Chapter 339: Chapter 203: The National Competition Begins! (Part 3)

"Someone in my house naturally carries yeast, easily getting jealous."

Mu Nanshu lifted her chin: "You’re overthinking..."

"I was just thinking, some people get so busy, they not only forget my birthday but also don’t give any gifts, nothing at all." Mu Nanshu muttered.

In response, Lu Cheng really couldn’t say a word.

He never thought he would actually forget Mu Nanshu’s birthday!

Of course, in October, Mu Nanshu wasn’t in Long County, having been called to Han City by Xie Yuan’an, and yes, Lu Cheng was on day shift that day, so he couldn’t leave.

But during chats, Lu Cheng never mentioned this, so he could only admit defeat.

Wishing a happy birthday the next day didn’t alleviate the disappointment.

Although Lu Cheng made it up the next day and said he had prepared a birthday gift for Mu Nanshu, she still acted coy.

A gift on the birthday itself is a birthday gift, can’t you receive gifts on days other than your birthday?

Lu Cheng said, "Alright, it’s my fault. What do you want? So I can have a chance to erase this awful stain?"

"I’m not telling you!" Mu Nanshu said.

"Give me a chance, boss?" Lu Cheng continued to plead.

"Fine, I’ll let you know when I figure it out."

"By the way, are you sure you’ve thought it through? You’re not participating in tomorrow’s competition?"

"Now, you actually have several competitors. You might not get a very good result." Mu Nanshu switched topics.

Lu Cheng said, "Not going. If I say I’m not going, then I’m not going."

Mu Nanshu asked, "Then what do you plan to do? Watch the competition online?"

"If I’m not there in person, why would I watch online? I’ll continue working on the project, continue with data. Winning or not doesn’t matter that much." Lu Cheng thought for a moment, then said:

"What I need to consider is, if I go to the State People’s Hospital, even though it’s more convenient for research, what surgeries can I perform in the emergency department."

"I need to find a few reasonable cases and study them in advance."

"I don’t want to go there and become a mascot."

Mu Nanshu said, "How about Spleen Preservation Surgery? Isn’t that procedure already approved?"

"How many spleen ruptures are there for me to preserve every day?"

"Besides, once these projects are over, we won’t have any more projects. Projects stem from clinical practice and return to it. I also need to think about the future."

"Otherwise, I’ll just be floating on the periphery, unable to get into the main arena."

"Reconstructive surgery for functional impairment is a pretty competitive direction right now."

Mu Nanshu frowned slightly, "But isn’t functional impairment not an emergency case?"

Lu Cheng thought for a while and replied, "Not necessarily."

"Functional impairment is usually a complication after emergency injuries. If we can solve these issues before complications arise, isn’t that preventing problems before they occur?"

"That’s a bit challenging," Mu Nanshu replied.

"What isn’t challenging? Anyway, once we have a direction, it’s easier to continue the work."

Lu Cheng yawned and continued, "Are you coming back to Long County with me, or staying in Ji City?"

"I’ll wait for you in Ji City. After your shift tomorrow, you’ll come anyway."

"Professor Chen and Professor Tong are still holding the fort here, and we have other things to do."

"Oh, by the way."

"Lu Cheng, make sure you’re in Ji City on Monday!" Mu Nanshu said, "Zhang Xibei is coming!"

Lu Cheng perked up, "I don’t have a shift on Monday. Has Brother Xibei finally figured it out?"

Mu Nanshu said, "He’s just coming to check things out, not necessarily making a decision."

"But our trip to Wuzhong City at the beginning of the month must have had some effect."

Lu Cheng said, "Alright, I’ll definitely be back by Sunday!"

After getting involved with projects, Lu Cheng gradually understood the importance of having an expert in animal experimental models.

If Zhang Xibei could bring clinical models into the animal lab, Lu Cheng’s suturing technique could become more skilled faster, and they could produce derivative papers, making the technical learning more standardized. Transitioning from animal to clinical trials would then be more justified.

Shan Province was indeed far, but recently Lu Cheng wasn’t too busy, so the two took the opportunity to make a trip there.

So far, it seems to have worked.

Mu Nanshu glanced at Lu Cheng and said, "My parents want us to choose a date for our engagement. What do you think?"

Lu Cheng said, "How about during the New Year, when friends and family are around."

"I think the sooner I can whisk you away, the better. Sleeping alone is a bit cold."

"Don’t mess with the steering wheel!" Lu Cheng raised his voice suddenly.

Mu Nanshu lowered her head slightly, "Who told you not to be serious?"

"Honestly, it’s how I feel. I reckon I’ve gained a bit, not too far from you now."

"Once these projects are done, my contract in Xiangzhou will end, and I can make a dash to the Union Hospital."

"Everything will come naturally then." Lu Cheng spoke with a formal tone.

"What about your associate senior title?" Mu Nanshu asked.

"I’ll apply next year... The written exam is in May or June, followed by interviews and practical exams... Shouldn’t be a big problem." Lu Cheng glanced at his dashboard.

His current comprehensive ability assessment is already at the level of an associate chief physician; it should only get stronger in the future.

The associate chief physician title, while not through the standardized professional assessment, is still good enough not to fall behind in a top unit, given his skills.

"You don’t have published articles?" Mu Nanshu asked hesitantly.

Lu Cheng looked at Mu Nanshu, "I do. You wouldn’t think Big Brother Xie Ziyuan and the others would be so clueless, right?"

"The paper for the associate degree can just be watered down at Xiangzhou People’s Hospital."

Hearing this, Mu Nanshu was taken aback, "That’s true, I almost forgot about them. And you still have others helping you."

Lu Cheng said quietly, "The only one helping is you. Others, it’s all about socializing."

"I’m not blaming anyone; it’s just the basic rule of how society works. Unless they’re close to you, strangers won’t care about you."

"If you have resources, use them. Otherwise, just wait for the end."