Meeting Xiang Rong again, Lin Jie noticed that he looked quite haggard, and his face appeared longer and thinner.

He asked with concern, "Editor Xiang, you seem to not be in great spirits?"

Xiang Rong waved his hand and sighed, "It's just some family trivialities, nothing worth mentioning. Expert Lin, regarding the interview we scheduled earlier, do you have time now?"

Hearing it was about family matters, Lin Jie wisely didn't press further and smiled, "Your timing is impeccable, I just happen to have time today, tomorrow I'll have patients coming in..."

The interview about the craniocerebral separation surgery of conjoined twins was a rather simple matter for Lin Jie.

It was merely a matter of describing some key parts of the surgery again in words.

Beyond that, Xiang Rong was particularly interested in the organizational work of this large-scale surgery.

After all, it involved the coordination of over a hundred people.

On this point, Lin Jie spoke candidly.

He merely allocated each individual's surgical tasks briefly; the specific coordination and organization work was completed by others.

Hearing this response, Xiang Rong was not surprised.

The organizational coordination of this surgery required a lot of effort and time.

Lin Jie's time was precious and shouldn't be wasted on such matters.

"Many experts in the field now believe that conducting this craniocerebral separation surgery underwater was a major innovation, at least increasing the surgery's success rate by 30%."

Intrigued, Xiang Rong asked, "Expert Lin, how did you come up with this ingenious idea? Was it a serendipitous inspiration or the result of deep contemplation?"

Lin Jie chuckled, somewhat pleased with himself, and said, "A bit of both, I suppose."

"I was also vexed at that time over how to make the separation of the cerebral cortex functional areas smoother and reduce the chances of failure, but I hadn't thought of a better solution."

"One night, my sister and I were eating at a snack street."

"There was a very famous tofu soup shop there, run by a chef skilled with knives, who attracted customers by showcasing his skill in slicing tofu threads underwater."

"It was this performance that inspired me with the idea of underwater surgery."

Xiang Rong couldn't help but praise, "Though learning can come from life, without your prior contemplation and rich imagination, it would have been challenging to think of this fantastic tactic of underwater surgery."

"Expert Lin, there's a reason you have achieved such success."

Lin Jie appreciated hearing this.

Noticing it was nearly noon, he stood up and said, "Editor Xiang, let's go; I'll be your host for lunch, and we can talk as we eat."

Since he was quite familiar with Xiang Rong, Lin Jie also invited Guan Muhua and Jian Jia to join them.

The four of them got a private room at Donghua Building, near the hospital.

Although it was a last-minute decision to have lunch at Donghua Building, with Lin Jie's current reputation, he usually didn't need to reserve in advance for a private room at most well-known restaurants.

Once the food and drinks were set, Lin Jie and Xiang Rong casually chatted about industry topics.

Suddenly, Xiang Rong said, "Expert Lin, you are now enjoying the special talent subsidy from the State Council at an academician level, and in a few years, you will likely become a real academician."

Lin Jie shook his head and said, "That's unlikely; age is a significant barrier, as you know."

Every year, the average age of newly elected academicians in the two academies is around fifty-four or fifty-five years.

Lin Jie would only turn twenty-two this June; in another five years, he would only be twenty-seven, the age when many people graduate with a doctorate.

Xiang Rong lamented, "With your strength and research achievements, Expert Lin, if you keep it up, you'll definitely be more than qualified to be elected an academician in two or three years."

"But this age... sigh!"

He understood that not all academicians are upright and solely focused on research.

Even at high levels, disputes are not uncommon.

Their disputes become more subtle and refined, unlike those of the common folk, but the essence is the same.

Moreover, every circle is somewhat exclusive.

Would a group of elders accept a young newcomer? It would definitely provoke resistance.

Xiang Rong considered and said, "Expert Lin, academicians have the right to nominate for annual supplements. Due to work, I have good relations with several academicians in the medical field."

"Maybe we could ask them to put in a nomination. Even if you don't get selected in the end, it's still experience."

"After a few consecutive years, they won't reject you anymore."

Lin Jie waved his hand and proudly said, "It's not necessary."

"In fact, I don't have much desire for the title of academician yet. I feel it's like an honor given to someone who has reached the peak."

"I'm still very young, with a long growth period ahead."

Xiang Rong agreed, "You have a point."

"Indeed, many people don't produce significant research results after being selected as academicians."

Jian Jia interjected, "Editor Xiang, personally I think the academician title shouldn't be for life. After selection, there should be an assessment every five or ten years, and those not meeting basic standards should have their titles revoked."

Lin Jie glared at her and said, "Just eat your meal. Such matters are not for you to comment on."

Xiang Rong smiled softly and said, "Xiao Jia's idea is indeed good; it could encourage some to continue working hard instead of resting on their laurels."

"But for many cultured people, you can grant honor, but if you try to take it away, it would be like taking their life."

He then solemnly cautioned, "Xiao Jia, you are now Expert Lin's assistant."

"Sometimes what you say can be misconstrued by outsiders as representing Expert Lin's views. Many are watching Expert Lin's words and actions nowadays."

"So, you should be cautious with your words in the future..."

