Hearing He Dongfang's words, Fang Zhiyan looked up, his eyes gleaming faintly.
But the next moment, He Dongfang added, "However, it's the rule to complete a one-year internship after graduation. That can't be changed—it just has to be this way."
The light in Fang Zhiyan's eyes dimmed.
What he lacked most right now was an opportunity to prove himself.
But as an intern, there were many things he couldn't take charge of.
This left him extremely frustrated.
It seemed he still had to obtain his medical license.
He just wasn't sure whether Director Tang from the Health Bureau would keep his word.
As Fang Zhiyan was lost in thought, He Dongfang spoke again.
"However, given how skilled you are, it's not impossible to give you a chance to shine."
"In the emergency department, we encounter all kinds of cases. Do you think you have what it takes to be the lead surgeon?"
Fang Zhiyan was taken aback.
As an intern, he naturally wasn't qualified to lead a surgery.
But he understood that He Dongfang wasn't asking about his credentials—he was asking about his ability.
Could it be...?
Fang Zhiyan raised his head.
In the early 2000s, medical talent was still scarce.
Especially in newly established emergency departments like this one in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, doctors were in short supply.
He Dongfang's words seemed to suggest he wanted Fang Zhiyan to give it a try.
After a moment of consideration, Fang Zhiyan nodded slowly. "I can do it."
With his past life's experience as a master surgeon, he was confident he could handle 99% of emergency cases—if not all of them.
He Dongfang nodded in response.
"Good. There's an appendectomy scheduled for this afternoon. You'll assist me in the operating room."
The moment he said this, everyone was stunned.
An appendectomy wasn't a major surgery.
It certainly didn't require someone of He Dongfang's level to perform.
Yet not only was he taking charge, but he was also bringing Fang Zhiyan along.
Could it be that he didn't intend to lead the surgery himself—but to let Fang Zhiyan do it?
That… didn't seem to follow protocol.
The room fell silent, but no one dared to question it.
After all, this was He Dongfang's arrangement.
"Alright, no problem," Fang Zhiyan agreed without hesitation.
A simple appendectomy was nothing to him.
The fact that He Dongfang was giving him this opportunity meant he had recognized Fang Zhiyan's skills.
For someone like him—a doctor with the experience of a master surgeon in his past life—it would be strange to follow the usual training routine.
After leaving the ward, Fang Zhiyan reviewed the appendectomy procedure.
Though it wasn't a major surgery, it would be his first time performing it in this body.
In his past life, he had become a renowned surgeon early on.
Minor surgeries like appendectomies never even reached him.
Now that he was revisiting it, he needed a quick refresher.
Seeing Fang Zhiyan lost in thought, Zhu Zixiao couldn't help but ask, "Fang, what are you doing? Didn't sleep last night? Feeling tired?"
Fang Zhiyan glanced at him, then grinned.
"Just thinking about how to perform an appendectomy."
"You?"
Zhu Zixiao gave him a skeptical look.
Was this guy serious?
Did he really think he'd be the lead surgeon?
No way!
Zhu Zixiao shook his head, but a sliver of doubt crept in.
What if… he actually was?
Time flew by, and soon it was afternoon.
Fang Zhiyan arrived swiftly at the operating room, fully prepared.
"Patient: Zhang Min, female, 22 years old. Acute appendicitis with perforation. Appendectomy required."
Under continuous epidural anesthesia, the patient was already unconscious.
This would be the first time Fang Zhiyan led a surgery in this body, so he felt slightly unaccustomed.
He Dongfang stood nearby, gesturing to him.
"You take the lead. I'll observe."
This was a test—He Dongfang wanted to see just how capable this intern he had personally recruited really was.
Fang Zhiyan nodded, performed pre-surgical sterilization, and took his position as the lead surgeon.
Holding the scalpel, he carefully examined the patient's skin.
In the next moment, he applied pressure—the sharp blade pressed against the skin.
As the incision was made, a perfect McBurney's point appeared.
He Dongfang's eyes widened in shock.
This guy…
That incision…
It was flawless!
He had avoided capillaries and minor nerves, resulting in minimal bleeding.
Next, he switched tools, cutting through the anterior rectus sheath and separating the rectus abdominis muscle.
His movements were swift and precise.
"Number four silk thread," Fang Zhiyan called out.
Hemostatic clamps secured the blood vessels, which were then ligated with the silk thread.
The posterior sheath and peritoneum were incised.
A thin, yellowish pus seeped out.
Fang Zhiyan remained expressionless as he worked.
From start to finish, He Dongfang stood by, his face a picture of astonishment.
Was this even human?
No—was this really an intern?
Ten minutes later, Fang Zhiyan sutured the anterior rectus sheath, subcutaneous tissue, and skin in layers.
With the final stitch in place, he set down the needle holder and checked the time.
The scrub nurse announced, "Fifteen minutes and sixteen seconds."
Gasps filled the operating room.
This was an intern?
From beginning to end, Director He hadn't said a word—and it was already over?
He looked at Fang Zhiyan, then at the nearly perfect sutures, completely dumbfounded.
He had gambled right!
This kid was a gem!
To think he had recruited him—what a stroke of luck!
He Dongfang nodded repeatedly, his expression full of approval.
"Good. Very good, young man!"
"You're impressive!"
He couldn't help but praise him.
The two stepped down and left the operating room.
After changing, He Dongfang continued, "You've got skills. Which school did you graduate from?"
"Do they really teach everything there?"
He vaguely remembered Fang Zhiyan's resume—it wasn't from a prestigious institution.
Yet such a school had produced this kind of talent.
Perhaps there were more hidden gems?
With the emergency department short on staff, he could scout more talents like this.
Fang Zhiyan smiled. "Donghai Second Medical University."
"I see."
He Dongfang nodded, then walked off with a pleased smile.
It seemed he'd have to keep an eye on Donghai Second Medical University from now on.
Fang Zhiyan stepped out as well. Zhu Zixiao immediately approached him.
"Fang—no, I shouldn't call you 'young Fang' anymore. Old Fang, how are you this good?"
"I'm in awe. You just set a record with that time!"
"You're incredible. Your skills are a hundred times better than Gu Tao's!"
"That guy still dared to steal credit from you—what a shameless move!"