Chapter 6: Level Five Wage, Secured a Position

Xu Qinghuan did not know exactly what had transpired, only that the patient could not afford another moment of delay. Seeing the attending physician and the newcomer still dithering—an unthinkable occurrence on the operating tables of her previous life—she felt a surge of irritation. Snatching the scalpel, she moved with practiced precision, slicing horizontally across the pregnant woman’s abdomen in one fluid motion.

While she lacked experience with natural births, she could perform a Cesarean section with her eyes closed. Moreover, she was intimately familiar with this patient's specific condition. Through subcutaneous fat, fascia, abdominal muscles, the peritoneum, and the uterine wall, then piercing the amniotic sac—Xu Qinghuan completed the steps in one seamless sequence. Her movements were so rigorous and precise that it felt less like surgery and more like the solving of a complex mathematical equation or the execution of a graceful waltz.

The staff in the operating room had witnessed countless surgeries, yet none had ever felt so aesthetically pleasing, leaving them with a sense of calm rather than trepidation. As Xu Qinghuan was fully masked and gowned, revealing only her eyes, the hospital director assumed she was one of their own staff. However, as he watched, his suspicion grew. If the initial incision had been unconventional enough to raise eyebrows, the suturing technique she employed now was, in his estimation, superior to anything seen not just in their hospital, but in the entire city of Shen.

In forty minutes, the surgery was successfully concluded—a duration that included the time lost to the hesitation of the original attending physician and the director’s own dithering. A nurse carried the infant away and tapped its heels; the baby let out a wail, and tears welled in the eyes of the mother, who was under partial anesthesia.

After placing the final stitch, Xu Qinghuan checked the mother’s pulse; the condition was stable, and she had already addressed the bleeding points earlier. She removed the acupuncture needles from the woman’s body and commanded, "It's done. Take her to the ward and observe her overnight."

Accustomed to issuing orders, Xu Qinghuan saw nothing amiss in her tone. It was only when she removed her mask and caught the director’s bewildered gaze that she realized her position. She panicked slightly, "My apologies, I overstepped!"

The director, a man who cherished talent, stepped forward to shake her hand. "Comrade, may I ask your name? I am Wu Banghui, the director of this hospital. Today’s surgery was a success thanks to you!"

In truth, Wu Banghui was secretly hoping she was one of his own doctors, though he did not recognize her. He hoped to recruit her to his hospital. Even if Xu Qinghuan had known his thoughts, she would not have been moved, for she knew Song Wanlin would never allow her to slip from her control. That was precisely why Song Wanlin used her job as leverage.

"My name is Xu Huan. Today was just a coincidence; I happened to encounter the pregnant woman falling and going into premature labor outside," Xu Qinghuan said, not daring to use her real name.

Wu Banghui was genuinely grateful. The patient’s father-in-law was an old friend of his, and the family had only one heir for three generations. Since this baby was a boy, had something gone wrong at his hospital, the guilt alone would have been unbearable.

"Comrade, your surgical technique is very unique. Could you explain why you chose a horizontal incision?" It was the first time Wu Banghui had seen such a method.

"Both horizontal and vertical incisions have their pros and cons, depending on the patient," Xu Qinghuan explained. "This patient had a posterior placenta and a thick abdominal wall. Furthermore, a horizontal incision offers a smaller wound, faster recovery, and a lower risk of uterine rupture."

Wu Banghui mentally evaluated her words; they were incredibly professional. He extended a sincere invitation: "Comrade Xu, I invite you to join our hospital. How about it? If you are willing, you can start as an obstetrician with a Level 5 salary. What do you think?"

He did not know which hospital she currently worked for, but based on her age, he assumed her salary grade was low, so he made a generous offer. A Level 5 salary was 66.53 yuan—a high incentive for someone her age, who would normally be at a Level 2 or 3. Offering more would be dangerous for both of them, but the surrounding doctors and nurses were stunned. A Level 5 salary for someone so young! Yet, having witnessed her skill, they knew that no one else in the hospital—and perhaps no one in any major hospital—could match her capability.

Xu Qinghuan inwardly cursed herself for using a fake name. A Level 5 position with such high technical requirements was not something one could easily secure through back-channel dealings! She rubbed her fingers together, suppressing her regret, and politely declined, "Director Wu, it is truly a pity, but I am about to be sent to the countryside."

"To the countryside?" Wu Banghui misunderstood, assuming she was being persecuted, and felt a pang of helplessness.

Xu Qinghuan, still unwilling to let the opportunity pass, asked, "Director Wu, does your hospital have any job openings recently?"

Wu Banghui felt a glimmer of hope. Even if there were none, he could make one. "What kind of position are you looking for, Comrade Xu?"

"As long as it's not a janitor," Xu Qinghuan replied. All she needed was a quota to remain in the city.

Wu Banghui said, "As it happens, our obstetrics department needs three intern nurses. If you are interested, I can reserve one for you." It was supposed to be a quota for next year, but maneuvering it early was not impossible. This was the only way Wu Banghui could ensure a path to reach her in the future. Her surgical skill and her mastery of acupuncture were, he knew, extraordinary talents.

"That would be wonderful." Xu Qinghuan understood his motives. She immediately provided him with the contact information for Lin Xialan, which they had agreed upon before Xu decided to head to the countryside. "Once I am settled in the countryside, I will write to Comrade Lin. If you need my assistance, you can contact her, and she will relay the message to me."

Wu Banghui, delighted by her foresight, beamed. He summoned the human resources manager, and Xu Qinghuan successfully registered as an intern nurse under her own name.

Just as she was preparing to leave the hospital, the mother of the patient caught up with her. "Comrade, I finally found you!"

"Ma'am, is something wrong? Is the patient feeling unwell?" Xu Qinghuan hurried toward the ward, concerned. Her diagnosis should have been sound, unless there had been a complication. Regardless, she felt responsible for the patient until she was discharged.

"No, no!" the mother panted, unable to keep up. Xu Qinghuan didn't stop; since she was already there, she decided to check on the patient anyway.

In the ward, the mother was sleeping soundly. Xu Qinghuan checked her pulse and said, "The lochia discharge is normal, and she is in no danger. Once she passes gas, you may begin feeding her liquid food." She repeated the instructions she had given earlier.

"I understand, I understand!" the mother said, relieved to hear there were no problems.

Xu Qinghuan took a final look at the baby, checked its pulse, and confirmed, "The baby is also healthy. Don't worry, Ma'am. If you have any questions, ask the nurses. Just ensure she rests well and maintains proper nutrition, and she will be just fine."