Monday morning, Northwood City Central Hospital, Neurosurgery Office.
After doctors and nurses finished their shift handover, everyone started their busy routines again. Victor Rhodes handed a stack of patient records to Caleb Lockwood.
"Teacher Lockwood, this is the discharge record for bed number 20, please sign it."
Caleb Lockwood glanced down, picked up a pen, and signed his name. Then he looked up and focused on the computer screen, his slender fingers tapping on the keyboard.
At this moment, Director Ronald Thorne walked over, holding a stainless steel thermos cup. Director Thorne is fifty-five years old this year; his hair has noticeably whitened and is even thinning a bit. Of average height and a slim build, he looks quite dignified and approachable.
"Young Lockwood, I heard that your clinic will be taken over by Silas Shaw tomorrow? Are you two switching?"
Caleb Lockwood moved his gaze away from the computer screen and looked at the director, responding calmly, "Yes."
Director Thorne heard his response, opened the lid of the thermos, and since it seemed too hot, he blew into the cup. After taking a sip of tea, he loudly said: "That's perfect, there's a conference in Southwark tomorrow, the hospital was supposed to send me, but now you can replace me and attend instead."
"The participants of this academic conference are experts and professors from several hospitals. Although there won't be many people, you'll definitely gain some insights."
Director Thorne knows Caleb Lockwood's capabilities and values him greatly, but since Caleb has only been working for a few years, what he lacks is experience. Director Thorne has never doubted his professional ability, but being a doctor isn't just about performing surgeries well.
"Alright." Caleb responded in a deep voice.
At this moment, Silas Shaw jokingly said: "Director, you're being a bit biased. Why don't you let me go?"
The director glared at him upon hearing this: "You rascal, you have the nerve to say that. Last time I sent you, you simply signed in and slipped away; couldn't recall a single word from the conference. If I let you go again, wouldn't I be out of my mind?"
"Director, I won't allow you to insult yourself like that." As Silas spoke, everyone in the office burst into laughter.
Silas, having a knack for reading situations, noticed the director's near-outburst demeanor, quickly slipped out: "Brothers, I'm off to do rounds."
Director Thorne laughed and cursed towards the doorway: "Such a mischievous monkey."
Although Silas Shaw is usually cheeky and seems unserious, he's undeniably the joy of the department, and can be quite serious when needed. Just like in school, there's always that student who does well but is also a bit mischievous.
Sometimes he can be quite irritating, but his good grades and likable personality make him well-liked by teachers.
-
Serena Sutton finished her class and was on her way back to the dorm when she ran into a friend from the broadcasting department, named Sylvia Lynch.
Sylvia Lynch is very pretty, a typical cute girl, with a pleasant voice.
"Serena, I have an English dubbing gig, do you want to take it? This Saturday, it's dubbing short English teaching animations for kids, really short."
"Of course, you're the best, always thinking of me when there's a good opportunity." Serena said with a laugh, leaning on Sylvia's shoulder: "Help me get more of these gigs in the future; it's good practice for my spoken English and can earn money too."
Sylvia curiously glanced at her: "You've been really short on cash lately?" "I remember you used to do this only once a week."
Serena smiled, glanced at her phone to check the time: "I used to do side gigs just to earn some pocket money, but it's different now."
Now she's pursuing Caleb Lockwood, and you can't chase someone without spending money, so she's saving up.
Sylvia instinctively asked: "How is it different?"
Before Serena could reply, Sylvia suddenly stopped, squinting slightly as she pointed to a large tree not far away: "Isn't that Teacher Sutton?"
Serena looked in the direction she was pointing, and indeed it was Old Sutton. Professor Sutton was leaning against the tree at the moment, holding a cigarette in his hand, looking sneaky.
Serena walked over and said loudly: "Zane Sutton, you're smoking again!"
This startled Zane Sutton so much that his hand holding the cigarette shook a bit, he immediately turned around and hid the hand with the cigarette behind his back.
"I just haven't smoked for so long, and felt nostalgic."
"Honey, don't tell your mom, alright?" Professor Sutton smiled appeasingly, thankfully it's his daughter; if Ethan caught him, he would surely sell him out.
Serena didn't answer him directly, but extended her hand towards him: "Hand over the remaining cigarettes and lighter."
"Old Sutton, Professor Sutton, aren't you knowledgeable enough to know smoking is harmful to health? Many people get lung cancer from smoking. Mom forbidding you from smoking is for your own good; you should listen a bit, alright?"
She's caught him several times already, yet he still can't quit, even hiding in school to smoke, really impressive.
Old Sutton stepped back a couple of steps, shaking his head unwillingly.
Serena crossed her arms, like an emotionless anti-smoking machine: "If you don't give them to me, then I'll have no choice but to tell mom everything I just saw."
Zane Sutton: "..."
-
At six in the afternoon, Caleb Lockwood came out of the operating room, followed by Victor Rhodes, and the two returned to the office.
Victor adjusted his glasses, speaking hesitantly: "Teacher Lockwood, Teacher Lee said he's treating everyone to dinner tonight; Teacher Shaw is also going, are you joining?"
Although Victor had heard long ago that Teacher Lockwood never eats out at restaurants, he still mustered the courage to ask.
Caleb Lockwood remained cool and replied, his thin lips opening slightly: "I'm not going, you all go ahead."
Without expression, he said this, then took off his white lab coat, underneath was still a white shirt and black pants, accentuating his long legs. His shirt's buttons always perfectly fastened, giving off an aura of asceticism.
Caleb Lockwood walked over to the sink, turned on the faucet, cool water streaming over his fair and good-looking hands, Caleb squeezed hand sanitizer, skillfully washing them.
Suddenly, his magnetic voice sounded again: "I'm not used to eating out."
Victor furrowed his brows, what kind of quirk is this? Knowing that the teacher was explaining the reason, he responded with some disappointment: "Alright."
At this moment, Silas Shaw entered from the door, speaking loudly: "Your Teacher Lockwood is always like this, I've even consulted a psychologist for him before."
Caleb Lockwood looked up, glanced at him calmly, said nothing, and pulled two paper towels to wipe his hands.
Silas Shaw patted Victor's shoulder: "Your Teacher Lockwood has plenty of quirks, you'll know once you've been around him for a few days."
After saying that, he sat back in his chair, resting his face on one hand, lamenting: "Oh my, my life is so tough; on-duty tonight, clinic tomorrow, in my prime years, won't I die suddenly?"
Caleb Lockwood tossed the waste paper into the trash can, lifted his eyelids to look at him: "Speak less, you might not die too early."
Silas Shaw: "..."