Chapter 159: Relationships In A Small County Town!
After Professor Chen Song’s intervention, the patient’s vital signs became increasingly stable.
The only thing Lu Cheng couldn’t understand was why Professor Chen Song, who was usually quite talkative, had become so reticent.
Could it be that he had been influenced by Professor Tong Yuan’an after spending so much time with him?
In the evening, at ten-ten, after Chen Song announced the surgery was officially over, he stepped aside to remove his clothes, not calling Lu Cheng to leave the operating table as usual.
His demeanor was a bit like Tong Li Tong Qi, “introverted.”
He removed his clothes, took off his sterile gloves, picked up his mobile phone, and stepped through the automatic induction airtight door of the operating room, his movements fluid and seamless.
As Professor Chen Song exited, he seemed to notice Lu Cheng was still in the operating room. He turned his head, half crying and half laughing, with one eye larger than the other.
He was imitating the classic divine acting scene of Master Ji Gong, just not as classic.
Zeng Huanqi then asked, “Xiao Lu, isn’t this the uncle who works at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital?”
Lu Cheng explained, “This is a very good friend of my father’s, Uncle Wei. He always gives me lucky money.”
“We’ve kept in touch all these years.”
Upon hearing that he received lucky money every year, Zeng Huanqi said, “It’s a good thing Professor Chen was here. Otherwise, your Uncle Wei would have gambled on a referral after you finished the hemostasis.”
“I doubt you could have handled liver damage in that condition.”
Lu Cheng smiled and said, “Brother Zeng, you don’t need to doubt. Be more certain; I really couldn’t have handled it…”
After placing the drainage tube and suturing the abdominal skin, it was already half-past eleven when he left.
Professor Chen Song had already disappeared, so Lu Cheng could only privately send him a thank-you message.
He thought that if Chen Song replied, he would find an opportunity to treat him to a meal; if not, he would have to wait until tomorrow to discuss it.
In any case, they were both “resting” tomorrow, and their time was exceptionally ample.
Outside the emergency operating room, He Shanshan saw Lu Cheng and hurried over to ask, “Xiao Lu, how is your uncle? Is the surgery finished?”
Lu Cheng saw that beside He Shanshan were relatives of Wei Ying, as well as his father, though his father walked the slowest, trailing behind the group.
“Auntie, Uncle’s surgery is finished. The situation was quite serious. During the operation, we performed a splenectomy and liver protection surgery.”
“The main reason was that Uncle Wei’s spleen had severe contusions and lacerations, and there were also multiple organ injuries. Performing spleen preservation surgery would have taken too much operative time, so Professor Chen decided to remove the spleen, prioritizing saving his life.”
“The surgery is now complete, and Uncle Wei has overcome the most dangerous hurdle. He will be transferred to the ICU for monitoring and treatment. The rest depends on whether Uncle Wei can make it through the ICU.”
“The surgical outcome is good, but the intra-abdominal damage is too severe. There’s a risk of infection postoperatively, or other complications that could bring him close to shock…” Lu Cheng replied truthfully.
He Shanshan’s face immediately turned even paler, and her voice became flustered and choked, “Xiao Lu, don’t scare me.”
“Auntie, I’m not trying to scare you. I’m telling you the real situation. Uncle Wei has already passed the most dangerous stage in the operating room.”
“For the rest, there is reason to be hopeful,” Lu Cheng said.
Lu Cheng had worked at the County Hospital for five years and had encountered many doctors who had treated their own relatives and friends; most of them were saved.
However, a very small number had become enemies due to poor communication…
Lu Cheng was not the only one facing the family members; Lu Cheng was the doctor they were more familiar with, so he initiated the communication.
Zeng Huanqi removed his mask at this point and said without reservation, “The patient was in such a severe condition when he arrived at the hospital. Any delay, or if the situation had been even slightly more critical, he wouldn’t have had the chance to get to the ICU.”
“To have this outcome is all thanks to Doctor Lu and Professor Chen for their timely surgical intervention. But we are all human, and we cannot predict the future completely.”
“After the surgery, the patient will still face a certain life-threatening risk.”
“Now, what you family members need to do is for some of you to stay outside the ICU to await the patient’s recovery status, while the others should go back to rest so you can take turns tomorrow.”
“The surgery was performed very well, so you don’t need to worry about whether the surgery was successful anymore,” Zeng Huanqi concluded decisively.
