Chapter 796: Number One of the Younger Generation

Chapter 796: Chapter 796: Number One of the Younger Generation

"???"

Three or four bold question marks seemingly popped out over Dean Song’s forehead, his brain crashing for a solid three seconds.

"What did you just say? He’s a traditional Chinese medicine doctor... and he performed a total splenectomy?"

It took Dean Song quite a while to find his voice. He felt his entire worldview had just been subjected to a massive shock.

"It’s true," Lin Guorui sighed. "I thought it was absurd when I first heard it, too. But you know Zeng Yunjun’s temper. He has never yielded to anyone in surgery, yet now he treats Li Xu like the God of Wealth himself. The news has spread like wildfire through the Emergency Department."

Dean Song took a deep breath, muttering to himself, "Just how many skills is this kid hiding? It’d be one thing if he were just a master of traditional Chinese medicine in his twenties, but how can he master top-tier Western surgical procedures as well?"

Sitting in the high position of dean, Dean Song was usually occupied with coordination and administrative duties. Although he valued Li Xu, he only viewed the young man broadly as a "genius of traditional Chinese medicine." Now, however, he realized he had been too conservative in his assessment. He hadn’t just stumbled upon a treasure; he had found a human-shaped, omnipotent, precision medical instrument.

"Alright, I understand." Hanging up the phone, Dean Song immediately called Zeng Yunjun, determined to confirm the details of this fantastical tale with his own ears.

***

Meanwhile, the Emergency Department of the Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine remained as chaotic as ever. Having just finished lunch, Li Xu was leading Li Lin back to the department when he bumped into Zeng Yunjun, who had been lying in wait.

"Dean Li, there you are!" Zeng Yunjun’s booming voice rang out exceptionally loud in the corridor.

"Director Yunjun, is something the matter?" Li Xu smiled.

"Good news." Zeng Yunjun leaned in and whispered mysteriously, "Dean Song just called me. He said the traditional Chinese medicine department at Renmin Hospital is taking the lead to host a ’Feng City Young Doctors Exchange Conference’ at the Feng City Hotel next week. Dean Song has given the word that you must attend. It’s a great opportunity for our Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine to show our faces."

Li Xu raised an eyebrow. "Must attend? Aren’t these kinds of conferences usually just about listening to a report and having a buffet?"

"Heh, this time is different," Zeng Yunjun laughed. "This event was initiated by Director Ju Jiahong from Renmin Hospital’s traditional Chinese medicine department. Dean Song and I figure Director Ju most likely heard about your lecture at the medical college, got an itch, and wants to exchange a few pointers with you. He specifically asked to see you."

Saying that, Zeng Yunjun looked Li Xu up and down, teasing, "You’ve heard of Ju Jiahong’s reputation, right? He is the number one figure among the younger generation in the province, even hailed as the ’Little Imperial Physician of Feng City.’ He’s an insurmountable mountain for many traditional Chinese medicine doctors of his age. What do you think?"

Li Xu smiled nonchalantly. "I’ve heard of him. He’s a formidable doctor. Being able to actually exchange ideas would be a good thing."

Listening from the side, Li Lin’s eyes went wide. "Senior, Director Ju rarely thinks highly of anyone. To think he actually took the initiative to meet you! This... this is practically a summit meeting in Feng City’s traditional Chinese medicine circles!"

Li Lin’s mind was in absolute turmoil. Back when he was in school, Ju Jiahong was like an idol to him—an unattainable, insurmountable professional ceiling. But now, looking at Li Xu’s unfazed demeanor, Li Lin suddenly realized that the towering mountain in his heart didn’t seem so intimidating anymore.

He used to think Ju Jiahong was a genius among geniuses. However, having followed Li Xu for a while, Li Xu’s effortless diagnoses and treatments, along with his domineering prowess that spanned both traditional Chinese and Western medicine, had subtly elevated Li Lin’s standards.

