Rebirth: My Dear Little Wife Is So Scheming

Chapter 979: Chapter 979: Deep Love, Stern Responsibility

Bai Xiao wiped the sweat off her brow and walked out of the operating room with everyone else. A nurse had already helped her remove the surgical gown—they needed to shower and change their clothes before leaving.

The patient had been transferred to the intensive care unit.

The head nurse, who had served as the operating room nurse this time, helped Bai Xiao by laying out disposable items while saying, "Dr. Bai, you’re amazing! Was that your first surgery? You didn’t seem like a rookie at all; honestly, you looked more like one of those seasoned masters in brain surgery."

The critical surgery just completed, under the lead of this intern doctor, had successfully turned a dangerous situation into a safe outcome, and the hearts of everyone present seemed to grow closer in that instant.

The sense of estrangement often felt by new interns trying to integrate also vanished immediately. Unconsciously, everyone began to regard Bai Xiao as one of their own.

"You’re exaggerating! It’s just that I’ve observed many neurosurgical craniotomy procedures during my internship in surgery. Over time, I’ve gained some experience, which allowed me to take a risky chance this time. Honestly, I was lucky—although this was my first time, the operation ended without major incident.

Of course, it’s thanks to everyone’s collaboration. If I had relied solely on myself, I’d be exhausted to death, and the surgery still wouldn’t have been possible!"

Bai Xiao stood under the showerhead, letting the water wash over her. She closed her eyes, and the vivid details of the surgery seemed to replay in her mind.

The surgical knife grazing the blood vessel wall in a near-miss—no one else would ever understand that thrill.

This time, she hadn’t even relied on casting her special ability to treat the patient; instead, she had relied solely on her medical prowess.

The success or failure would truly depend on the patient’s recovery progress after the operation.

Still, she felt a rush of excitement—her special ability had reached a level where she could handle matters independently, and the day she fully embraced her role as a doctor seemed closer than ever.

Perhaps the arrival of a doctor whose name would go down in history wasn’t far off.

For the first time, she felt confident.

Her special ability, suddenly unveiling its potential to develop further, gave her fresh hope. The Bai Xiao of her previous life had, unfortunately, charged ahead recklessly at first, been deceived later, and ultimately fallen under Shang Kaiwen’s control. Later, her special ability became nothing more than a luxury for survival, safeguarded by people in power.

This time, however, she had unlocked her ability’s proper path. Thanks to relentless improvement, her powers were beginning to flourish in the most rightful direction, radiating a unique light.

"Hmph!"

Hearing a cold snort to her side, Bai Xiao opened her eyes.

It was He Xin.

The girl had disliked Bai Xiao from the start. Although He Xin hadn’t shown any odd or extreme behaviors, her attitude toward Bai Xiao had remained distinctly unfriendly.

Yet Bai Xiao brushed it aside because, earlier, He Xin had genuinely assisted her in seamlessly completing the latter stages of the surgery. When faced with patients, He Xin did not let personal feelings influence her professionalism and always prioritized patients’ lives. On that note, Bai Xiao found everything else insignificant.

She wasn’t divine; it wasn’t realistic for her to expect universal adoration.

As she walked out of the operating room, she was met with a knock on the forehead from Dr. Xue.

Bai Xiao winced from the sudden pain, instinctively stepping backward.

"Teacher, teacher, go easy on me! If I end up brain-dead, how will you explain to people that I was your student? It wouldn’t be a good look for you, teacher!"

She darted and weaved with agility, evading Dr. Xue’s relentless attacks like the infamous "Nine Yin White Bone Claws."

Dr. Xue was fuming. "You dare avoid me? Stand still! You’re really bold now, huh? Taking matters into your own hands as you please! A mere intern performing craniotomy surgery solo—you didn’t stop to think about what would happen if complications arose and there wasn’t anyone capable of helping you resolve them? Making decisions on your own and even chasing your senior brother out—have you truly gotten braver?"

The Dean hurriedly stepped in to stop Dr. Xue from escalating his disciplining, laughing as he said, "Old Xue, calm down. Bai Xiao, as talented as she is, needs to take her first independent steps into the surgical arena someday. You can’t keep her under your wing forever. This was an excellent opportunity. Look at what she accomplished—a flawlessly executed surgery without even the tiniest error. What more could you want?

You should be secretly delighted to have such a student, not acting all stern and grumpy in front of me. Your students are all remarkable—you’re making the rest of us feel small!" joked Dean Jin Xuemin.

His comment resonated with many people. For years, so many Head of Surgery doctors had been mentees of Dr. Xue.

The most famous among them was Zhang Huan, now at the top of his field, impossible to surpass.

Zhang Huan was already dazzlingly accomplished, and now, even at an advanced age, Dr. Xue had taken on someone even more exceptional.

Twenty-three years old!

Good heavens.

A twenty-three-year-old surgeon independently performing craniotomy surgery—perfectly, without a single flaw.

What more could anyone ask for?

With students like these, Dr. Xue’s pupils left everyone else far behind.

It was utterly despairing for others.

The Dean also aspired to groom his own students to succeed him, but realistically, they were no match. Aspiring to become Dean wasn’t just a matter of talk—it demanded substantial credentials.

Without solid skills and the unanimous support of others, in the hospital world, no one would take you seriously, and you’d be replaced in an instant.

Dr. Xue raised a fist toward Bai Xiao in a clearly threatening gesture.

Grinning apologetically, Bai Xiao said, "Teacher, your love is so deep that even your criticism stings like a whip!"

"Teacher, I was wrong. I promise I’ll behave in the future—I’ll be as docile as a little lamb, wouldn’t that work?"

Dr. Xue’s scolding tap was intended more as a show than anything else. Of course, Bai Xiao knew that her teacher was looking out for her. If Dr. Xue hadn’t stepped in to reprimand her, the leadership figures like the Dean might have intervened in a far harsher manner than just a playful knock.

A teacher is like a parent—a fierce guardian.

Everyone chuckled lightly.

A tense incident that had weighed on many minds seemed to have drawn to a close.

Dean Jin Xuemin returned to the office with his mentee, Vice Dean Hou Baopu.

"Teacher, what do we do now?"

The abruptness of Hou Baopu’s question gave it a jarring edge.

But only the two of them understood the meaning behind it.

Jin Xuemin was Hou Baopu’s mentor. Anyone who was able to assume the position of hospital Dean had to be extraordinary. Now, as 1991 rolled in, the speed of societal development was accelerating. Hospitals were facing significant challenges during this critical phase of government reform.

The institution was transitioning into an economic model: partially supported by government subsidies, but largely requiring independent revenue generation.

And Jin Xuemin was nearing retirement—an awkward and uncertain juncture.

No one knew how anxious Jin Xuemin truly was inside.

In the early days of reform, he had implemented bold changes to shape Ruiyin Hospital into Modu’s premier medical center. But now, as he approached the end of his tenure, others were eyeing the fruits of his labor.

While his mentee Hou Baopu might hold the position of Vice Dean, he lacked the necessary tenacity—stagnating as nothing more than Head of Surgery.

How unlike Zhang Huan, who had ascended to the role of Head of Cardiothoracic and Neurological Surgery, a specialty synonymous with prestige. noveldrama

In comparison, surgery was merely "ordinary," while cardiothoracic and neurological surgery exuded sophistication.

Jin Xuemin couldn’t hand his legacy over to Zhang Huan.

If he did, secrets and unfinished issues might quickly come to light.