CHAPTER 194: 194 GUAN WEI’S SHOCK

After lunch, Liu Banxia took some time to ponder. He’d noticed a serious problem: the system hadn’t released any tasks today.

Although his system was unlike those in other novels—which often crammed the host with skills and benefits—it was reasonably competent when it came to issuing tasks.

But now? It seemed he was being assigned fewer and fewer tasks. The decrease seemed to have started after he completed his career advancement task, hadn’t it?

After completing the career advancement task, the number of tasks associated with him had decreased, only triggering when he took on medical cases. Otherwise, based on today’s situation, there should have at least been a task related to Zhou Shuwen.

He pondered for a long time without any insight and eventually gave up. Considering the current situation, surgery wasn’t the ultimate path; his own hard work was the true key to success.

Putting aside his chaotic thoughts, he had to get ready for the second surgery of the day: to help Qiu Huaili with his minor issue.

Since they were friends, he decided to visit the ward first. When Qiu Huaili saw Liu Banxia, he had a worried expression. His precious daughter was busy eating a mangosteen. Upon seeing Liu Banxia, she even babbled a welcome in baby talk.

"Haha, why are you so well-behaved? You’re so amazing, much better than your dad." Liu Banxia went over and poked the little one’s chubby belly.

The little one wriggled and, as a reward, offered him a segment of mangosteen.

"Bro, can we perhaps wait a bit longer? I heard some say it’s possible to wait for that opening to... emerge on its own," Qiu Huaili said.

"Do you believe that? If you do, then fine, we’ll listen to you," Liu Banxia said, not mincing his words.

"Let’s just do it then. I’m not afraid of the pain; I’m just worried I won’t get enough time to play with my daughter," Qiu Huaili grumbled.

Wang Jingxian gave him a displeased look. "After the surgery, you also need to drink less. Are you expecting Banxia to operate on you every year?"

"I won’t. I’ll just drink in moderation. Let’s go. I’m mentally prepared. SIGH..." Qiu Huaili said, sighing deeply.

"Don’t worry. It’s very normal to be ill. Besides, special arrangements have been made for the operating room today. Apart from the anesthesiologist, it will just be me, Doctor Guan, and one scrub nurse," Liu Banxia comforted him.

"Follow my medical advice: I’ll personally change your dressing every day. You should be mobile within 10 days at the latest. You just won’t be able to sit for long periods. By then, no one will be able to tell."

Qiu Huaili nodded, feeling somewhat relieved.

"By the way, I heard Ming Yuan say you guys saved someone this morning?" Qiu Huaili asked.

"Yes, we just happened to be there. The weather is hot, tempers flare easily, and that’s when heart attacks can happen. Don’t think heart disease is a prerogative of the elderly; it’s quite common among young people nowadays," Liu Banxia said.

"But Ming Yuan performed really well today; he was truly remarkable. Don’t mind that I don’t interact much with society and might seem a bit out of touch; I’ve seen all sorts of patients in the hospital."

"Hehe, well, what can I say? He’s my son; he takes after me," Qiu Huaili boasted a bit.

"Dad, could you be a bit more modest? My achievements are thanks to my aunt’s good upbringing. It really doesn’t have much to do with you. What have you ever managed? Besides giving me money, it’s just more money," Qiu Mingyuan said with a smile.

"So what? You’re my son; these things are hereditary. Brother, isn’t that right?" Qiu Huaili argued back.

"Banxia, how long will the operation take?" Wang Jingxian asked.

She was still somewhat worried. After all, it was surgery, and they had explained so many possible complications when she signed the consent form.

"Sister-in-law, Brother Qiu has one fistula and one sinus tract. I’ll strive to take care of both within an hour. He also has a hemorrhoid, so I’ll take care of that at the same time," Liu Banxia said.

"Alright then, do as you see fit," Wang Jingxian said, smiling.

Upon arriving at the operating room, Guan Wei was already waiting there.

"Thanks, Doctor Guan. You’ve really taken a lot of trouble for me," Qiu Huaili said.

"It’s all part of the job. Plus, Banxia is here too, isn’t he?" Guan Wei replied with a smile.

"Sigh, I’m not even sure if knowing this kid is a blessing or not anymore. Good heavens, my son, my daughter, myself—out of our family of four, only my wife hasn’t gotten sick yet," Qiu Huaili said, laughing bitterly.

"Haha, what can we do? Actually, from a doctor’s perspective, many people are indeed patients," Liu Banxia said, smiling.

"It’s just that some people don’t pay attention to minor symptoms at the beginning. By the time you start to worry, the problem has already become serious."

"Take your case, for example. Not doing the surgery is also an option. But there’s a certain risk. What if it develops into another sinus tract? If you wait until then to deal with it, do you think ten days will be enough for you to be discharged? It would take at least a month."

"That’s really how it is. I used to think doctors were just trying to scare people. I was chatting with others while smoking, and it seems one of them had a really severe case."

"That patient had a horseshoe-shaped complex anal fistula. Not only was the surgical process quite troublesome, but the recovery period was also very long," Guan Wei said.

"But you’re really fine. Even though there have been some changes, the impact isn’t significant. Among the patients we see, less than 30% opt for surgery immediately upon discovery."

At this time, the anesthesiologist nodded at Liu Banxia; the anesthesia had taken effect.

