The Surgeon’s Studio

When Bu Ruotian had said that Zheng Ren belonged to the same social circle, it was a clear summary of what he had in mind.

Some words needed not be spoken directly.

“That’s too kind of you, Mr. Bu.” Zheng Ren smiled. “I’m very grateful for your care in the emergency department as well.”

“Those were just small issues.” Bu Ruotian laughed heartily. “I was very happy when I received my follow-up test results yesterday. My original plan was to return to Sea City and thank you in person, but my daughter informed me that you’re currently in Imperial Capital, which is why you’re here. No time like the present, right? But I do apologize for the unexpected invitation.”

At the upper right corner of Zheng Ren’s vision floated the System panel with Bu Ruotian’s condition highlighted in light green, which was indicative of suboptimal health. He had not recovered completely yet, but the System, at least, did not provide any indication of tumor cells in his body.

That was to be expected. After all, his surgery had been completed under the prime experience, an ability almost reaching human limits. Although it was impossible to achieve a one-hundred-percent cure, the tumor tissue was still completely removed without difficulty.

As for the risk of recurrence… Bu Ruotian was undergoing targeted drug therapy, right?

One’s life could be prolonged or even saved with advanced surgical techniques and deep pockets.

Bu Li was busy with her role as the waitress.

After all the dishes were served, she finally sat down and joined the conversation, returning the dinner atmosphere to the right track.

In all honesty, Zheng Ren found the dinner boring as he was uninterested in food.

If he had to choose, he would rather eat food prepared by Xie Yiren in the on-call room than dinner in this mysterious clubhouse in Imperial Capital.

Xie Yiren… He was already missing her after leaving home for two days.

Dinner felt dull and boring, especially when Zheng Ren could not drink. Fortunately, both Bu Ruotian and Bu Li were business elites capable of making the atmosphere less awkward.

After dinner, the cups and bowls were replaced with a tea table. Bu Li then began to brew tea.

Jin Jun Mei tea gave Zheng Ren a sense of familiarity as its faint fragrance reminded him of sweet potatoes that he had tasted in his childhood.

“Doctor Zheng, I have a friend in the provincial capital who has fallen sick recently. If you don’t mind, I would like you to take a look at him,” said Bu Ruotian calmly as if they had been friends for years.

Zheng Ren smiled and nodded. “Sure.”

Bu Li then took out a laptop and inserted a disc.

Zheng Ren panicked as the fickle-minded System could not diagnose the patient’s condition in their absence. However, since the disc contained contrast-enhanced MRI films of the liver, which he had seen more than a thousand times throughout his career, he did not have any difficulty reading them.

The patient’s diagnosis was clear. It was likely hepatic carcinoma.

However, he also had underlying hepatitis B, judging from the presence of cirrhotic nodules in the hepatic tissue, which looked similar to cancerous tissue and made it tricky.

“My provisional diagnosis is liver cancer, but I need to see the patient myself,” said Zheng Ren.

“He is currently in the provincial capital, and the diagnosis given by the doctor in the affiliated hospital of the medical university was also liver cancer, but the cancerous tissue can’t be surgically removed, and the best treatment modality is interventional radiology.” Bu Ruotian asked, “Does Doctor Zheng think so too?”

“Yes.” Zheng Ren nodded.

Both Bu Ruotian and Bu Li were businesspeople, not medical practitioners, so it was pointless to waste a more detailed explanation on them.

From the MRI films alone, hepatic carcinoma was not indisputable, as the nodules in the advanced stage of liver cirrhosis could mimic cancerous cells in imaging films.

“Interventional radiology is required to confirm the diagnosis,” said Zheng Ren confidently.

“Thank you, Doctor Zheng. I’ll convey your message to my friend,” Bu Ruotian said, “He’ll decide on the next course of action himself. I may have to trouble you again if the need arises.”

“It’s alright.”

“By the way, Little Six mentioned that Doctor Zheng saved a patient with hepatic cancer before. You are really a kind-hearted man.” Bu Ruotian seemed to inadvertently change the topic to Zheng Yunxia’s case.

Zheng Ren was perplexed. Why had Bu Ruotian taken an interest in Zheng Yunxia, a woman at the bottom of the social hierarchy?

Still, he nodded and said, “She was really lucky that Changfeng Microinvasive Surgery had provided the equipment for free, and the surgery was successful as well.”

“Doctor Zheng is here in Imperial Capital for scientific research in interventional radiology, right?”

“Yes.”

“Impressive.” Bu Ruotian put his palms together and smiled. “I’ll contact you again if my old friend requires your assistance.”

“Okay, but I worry that your friend might think a small hospital in Sea City beneath him,” replied Zheng Ren seriously.

Naturally, Bu Ruotian was aware of such a possibility as well, but gave no comment on it and continued drinking tea with Zheng Ren.

After a while, Zheng Ren received a call from Su Yun stating that someone wanted to see him.

Seeing that Zheng Ren had matters to attend to, Bu Ruotian and Bu Li chatted with him for a few more moments before Bu Li sent him to a Japanese restaurant called Xue Wai near the Workers’ Sports Complex.

After bidding goodbye to Bu Li, Zheng Ren entered the restaurant and asked a waiter for the private dining room that Su Yun had informed him of earlier.

There were more than a dozen whiskey bottles on the table alongside a few men that were already mellow with drink.

Eating Japanese cuisine without drinking sake? Zheng Ren may not be well-informed on such matters, but he was at least aware of basic food knowledge.

Birds of a feather indeed flocked together. How he wished Chang Yue was here right now.

Zheng Ren missed her in particular now.

“Boss Zheng, come and have a seat.” For some inexplicable reason, Su Yun started addressing Zheng Ren as such.

He had begun using the term ever since he had met his friends at the guest house.

“Oh, this is Boss Zheng Ren?” A burly man stood up. He was 1.85m tall with wide shoulders and long arms. Those, coupled with his beard, made him look fierce and intimidating.

“Hello.” Zheng Ren smiled.

“This is Zhao Yunlong, a cardiothoracic surgeon and soon-to-be associate professor.” Sitting cross-legged without any intention to stand up, Su Yun introduced the man while pouring whiskey. “He is the one who performed surgery on the patient with an aortic dissection who you found on the plane. Fang Lin is his junior.”

“Thank you for your effort.” Zheng Ren was sincere this time.

Type I aortic dissection required surgical treatment, and as for its difficulty… Zheng Ren honestly had no idea how hard it was since he had never done it before, but the operation itself was called ascending aorta + aortic arch replacement + elephant trunk surgery with an improved stent.

The name itself was awe-inspiring.

Even though Zhao Yunlong appeared less than forty years old, Zheng Ren was truly impressed by the fact that he could independently perform such an advanced surgery.

Perhaps his cardiothoracic surgery skill had reached the Master rank.

“Have a seat.” Zhao Yunlong said enthusiastically. “I thought this b*stard Su Yun was just joking, but I hadn’t expected Boss Zheng to be so young. I have you to thank for helping Fang Lin and Boss Gu today.”

“It was just a coincidence,” replied Zheng Ren humbly. He had just had his fill, and had no special love for tempura and sashimi, either.