"Director Xiang, I feel that the emergency department is quite good," Lu Cheng replied.

As they spoke, the waiter began serving the dishes, it was a small hot pot.

Using an alcohol stove, they lit three small pots.

One pot was a soup pot with Wusong tree mushrooms fried with cured meat, the other was a dry pot with beef fried with dried tofu strips.

There were also side dishes like shredded potatoes, cabbage, and pickled beans.

Eighty yuan per person, and the side dishes are free. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

The rice, however, was true "cauldron" rice, cooked in an old-fashioned method, and when the lid was lifted, the aroma was overwhelming, unlike what a rice cooker can achieve.

The waiter used a spatula to stir up the aroma brought by the crispy rice crust, incomparable to the internet-famous ones.

About two minutes later, Xiang Kuihua pushed a glass of wine to Lu Cheng, not Maotai, but a famous liquor from Xiangxi.

"Come, have a sip," Xiang Kuihua invited with a smile on his face.

Lu Cheng, not being in complete opposition with Xiang Kuihua, agreed.

Xiang Kuihua said, "Xiao Lu, I actually understand you, and I get you. During your time in our orthopedics department, you truly didn't receive any special treatment."

"Your current skills were learned outside, we..."

"But ultimately, our department's patient volume is just too low. Teaching students starves the master."

"But that was before, now our orthopedics department is different."

"Returning to our orthopedics department will offer better development."

Lu Cheng replied, "Director Xiang, regardless of whether I engage in hand surgery, I can only deal with emergency cases."

"I haven't learned techniques like flap transplant surgery, obviously I can't perform them."

"What I can wait for in hand surgery is emergency care related to hand surgery, tendon injuries, limb replantation—that's no different than waiting in the emergency department."

Lu Cheng was sincerely explaining his situation to Xiang Kuihua, but the key information Xiang Kuihua gathered was that Lu Cheng could operate on limb replantation.

Xiang Kuihua's tone became particularly formal: "So you're saying, you can really be the lead surgeon for limb replantation."

A hospital's ability to independently conduct limb replantation surgery is always the standard technique to assess the maturity of a hand surgery department.

If limb replantation can't be done, don't claim your hospital has a hand surgery department. This is common orthopedic knowledge.

"I can barely manage it," Lu Cheng replied.

Xiang Kuihua laughed, "Then our orthopedics department's only master's degree holder is really turning into a joke."

Peng Kun, holding a master's in sports medicine, couldn't even manage a meniscus suture, wanted to learn hand surgery, but was too impatient, resulting in the hospital suspending his surgical privileges.

Lu Cheng then took a detour, cutting off Peng Kun's career advancement...

Lu Cheng lightly shook his head, not acknowledging Xiang Kuihua's viewpoint: "Young Master Kun still has the talent for learning; he can learn slowly."

"Who can he learn from? Are you willing to take this ticking time bomb?" Xiang Kuihua retorted.

Lu Cheng fell silent.

Initially, Lu Cheng was willing to take him on, and he trusted Peng Kun quite a bit, as Peng Kun followed instructions.

But it turns out, when with Professor Tong Yuan'an, he acted smart.

Of course, Lu Cheng didn't appreciate this type of clever person.

Thinking back to the first meniscus suture, it might have been Peng Kun assuming Tayama would cover for him, so he didn't even inform Tayama and performed it under his father's name.

He surely found himself a reason, thinking, "How can I progress without practice?"

Xiang Kuihua saw Lu Cheng not speaking and outright explained his intention: "Xiao Lu, we don't have any hatred between us, nor any irreconcilable conflict."

"Although there were some misunderstandings before, I'm here today to resolve them!"

"I actually know you'll head out eventually."

"You'll become a superior physician at a top hospital, and instead of trying to curry favor with you once you mature, it's better to resolve misunderstandings now."

"More friends, more paths, maybe in the future our department might develop hand surgery, and we'll need you to guide us."

Xiang Kuihua was already aware of Lu Cheng's intention to take the medical personnel selection exam within the State.

With Lu Cheng's current demonstrated talent and absolute competence, it's something Xiang Kuihua can't restrain.

Some people, if you can't hold them down, you make friends.

"Director Xiang, I've never had any malice towards you, my mindset remains as it did from the start."

"For the techniques I'm not proficient in, I won't resent myself for being incapable, but if I'm skilled, I prefer to trust my abilities."

Lu Cheng placed both hands on his thighs, sitting in a standard posture: "Manual reduction is one of the most classic and typical treatment methods for fractures and joint dislocations."

"They've gone through historical refinement."

"And are basic components of treating complex fractures."

Xiang Kuihua nodded: "Yes, I know, I do them now, I'm doing them and will continue doing them!"

"Had I not systematically learned manual reduction, I wouldn't have overtaken Director Peng."

"My only blind spot at the moment is pelvic fractures."

"I'm not here today to discuss manual reduction."

"After all, we're colleagues, and in reality, we never had any grudges, nor did I target you."

"What do you think about this, Xiao Lu?" Xiang Kuihua looked at Lu Cheng kindly.

Lu Cheng replied with a smile: "Director Xiang, you certainly wouldn't target someone like me."

Xiang Kuihua emphasized: "Director Peng's opinion is only Director Peng's, not representative of our orthopedics department."