Chapter 389: Chapter 389 - Chapter 389: Chapter 389: I'm sorry... I was wrong!

Chapter 389: Chapter 389: I’m sorry… I was wrong!

The next day proceeded as usual with work, and Chen Cang and Qin Yue each harbored their own thoughts, always contemplating how to surprise the other.

When their shifts changed, they exchanged glances that hid mischievous smiles with a touch of secrecy.

That’s just the way it is, when you’re in love, you can’t keep secrets to yourself.

Any good news feels like it should be shared with the other.

The office romance between Chen Cang and Qin Yue had yet to be revealed.

Moreover, Chen Cang even felt that this “stolen” thrill was particularly exciting!

It was just that… Old Chen stood beside Chen Cang, observing the peculiar looks they exchanged, and his curiosity was piqued.

Afer all, Old Chen had mentored Chen Cang for almost three years, like raising an apprentice; how could he not know Chen Cang well?

After the shift handover, Old Chen gave a mischievous chuckle in Chen Cang’s direction, making him look rather guilty.

“Boss! You’re married… Stop looking at me like that, it’s creepy! Be careful, or I’ll tell your wife…”

Chen Bingsheng gently slapped Chen Cang on the head with an open palm, “You little rascal, I could kill you! Don’t leave after work; join me for dinner, I need to ask you something.”

After saying that, Chen Bingsheng didn’t linger to banter with Chen Cang, but hurried off to the operating room.

Old Chen had been quite busy lately. Ever since the relationship between emergency medicine and general surgery had progressed from unfamiliar to a cold war and now to a tentative peace, Old Chen’s surgeries had been increasing in number, most of which involved general surgical patients.

Chen Bingsheng had watched with his own eyes as Chen Cang gradually made a name for himself and was happiest about it.

After all, like his own apprentice making it big, that was the best thing ever.

Chen Cang suddenly chuckled, “Hehe, Boss, I’m in, I’m in. I’m free today, I’ll assist you.”

Having said that, Chen Cang stood up and chased after Chen Bingsheng.

Seeing this, Old Chen was momentarily stunned, then felt a warmth inside and smiled, “Let’s go.”

In reality, in the hospital setting, three years was the maximum for mentorship. Generally, after newcomers arrived at the hospital, the senior doctors would mentor them for half a year to a year before they started handling their own patients.

At this point, everyone was colleagues, and some had even become competitors. Therefore, many doctors during the mentorship period weren’t like true teachers; they only taught procedures and rarely fostered a heartfelt connection like Old Chen’s with Chen Cang.

Chen Cang was very much aware of this; since joining the hospital, Old Chen had treated him exceptionally well. When he was earning little, he’d tag along with Old Chen for meals and drinks—otherwise, how could he have saved up twenty thousand yuan?

If money was a trivial matter, then teaching Chen Cang how to behave and things that can’t be learned in school or from books were not trivial at all.

Therefore, the kindness and affection of Old Chen toward him had always stayed in his heart.

On the way, Old Chen suddenly asked with a teasing smile, “Been dating someone recently?”

Chen Cang laughed heartily, not hiding it from Old Chen, “Hehe, Boss, you caught me, huh?”

Old Chen also broke into hearty laughter, “Did you think you could keep it from me?”

Chen Cang smiled, “Yeah, it’s just the beginning, hasn’t been long.”

Old Chen clicked his tongue, “Qin Yue is a nice girl, with a good personality in all aspects, and you’re quite carefree. Having little Qin would really complement you!”

“You’ve got good taste, kid. Act fast. This is the Dean’s future son-in-law; in the future, I might have to hold onto your coattails.”

Chen Cang gave an awkward smile, “By then you’ll be the chief, and I’ll be your deputy.”

Old Chen smacked Chen Cang on the head, “Look at you, getting all cocky now.”

“I’ve heard from Zhixin that you haven’t been to the cosmetic surgery hospital much lately?”

Chen Cang sighed, “I’ve been too busy lately. I need to assist in surgeries with my mentor when I’m free. Last weekend, I looked at some houses. If there are patients there, I go; otherwise, I just show up when I’m fully booked. I don’t usually go there anymore.”

When Old Chen heard Chen Cang talking about buying a house, he smiled, “Buying a house? Do you have enough money? If not, I’ll ask your sister-in-law to chip in.”

Hearing this, Chen Cang quickly laughed and declined Old Chen’s kind offer, “It’s enough, it’s enough. Once the renovations are done, you all should come over.”

Chen Bingsheng looked thoughtfully at Chen Cang and advised, “You know… Little Chen, don’t rush, and don’t overwork yourself. Money is endless; you can’t earn it all. Just do it moderately, you’re still young. By the time you reach the chief’s age, you’ll have more money than you can spend.”