"The number one figure of the younger generation?" Li Lin thought to himself. Glancing at his senior, he felt that Ju Jiahong’s title of "number one" probably needed a prerequisite: before Li Xu had come down from the mountain.

"Li Lin, you should go along as well," Zeng Yunjun said, heartily patting Li Lin’s shoulder. "Since it’s a gathering of young talents, you should go and broaden your horizons. Director Lin Guorui will also be going. You lot will be the face of our Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine this time."

***

Inside the Internal Medicine Director’s Office at the Medical Affiliated Hospital of Feng City.

Director Shi Shengrong was sitting on the sofa with three young doctors standing before him.

"Next week, the traditional Chinese medicine department at Renmin Hospital is initiating a young doctors exchange conference. You three will represent our Medical Affiliated Hospital’s internal medicine department," Shi Shengrong said in a serious tone. "Liu Haodong, Liu Haixue, and Guan Wenxing, you are the future of our department. Don’t lose the Medical Affiliated Hospital’s face out there."

Guan Wenxing, thirty-two years old and an attending physician, was the most senior among the three and the focus of Shi Shengrong’s grooming.

"Hosted by Renmin Hospital?" Liu Haixue adjusted his glasses and blurted out. "Then the one taking the lead must be Ju Jiahong, right?"

"Who else could it be?" Shi Shengrong smiled. "This Ju Jiahong has extraordinary talent, along with a bit of that inherent arrogance from Renmin Hospital. What’s wrong, Haixue? Getting stage fright just hearing his name?"

"I wouldn’t go as far as stage fright," Liu Haodong said. Although he had suffered defeat at Li Xu’s hands, he still maintained the pride of a prestigious Medical Affiliated Hospital in front of outsiders. "Even though Director Ju is formidable, he is still human after all. It’s not like we haven’t seen a freak far more formidable than him recently."

At the mention of the word "freak," the excessively young face of Li Xu spontaneously surfaced in all three of their minds.

"I just find it strange," Guan Wenxing frowned slightly. "Usually, for these kinds of exchange conferences, Director Ju would at most show his face and sit for ten minutes before leaving. He has never taken on the work of initiating and organizing them, finding it too tacky. What’s gotten into him this time?"

"I heard it’s because of one person." Shi Shengrong stood up and walked to the window. "An incredible vice dean has emerged over at the City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. His surname is Li, Li Xu. Rumor has it that the day before yesterday at the medical college, Former Dean Ai personally stood up for him. Ju Jiahong, this ’Saint Heir,’ has probably felt threatened, or perhaps he has finally found an opponent he’s truly interested in."

Hearing the name "Li Xu," Liu Haodong and Liu Haixue exchanged a glance, their expressions instantly turning incredibly colorful.

"It’s actually him again..." Liu Haixue muttered.

Liu Haodong, on the other hand, clenched his fists, a hint of complexity flashing in his eyes. "Things are going to get lively now. Ju Jiahong is a cunning fox, and Li Xu is a fathomless true dragon. With these two clashing, they might just turn Feng City completely upside down."

"Alright, stop lamenting over there." Shi Shengrong turned back and instructed, "Once you’re there, watch, listen, and learn as much as you can. Especially when it comes to Li Xu. If he’s present, you must carefully observe his prescriptions and techniques. The thought process of a genius like him will be of great benefit to you all."

Liu Haodong nodded, though his heart was pounding wildly. He suddenly realized that he was actually looking forward to the arrival of that exchange conference.

***

Over the next few days, the undercurrents in Feng City’s medical circles surged ever more fiercely. The young elites from various hospitals were all rubbing their hands in anticipation.

Ju Jiahong’s reputation was so resounding that he was like a target; everyone wanted to gain his favor or recognition at the exchange conference. Li Xu, on the other hand, was like a hunter who had suddenly intruded into the jungle—mysterious and powerful.

PS: I will be taking a day off tomorrow.