The two little whistles—quite impressive.
In the vast and intricate corners of the skill tree, there existed a specialized branch—Interventional Medicine. This discipline branched into countless subfields, connecting with nearly every clinical specialty. Interventional Medicine? Luo Hao was no stranger to this rather niche field; it seemed even ovarian cysts could be treated through interventional procedures.
With a flicker of thought, he selected the Interventional Medicine branch. Two subtrees appeared before him—Catheterization and Puncture. The treatment method for ovarian cysts was found under the puncture subtree at a Level 3 skill, highlighted and ready, which meant Luo Hao could now master and perform such a procedure.
Oh? His eyes lit up.
He understood the basic principle, even without having performed such an operation before. The technique involved ultrasound-guided puncture, using a syringe to aspirate the fluid from the ovarian cyst, then injecting medication to sclerose and reduce fluid leakage within the cyst.
But would it really work?
A book icon followed the skill tree; Luo Hao clicked on it, and relevant research papers on ovarian cyst aspiration sclerotherapy appeared before him. They were genuinely impressive. Luo Hao ceased doubting the supposedly unreliable system and began reading the materials.
After a brief review of the papers in about ten minutes, Luo Hao felt confident this approach could succeed. Still in Director Lin’s office, he didn’t intend to linger. It was better to find a quiet place for studying such surgical techniques.
Just as he was about to leave, Director Lin entered with a scowl, closing the door behind him.
“Director Lin,” Luo Hao greeted cautiously, sensing his uncle’s sour mood. He tried to stay low-profile, avoiding any unlucky encounters.
Director Lin looked grim, slamming the door shut decisively. Luo Hao’s mind instantly coined the phrase—“closing the door to scold the dog.”
In front of his own nephew, Lin Yuming’s expression softened slightly, tinged with frustration.
“Director, what’s wrong?” Luo Hao guessed his uncle had been reprimanded by higher-ups and needed someone to vent to.
“Insurance won’t pay, and they’re fining us…” Lin Yuming struggled to hold back his anger, sitting down heavily and sipping his tea.
“How’s the obstetrics and gynecology side?” Lin took a sip, attempting to calm his temper.
Luo Hao briefly recapped the difficulties faced by the OB-GYN department without offering conclusions, watching Director Lin expectantly like any subordinate awaiting orders.
After a few curses, Lin’s expression improved somewhat.
Work was work; inevitably, many problems could not be solved. The Medical Affairs Office played the scapegoat role within the hospital’s ecology—every tricky issue avoided by other departments was dumped on them.
In crude terms, the Medical Affairs Office was the hospital’s cesspool.
Lin Yuming was aware of this; his earlier outburst was simply the eruption of long-suppressed frustration.
“Get on with your work,” Lin waved him off, signaling Luo Hao to leave.
Returning to his workstation, Luo Hao began to “busy” himself. Although he hadn’t yet mastered the physical performance aspect, everyone was occupied with their own tasks and paid him no mind.
He entered the system space and started meticulous study.
Ovarian cyst aspiration sclerotherapy was not difficult. After reading the papers, Luo Hao entered the system’s operating room to begin training.
Before the system’s launch, he had already used the surgical room for training.
An unlimited supply of cadaver instructors was a dream coveted by medical students, doctors, and even professors.
[Newbie Bonus: The system grants 3 hours of surgical training time.]
As Luo Hao entered the system’s operating room, a line of text appeared in the upper right corner of his vision.
At first, Luo Hao didn’t sense anything special. Yet, when he began his first ovarian cyst aspiration sclerotherapy, he immediately felt the difference between this surgical training time and his previous solo practice.
His energy was abundant, his mental acuity and comprehension top-notch—completely unlike his previous solitary training sessions in the system operating room.
It felt as if a teacher resided within his mind, constantly correcting his mistakes.
So this is how useful the system truly was!
Luo Hao was overjoyed.
It seemed not to have disappointed his expectations.
Three hours passed in the blink of an eye, and Luo Hao gained a wealth of experience.
Looking at the tasks assigned by the system, he found them manageable.
Reviewing the technical details of the ovarian cyst aspiration sclerotherapy, he had already formulated a plan.
At the door of Director Lin Yuming’s office, Luo Hao knocked and entered.
Lin was sipping water from an enamel cup, its chipped “Flood Control Commemoration” inscription dusted with the weight of history.
