Chapter 408 - 253: Wu Ting’s Firm Stance: Sorry, Not Interested
Chapter 408: Chapter 253: Wu Ting’s Firm Stance: Sorry, Not Interested
When Director Ma extended the invitation, Wu Ting had initially planned to go.
After all, for Wu Ting, participating in consultations with renowned doctors from the province always presented more opportunities for new skill entries to drop.
Director Ma from the Department of Hepatic Tumor Surgery at Jin Province Tumor Hospital was highly skilled; his comprehensive abilities were far beyond Wu Ting’s own.
Just as Wu Ting was about to agree, he received a phone call.
Wu Ting saw that the call was from his teacher, Shen Siyuan.
Wu Ting didn’t hesitate. "Director Ma, I’m sorry, but my teacher is calling. Let me take this, and I’ll get back to you in a moment."
Wu Ting had a strong feeling he already knew the purpose of his teacher’s call.
Sure enough, as soon as the call connected, Shen Siyuan excitedly told Wu Ting:
"Wu Ting, I have some great news. Director Shao and I have specifically found and arranged your first aortic valve replacement surgery."
"Come over and get ready right away. For this surgery, we’ve specially invited a top expert in aortic valve replacement for you: Director Pang, the head of cardiac surgery at Jinggang University Affiliated Second Hospital."
"The consultation will begin in an hour. You need to hurry. Director Pang has a very good impression of you, so don’t mess this up."
Wu Ting was instantly overjoyed. He’d heard about Director Pang from both Director Shao and his teacher. The man was a true authority on aortic valve replacement. Collaborating with him would be a huge boost to Wu Ting’s skills in this area and a prime opportunity to acquire the relevant skill entries.
The only skill Wu Ting currently possessed was Aortic Valve Replacement (Yellow), and it had dropped from Shen Siyuan.
Back then, Wu Ting had thought it was pretty good. But now that he had seen and learned more, his teacher’s Yellow-tier skill entry seemed a bit lackluster.
’Looks like I need to work harder and aim for Purple-tier. Only then can I advance further in aortic valve replacement.’
Wu Ting was very clear about his own priorities. Besides, Director Shao and Teacher Shen had gone to such great lengths for him; he would definitely prioritize the consultation at Haijin Port.
After confirming the details with Shen Siyuan, Wu Ting didn’t hesitate for a second and immediately called Director Ma.
"Director Ma, I’m terribly sorry. Normally, if you asked, I would definitely come over to help with the diagnosis. But the timing is just really unfortunate. My teacher has specifically arranged a consultation for me for an aortic valve replacement."
"So, I’m afraid I have to decline. In the field of hepatic tumors, you’re far more experienced and well-rounded than I am. I won’t be able to make it this time."
To be honest, Wu Ting and Director Ma weren’t that close, so this explanation was more than polite.
「Meanwhile, at Xiao City Xin’an International Hospital.」
Director Ma hadn’t expected Wu Ting to be so busy, but he still admired and respected the young doctor.
Though the young man was junior, his potential was immense, and his influence in the field of hepatic oncology in Jin Province was growing. He didn’t take Wu Ting’s refusal as a slight to his reputation.
He had interacted with Wu Ting many times; Wu Ting’s character and bearing were impeccable.
He was just a bit puzzled. Why not continue to specialize in hepatic oncology? Why branch out into cardiac surgery? ’Truly boundless energy and overflowing talent,’ he thought.
Director Ma was just about to say it was no problem.
But Li Tian, who was standing nearby, disagreed.
"What consultation could be so important? I thought he was an expert in hepatic tumor surgery. What’s he doing attending a cardiac consultation?"
In front of his girlfriend, Yang Bao, Li Tian felt like he was losing face.
"Director Ma, just tell Director Wu that President Li of Xiao City’s Junyuan Real Estate is inviting him over. My own schedule is very tight. I hope Director Wu makes sure to squeeze in the time."
"And it won’t be for nothing. I’ve already prepared a generous red envelope for Director Wu."
"Director Ma, try again. Can’t he just cancel the other consultation? From the sound of it, he’s just going there to learn, not to be the lead surgeon. They won’t miss one person."
"Whatever consultation fee they’re paying him, I’ll double it."
In Li Tian’s eyes, this doctor wasn’t some top national professor or a famous "master surgeon." Everyone has a price. And he considered his offer to be quite generous.
To Li Tian, doctors were just part of the service industry. And services always have a price tag.
Hearing Li Tian’s declaration, Director Ma felt it was inappropriate, but for the money, he decided to ask again anyway.
"Director Wu, about that thing with your teacher... could you possibly postpone it? It would only be a delay of a few hours. I’ll be frank with you."
"The person who asked me to invite you is President Li of Xiao City’s Junyuan Real Estate. President Li is very generous. As for the compensation, rest assured it will be more than satisfactory..."
As Director Ma was trying to persuade him,
Li Tian, listening in, impatiently raised his voice.
"Director Wu, how about this: I’ll give you a 200,000 appearance fee. Regardless of the outcome, just for coming today."
Director Ma’s expression changed slightly. ’That’s what this is about, but you can’t be so blunt about it!’
On the other end of the line, Wu Ting hadn’t expected the patient’s family member to speak so crudely.
"Director Ma, this isn’t about the expert fee. I really am very busy."
Wu Ting wasn’t short on money these days. For an ordinary doctor, a 200,000 appearance fee was indeed an astronomical sum and would have been genuinely tempting. Unfortunately for them, Wu Ting was no longer the man he once was.