Ding Mou suddenly laughed in realization, "I thought my memory was getting bad."

Tong Yuan'an maintained a composed stance, not offering Lu Cheng any conversational support.

After drinking a toast with Ding Mou, Lu Cheng toasted with a few people from Xiangya Hospital, and then the atmosphere gradually dissipated…

"Brother Tong, I'm leaving too, I have a competition tomorrow." The unusually handsome Liu Xiaodong, the attending physician, also took his leave.

Tong Yuan'an stood up to see him off, "Alright, Xiadong, make sure you prepare well. I'm sure you'll be fine."

Lu Cheng also stood up.

Liu Xiaodong seriously looked at Lu Cheng several times but then held back from saying anything.

After Liu Xiaodong left the room, he didn't say much more, "Dr. Lu, see you tomorrow."

"Teacher Liu, see you tomorrow." Lu Cheng's expression remained unchanged.

If Tong Yuan'an hadn't allowed him to leave, Lu Cheng would have left on his own much earlier; it was clear that his presence had disturbed others.

Even those few from Xiangya Second Hospital seemed to feel he didn't quite belong in today's setting.

But since he had previously worked in the Long County People's Hospital for rural support, which were units they used to assist, they politely exchanged a few words.

After everyone left, Tong Yuan'an yawned, "Xiao Lu, what did you eat tonight? I was with the boss earlier."

Lu Cheng said, "Teacher Tong, I ordered takeout. I could have gone down to eat the buffet, but I can't get used to that food."

"It's quite late today too. Thank you, Teacher Tong, for introducing me to so many teachers."

Lu Cheng didn't feel any displeasure towards Tong Yuan'an; it wasn't him orchestrating others to look down on him—it was their own perception of him as 'unfit' for the group.

If Tong Yuan'an hadn't made introductions this time, they would have felt the same way upon meeting again later.

At the very least, Tong Yuan'an gave him the chance to meet them.

"Even if you don't know them now, eventually you will!"

Tong Yuan'an continued, "The reason I called you here, first, was for you to get to know people; second, to explain the schedule of the next few days' competition."

"This competition consists of two days with four events."

"Medical operations competition is not like gaming; performance varies in each match."

"Similar to gaming, medical competitions also allow showcasing skills, and the competition modes are similar. So, as long as you perform well enough, the best result is recorded, and the score is finalized."

"This scoring will be fixed for the provincial competition."

"Meaning, if one of your operations is performed well enough, the final ranking will be based on that data, allowing you to enter multiple events."

"For example, tendon suturing, substantive organ suturing, vascular suturing, and nerve suturing."

"The national competition should adopt a similar format."

Lu Cheng nodded at these words, "Oh, I see, thank you, Teacher Tong."

"Secondly, your reason for participating in the competition is to earn money. You can think it, but don't say it out loud, especially if you unexpectedly need to give an acceptance speech."

"Never mention it. Saying it will make you a target for criticism."

"It's too pretentious," Tong Yuan'an preemptively warned Lu Cheng.

Tong Yuan'an was certain that Lu Cheng could definitely enter the final round in the tendon suturing event.

Lu Cheng chuckled awkwardly, "Of course, I wouldn't dare to say that."

"Well, are you still hungry? There's plenty of barbecue left, want to eat some more together?"

"Finish eating and go rest?" Tong Yuan'an extended another invitation…