The Anesthetist’s Arcane Gift

Chapter 12: A Test of Skill

“Qi Bo, your post-operative care for female patients still needs some work,” Dr. Cao said casually over dinner, holding her chopsticks like a baton as she spoke. “Especially your technique with the speculum—it’s far from smooth. That kind of clumsiness won’t do.”

Qi Bo froze mid-bite, his face instantly flushing with embarrassment. He had expected dinner to be a simple meal, not a performance review.

“I… I’m an anesthesiologist, not a nurse,” he muttered, forcing a stiff smile. “That’s not really part of my training.”

Dr. Cao didn’t miss a beat. “This isn’t some big urban hospital with layers of staff. This is a community abortion center. We’re chronically understaffed. Even Dr. Zhong and I have to roll up our sleeves and help out. When Xiao Mei and Xiao Yun are both on shift, we still struggle. As a male doctor, you should be even more capable of lending a hand. The last anesthesiologist we had—about your age—was eager to assist with everything.”

She sighed dramatically, as if mourning a lost opportunity. “Too bad he left for another city.”

Qi Bo knew exactly who she was talking about. That so-called “anesthesiologist” hadn’t even been licensed. He had been more like a stand-in, a warm body to reassure patients and impress inspectors. Now it was clear: Dr. Cao had only hired him because she wanted someone legal on paper and flexible in practice.

He kept his expression blank. No need to stir the pot—yet.

Dr. Cao took another sip of tea. “Truth is, you’ve done quite well today. You’re diligent, respectful, and you keep your head down. That’s rare. I think it’s just your pride getting in the way.”

“Yeah,” Sun Xiaomei chimed in, leaning back in her chair. “The guy before you? He was a workhorse. He never complained and was super helpful.”

She glanced at Qi Bo with a look that was part challenge, part curiosity.

To her, men were naturally better at the more hands-on parts of the job—cleaning surgical equipment, handling instruments, positioning patients. But she also knew not all patients would be comfortable with a male doctor doing such intimate tasks.

Still, she hadn’t really thought about how she’d feel if it were her on the table, legs spread, while Qi Bo inserted a speculum. Even the idea made her skin crawl a little.

But that was hypothetical.

In reality, when Qi Bo was on shift with her, he lightened her workload significantly. That was fair, right?

Qi Bo stayed calm on the outside but felt tension rising in his chest. He didn’t want to seem too eager—especially when the tasks involved such intimate procedures. That would raise red flags.

“I’ve never been trained for those techniques,” he replied. “If I mess up and injure a patient, it could turn into a medical incident.”

Dr. Cao waved his concern away like a fly. “That’s why you’ll shadow someone. Learn by doing, under supervision. I’ll be on duty tomorrow night. Why don’t you stay on and observe?”

Qi Bo perked up. This was the perfect opening.

“Actually, Director Cao, could I take the morning off tomorrow? I have some personal matters to handle. But I’m free in the afternoon and evening—I can cover both shifts.”

Dr. Cao raised an eyebrow. “Personal matters?”

“Just some things I need to take care of,” he said vaguely. He wasn’t about to explain that he had to fight Zheng Biao in a public challenge.

“Will Cai Yun be in tomorrow?” Dr. Cao turned to Xiao Mei.

“She’s taking the day off,” Xiao Mei replied. “But she can come in tonight if needed.”

“Hmm…” Dr. Cao tapped her chopsticks against her bowl, thinking. “Alright. Qi Bo, you’ll take the afternoon and evening shifts. Xiao Mei, I want you to demonstrate the speculum procedure and internal cleaning. Make sure he gets hands-on experience.”

Sun Xiaomei’s eyes widened. “Director Cao, I’m on the day shift. I won’t be staying late.”

“Then we’ll adjust,” Dr. Cao said, her tone brooking no argument. “Take the afternoon off and come back in the evening.”

“I—I’m not comfortable with that,” Sun Xiaomei stammered. Her cheeks turned red. “I’ve never… I mean…”

“Oh come on,” Dr. Cao said, rolling her eyes. “It’s just practice. If necessary, I can volunteer for the demo myself. I’m a specialist, remember?”

“I’ve never even had a boyfriend,” Sun Xiaomei muttered, barely audible.

“What?” Dr. Cao blinked. “Wait… you’re not still a virgin, are you?”

Sun Xiaomei looked like she wanted to crawl under the table. “Have you ever seen anyone waiting to pick me up after work?”

“Oh…” Dr. Cao seemed genuinely surprised. “You’re what, nineteen? Twenty?”

“Twenty-one,” Xiao Mei whispered.

“Well, that explains a few things…” Dr. Cao murmured, more to herself than anyone else.

Dr. Zhong, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. “Director Cao, maybe you should be the demo subject for Xiao Qi. Since Xiao Mei will be teaching the technique anyway, you could model for him. After all, you’ve done this countless times, right?”

The corners of her mouth curled into a knowing smile. It was a polite jab, but a jab nonetheless.

Dr. Cao gave her a sharp look. “Very funny, Dr. Zhong.”

“You’re the one who always says that, in a doctor’s eyes, there’s no male or female—only patients,” Sun Xiaomei added, missing the sarcasm entirely.

“Exactly,” Dr. Cao replied, her voice suddenly icy. “But I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather lately. Let’s make it tomorrow at noon.”

She stood up and laid out the new schedule like she was dealing playing cards.

“Qi Bo, come in early at noon. Xiao Yun will cover morning and afternoon, Qi Bo the afternoon and night. Xiao Mei, you’re on morning and night. Don’t leave at noon—I’ll have Xiao Yun act as the demo subject. Xiao Mei, you’ll supervise the training. I want Qi Bo to master the procedure. No mistakes.”

“Yes, Director Cao,” Sun Xiaomei said, though her shoulders slumped slightly.

She was disappointed to lose her afternoon off, but at least she wouldn’t be the one lying on the table.

Qi Bo, meanwhile, did his best to look reluctantly agreeable. In reality, his heart was racing.

The third task in the Medical Ethics System required him to master key procedures in women’s healthcare. This was his chance. With Xiao Mei supervising and Dr. Cao pushing it forward, he could finally complete the task.

And once it was done…

He would gain a new skill—Anesthesia.

A real ability. A power that would let him control the battlefield of the operating room with the precision of a scalpel. It wasn’t just knowledge. It was influence. Control. Authority.

He could feel it already—the strength, the clarity, the rising tide of competence.

And more importantly…

He’d be one step closer to standing on equal ground with Dean Yang.

Yang Ling.

The name echoed in his mind like a bell. That poised, sharp-eyed woman with a quiet grace that made every room she entered feel smaller, less significant.

Did she have a boyfriend?

He didn’t know. But he intended to find out.

Soon.