Hearing Zeng Huanqi say this, a relative who was particularly close to Wei Ying stepped forward and said, “Since Wei Ying has gone to the ICU, it means he has passed the operating room stage. We’ll go wait over there.”
“So that the ICU doesn’t need to find someone when they do.”
“Doctor Lu, Doctor, thank you for your hard work. You should also go back and rest.”
Zeng Huanqi nodded, “We are going back to rest. Once the patient is in the ICU, the ICU will be responsible for most of the recovery work. If you have any questions, please consult the doctors in the ICU first. We will only check on the patient’s condition periodically.”
…
“Brother Han, you go back first. I’ll go complete the surgical record and postoperative medical orders,” Lu Cheng said as he left with Han Xiaoping and Zeng Huanqi.
Zeng Huanqi joked, “Xiao Lu, are you doubting my abilities?”
“I’m on duty today, and I still need you to do this in the department?”
“Leave the postoperative orders and surgical records to me. You can make corrections later if there are any issues,” Zeng Huanqi generously offered.
“Then I’ll trouble you, Brother Zeng…” Lu Cheng didn’t refuse, as Mu Leng was still in the crowd, and he had come with Mu Leng.
He didn’t know Mu Leng’s subsequent arrangements, but he had to explain things to him after suddenly going into surgery.
Now that He Shanshan and the other family members were gathered outside the ICU, Lu Cheng first sent a message to his father and Uncle Mu.
After learning that the crowd outside the ICU was not too large, Lu Cheng changed into casual clothes and headed over.
When Lu Cheng arrived, there were indeed not many people.
Mu Leng, Lu Nanjia, He Shanshan, Wei Ying’s brother Wei Hai, and Director Du Qiang of General Surgery from Long County People’s Hospital.
As Lu Cheng approached to greet them, Du Qiang quickly extended his right hand, “Doctor Lu, thank you for your hard work, thank you.”
Lu Cheng didn’t understand the relationship between Director Du Qiang of General Surgery and Wei Ying’s family, “Director Du, it’s my duty.”
“Uncle Wei and my father are friends. I had already gotten off work today. If I hadn’t been informed of the news and come over, I wouldn’t have known this would happen.”
“Director Du, I’m truly sorry. After determining the patient’s condition was critical, we immediately called Professor Chen. We’ve troubled your General Surgery department for an extra trip.”
Lu Cheng took all the blame upon himself, both the good and the bad.
Du Qiang understood Lu Cheng’s position at the moment and explained, “Doctor Lu, you managed to find Professor Chen Song from Xiangya Second Hospital for my brother-in-law, you are a benefactor to our family.”
“I might not have been able to find Professor Chen!”
“Professor Chen was already on the operating table at the time; how could we dare to give instructions?”
Du Qiang then turned to He Shanshan and said, “Sister-in-law, Xiao Lu and my brother have this connection? Why didn’t you say so earlier? If you had said so earlier, I wouldn’t have had to go through so much trouble.”
“The key is, all that trouble was for nothing.”
Long County was small. Du Qiang, who was originally unrelated to Lu Cheng, somehow found a connection through a detour.
Du Qiang’s wife was Wei Ying’s sister, and Wei Ying had a good relationship with Lu Nanjia…
After introducing themselves, Du Qiang appeased, “Sister-in-law, don’t blame Xiao Lu. His position is that of a doctor.”
“If my brother can get through the operating room stage, it means he’s as good as saved. We just need to wait for him to be discharged from the ICU.”
“Doctor Lu, come, let’s go get something to eat. It’s fate… Brother Leng, you too…” Du Qiang very politely invited Lu Cheng, Lu Nanjia, and a few others.
Mu Leng, as their representative, politely declined, “We won’t go today. We’ll treat Director Du to drinks next time. I have some urgent matters to attend to.”
Lu Cheng replied, “Director Du, I also have something to do. Professor Chen left the operating room earlier…”
Du Qiang immediately pressed, “Xiao Lu, can you say hello to Professor Chen for me? Let’s all get together for a meal?”
Lu Cheng had only used Professor Chen Song as an excuse, not expecting Du Qiang to take advantage of it.
Lu Cheng could only pick up his phone to check Professor Chen Song’s reply. After reading it clearly, he said, “Director Du, Professor Chen is having dinner with his friends. I couldn’t invite him.”
“It seems he’s with Director Lin from our Emergency Department. Why don’t you call Director Lin and ask?”