“小螺号,” Lin greeted warmly.
Being called “Little Snail” by his uncle indicated his mood had improved.
Yet when it came to business, Luo Hao straightened up formally. “Director Lin, I’ve found a way to solve part of the OB-GYN department’s problem.”
“Oh?” Lin looked up, cup in hand.
Luo Hao recounted his early encounter with Director Sun and the ovarian cyst patient, then proposed the puncture sclerotherapy solution.
“It costs little, and under DIP reimbursement standards, nearly all ovarian cyst patients could receive proper treatment.”
Lin said nothing, lost in thought with the cup held in both hands.
Luo Hao had expected immediate agreement.
But Lin’s absent-minded demeanor felt like silent rejection.
Was there a flaw in his proposal?
Luo Hao began to reconsider.
This was a plan benefitting three, even four parties—there should be no problem.
“Director Lin, what do you think…”
“Do you believe this is a solution from which everyone benefits?” Lin interrupted, as if reading Luo Hao’s mind.
Luo Hao nodded blankly.
“It’s feasible, but it depends on how it’s implemented,” Lin said sternly, still distracted. “Go back for now, I’ll think it over.”
Luo Hao glanced at the system’s new user task list, feeling a bit helpless.
If only, like in novels, having a system meant invincibility, and everyone would bow in awe.
But reality seemed off somehow.
Just as he turned to leave, Lin suddenly asked, “Little Snail, how’s your ultrasound skill?”
“About the same level as our ultrasound department head,” Luo replied.
Lin waved him away as if shooing a fly.
---
Director Lin didn’t call on Luo Hao for three days.
During this time, Luo Hao repeatedly entered the system, gaining a clearer understanding of it.
“Luo Hao, come here,” Lin summoned him one day at work.
“Director Lin,” Luo Hao responded obediently, hands resting on his thighs like an experienced attending.
“A relative of a high-ranking official has an ovarian cyst and originally wanted laparoscopic surgery.”
Luo Hao’s eyes brightened. “I’ll do it!”
“Dream on,” Lin looked at him with disdain.
Luo Hao quickly caught his uncle’s train of thought.
“Director Lin, you want to invite an outside expert?”
“Of course. I believe you can do it, but can Director Sun accept it? Will the patient and family agree?” Lin spoke earnestly, “We bring in the expert to open a path. When provincial experts perform the puncture sclerotherapy, Director Sun won’t have much to say and will find it easier to accept.”
Luo Hao nodded repeatedly.
This truly was the best way to handle the problem.
“Prepare. When the expert arrives, lead a workgroup into OB-GYN.”
“Get the contact of the patient denied hospitalization from Director Sun; you handle communication.”
“The expert will only be here briefly; a few small procedures won’t be a problem.”
Luo Hao beamed. “Director Lin, you’re brilliant.”
“Bullshit!” Lin shot him a glance. “If you can handle it, help OB-GYN. If not, we’ll find another way.”
Though vague, Luo Hao roughly understood his meaning.
He accompanied the official’s relative to complete admission procedures and liaised with OB-GYN smoothly.
The next afternoon, Lin and Director Sun went to the high-speed rail station to pick up Deputy Director Liu Haisen from the provincial First Affiliated Hospital’s ultrasound department.
The high-speed rail was convenient; what used to take half a day now took about an hour.
Lin hadn’t even arranged accommodation for Liu, who planned to eat after the surgery and catch the last train back.
At the exit, Lin raised his hand high.
“Old Six!”
“Boss Lin! Long time no see,” Liu approached with a smile and embraced Lin.
Lin introduced, “Haisen is the director of the First Affiliated Hospital’s ultrasound department, and also my bunkmate back in the day.”
Familiar melodies faintly drifted through their ears.
“You sure drank a lot of my instant noodle soup back then.”
“Well, you were rich—you could afford Master Kong noodles. Now with all the fancy food, the best thing I ever ate was your leftover soup.”
“I never hid it; the noodles are under the bed—you can help yourself.”
Director Sun, seeing their close camaraderie, quietly followed them into the car.
“Old Six, the surgery okay?” Lin asked after some small talk.
“A minor procedure, no problem,” Liu answered casually.
Then he hesitated.
Lin could read between the lines and smiled, “We don’t often do interventional surgeries here. Speak freely.”
