Chapter 169: Case Solved
Long County People’s Hospital has an emergency clinic area for internal medicine, surgery, and pediatrics. The emergency clinic area for pediatrics is located on the pediatrics outpatient floor.
In addition to this, there are a rescue area, an observation area, and a comprehensive intensive care ward.
The wards in the observation area are divided into internal medicine and surgery. The operating room and surgery group are managed by Lin Qianlong, while the intensive care ward is the responsibility of Huang Haibo.
Therefore, Director Huang Haibo’s office is located within the intensive care ward.
Upon opening the door, Tong Yuan’an saw that Huang Haibo’s office was meticulously organized, with neatly arranged bookshelves and rows of plants.
On the desk were thick files, reading notes, and pens of red, blue, yellow, and black, all neatly placed.
“Professor Tong, I don’t smoke, but you’re welcome to do so if you like; I don’t mind.”
“Would you like water or tea? I just received a batch of Longjing tea,” Huang Haibo said politely.
Tong Yuan’an smiled and said, “Director Huang, you paid a surprise visit as soon as I arrived this morning, which caught me off guard, so I spoke a bit sharply. Please understand.”
“Mainly, this holiday, which was supposed to be a vacation, has almost turned me into your hospital’s telephone directory.”
“Everyone I know and don’t know has called me. I’m about to report your hospital for collective harassment.”
A research project that Xiangya Hospital takes seriously is being discussed in Long County. Anyone with some insight would want to get involved.
Everyone thinks they’ll be the first to seize the opportunity, so Tong Yuan’an must have received many calls.
Huang Haibo said, “Professor Tong, I understand.”
“Then let’s first enjoy a pot of tea.”
“Oh, right, Professor Tong, you probably haven’t had lunch yet, have you? I’ll order two lunch boxes; I haven’t eaten either.” Huang Haibo was trying to gauge how long Tong Yuan’an would stay.
If it were just to resolve this misunderstanding, Tong Yuan’an should leave immediately.
“Director Huang, I’m not a polite person. My skin is as thick as I look,” Tong Yuan’an replied with a smile.
“It’s good to be direct, Professor Tong.”
Huang Haibo was boiling water and said, “There’s something I need to explain to you, Professor Tong. During the National Day holiday, our department received a patient with a severed limb. I saw ‘Limb Replantation Surgery’ on the surgical application form, so I directly reported it.”
Tong Yuan’an was about to sit down, almost falling onto the floor.
The chair was pushed back quite a bit, making a loud creaking sound.
He couldn’t understand what Huang Haibo meant by that.
Tong Yuan’an knew about Lu Cheng’s surgery being reported during the holiday; someone had ‘tipped him off’.
He didn’t call, but he did send a message.
Tong Yuan’an had suspected it was Peng Haibo but hadn’t considered another Haibo. Right, sixty-six point six…
“I mentioned this matter to Director Lin Qianlong, but he didn’t seem to care. Rather than waiting for the patient’s family to cause trouble, it’s better to investigate it myself,” Huang Haibo replied very directly.
Tong Yuan’an’s expression changed drastically: “Director Huang, have you considered what would have happened if Lu Cheng hadn’t corrected the surgical record that time?”
“Illegal surgery, suspension of surgical privileges, delayed promotion.”
“For an attending physician to perform limb replantation? Who gave him that authority?”
Huang Haibo continued, “Of course, I didn’t speak to Lu Cheng directly about this issue, but I told Lin Qianlong. Since Lin Qianlong is the director, it’s his responsibility to inform Lu Cheng about this.”
“However, Doctor Lu Cheng is quite cautious.”
“Self-discovering an illegal surgery only results in suspension of surgical privileges. In a medical dispute, performing surgery beyond one’s authority is not something that can be easily handled by just suspending surgical privileges.”
Huang Haibo’s tone was calm, as if he didn’t think this was a secret that shouldn’t be spoken of.
Tong Yuan’an had nothing to say because what Huang Haibo said was the truth.
However, before he went on vacation, he had explained the surgery in detail to Lu Cheng, so Lu Cheng was well-prepared and luckily avoided punishment.
Tong Yuan’an smiled and replied, “Director Huang, if you’re going to act this way, isn’t it a bit inappropriate for you to come to me this morning asking for help with a research project?”
“This research project belongs to Doctor Lu Cheng, and I’m not intentionally praising him.”
