Yang to sit down first.

A few minutes later, Wang Guohai dismissed the guest before him—a connection introduced by two friends who were also preparing for admission. Such instances were very common in hospitals.

“Come on, Zhang Yang, I’ll take you to change first, and then we can go look around the other offices!”

After a quick tidy-up, Wang Guohai emerged, appearing exceptionally enthusiastic.

Changing clothes simply meant putting on a white coat; doctors were required to wear uniforms in the hospital, especially those in consultation rooms—without the white attire, people might perceive them as unprofessional. Furthermore, this was hospital regulation.

Zhang Yang was a new intern, and his clothes needed to be collected from the logistics department. Seeing Director Wang personally escorting an intern to collect his uniform, the logistics staff looked quite surprised.

However, upon learning that the intern was Zhang Yang, everyone instantly understood.

It was Zhang Yang; no wonder he received such treatment. Zhang Yang already had considerable renown at the Third Hospital; almost everyone knew they had exceptionally hired an intern with high medical skill. This intern had even saved a patient that provincial hospital experts had deemed incurable, bringing the Third Hospital significant prestige.

Zhang Yang put on the white coat and walked with Wang Guohai. Indeed, wearing the coat instantly changed his demeanor; he looked more like a doctor than Wang Guohai did. If it weren't for his frighteningly young face, many people would probably place more trust in him if they were consulting side-by-side.

“Hello, Director Wang!”

They soon reached the obstetrics and gynecology area. Seeing Wang Guohai personally leading a young doctor, many people gave Zhang Yang an extra look when greeting them. Wang Guohai was the Director of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and outside of consultations and examinations, he rarely appeared here directly, much less with an unfamiliar young doctor in tow.

In the large office of the OB/GYN department, many people were present. When they saw Wang Guohai enter, everyone stood up.

“Come, let me introduce a new colleague to everyone!”

Wang Guohai clapped his hands, and all eyes focused on Zhang Yang.

Among the crowd were several doctors Zhang Yang had met when Sister Zhou was giving birth. One doctor, upon seeing Zhang Yang enter, immediately turned his head away. The others smiled warmly at Zhang Yang; these individuals truly knew Zhang Yang’s background.

“This is our hospital’s new intern, Dr. Zhang Yang. Don't be fooled by his youth; his medical skills are no worse than yours. The decision regarding Zhang Yang’s assignment was discussed extensively by the Dean himself, and only then was this talent assigned to our OB/GYN department!” Wang Guohai spoke slowly, clearly pleased that securing Zhang Yang was no small feat.

Those who had met Zhang Yang and discussed medical theory with him all nodded. They were somewhat familiar with him and knew the young man's skills were indeed high. A few of the younger doctors, however, wore expressions of clear dissent. They had heard Zhang Yang’s name mentioned, but only through rumors, and some didn't believe they were inferior to him, thinking Zhang Yang’s success in saving lives was purely luck. These younger doctors were naturally competitive and had never conceded to anyone; Zhang Yang was much younger than them and an intern, so naturally, they weren't convinced. Especially given how youthful Zhang Yang appeared.

“Director Wang, the patient in Bed 67 has relapsed again today!”

The doctor who had turned his head away when he saw Zhang Yang now turned back and spoke softly to Wang Guohai.

Wang Guohai’s brow twitched almost imperceptibly, and he glanced at Zhang Yang somewhat unnaturally. He had brought Zhang Yang to the OB/GYN department under the pretext that there were two difficult patients there and he wanted Zhang Yang’s help solving these issues. He hadn't mentioned this to Zhang Yang, planning to bring it up once Zhang Yang was settled in. He hadn't expected that someone would immediately raise these two patients the moment Zhang Yang arrived. Bed 67 was the patient involved in the medical accident following a misdiagnosis by the hospital.

The other doctors also looked over at the physician who had made the suggestion.