“This is one of the top five tertiary hospitals in the province. Ten years ago, your hospital ranked fourth in all indicators, even surpassing the provincial hospital except for the three affiliated with the medical university.”
“That’s all history,” Lin said. “Most of the prime interventional doctors have been poached by southern hospitals with high salaries. Our hospital’s interventional department is badly understaffed.”
Liu nodded, asked some basic patient details, and refrained from further discussion.
At the hospital, after getting out of the car, Lin leaned close to Liu and whispered, “Old Six, my nephew’s here too. Keep an eye on him.”
“Hey, Boss Lin, what are you saying?” Liu smirked. “If he’s good, just say the word. I can arrange anything in the province. Come work with me in ultrasound, and in three years he’ll be a provincial expert.”
Lin knew Liu misunderstood but was glad to hear such praise from an old friend.
People only grow more nostalgic with age.
Almost thirty years since graduation, those once vibrant classmates were nearing retirement, ready to go home to their grandchildren.
“Ha, whether useful or not, thanks in advance,” Lin smiled. “My nephew’s a bit unusual.”
“Personality?”
“Personality’s fine, talent too. He did eight years straight from undergraduate to PhD at Peking Union Medical College.”
“!!!” Liu was astonished, turning to look at Lin.
A young doctor completing an eight-year combined bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate at PUMC was considered a prodigy, often having skipped grades in primary and secondary school, graduating PhD around 23 or 25 years old.
Though PUMC was hard to get into, it mattered who you were. Those eight-year combined graduates bore the PUMC label as direct successors of its legacy.
Reportedly, doctors without PUMC undergraduate degrees, no matter how brilliant, were often labeled as having insufficient foundational knowledge and sometimes ostracized.
Such promising young talents rarely left PUMC, so why had Lin’s nephew returned home?
“Boss Lin, why didn’t the kid stay at PUMC?”
“Don’t ask. An old academician wanted to keep him, but the brat refused. I thought it was heartbreak. After he came back, I worried about his clinical work, so I kept him by my side to watch over him.”
“I haven’t noticed any emotional changes recently. Help me check his ultrasound skills. If he’s competent, I want him to do this procedure.”
“Sure, Boss Lin. Since he’s an eight-year combined PUMC graduate, his foundation must be solid.”
“Luo Hao, this is Deputy Director Liu Haisen of the medical university’s ultrasound department.”
Luo Hao was called over and introduced himself seriously.
“Hello, Teacher Liu,” Luo Hao smiled and bowed slightly.
After a morning of expert consultations and over thirty ultrasounds, Liu was fatigued, having eaten lunch on the high-speed train. Yet meeting the sunny young man lifted his spirits.
Luo Hao gave off an indescribable radiant optimism.
“Mm,” Liu smiled. “Don’t be formal. Report the patient history.”
“The patient is female…” Luo Hao recited from memory, delivering a well-balanced report.
Liu nodded repeatedly.
Just based on the thoroughness of this history, it showed Lin’s nephew was quite competent.
He emphasized the key points Liu cared most about.
After reporting, Luo Hao added, “I asked three times, both patient and family confirmed she can drink and can consume eight liang of white liquor without intoxication.”
“Hmm.”
“I’ve prepared anhydrous alcohol and polidocanol, delivered them to the ultrasound room; feel free to use whichever you prefer.”
Deputy Director Liu was even more satisfied with Luo Hao’s performance.
This was hardly a novice new to interventional surgery; he was as competent as one of Liu’s own doctors.
After the report, Luo Hao disappeared appropriately. Liu examined the patient and proceeded to the ultrasound room after confirming no surgical contraindications.
Liu intended to do everything himself to give Lin face, but upon arriving, Luo Hao took initiative—adjusting positioning, preparing equipment and supplies.
Liu stepped aside, quietly observing every move.
Since it was a local anesthesia procedure, the patient could hear everything, so Lin didn’t ask much and quietly watched alongside Liu.
Luo Hao’s movements were simple and precise.
From Liu’s expression, Lin sensed Luo Hao was doing well.
“Teacher Liu, ready,” Luo Hao announced.
Liu nodded, sat by the patient, and began the ultrasound.
Finding the puncture site on the ovarian cyst, Liu called, “Little Luo, help hold this.”
Luo Hao took the probe, steadying it against the patient’s abdomen.