Du Qiang looked Lu Cheng up and down and understood his meaning, “We’ll talk about it later. Doctor Lu, are you really not going to eat something?”
“We’re all in surgery. It’s both a technical and a physical job, so we need to replenish our energy.” Du Qiang acted as if he were very close to Wei Ying.
Lu Cheng shook his head, “Thank you, Director Du. I ate quite a bit tonight.”
After Lu Cheng, Mu Leng, and Lu Nanjia left, Du Qiang walked aside to make a phone call.
…
“The brother-in-law of this Wei Ying’s relative didn’t answer his call immediately and pretended to be busy with surgery. It’s quite hypocritical,” Mu Leng said after getting into the car with Lu Cheng and Lu Nanjia.
“Xiao Lu, you should stay far away from people like that in the future.”
Lu Nanjia looked at Mu Leng and warmly said, “Old Mu, when did you get back? Why didn’t you say anything?”
“You’re not drinking either!”
Mu Leng replied irritably but with a relaxed expression, “Don’t mention wine to me. You’re a stingy person and don’t want to spend on good wine.”
“Why isn’t corn liquor good wine? It’s all handmade. Don’t ask me to bring it for you in the future,” Lu Nanjia said with bulging eyes.
“Do you only have corn liquor at your place?”
Mu Leng, sitting in the passenger seat, turned to glance at Lu Nanjia, “Then you really know how to live frugally, don’t you?”
Then he rolled his eyes, “How can you be so shameless?”
Lu Nanjia tossed Mu Leng a soft Baisha cigarette, “Having food and drink is what’s important. As for face, it doesn’t matter.”
“Other wines don’t taste as good as corn liquor.”
Then he lit it.
“What kind of wine do you want?” Lu Nanjia was simple and honest, not stupid, and of course understood Mu Leng’s meaning.
Mu Leng didn’t stand on ceremony, holding the cigarette, and lit it, “At least it should be Maotai, Wuliangye special reserve, or something like that. Don’t be so stingy.”
After speaking, Mu Leng asked Lu Cheng:
“Xiao Lu, are you really not going to ask Professor Chen again?”
“Even though he refused, asking again won’t hurt. Politeness costs nothing.”
Mu Leng seemed to be teaching Lu Cheng about social graces.
Lu Cheng replied, “When Professor Chen rushed over, he was already having dinner. He had a prior engagement!”
“I disrupted his dinner party by calling from the Emergency Department. He’s probably going back to apologize now. If I were to call someone else over, it would be considered inconsiderate of me.”
“What about the people having dinner with Professor Chen?”
“Uncle Mu, it’s okay.”
Mu Leng nodded and agreed with Lu Cheng’s thoughts and explanation, “That’s true. We’ll treat Professor Chen to dinner another time.”
“Someone the Vice President can’t invite must have skill and strength.”
…
Just then, Lu Cheng’s phone suddenly rang.
Lu Cheng picked it up and saw there was no contact saved.
The caller ID showed Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture, so Lu Cheng chose to answer.
“Hello?” Lu Cheng’s voice was slightly questioning.
“Hey, is this Xiao Lu? It’s Du Qiang from General Surgery. Where did you run off to? I was specifically looking for you.” Du Qiang’s voice was very amiable.
“Uh… Director Du, go ahead,” Lu Cheng replied.
“Xiao Lu, it’s like this. A relative of mine accidentally fell from the roof of his self-built house!”
“He’s currently in the operating room at the County Hospital.”
“The patient is in shock, and the situation is very complicated. I was planning to ask Professor Chen to take a look, but I didn’t expect Professor Chen to leave in the blink of an eye.”
“Can you call Professor Chen for me? Please,” Du Qiang’s tone was slightly fawning and pleading.
So that was Du Qiang’s intention in trying to get him to invite Professor Chen earlier.
Lu Cheng replied, “Director Du, for matters involving Professor Chen, you should contact our Director Lin.”
“Director Lin said he called Professor Chen, but no one answered,” Du Qiang replied politely.
“But if you call, Xiao Lu, Professor Chen should answer.”
Lu Cheng explained, “Director Lin couldn’t get through, and I definitely won’t be able to now.”
“It’s almost midnight, Director Du.”
Du Qiang said, “Xiao Lu, please do me a favor, I’m begging you.”
“You must have a way to contact Professor Chen.”