Zhang Yang recognized this doctor; during the last consultation, this was the doctor who had immediately scolded him for using the Hegu point. This physician, Zhang Yang recalled, was named Liu, who had been extremely arrogant then, and now Zhang Yang vaguely sensed an undercurrent of hostility toward him.

“Dr. Liu, what’s wrong with the patient in Bed 67?”

Wang Guohai asked softly. He knew perfectly well what issues the Bed 67 patient was experiencing; by asking, he was signaling to the person before him that he did not wish to discuss the matter now.

“Patient 67 says she’s in pain again. If our hospital doesn’t cure her soon, she’s threatening to sue us!” Dr. Liu, whose full name was Liu Chaoqiang, seemed not to catch Wang Guohai’s implied meaning and continued according to his own line of questioning.

Wang Guohai’s brow jumped again. He now definitely sensed Liu Chaoqiang's significant hostility toward Zhang Yang, which sparked a bad premonition in his heart.

“Director Wang, since Dr. Zhang is so skilled, why don’t we have him see the patient first to see if he can relieve her suffering, and solve a problem for us at the same time?”

Indeed, the moment he had the premonition, Liu Chaoqiang directly voiced his suggestion. Although Wang Guohai had intended for Zhang Yang to eventually assist with these two complex cases, this was certainly not the manner in which he wanted it introduced. This felt very much like a deliberate challenge. There was no precedent for making a newly arrived intern immediately handle difficult cases.

“Liu Chaoqiang, Zhang Yang just arrived today!”

Wang Guohai’s face darkened. Liu Chaoqiang was an elite and highly capable doctor within the department; otherwise, he wouldn't have been called upon during the previous consultation. Unfortunately, this man had a flaw: he was petty. He had felt Zhang Yang had publicly embarrassed him last time, and upon seeing Zhang Yang today, he immediately started creating a challenge for him.

“I apologize, Director Wang, I overlooked that. These past few days I've been hearing everyone in the hospital praise how amazing Dr. Zhang is; I forgot it’s his first day and that he’s an intern!”

Liu Chaoqiang immediately smiled and nodded, placing heavy emphasis on the word intern.

Zhang Yang’s eyebrow twitched slightly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. Zhang Yang clearly understood the insinuation in Liu Chaoqiang’s words. Their previous encounter had been a mere academic debate, but he hadn't expected the man to hold such a grudge, targeting him here today.

“You know it’s Zhang Yang’s first day, that’s enough!”

Wang Guohai glared at Liu Chaoqiang, warning him with his eyes as well. Regardless of Liu Chaoqiang’s reasons for targeting Zhang Yang, the young man was starting his first day, personally brought in by the Director, and he needed to be given face.

Liu Chaoqiang fell silent, but his previous statement had resonated with several of the other younger doctors. So, you’re very skilled, Zhang Yang? Then treat a difficult case for us and show us. If you cure it, we’ll respect you; if not, stop acting so high and mighty and just be a proper intern. Of course, they wouldn't voice these sentiments directly. These few didn't possess Liu Chaoqiang's audacity; offending Wang Guohai over such words wasn't worth it.

“Director Wang, what is the case for Bed 67?”

Zhang Yang suddenly smiled, pointedly ignoring Liu Chaoqiang, and asked Wang Guohai directly.

Wang Guohai paused slightly, then immediately said, “Zhang Yang, it’s your first day today, and you don’t know the background yet. We’ll discuss this matter later!” Wang Guohai wasn't saying Zhang Yang shouldn't inquire, only that it should be discussed later, implying that Zhang Yang would eventually be expected to assist.

“It’s fine. The patient comes first. If there is such a patient, we should see them immediately. Dr. Liu is correct; we should prioritize relieving the patient’s suffering!”

Zhang Yang shook his head with a light laugh. Wang Guohai’s eyes widened, and every doctor in the office stared at Zhang Yang in astonishment. Even Liu Chaoqiang’s eyes were wide open now.