“If you’re short on cash, just tell me. Your sister-in-law and I have a bit of savings; don’t be embarrassed to ask.”

Chen Cang smiled, “Alright, Boss, I won’t be shy!”

At that moment, Zhang Zhixin walked over and saw Chen Cang and Chen Bingsheng together, instantly smiling, “Hey! You’re both here. Long time no see, Little Chen.”

Chen Cang rolled his eyes, “When do I not see you in the operating room?”

Zhang Zhixin shook his head, rubbed his hands, and said with a smile, “How can it be the same? I was saying it’s been a long time since you’ve assisted me in surgery.”

At this point, Zhang Zhixin leaned over to Old Chen and said, “Hey, Old Chen, I’m really suffering now. I’m almost depressed!”

Chen Bingsheng asked curiously, “What’s wrong?”

Zhang Zhixin: “Let me tell you something. Since the second month Chen Cang came to my place, I haven’t even touched a scalpel during surgery with him! Can you imagine how depressing that is?”

“Every time I operate with him, I’m just assisting. Ah… it’s mentally exhausting.”

Chen Bingsheng gave a cold laugh, “You capitalist still have the nerve to say that. Chen Cang is still working for you!”

Zhang Zhixin’s face turned red: “This is professional pursuit! I have dreams too, okay!”

At this point, Zhang Zhixin smiled, glanced at Chen Cang, and asked, “Am I the main surgeon today?”

Chen Bingsheng: “Sure!”

Zhang Zhixin looked at Chen Cang: “Chen Cang, today Teacher Zhang will show you what advanced surgical skills are! You’ll see what a major operation is!”

Chen Cang also became curious and immediately asked, “What surgery?”

Zhang Zhixin smiled and said, “Pancreaticoduodenectomy. You haven’t seen it, have you?”

Chen Cang nodded; indeed, he hadn’t seen it.

A complete pancreaticoduodenectomy, this level-four surgery, was something he really hadn’t come into contact with. He was somewhat looking forward to it, but… he ignored Zhang Zhixin’s showy expression.

…

While they talked, the two entered the operating room.

Chen Bingsheng briefed Chen Cang on the patient’s condition.

This kind of scenario had indeed not occurred for nearly two months. Ever since Li Baoshan made adjustments, Chen Cang rarely operated with Old Chen.

Upon learning he was the main surgeon, Zhang Zhixin immediately felt overjoyed, elated.

“Chen Cang, remember to loop, tie, and suction!”

Chen Cang rolled his eyes, smug little man.

At this moment, Zhang Youfu happened to pass by, saw Chen Cang, and was about to walk on when he suddenly stopped and came over.

“Eh? Chen Cang, you have surgery today!”

When Zhang Zhixin and Chen Bingsheng saw Zhang Youfu, they immediately smiled, “Director.”

Zhang Youfu brightened up when he saw the three of them, “What are you all doing here, what surgery?”

“Pancreaticoduodenectomy,” Zhang Zhixin said, referring to a patient with metastatic pancreatic cancer that he was handling.

Zhang Youfu’s interest was piqued when he heard this, “Oh! Are you talking about patient number 21? I’m quite curious about his case. It so happens I’m free… I’ll be the main surgeon.”

Duan Bo behind him was suddenly stunned… Director, when were you free?

You said you were going to supervise me today!

…

Upon hearing Director Zhang was taking over as the main surgeon, Zhang Zhixin was instantly dumbfounded!

Seeing this, Chen Bingsheng nearly burst out laughing.

Looking at Zhang Zhixin’s sour face, Zhang Youfu smiled, “Don’t worry, I’m here.”

At this point, Zhang Youfu was determined to show Chen Cang what advanced surgery was all about.

Zhang Zhixin couldn’t help but let out a long sigh inwardly, wrong timing to show off, why is it so hard to be a bit cocky?

The pancreaticoduodenectomy still has a pretty high degree of difficulty, meant for patients whose cancer cells are still confined to the pancreas, without widespread metastasis.

The preparatory work before the surgery is very troublesome; such an operation would require at least two senior attending physicians cooperating with each other.

After injecting vitamin K, the chief of anesthesiology personally administered the anesthesia.

The surgery was long, and they aimed for steady anesthesia to prevent hypoxia and hypotension from occurring.

Comrade Zhang Youfu was clearly intent on showing off in front of Chen Cang today, as he wielded the scalpel and made an arc-shaped incision in the upper abdomen!

He began with an incision at the free end of the right rib, cutting through abdominal wall muscles, ligaments…

When the pancreas and duodenum were exposed, Chen Cang’s eyes widened, and he couldn’t help exclaiming, “Holy shit…”

Instantly, the three others looked up, staring at Chen Cang.

Zhang Youfu thought his technique had awed Chen Cang and allowed himself a discreet, smug smile. That’s more like it!

