Two hours later, the interview session ended, and Zhao Heng returned to the anesthesiology department's doctor office.

It must be said, Zhao Heng truly gained some insight from this interview session.

Young doctors from various departments took turns on stage, boasting about themselves incessantly. The way they praised themselves made Zhao Heng blush, yet these people could speak without a change of expression or heartbeat.

Only then did Zhao Heng realize the extent of the competition in hospitals nowadays.

Not only must doctors diagnose illnesses proficiently, work hard, and have a good attitude, they are also required to conduct research. That would be tolerable, but now they even expect doctors to have public speaking skills.

In this era of fierce competition, Zhao Heng's journey from being a mere equipment handler to a full-time anesthesiology doctor is viewed by everyone as nothing short of a miracle!

No wonder when he was in the auditorium earlier, nearly everyone's gaze was intentionally or unintentionally fixed on him.

"So, what do you think? Did you see many experts?"

As Zhao Heng returned and opened his laptop, Xu Man Ni approached him with a smile and asked.

"Indeed, everyone boasts about themselves as if it costs nothing."

Zhao Heng nodded and said.

"That's just the beginning. You should have seen last year, at the year-end, when they held an interview session like this for the selection of individual excellence. That was truly spectacular."

Xu Man Ni laughed and said.

"Who came up with all these flashy things?"

Zhao Heng couldn't help but ask in confusion.

"Who else could it be? The hospital director."

Xu Man Ni replied.

"Why does he do such things? As a hospital, shouldn't the primary consideration be a doctor's ability to treat patients? Shouldn't there be some skill and knowledge competitions instead?"

Zhao Heng was still baffled as to why a hospital would conduct so many speech contests.

"Someone up there enjoys watching it."

Xu Man Ni said somewhat helplessly.

"Do you think those doctors enjoy going up there to be ogled like monkeys?..."

After a pause, Xu Man Ni continued.

"Isn't this like a modern version of 'The citizens suffer under Qin's rule for too long'?"

Zhao Heng joked.

"Just saying it to me is fine. But honestly, a lot of people think just like you do now."

Xu Man Ni said.

She was also worried that Zhao Heng, being young and headstrong, might get swept up in some matters.

The hospital environment is complex now, with some seasoned people cleverly using the younger ones.

With that being said, Zhao Heng thought again of Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, and the director's nephew Yin Jian, along with Yin Jian's sidekick, Zhao Heng's college classmate Wang Qiang.

This life is really like a grand chessboard, with everyone as pieces of varying sizes within it.

At this moment, nurse Tian Zhen entered from outside the office and said to Zhao Heng, "Dr. Zhao, the cardiac department wants you over there."

"Okay, got it."

"I'm going."

Zhao Heng replied, and then told Xu Man Ni.

"Alright."

Xu Man Ni nodded.

Once Zhao Heng left the office, Xu Man Ni, somewhat surprised, said to Tian Zhen, "Didn't you just finish a night shift? Why are you still on duty?"

"We're short-staffed, so only I could fill in."

Tian Zhen said, looking slightly exhausted.

"I'll talk to the head nurse; maybe someone else can cover for you for a day."

Xu Man Ni, feeling sorry for her best friend, couldn't help but say.

"Forget it."

Tian Zhen shook her head.

"You always do this. Nowadays, everyone minds their own business. Who cares about anyone else's issues?"

Seeing Tian Zhen still being considerate of others, Xu Man Ni couldn't help but say.

Their trinity of a best-friend group each had distinctly different personalities. Sun Li had a cold, detached view of the world. Tian Zhen was too nice, whereas Xu Man Ni was straightforward and bold, taking issue with anything she deemed wrong.

Perhaps it was because of their differing personalities that the three of them together created a unique chemistry.

"The head nurse will adjust shifts for rest later on, no worries."

Tian Zhen remarked.

In the surgery department, as a nurse, you have to stick together. Even in other departments, it's the same for nursing staff.

Being a loner makes it challenging to perform efficiently, risks isolation, and advancement is out of the question.

"Speaking of, the head nurse will retire soon. How are your preparations? I heard Ding Minjun is constantly working connections."

After a pause, Tian Zhen asked.

"Ding Minjun? Her?"

Upon hearing Tian Zhen mention Ding Minjun, Xu Man Ni showed a bit of disdain.

"Don't be too careless. I heard that someone once saw Ding Minjun in the director's car."

Tian Zhen was concerned about her good friend's advancement. If Xu Man Ni moved up, then life would be much easier for her and Sun Li as close friends.

"Resorting to such tactics? That's nowhere near enough!"

Upon hearing this, Xu Man Ni was even more disdainful.

In the hospital, positions like department heads or head nurses cannot be secured just by pulling some strings or giving gifts.

Even if Ding Minjun approached the director, to be honest, even the director is not authorized to decide on the head nurse of the operating room.

This position's turnover, though appearing to be decided by the hospital committee, is actually determined by higher echelons.

Just as Gao Jun's position as deputy head of the anesthesiology department wasn't decided by the director but rather appointed from above.

From a management level standpoint, the director is only one level above a head nurse.

"Alright, as long as you are confident."

Tian Zhen nodded. She just wanted to remind Xu Man Ni.

On the other side, in the cardiac department.

Upon reaching the cardiac department, Zhao Heng went directly to the doctor's office.

Upon entering, he saw Huang Jincheng, the head of the department, discussing something with a male doctor.

This male doctor wore glasses and had an elite air about him, someone Zhao Heng hadn't met before.

Seeing Zhao Heng come in, Huang Jincheng warmly said to him, "Xiao Zhao, let me introduce you. This is Jiang Rui, Dr. Jiang, who just returned after completing his PhD at Hopkins."

"Xiao Jiang, this is Zhao Heng, whom I just mentioned to you. He's our most reliable young doctor in the anesthesiology department now."

Huang Jincheng then introduced Zhao Heng to Jiang Rui.

He introduced Zhao Heng with finesse, without saying he's the best or the youngest, but rather the most reliable.

Being described as the most reliable in the risk-laden field of clinical work intrigued Jiang Rui greatly.

"Hello, Dr. Jiang."

"Hello, Dr. Zhao."

Zhao Heng and Jiang Rui exchanged greetings.

As Zhao Heng scrutinized Jiang Rui, Jiang Rui also observed Zhao Heng.

After completing his PhD studies at Johns Hopkins Medical School, Jiang Rui returned to join Eastern Hospital. What intrigued him the most was Zhao Heng, whom his senior, Song Chen, often talked about.

Yes, at Hopkins, Jiang Rui and Song Chen shared a mentor.

Now Song Chen is making a fresh start at Johns Hopkins Medical School, becoming a lecturer through her own abilities and collaborating with her former mentor on a project. Once the results come, she will soon be promoted to associate professor.

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