Upon hearing this warning, Jian Jia immediately stood up, looking tense and said, "Dr. Lin, I'm sorry, I... I..."

Lin Jie gently waved his hand and comforted, "It's okay, don't be nervous!"

"Editor Xiang also meant well as a reminder. Actually, expressing some opinions privately isn't a big issue."

"As long as it's not speaking carelessly in public or formal occasions."

Xiang Rong reminded again, "It's better to be cautious."

"Expert Lin, you're a public figure now. If someone secretly records a video of any inappropriate remarks and spreads it, it won't be good."

"There are quite a few people who have suffered losses in this regard."

Lin Jie said a bit carelessly, "I'm a doctor and I make a living through my solid skills. I'm not on a political path, so other aspects don't really affect me."

Xiang Rong chuckled and said, "That's true, Expert Lin's medical skills are outstanding and your medical ethics are noble. I was being overly cautious."

He sighed again and said, "In today's society, everyone has a mobile phone. Even a small matter can be filmed and posted online, and then criticized heavily."

"Just a few days ago, my family member was in a bad mood. While walking the dog, the dog was disobedient and got hit a few times. This was filmed and posted online, and then dog lovers came to criticize."

"Sigh, things like this are difficult to discuss!"

Because they have Lele at home, Lin Jie and Lin Miao both like dogs very much. By extension, they don't eat dog meat, but they also don't force others not to eat it.

"Some dog lovers do go overboard. Has the matter been resolved now?"

Xiang Rong nodded, "It's resolved. My family member made a video apology, which helped to avoid further problems."

"It's just that my family member's mood hasn't improved, and my days are quite difficult."

Seeing a man in his fifties putting on a gloomy expression, Lin Jie couldn't help but advise, "You have friends all over the world, take your family member out for a trip."

"Although Binhai's climate isn't very good right now, there are still plenty of good places to visit for relaxation. Why not invite friends over to lighten the mood, I can host it."

Xiang Rong politely said, "Thank you, Expert Lin, your thoughtfulness is enough for me."

"My family member's bad mood isn't mainly because of the dog, the main reason is blaming me."

He picked up his glass, took a sip, and said gloomily, "She has a good friend whose daughter-in-law gave birth to a grandson after the New Year, but he was diagnosed with congenital esophageal atresia after birth."

"Out of goodwill, I introduced a pediatric surgeon to perform an esophageal repair surgery."

"But..."

Xiang Rong downed the wine in one gulp and said with great sorrow, "But the surgery encountered problems and failed, leaving the baby's condition even more complicated."

"I got a good bit of blame for that."

"My family member hasn't shown me a good face for days."

Congenital esophageal atresia isn't uncommon in the newborn period, occurring in about one in three thousand newborns.

In today's pediatric surgery, repairing congenital esophageal atresia isn't considered a particularly complex major surgery, and the success rate is quite high.

However, unexpected situations can always arise in anything, even catching a cold can be fatal.

Lin Jie could understand surgical failures.

But...

Seeing Xiang Rong distressedly drowning his sorrows in alcohol, Lin Jie suddenly had a realization and directly asked, "Editor Xiang, do you want me to take over the small patient?"

Xiang Rong eagerly said, "If Expert Lin you can take over, that would be fantastic."

"Is it possible?"

Lin Jie chuckled, "Editor Xiang, we're friends, you can just ask directly, no need to beat around the bush and pretend to be pitiful."

Xiang Rong smiled somewhat embarrassedly and explained, "Even if the first repair surgery for congenital esophageal atresia failed, making the surgery more complex, for Expert Lin it's still a simple procedure."

"This doesn't align with the two criteria you use to choose surgeries."

"I was just a bit worried..."

Lin Jie shook his head and smiled, reaching out, "Let me see that baby's medical records!"

Xiang Rong, who was already prepared, hurriedly took a stack of materials out of his briefcase and handed them to Lin Jie.

Ultrasound images, CT scans, angiograms, and all sorts of examination materials, Lin Jie carefully went through them one by one.

Watching Lin Jie's somber expression, Xiang Rong said a bit nervously, "I consulted with several pediatric experts, and they all indicated that since the first surgery failed, further repair on the original basis would be too difficult."

"It would be better to directly use the small intestine to reconstruct an esophagus."

"Expert Lin, what is your opinion?"

Lin Jie pondered and said, "Directly using the small intestine to reconstruct an esophagus is indeed a straightforward method."

"However, completely replacing the esophagus with small intestine would significantly restrict the baby's future diet and affect their quality of life."

He picked up the CT scan again, considering against the light, "Most of the esophagus, in my view, can still be used."

"If we only splice a small part of the small intestine, the esophagus function can likely retain 99%, so their future quality of life would barely be affected..."

Just then, Lin Jie felt as if a crucial inspiration flashed through his mind.

The inspiration was fleeting; he tried to grasp it, but it slipped away.

This left Lin Jie quite uncomfortable, and he unconsciously began repeating the earlier context, "Most of the esophagus, in my view, can still be used, only splicing a small part of the small intestine..."

"Only splicing a small part of the small intestine..."

"A small part of the small intestine..."

Suddenly, Lin Jie's eyes lit up, and he smiled, "Got it! I also have the topic for my thesis!"

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