Zhang Zhixin couldn’t help but sigh. That’s all it takes to surprise you?

But what Chen Cang was actually marveling at wasn’t that!

Instead, he had discovered something terrifying.

That was the fact that he could actually see the extent of the cancer cell invasion!

Too freaking terrifying, right?

Thinking about this, Chen Cang felt his breathing becoming a bit rapid.

He clearly saw the red “pancreas” and “pancreatic duct,” and on these, there was a patch of red.

“Pancreatic cancer; lv78, ordinary unspread pancreatic cancer…”

Chen Cang noticed a patch of red on the pancreas, some areas were green, which meant… the red areas were where the cancer cells had spread.

And the green represented the healthy pancreatic tissue!

This discovery was truly significant for Chen Cang!

Why say so?

The difficulty of cancer surgery itself isn’t that high, but what’s the hardest part? It’s the uncertainty of the cancer cell invasion extent. Therefore, surgical operations usually extend beyond the affected area. For instance, in this case of pancreatic cancer, a total removal might not be necessary!

However, considering the effectiveness of surgery, the basic principle is: better to wrongfully remove a thousand than to leave a single cancer cell behind!

Thus, cancer patients often deteriorate rapidly post-operation, due to excessive tissue removal.

But with this discovery, Chen Cang could minimize the surgical area as much as possible, which was incredibly significant for cancer patients!

How could Chen Cang not be excited at this thought?

For any cancer patient, this was gospel!

The surgery continued. Zhang Youfu, as department head, his series of procedures were indeed quite skillful.

Efficiently separating the mesentery and blood vessels, he dealt with the portal vein.

Many may not understand what the pancreas does, but everyone should know insulin, right?

The pancreas, as the gland secreting insulin, plays a crucial role in regulating human blood sugar.

If the pancreas is removed, postoperative diabetes management becomes very difficult and troublesome.

After all, it’s not quite so trivial and easy when any human organ is removed!

Even the appendix is finding more and more rationale for its existence.

However…

If pancreatic surgery could spare even just twenty percent of the tail section of the pancreas, the management of diabetes during recovery wouldn’t be as difficult as with a total pancreatectomy.

The difference between the two is vast!

But Chen Cang, watching, dared not speak!

He could clearly see that about forty percent of the patient’s pancreatic tissue was not invaded by cancer cells, but the surgery required total removal.

For fear of cancer cell spread!

At that moment, Chen Cang felt utterly helpless.

He wanted to speak, but he knew he couldn’t and that no one would believe him if he did.

That was the reality!

It could even bring fatal trouble upon him!

What to do?

What could he do?

Chen Cang felt truly powerless at that moment.

Perhaps, only when he grew strong enough to perform cancer surgeries himself, could he really make a difference!

With that in mind, Chen Cang silently watched the surgery proceed.

A mix of emotions rose in his heart.

Keep it up!

Chen Cang!

…

…

In the operating room, the four remained silent, seriously engaged in the difficult surgery, a monster of more than level seventy. It was Chen Cang’s first encounter with such, and even Zhang Youfu could not afford to be careless!

At that moment, a putrid stench wafted through the air,

penetrating the masks and up their nostrils.

Zhang Youfu’s face suddenly changed!

The smell was all too familiar.

With that thought, Zhang Youfu’s frown deepened and his body shuddered involuntarily!

An intestinal rupture!?

At that thought, cold sweat broke out on Zhang Youfu’s body.

If the intestines ruptured at that moment, the difficulty of the surgery would increase by a lot.

But with his hands full at the moment, Zhang Youfu quickly turned to Chen Bingsheng and said, “Bingsheng, see where it has torn!”

Chen Bingsheng nodded, as he too smelled the foul odor!

Why would there be intestinal rupture?

It was baffling!

If it caused peritoneal infection, it would absolutely raise the difficulty of the operation significantly!

But then…

Chen Cang looked into the abdominal cavity and became curious.

Because he didn’t see any red names at all!

Could it be his eyes were tired?

This was the first time that his eyes couldn’t identify the problem. Could it be… was the stench blinding him?

At that thought, Chen Cang quickly blinked his eyes but still didn’t see any problem.

Now Chen Cang panicked!

My ability couldn’t have been damaged by the stench, could it?

Just as Chen Bingsheng was about to investigate,

Zhang Zhixin suddenly said awkwardly, “No worries, it’s not an intestinal rupture!”

Zhang Youfu immediately looked over, “Oh? Zhixin, what do you mean?”

Zhang Zhixin coughed discreetly and whispered, “Actually… just now, I farted…”

…

…

ps: Although it’s two updates, it’s actually the content of four. Everyone has been saying I’ve been padding content, so… I can only write a bit more in each chapter. I’ll try to update more content and less chapters from now on, thanks for everyone’s support.

Lastly… get some rest early.