The Enhanced Doctor
Chapter 56 - 056 Ginger is spicier as it ages

Chapter 56: 056 Ginger is spicier as it ages

"What are you up to?" As soon as the patient was wheeled away, Shi Lei looked at Liu Banxia, on high alert.

"Hahaha, Boss, yell all you want! It won’t help you." Liu Banxia stood with his hands on his hips.

"Stone, Shoutian really deserves to celebrate today. Just humor him," Wang Lei said without any reservation.

"Get lost, both of you!" Shi Lei said, then bolted out the door.

Liu Banxia turned his gaze to Liang Xiaolin.

"What do you want?" Liang Xiaolin asked, her hand on her chest, visibly anxious.

Liu Banxia sighed helplessly. "I was just going to apologize. I did call you a mascot before the surgery, didn’t I?"

The young woman finally relaxed. After casting him a glare, she swiftly slipped out of the operating room.

"Well done! Your performance in that surgery was impressive. Our extra shift wasn’t in vain," Wang Lei said with a smile.

"Thank you all. Once I get paid, I’ll definitely treat you to a meal," Liu Banxia replied gratefully.

"Shoutian, we won’t stand on ceremony with you then. Today’s operation was great, and you finished remarkably fast!" Liu Mei said, giving him a thumbs-up.

"Hehe, it was my first time, but our Boss taught me well when I watched him," Liu Banxia said with a grin.

"Alright, hurry to the emergency room for your shift," Wang Lei said.

As Liu Banxia reached the door, he turned back, gave everyone a bow, and then bounded off.

These people genuinely cared about him. Although an extra surgery meant more pay, they would have preferred to finish their work on time.

He first stopped by the patient’s room to give some instructions, then Liu Banxia leisurely returned to the Emergency Department. Just as he was about to approach Shi Lei, a glare from him sent Liu Banxia scurrying back.

"Sister Li asked me to congratulate you on your successful surgery," Liang Xiaolin said, approaching him hesitantly.

"Thanks. Why don’t you go get some rest? The Boss and I can handle things here. There’s no situation we can’t manage," Liu Banxia said.

Liang Xiaolin wrinkled her nose. "I also need to get used to night shifts. I had plenty of them during my internship at the First Hospital."

Liu Banxia stretched languidly. After settling back into his seat, he pulled up his status panel.

Liu Banxia: Level 19, 23,345/23,345

Mental: 62 points (Understanding, memory, concentration +10.71%)

Agility: 60 points (Stability, speed, touch sensitivity +11.11%)

Strength: 47 points (Power, instrument mastery, instrument efficiency +9.30%)

Stamina: 39 points

Attribute Points: 6

Glory Points: 53

Dressing Change: Level 2, 9,604/19,999

Suturing: Level 2, 7,139/19,999

Diagnostics: Level 2, 9,520/19,999

Cesarean Section: Level 1, 534/4,999

Inguinal Hernia Repair: Level 1, 687/4,999

Anal Fistula Thread-Ligation: Level 2, 7,040/19,999

Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Level 1, 3,343/4,999

Fasciotomy: Level 1, 607/4,999

Appendectomy: Level 1, 4,158/4,999

Liu Banxia sighed. It was just as he had guessed: the excess experience points had been absorbed by the system. He still needed two more flawless operations to fulfill his goal, and he had to achieve that as fast as possible.

His eyes skimmed over his attribute points and Glory Points, and he reined in his impatience. He seemed capable of handling all the current surgeries, so he’d better not waste these special currencies yet.

There was still a long way to go in his medical career; who knew what critical situations he might encounter? At least if he had resources saved up, he wouldn’t panic.

Seeing Liu Banxia pick up a book to read again, Liang Xiaolin hesitated for a moment before asking, "How did you practice? You suture so quickly, and your surgical movements are also very fast."

Liu Banxia glanced at her. "Actually, my hands were slow at first too. Then I just practiced—got familiar with surgical instruments, practiced suturing at home, things like that."

Liang Xiaolin frowned. "That’s what I do at home too, but I still haven’t gotten much faster. Even when I suture pigskin or dissect chickens at home, it’s fine. But when it’s time for a real surgery, I get a bit panicky, always afraid of messing up."

DING!

Task Issued: Liang Xiaolin’s Request

Open Task: Guide Liang Xiaolin to overcome her psychological barrier. Rewards will be given based on task completion. Task Duration: 2 months.

Looking at the task prompt, Liu Banxia was troubled. How was he supposed to guide her? He wasn’t a psychologist; his own current abilities were due to his enhanced physical attributes.

"Well... actually... this matter... it’s simple, yet also complicated," Liu Banxia said, spouting solemn-sounding nonsense.

Hearing his words and seeing his expression, Liang Xiaolin felt exasperated. I finally mustered up the courage to ask, and this is how he responds?

"Don’t be anxious, I just need to organize my thoughts," Liu Banxia said helplessly.

"Given your current situation, I think it’s probably due to a lack of practical experience. In the beginning, I was pretty much the same. I’d get nervous when operating on actual patients. So, come to the Emergency Department more often. Try to do more suturing and things like that. That’s how I got through it. After suturing a lot, I guess I just stopped overthinking it."

"I know I should try to get more opportunities, but every time, even if I think I’m well-prepared, my hands slow down when I actually start suturing. And my movements feel awkward," Liang Xiaolin said, frustrated.

"How about we have a little contest tying square knots first? I want to see your hand speed. Say, for one minute?" Liu Banxia asked.

Liang Xiaolin nodded and hurried over to grab two suture threads.

"Hehe, you two seem to be having fun. I guess I’ll join in too," Shi Lei said, approaching with a smile.

"Boss, don’t cry if I wipe the floor with you," Liu Banxia said smugly.

"No problem. It’s common for the master to starve after the disciple learns everything. Especially with a rebellious disciple like you, I don’t expect anything," Shi Lei said, shaking his head.

The nurses watching from the sidelines were thoroughly entertained; it was rare for Shi Lei to make such a joke.

Once they were ready, a nurse held up her phone to time them. At her signal, the three of them began working on their suture threads.

"I’ve reached the pinnacle of my life! I’ve reached the high—"

The contest ended, and a triumphant Liu Banxia couldn’t continue his boast. He’d tried his best, tying 97 knots in one minute. But Liang Xiaolin? Judging by the length of her tied thread, she must have made at least a dozen more knots than him.

He then turned his head to look at Shi Lei.

"Hehe, I can’t compete anymore; I’m getting old. Can’t deny it. Only tied 143 knots," Shi Lei said calmly.

Liu Banxia was stunned. He had frequently watched Shi Lei operate and had always taken his slow, methodical pace as a sign of clumsiness. Had he actually reached a master level of speed all along?

The onlooking nurses burst into laughter. So much for Shoutian’s smugness; he had come in last.

"Boss, I’m impressed! Truly, the older the ginger, the spicier it is," Liu Banxia said, giving a thumbs-up, completely convinced.

"Actually, hand speed isn’t just about sheer velocity; it’s also about accuracy. That’s what eliminates a lot of wasted effort," Shi Lei said.

"Your operation today was very good. Each step was precise, which naturally made it seem quicker. Doctor Liang, you don’t need to worry. Your hands are skilled; it’s your mindset that’s holding you back, but that’s something you can overcome."

Liu Banxia had just said a whole lot to no avail, but Shi Lei’s single sentence seemed to invigorate Liang Xiaolin. This task is going to be tough, Liu Banxia thought.