With Xi Hengsheng's promise and full support, Guan Xing received the surgical notice by the next morning. All the medical records regarding the employee surnamed Lin were laid out neatly in front of him.
The surgery was scheduled for 10 a.m. tomorrow.
In the afternoon, several employees came in for consultations, but Du Juan handled each one efficiently. After three days of observation, Guan Xing realized that Du Juan was not just a simple nurse. Her grasp of medical theory and pharmacology exceeded that of an ordinary nurse.
He felt quietly grateful for her diligence; it gave him ample time to mentally prepare for tomorrow's gastric cancer surgery.
As the workday neared its end, both Xi Lian'er and Hua Rubing arrived at the medical office simultaneously. They already knew Guan Xing would personally perform the surgery tomorrow, so their visit was meant to offer encouragement.
However, in public, Hua Rubing couldn't bring herself to speak what she truly wanted to say. She only cast Guan Xing a cold, scrutinizing glance and said sharply, "Dr. Guan, tomorrow you represent Feiyang. Don't embarrass the company."
Guan Xing wasn't sure what Feiyang's "face" had to do with the surgery.
"Don't worry, Sister Rubing. This afternoon, I held an employee vote. Supporters of Dr. Guan already outnumber nine-tenths, and I trust him completely. This surgery will definitely be a success! Woohoo!" The little woman had already celebrated victory before anything had begun.
After they left, Du Juan approached quietly, her voice tinged with concern. "Dr. Guan… about tomorrow's surgery… can you really achieve an eighty percent success rate?"
Guan Xing raised his eyes in mild surprise. This was the first time Du Juan had asked him a serious question. Over the past three days, her inquiries about medicines and conditions had been casual, almost subtle. Now, it seemed she was testing him.
He nodded slightly, without speaking, letting his gaze convey reassurance.
Du Juan blushed awkwardly. Though not a striking beauty, she had a delicate charm, a pure, approachable quality like a young household daughter—light, graceful, and endearing.
"I… I've never assisted in surgery before!" she admitted shyly.
The little girl was endearing. Guan Xing encouraged her, "Don't worry. Everyone has a first time. Tomorrow, I'll guide you through everything."
Du Juan didn't hesitate. Excited, she immediately called Hua Rubing. In the company hierarchy, Hua Rubing was the medical office's supervisor. Although she couldn't prescribe a cold remedy, her permission mattered.
Hua Rubing didn't oppose Guan Xing's request; she simply reminded Du Juan to be careful. Despite their minor personal grudge, Hua Rubing knew the pressure of tomorrow's surgery, so she agreed and encouraged Du Juan.
By hospital protocol, the lead surgeon usually explains the procedure in advance. A panel of attending physicians studies the case to minimize risk. But Guan Xing did not. By the time he arrived at the hospital, it was already 9 a.m.
"Dr. Guan, you finally arrived. We're more nervous than you," Xi Hengsheng greeted. Behind him stood his old comrade, Director Zhang, and over ten senior doctors, plus Du Juan and the small assistant waiting expectantly.
Xi Lian'er, pouting and curious, was the only one visibly focused on him. Guan Xing, the center of attention in Feiyang's medical office, never once looked at her. Her evening of coquettish effort had only secured permission from her father to come cheer him on.
Thankfully, she had Du Juan's hand to hold tightly, whispering, "Sister Du, it's all up to you today. Do your best!"
Her voice was loud enough to draw several glances, leaving Du Juan embarrassed. She reminded herself: she was only the assistant; Dr. Guan was the star.
"Director Zhang, Miss Du will be my assistant today. Please guide her. I will first review the patient. Surgery starts at 10 sharp," Guan Xing said concisely, his words adding curiosity toward the shy but capable Du Juan.
Director Zhang hadn't spoken yet, but another doctor, Liu Xinyun, voiced his concern.
As the hospital's top surgeon, Liu had estimated a fifty-two percent success rate for this case. Without Guan Xing, he would have been the lead. Now, an outsider appeared, claiming eighty percent success, and demanded a newcomer as his assistant. Liu felt both challenged and uneasy.
"Dr. Guan, while you promise an eighty percent success rate, the assistant is no minor matter. Miss Du is just a nurse from Feiyang's medical office and has never been on a surgical table. Perhaps—"
Many doctors shared Liu's unspoken thought: an outsider making such a claim, plus using a rookie assistant, was a direct challenge to the hospital's authority.
"This surgery will be performed under my lead. Please respect my decision. Thank you," Guan Xing said coldly, showing no trace of irritation.
Director Zhang exhaled deeply and nodded. "Fine. If Dr. Guan is the lead, his decision is final. Xiao Ping, take Miss Du in and prepare her."
With Zhang's order, the other doctors fell silent. Guan Xing noticed disdain in two of their eyes, as if they were waiting for him to fail.
He ignored them, following the attending physician to inspect the patient's surgical readiness.
Director Zhang wiped his brow and joked to Xi Hengsheng, "This young Dr. Guan is extraordinary. Using a rookie assistant for such a critical surgery… if he isn't a genius, he must be a brilliant fool. Hengsheng, if this succeeds, I swear, anyone who competes with me for him, I'll be furious."
Xi Hengsheng smiled calmly. Though he, too, felt the pressure—not only for the patient's life but also his expectations of Guan Xing—he remained composed.
Guan Xing reviewed the patient's condition and the hospital's preparations. The family, simple people from the countryside, were introduced by Fang Jie and expressed immense gratitude. With Guan Xing as lead, the hospital waived all fees—an immense relief for them.
By 9:30 a.m., the patient was moved into the operating room for full anesthesia. Guan Xing entered the sterilized room at precisely 10 a.m.
Du Juan wore her pristine surgical outfit. Her petite, delicate figure stood out among the burly staff. Under Guan Xing's gaze, she activated the surgical signal lights, causing everyone to hold their breath.
Outside the door, besides family members, many doctors waited, each with their own thoughts. In the viewing area, five people observed closely: Xi Hengsheng, Director Zhang, two elderly men with piercing eyes, and finally Liu Xinyun, the chief surgeon who had opposed Du Juan's participation.