“Director Du, I can try calling, but it will likely be the same as Director Lin’s situation,” Lu Cheng said, then hung up the phone.
After pulling over, Lu Cheng made a call, but Chen Song, as expected, didn’t answer.
Lu Cheng then sent Du Qiang a message.
Unexpectedly, just as Lu Cheng was about to drive off, Du Qiang’s call came again, “Xiao Lu, why don’t you go to Professor Chen’s house and ask him?”
“The situation is indeed very urgent, a matter of utmost urgency. Please, Xiao Lu.”
“It’s really urgent.” Du Qiang acted as if Lu Cheng had already agreed.
Lu Cheng finally stopped being polite and said, “Director Du, my father is right beside me.”
Du Qiang paused, “Doctor Lu, what do you mean?”
“Director Du, my father is with me right now. I’m going to eat a late-night snack with him. He just got off work!”
“I really can’t get away,” Lu Cheng explained bluntly, not caring what Du Qiang would think.
What is all this? You want me to go to Chen Song’s house to knock on his door? Can’t you walk?
My father is here with me, so I don’t need to focus my filial piety elsewhere.
“Doctor Lu, you can call Professor Chen for your friend, but you can’t for others, is that it?” Du Qiang seemed to have lost his mind and said something like this.
“Director Du, do you only spend your money on your children? Why don’t you donate it?”
“Is Professor Chen tied to me? Or did I put his house in my pocket?”
“Director Du? How old are you this year? To say something like that?” Lu Cheng retorted unceremoniously.
“Go to hell!” Du Qiang cursed and then said, “Answer the phone, answer it quickly…”
Du Qiang likely had two phones on him.
Lu Cheng proactively hung up…
Lu Cheng put away his phone and started driving again.
Mu Leng and Lu Nanjia watched Lu Cheng do all this and didn’t dwell on the topic.
Professor Chen Song’s willingness to help was a favor; his refusal was his right.
Lu Cheng was also asking for a favor, and favors are used up, so he wouldn’t waste them unnecessarily.
Mu Leng emphasized again, “Lu Nanjia, you really need to prepare more good wine.”
“But Professor Chen’s wine should be prepared personally by Wei Ying after he wakes up.”
Mu Leng indeed had some money and was doing quite well in Jishi City, but this amount of money couldn’t easily impress a professor from Xiangya Second Hospital.
It was just that Mu Leng didn’t expect Lu Cheng to be able to.
Mu Leng didn’t think Lu Cheng had deliberately hired Director Du Qiang of General Surgery from the People’s Hospital to act in front of him to add leverage.
Wei Ying was the brother of Du Qiang’s wife, making him his brother-in-law. Du Qiang hadn’t rushed to the hospital immediately after Wei Ying was injured but had called another on-duty doctor from General Surgery, clearly for another important matter.
Lu Nanjia hesitated, “Xiao Lu, this emergency surgery?”
Lu Cheng replied, “Dad, Professor Chen and I both have our own on-duty times. There are always patients to treat, aren’t there?”
“Uncle Wei Ying is my uncle. It’s my duty as a nephew to make a phone call for him.”
“Director Du’s relative is Director Du’s relative. Whether he can find Professor Chen is his problem to solve, not for me to use up my favors for him.”
“Do I have that much influence?”
“Even if Professor Chen and I are good friends, I can’t treat Professor Chen like a workhorse.”
“Uncle Mu, what do you think?” Lu Cheng turned the conversation to Mu Leng.
Mu Leng took a puff of his cigarette and replied, “Old Lu, you’re like a dog chasing a mouse, meddling in other people’s business.”
“I think what Lu Cheng said just now was excellent. His father is sitting in the back of the car. Du Qiang is not Lu Cheng’s father.”
“Asking Lu Cheng to go to Professor Chen’s house to knock on his door? What kind of situation is that?”
“He’s harming Lu Cheng.”
Hearing this, Lu Nanjia stopped dwelling on it.
Although Du Qiang was Wei Ying’s brother-in-law and now needed a favor from Lu Cheng, Du Qiang’s intentions were impure; he even wanted to harm Lu Cheng, and this was not something Lu Nanjia could support.
A few seconds later, Lu Cheng received a teasing message from Director Lin Qianlong: “Director Du Qiang accidentally pushed his ‘second wife’ off the roof. It seems the price wasn’t agreed upon…”
Seeing this message, Lu Cheng finally understood the reason for Du Qiang’s outburst.
