CHAPTER 146: 146 TOOK A FOREIGN APPRENTICE (ADDED FOR LONELINESS AND EMPTINESS)

Last night’s hemopneumothorax was a major case for the emergency department, and Liu Banxia no longer had to worry about the cost. He couldn’t care less whether those young men had paid or not.

Just as he was eating breakfast, Liang Xiaolin came over with her tray. She sat down opposite Liu Banxia and, without saying a word, just ate and stared at him.

"I know your eyes are beautiful—they’re big and expressive," Liu Banxia glanced at her.

"You..." Liang Xiaolin was in quite a huff but didn’t know how to retaliate.

"The surgery last night was well done," Liu Banxia continued.

"Oh..." Liang Xiaolin responded listlessly.

"What’s wrong? Not satisfied with that praise? Let me rephrase. The closed-chest drainage you performed last night was very successful, textbook-level even," Liu Banxia said seriously. "Especially during the drainage process, you observed carefully and promptly identified signs of hemothorax in the patient. It was precisely because of Doctor Liang’s patience and meticulousness that the problem was discovered in time. This allowed for the patient’s prompt surgical rescue."

"You... why are you so infuriating? Can’t you just speak normally?" Liang Xiaolin said, exasperated.

"What else should I do? Shower you with sweet words? Would you still feel you could accomplish it independently then?" Liu Banxia said with a smile. "Pressure creates motivation. Actually, your ability to handle stress is quite strong. The abdominal closure yesterday afternoon and the closed-chest drainage last night were both done very well."

"Of course, you’re still a little bit behind me. Can’t finish your steamed bun? Give me half. It’ll save me a trip. Today’s shredded pickled mustard is good; you can eat more of it."

After speaking, Liu Banxia very unceremoniously broke off half of Liang Xiaolin’s steamed bun.

Liang Xiaolin was quite vexed; today’s steamed buns were delicious and chewy too.

Liu Banxia was inwardly pleased. He had to divert Liang Xiaolin’s attention. Otherwise, what would he do if she started crying again? Explanations wouldn’t get through to her.

"Want to take a trip to the ICU to see the patient from the car accident?" Liu Banxia said after they finished eating.

"Has she improved?" Liang Xiaolin asked with concern.

Liu Banxia shook his head. "It’s too soon. We don’t even know if she’ll wake up."

Liang Xiaolin remained silent, knowing Liu Banxia was still worried about that patient.

"Dr. Liu, you’re here." Seeing Liu Banxia, the patient’s son hurried over.

"Hey... you can’t keep wearing yourself out like this. What if you collapse?" Liu Banxia said with a frown.

"I can’t rest easy if I’m not here," the patient’s son said.

"Stop just eating steamed buns. Go to our cafeteria for lunch and dinner. You look gaunt already. If the old lady wakes up, she’ll want to see her son healthy," Liu Banxia said.

"It’s all the same; I don’t have an appetite anyway," the patient’s son replied, shaking his head.

"Alright, I’ll go ask about her condition. Wait for news from me," Liu Banxia said before leading Liang Xiaolin inside.

He knew the patient’s son was trying to save money. Given the old lady’s current condition, there was no telling when she might wake up. Even though he had sold his taxi medallion, it was uncertain if that would be enough for the hospital fees.

"Dr. Liu, you’ve come again," Dr. Zhang Zhiyuan, the attending physician in charge of the ICU, said as he walked over.

"Dr. Zhang, how is the old lady? Is she any better?" Liu Banxia asked.

"Her vital signs haven’t significantly improved. She’s currently being maintained by medication," Zhang Zhiyuan said. "See that young man out there? If we call him, he’ll appear before you in less than three minutes, guaranteed. He’s been keeping a constant vigil. It’s rare to see."

"Sigh... I’ve seen him. There’s nothing I can do," Liu Banxia said with a wry smile.

Actually, situations like this were common in the hospital. However, because this patient was admitted under his care, Liu Banxia was particularly concerned. He felt he should do something to help, yet he was powerless.

After coming out, Liu Banxia tried to persuade him again. However, the patient’s son still politely declined his kind offer. He insisted that even if the old lady didn’t make it, he wanted to be outside to see her off on her final journey.

"Alright. Once you’ve worked here longer, you’ll encounter things like this countless times," Liu Banxia said, noticing Liang Xiaolin wiping her tears on their way back.

Liang Xiaolin didn’t say anything; she just felt a knot in her heart.

"What’s wrong? Banxia, did you bully Doctor Liang?" Zhou Li asked, noticing Liang Xiaolin’s red-rimmed eyes and glaring at Liu Banxia.

"Sister Li, do you really think I have that kind of ability?" Liu Banxia said with a wry smile.

"I’ll believe you for now. The director is looking for you; it seems he has an assignment," Zhou Li said.

"I’ll go right over. By the way, has Sister Wang been busy these last couple of days?" Liu Banxia asked casually.

"I don’t know either. You should go see the director first," Zhou Li said, shaking her head.

After knocking and entering, Liu Banxia was stunned. The pretty foreign girl from yesterday was actually here too.

"You two know each other already, right?" Zhou Shuwen asked.

Liu Banxia nodded.

"Good. Starting today, you will be in charge of Qing Kewa. She still has a year here, but she won’t count towards our resident quota," Zhou Shuwen said.

"Dr. Liu, thank you," Qing Kewa said, quickly standing up.

"No problem. Do we start today?" Liu Banxia asked.

"Yes, we start today. It should have started last night; I didn’t even get to experience yesterday’s emergency rescue," Qing Kewa said excitedly.

"Alright, go on to work then," Zhou Shuwen said.

What else could Liu Banxia say? He could only lead Qing Kewa out.

"Um... Doctor Liang, I’ll have to trouble you. Starting today, I’ll be mentoring Qing Kewa. Could you first show her around our emergency department and help her get familiar with it?" Liu Banxia said, calling Liang Xiaolin over.

"Dr. Liu, aren’t I supposed to be with you?" Qing Kewa asked.

"First, you need to get familiar with the environment, learn how to get around, right?" Liu Banxia said patiently.

Qing Kewa thought for a moment, nodded as if she partly understood, and then started exploring the department with Liang Xiaolin.

Liu Banxia started to worry. Mentoring a junior might seem impressive, but it actually involved a lot of concerns. Now he had to mentor a foreign junior, and he wasn’t even sure if the medical terminology was universal.

"What are you thinking about? Don’t get any funny ideas," Zhou Li said, sidling up to him.

"What funny ideas could I have? I’m worried sick. I’m still a kid myself; how can I mentor someone?" Liu Banxia said with a wry smile.

"Still, you have to admit, Qing Kewa’s skin is very delicate, and she has a great figure," Zhou Li remarked unexpectedly.

"Hmm, it’s true, it’s quite nice. And here people say Westerners have rough skin," Liu Banxia readily agreed.

Zhou Li looked at him with a grin. "Hehe, still say you weren’t having any funny ideas? Be careful not to cause an international incident. Don’t say I didn’t warn you."

Liu Banxia was utterly helpless. Did he just walk into a trap? He suspected this was also a small test from Zhou Shuwen, to see how capable he was at mentoring. However, this foreign girl would be a difficult challenge.