Chapter 18 (Side Story - Zayne)

02 | Expert Surgeon

The operating room is quiet. Under the light, the patient's chest cavity is already open.

"Intubate. Aorta, superior and inferior vena cava."

Zayne oversees the progress, guiding the first and second surgeon's assistants for the upcoming tasks.

"Cardiopulmonary bypass."

"Administer the cardioplegia."

The blood pumps steadily through the heart-lung machine. Within moments, the exposed heart stops beating.

"All right. Let me do it." Zayne takes over the first assistant's work once everything is stable.

John stands the furthest away. He strains to see what Zayne is doing, but he can't see anything.

John is a little annoyed. He imagines it would be great if he could be Zayne's surgical assistant. Not only could he witness the operation process up close, but he could also get Zayne's guidance. But if he isn't good enough, he'll be reprimanded. John pales at the thought of being scolded by the doctor.

The surgery is extraordinarily long. Standing in silence for a while is tiring for everyone except Zayne and the first assistant, Greyson.

It's Greyson who breaks the silence. "What did you do in the operating room before, John?"

Startled, John knows the most stressful moment for all interns is upon him-being asked a question by someone higher in the hospital hierarchy.

"I-I worked with Dr. Lewis. Hepatobiliary and, uh, pulled the hooks during surgery." Greyson smiles. "Dr. Lewis, huh? He's a great teacher. He invited us to his place for cow dung hot pot after an operation once."

John has tried it before. "Cow dung hot pot! That's the one where they mix a cow's half-digested stomach contents and bile, right?"

The nurse shudders. "Half-digested food? Bile?! Is that edible? And isn't bile bitter?" The moment Greyson opens his mouth, words just stream out like a fountain. "It's only a little bitter. It's quite nice when you eat it hot. Dr. Lewis didn't have any though because he was called back to the hospital. Something about a student losing something in the lab."

When the conversation becomes more and more lively, Zayne suddenly speaks.

"Maybe they lost a gallbladder."

Greyson's smile stiffens. Everyone straightens their posture, their expressions more serious than the ones they'd have if they were yelled at. John can't decide if Zayne is joining in on the fun or reminding everyone that they're working. All he knows is that his stomach is churning, and he can't help but think... This expert heart surgeon is truly terrifying.

To Be Continued...

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