The puncture, aspiration of cyst fluid, followed by repeated rinsing and sclerosis with polidocanol.
Twenty minutes later, the surgery was over.
The entire process was smooth and uneventful.
Without waiting for Liu’s instructions, Luo Hao briefed the head nurse on pathology and post-op precautions.
“This kid’s good,” Liu thought again.
“Rest half an hour, patient can walk back,” Liu advised.
“Walk back? Better push her,” suggested Director Sun.
Lin raised an eyebrow. “Half an hour rest, patient walks back herself.”
For doctors, walking or being pushed made no difference, but for patient and family psychology, it was vastly different.
Before surgery, tension was high.
But if the patient could walk afterward, anyone with average intelligence would realize the surgery was excellent and minimally invasive.
Luo Hao and the attending doctor watched the patient seated; Lin, Liu, Director Sun, and the ultrasound department head retired to the director’s office.
Upon entering, Liu grabbed Lin’s arm and asked quietly, “You really haven’t done interventional surgeries before?”
Lin was startled.
“I saw Little Luo was very skilled; every step flawless,” Liu chose his words carefully, pausing before continuing, “Without at least a thousand or eight hundred surgeries, you can’t reach that level.”
“…”
“…”
“…”
The group was surprised.
“Another detail: I asked Little Luo to hold the probe. Boss Lin, did you notice? His hand moved slightly.”
“!!!”
Though Lin and Liu both graduated from Mudanjiang Medical College’s imaging department, Lin had been away from clinical work for over a decade; he could grasp the general ultrasound image but missed such fine details.
“There was a tiny capillary there. Honestly, puncturing it wouldn’t matter much. But Luo’s slight probe movement exposed the vessel, and I dodged it. This technique reduces bleeding by about 5 ml.”
“At first, I thought it was accidental, but the more I thought, the less it seemed so.”
Listening to Liu’s rambling, Lin’s mind churned with new thoughts.
“Liu, we never did interventional surgeries,” whispered the hospital’s ultrasound department head.
“Then he must have trained at PUMC,” Liu confirmed. “Boss Lin, this kid’s impressive. To be frank, he’s a bit wasted here, haha.”
Lin chuckled warmly, gratified.
“Not bad,” Liu concluded.
“Old Six, just now Little Snail quietly told me your skills are top-notch and asked if you have time for fly-knife surgery.”
Liu was taken aback.
Was this an unintentional assessment?
Fly-knife experts and professors varied in skill, and mutual assessments between local and visiting doctors were common.
“Do you have many similar patients?”
“Should be many, but is DIP payment in place? Laparoscopy can’t be done.”
“Alright,” Liu thought it over and agreed.
Fly-knife was mainly surgical; ultrasound and interventional doctors rarely performed it.
Patients and families saved travel; experts earned fees; local doctors gained advanced skills.
All parties benefited, making the practice justified.
Liu wasn’t overly interested but wanted to honor Lin’s face and was quite intrigued by Luo Hao.
“Fine,” Liu said, “Once the patient is admitted, let Little Luo handle it. I don’t trust others as much.”
“Oh? Why’s that?” Lin asked.
“Details matter,” Liu explained. “For example, Little Luo emphasized the patient’s alcohol consumption because alcohol is used for sclerosis. If the patient had a history of alcohol allergy, it could be dangerous.”
“When I first started interventional work, after one surgery, a clinical doctor called me at home saying the patient was unwell and might need ICU.”
“!!!”
“I went to check and was stunned—the patient was delirious, like a brain injury trauma victim.”
“I had no choice but to call the teacher in the capital for advice.”
“It turned out the patient couldn’t drink alcohol. Even a few milliliters of anhydrous alcohol caused intoxication.”
“Really?!” Lin was astonished.
“I was worried it was something else and sat by the bedside all night. The next morning, the patient sobered up and was fine. Since then, I never forgot this lesson.”
“Consider it clinical experience.”
“From these details, Little Luo clearly isn’t new to such patients. He repeatedly emphasized this in his history report.”
“Also…”
Liu casually shared other observations.
Lin’s smile deepened.
Luo Hao was impressive.
…
“This is minimally invasive surgery, the future direction of medicine,” Luo Hao explained to the patient’s family. “The medical university experts are top-notch, at least top three in the province. This minor ailment will surely be handled well.”