"Brother Qiu, we’re getting serious now. Don’t be nervous. Do you feel anything? Does it hurt?" Liu Banxia asked.

Qiu Huaili shook his head. "Is the anesthesia this potent? I don’t feel anything."

"That’s right. I haven’t officially started yet," Liu Banxia said.

Qiu Huaili gave him a reproachful look, realizing Liu Banxia was being a bit mischievous.

"It’s just to keep you from being nervous. Let’s chat casually," Liu Banxia said with a smile.

"I wasn’t just saying that to make Ming Yuan happy earlier. That kid is genuinely good. During an emergency, we also treated someone driving under the influence of drugs. His family seemed well-off, but that person was a total jerk."

"He wasn’t well-behaved in his early years either. Otherwise, why would we have wanted a daughter? This boy was just too mischievous," Qiu Huaili said.

"Your sister-in-law said we’d only have another child when he agreed. If Ming Yuan didn’t agree, we wouldn’t have another one. I never expected this boy to care so much for his little sister. Sometimes I even worry he’ll spoil her rotten."

"Yes, that’s why I say Ming Yuan is really good. Nurture him well; perhaps he’ll be on the list of genuine tycoons in the future," Liu Banxia said.

"Haha, I don’t hope for that. As long as he doesn’t squander all the family assets I’ve accumulated, it’s fine. As long as they can live comfortably, that’s good enough," Qiu Huaili said.

"Ming Yuan is definitely not bad. He’s sensible and knows how to handle things. Truly remarkable," Liu Banxia complimented once more.

This was mainly to alleviate Qiu Huaili’s nervousness. He chatted with him intermittently, but his hands never stopped working.

Today, Guan Wei was the first assistant, and as the surgery progressed, he felt a bit disheartened. Because he discovered that Liu Banxia’s proficiency in anal fistula surgery was by no means inferior to his own.

Currently, Qiu Huaili had one fistula tract and one sinus tract. Compared to dealing with two fistula tracts, this combination was actually more challenging. Liu Banxia wouldn’t have operated on him if this sinus tract hadn’t been clearly visible in the imaging.

But even so, it presented a certain level of difficulty. The requirements for the incision were quite high; this incision was made to excise the fistulous tissue, and its size had to be just right.

In Guan Wei’s perception, Liu Banxia’s technique was clean and decisive—the most fundamental requirement for a surgeon during an operation. However, to truly achieve this level, especially to gain such affirmation from an expert’s assessment, was very difficult.

Although anal fistula seton ligation surgery technically falls under general surgery, in the Second Hospital, as in many others, it’s sub-specialized under Proctology. General surgeons rarely have the opportunity to perform such procedures.

Today, Liu Banxia had refreshed this understanding, leaving Guan Wei somewhat astounded. That sinus tract was quite deep, yet Liu Banxia was very quick when inserting the ball-tipped probe.

No wonder both Director Jiang and Director Zhou thought so highly of him. It wasn’t just his dressing change skills that were strong; his surgical skills were equally formidable. He could truly be called a young expert in the field.

If Liu Banxia were to casually cross over into their field, would the days ahead for the Proctology Department become difficult?

After dealing with the two setons, Liu Banxia started to address the hemorrhoid. Although this particular hemorrhoid was some distance from the fistula opening and wouldn’t interfere with applying medication, it would eventually cause Qiu Huaili trouble.

This was nipping it in the bud. In any case, changing the dressing would be painful, so it was just a matter of enduring a little more.

"Alright, surgery complete." Liu Banxia said with a smile after packing the T-shaped gauze dressing and securing it with a T-bandage.

DING! Anal Fistula Seton Ligation completed. Gained 200 experience points, 300 skill proficiency points in Anal Fistula Seton Ligation, 20 skill proficiency points in Diagnostics, 50 skill proficiency points in Suturing, 20 skill proficiency points in Dressing Change.

This surgery is rated: Perfect. Received an additional 200 experience points, 800 skill proficiency points in Anal Fistula Seton Ligation, 20 skill proficiency points in Diagnostics, 50 skill proficiency points in Suturing, 20 skill proficiency points in Dressing Change, and 5 Glory Points.

Congratulations, Host level increased to Level 35 (62,107/65,295). Received 1 attribute point, 5 Glory Points.

Looking at the pitifully low skill proficiency points for Suturing, Dressing Change, and Diagnostics, Liu Banxia was truly at a loss for words. Anyway, it seemed to confirm his earlier suspicions.

"It’s over already? It hasn’t even been half an hour yet, has it?" Qiu Huaili asked in surprise.

"Thirty-five minutes. We finished a bit faster than we planned," Liu Banxia said.

"We’ll send you back to the ward shortly. If you can sleep, take a nap. Once the anesthesia wears off, it will be quite uncomfortable. Take painkillers then."

"It should be fine, right? I don’t feel much now," Qiu Huaili said, laughing.

"That’s because the anesthesia hasn’t worn off yet; you’re currently in the excitation period. You’ll know what it’s like when it does. You could say I tricked you; it’s not going to be that pleasant," Liu Banxia joked.

If Liu Banxia had said this at the beginning, Qiu Huaili would definitely have believed him. But now, with the surgery completed, he was, as Liu Banxia mentioned, in the excitation period.

The surgery he had been so worried about was actually completed so simply and quickly.