The Enhanced Doctor-Chapter 712 Full of joy, casual family chit-chat

In no time, a large plate of skewers was served.

That's the advantage of dining at a familiar restaurant. Otherwise, during busy times, service can be slow. Today, even if they only served this table, it was an excellent deal for Comrade Old Wang.

"Qing Kewa, feel free to eat and drink as much as you want. You don't have to work tomorrow. Just don't get drunk," said Liu Banxia.

"OK, I'll definitely eat a lot," Qing Kewa responded confidently.

Then she picked up a chicken foot and began to gnaw on it with delight.

Everyone has their own preferences, after all.

Ever since she was introduced to the taste of chicken feet, Qing Kewa had developed a special fondness for them. She had tried other chicken feet, but always found the taste of grilled ones to be the best.

She wasn't that into the pickled pepper flavor, though. She preferred chicken feet even over the delicious pork trotters.

Actually, roasted pork trotters are really good—soft and chewy. Doudou could even tear off a small piece of the skin and chew on it contentedly. Currently, Qiaoqiao had a pork trotter in hand, not caring one bit about table manners.

After Wang Dashan brought in the second plate of skewers, Liu Banxia pulled him over. "You should sit down too. Stop being so busy."

"Alright, there are still some quail grilling. You guys start eating; I'll get them in a bit," Wang Dashan nodded.

Liu Banxia poured a drink for him right away. "We've known each other for so long but have rarely had the chance to sit down and drink together. Let's not worry about who's thanking whom or who's treating whom. Let's just put it all in this drink."

"Just a reminder, don't expect to outdrink me. I could drink everyone under the table and not feel a thing. We're here to have fun, not to punish ourselves."

Everyone laughed, familiar with Liu Banxia's drinking prowess. In this regard, he was a true beast, capable of drinking like an ox.

"Banxia, how are arrangements going at the Emergency Center? I don't suppose your term as Chief Resident will be extended again?" asked Qiu Huaili.

"I assure you it won't. There's only a little over a month left of my term," Liu Banxia responded.

"Actually, my responsibilities as Chief Resident have been pretty relaxed. The surgical department at our Emergency Center is very well equipped. We're just a bit short on internal medicine and pediatrics, but that will take time to address."

"Can't you offer higher salaries, Dr. Liu?" asked Wang Mingxing, curiously.

"No, we can't. Would you enlighten us, Boss Qiu?" Liu Banxia said, turning to Qiu Mingyuan with a grin.

"You just don't want to let me eat in peace," Qiu Mingyuan replied helplessly.

"In any company or organization, salaries need to be balanced as much as possible. Even in foreign or private companies with salary confidentiality policies, nothing can truly be kept confidential."

"The range of variation in performance bonuses or rank-based salaries can't be too great, or chaos will ensue. There's some flexibility for management talent in special positions, but their annual salary still has to be considered carefully."

"That's basically it, right? It seems our family controls it this way. Aren't there more restrictions in hospitals? Isn't that right, Comrade Old Qiu?"

Qiu Huaili smiled and nodded. "Small differences, or those that only occur at certain ranks, are fine. Internal company ranks can be easily demarcated, but it's not so easy to do within a hospital, is it?"

"That's the situation. As doctors, our biggest differences lie in our bonuses," Liu Banxia explained.

"When there are fewer patients, we long for surgical operations. Sure, it's tiring, but it's also a chance to earn a bit of extra cash. But when there are too many patients, even offering more money doesn't entice us; we've had more than enough surgeries."

"Otherwise, why would I have had so many surgeries the other day when I casually strolled around? It's like they couldn't wait to push the patients into my arms. Now, I'm just too tired."

"Banxia, will you be busier if you become an Associate Director?" Qiu Huaili asked.

Liu Banxia shook his head. "There will be more work, but I won't be busier than I am now. As Chief Resident, I have to be on call around the clock and can't go home to Qiaoqiao every day."

"Actually, my current goal is to finish my term as Chief Resident, after which I can go home every day. Even if sometimes I have to work late, at least I can sleep in my own bed."

"Our Emergency Center will then get back on track. The night shift doctors will be reassigned. After all, we have six competent resident doctors we can unleash."

"Hahaha, I'm going to tell Xu Yino and the rest about this," Qiaoqiao said, laughing.

"You don't need to. They are already mentally prepared. It's a rite of passage for resident doctors. It should be less intense than being Chief Resident, so it should be similar to how their days are now," said Liu Banxia.

"It's like I've finally made it through the toughest part. Actually, after these few days of hard work, I've really become less fixated on the Associate Director position. Although it sounds more prestigious and the salary is slightly higher, the workload stays the same."

"If I don't get the promotion, I'll just be an ordinary attending physician. All I have to do is see patients and help the director with training. I won't need to worry about anything else."

"Anyway, considering my work efficiency, even though I might sometimes finish late, it won't be too late. This means I can spend more time at home with Qiaoqiao."

"Baby, did you hear that? Your dad is pledging his loyalty to you. Not for me, but for you!" Qiaoqiao said, looking at her belly with a pointedly serious expression.

"Of course, it's for you too. If not for you, where would the baby come from? Here, eat some more chicken cartilage. It's delicious," Liu Banxia promptly said.

"You haven't told Old Qiao yet, right?" Qiu Huaili asked with a smile.

"When to tell him is up to our 'leader' at home. Whenever she says is the right time," Liu Banxia responded.

"Let's wait a bit more, till Qiao Yu has his summer break. If we tell them now, they might get flustered," Qiaoqiao advised. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"Brother Liu, I heard a rumor. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but my dad said that quite a lot of people in the hospital are favorable towards you," Xiao Yue spoke up hesitantly.

"Yueyue, really? How come you didn't tell me this before?" Qiu Mingyuan asked with surprise and joy.

"My dad just casually mentioned it at home. But this matter seems to be very competitive, and he didn't say much about it. I didn't dare to ask for details," Xiao Yue said, somewhat embarrassed.

"There are many facets involved in this issue. It's not just our emergency center; it also involves the hospital and the medical college," Liu Banxia explained.

"But we must give credit to our little spy. So far, the information you've gathered is very valuable. I reward you with a grilled chicken wing. You can now take a break and concentrate on your exams."

After finishing his sentence, Liu Banxia handed her a grilled chicken wing.

Xiao Yue was genuinely one of their own. It didn't matter if her concern for Liu Banxia's affairs was due to her relationship with Qiu Mingyuan. For her to say something like that was already very considerate.

"Actually, I think my brother really deserves the Associate Director position. His speech today was so good; I loved listening to it," Wang Jingxian commented.

"Sis-in-law, why are you flattering me? I can't reward you with food, and I'm still going to take Qiaoqiao to your house tomorrow for a free meal," Liu Banxia said, both amused and exasperated.

"Why can't I compliment you? Your speech today was genuinely good," Wang Jingxian insisted.

"Having a teenage romance isn't necessarily a problem. Look at how good Mingyuan and Yueyue are together. Yueyue's studies haven't been affected, and she has even helped improve Mingyuan's grades a lot."

"Auntie, I have no choice but to try hard. Otherwise, she might actually break up with me," Qiu Mingyuan weighed in.

"Oh goodness, just eat your food," Xiao Yue glared at him, thoroughly embarrassed.

"Yueyue, let your Uncle offer you a toast," Qiu Huaili said solemnly, holding up his wine glass.

"All of you are sensible kids. Mingyuan was spoiled by me, and he has quite a few bad habits. Don't indulge him; discipline him if necessary. In our family..."

"Are you drunk? Just drink quietly."

Before he could finish his sentence, Wang Jingxian intervened.

Qiu Huaili didn't dare say anymore. She was the boss; he had to follow her command.

"Uncle, Mingyuan isn't incapable of understanding his studies; he just doesn't like studying," Xiao Yue stepped in to explain.

This was a private gathering, and maybe Liu Banxia's speech had emboldened her somewhat. On any other day, she would probably have been too shy to say something like that.

But not today. Her grades weren't affected, and it seemed that tutoring Mingyuan even helped her a little.

"Mingxing, you have to work hard too. It's too late to find a girlfriend in high school. When you get to college, make sure you find one ASAP," Liu Banxia teased.

"Haha, sounds like a plan," Wang Dashan agreed cheerfully.

This made Wang Mingxing extremely embarrassed. He was just enjoying the show, and suddenly the spotlight was on him. He was still a kid! Why didn't they treat him like one?

"There's another piece of good news," Liu Banxia continued. "After my patient persuasion, Mingxing no longer insists on the ordeal of medical school. After he finishes his college entrance examination, you guys can help him with his college application choices."

"I think that's a good idea. If it weren't for the medical lineage in Yueyue's family, I wouldn't even want her to apply to medical school," Qiu Mingyuan voiced.

"After you finish your exams, try to estimate your scores as accurately as possible. Then I'll ask someone to help you with your college choices, and I'll help you with yours as well."

Liu Banxia gave him a nod of approval. He brought it up now for this very reason. This kid is really perceptive and socially adept.

"Mingyuan, in that case, I won't stand on ceremony," Wang Mingxing said, raising his glass. "Since we're both drinking juice, let's bottoms up!"

"Ah, we're at the same level as Doudou now," Qiu Mingyuan complained jokingly.

Everyone burst into laughter, and the atmosphere became even better.

Happy and harmonious, casual conversation flowed. Even though it was just eating skewers, the happiness they felt wasn't diminished in the slightest.