Huang Haibo said frankly and without reservation, “I thought Doctor Lu Cheng was intentionally doing this, wanting to take time off to work on the research project.”
Tong Yuan’an was somewhat astonished, not expecting Huang Haibo to think that way.
Your ability to quibble is so fresh and unconventional!
Tong Yuan’an asked again, “Director Huang, have you discovered many other violations by Lu Cheng?”
“Yes, quite a few. For example, many medical orders are not followed according to guidelines.”
“However, these are all minor issues. Relatively more unconventional ones are performing spleen preservation surgery and gallbladder preservation surgery in the department.”
“He has the technique, but not the qualifications for gallbladder preservation surgery. Sometimes, when even a deputy senior physician isn’t present, he performs it.”
“Of course, these things can be explained, after all, it was an emergency situation,” Huang Haibo replied smoothly.
Tong Yuan’an’s expression turned cold and he said, “Director Huang, your calculations are quite clever.”
Since Huang Haibo had discovered these things, they could potentially become leverage for him to control Lu Cheng.
“Professor Tong, don’t say that. Procedural justice is the best protection for patients and doctors.”
“I haven’t done anything wrong.”
Huang Haibo continued, “Actually, I also want to help Lu Cheng solve some problems. After all, he’s a young man in our department.”
Tong Yuan’an scoffed, “You reported him, and you say you’re trying to help him solve problems?”
Huang Haibo nodded, “Why else? Professor Tong?”
“Sometimes, severing one’s own ties is also an offensive defense.”
“If I already knew Lu Cheng’s operations were compliant and in order, and I still reported him, wouldn’t that prevent any problems from being discovered?”
“And everyone knows Lu Cheng is meticulous?”
“Besides, no one would ever imagine that this was a staged act by our emergency department?”
Huang Haibo’s expression was somewhat inscrutable.
Tong Yuan’an’s expression tightened: “You did this because you heard Lu Cheng had a research project, right?”
Regardless, the blame for this incident would be borne by another Haibo.
Even if Peng Haibo made endless excuses, he wouldn’t be able to explain it clearly. It’s like mud falling into your pants; who would listen to your explanation?
Huang Haibo did not refute.
The kettle started boiling. As Huang Haibo prepared the tea, he frankly admitted, “Yes, I don’t need to be coy about these things.”
“I really want to publish some papers, preferably with experience participating in research projects.”
As Huang Haibo steeped the tea, he placed the teacups at standard diagonals, one in front of him and one to his right.
It didn’t matter if it was convenient for Tong Yuan’an to pick them up; the diagonal had to be straight.
Tong Yuan’an chuckled, “Director Huang, then what role do you think you can play in this research project?”
Tong Yuan’an wasn’t afraid of Huang Haibo, but he was curious as to why Huang Haibo was doing all this.
How could Huang Haibo get involved?
Huang Haibo shook his head and replied very honestly, “I don’t know either; I haven’t been involved in research projects before.”
“Then aren’t you trying to freeload, Director Huang?” Tong Yuan’an felt a bit exasperated.
“Professor Tong, some things, if you don’t try, how will you know they’re impossible?”
“Is it like others, shamelessly trying to get in, and there’s a chance? I think not.”
“I’m in internal medicine, so I can’t help Doctor Lu Cheng much, nor do I have any connections, nor can I arrange anything for Doctor Lu Cheng’s future.”
“Maybe it’s freeloading, but I’m not resigned to it if I don’t try,” Huang Haibo said.
Facing such a shameless freeloader, Tong Yuan’an had no recourse.
…
Afternoon, 7:10.
Lu Cheng, having slept soundly, finally woke up. After opening his eyes, he squinted for nearly five minutes before habitually opening his mobile phone to check messages.
Seeing a WeChat message from his mother, Lu Cheng shouted, “Mom, I’m awake…”
Immediately, Lu Cheng was met with Tian Hui’s scolding voice: “You’re over thirty years old, and you’re still so immature. People will laugh.”
“Hurry up and get up. Xiao Shu has been here for over an hour.”
Amidst Tian Hui’s nagging, she pushed open Lu Cheng’s bedroom door.
Lu Cheng, wearing a long-sleeved shirt, rubbed his eyes: “Shu has come to visit?”
“I stayed up too late a few days ago!~” Lu Cheng, wearing slippers, walked out the door and found Mu Nanshu chatting with Lu Nanjia.
Mu Nanshu’s voice was soft, with her as the main speaker, while Lu Nanjia nodded from time to time.
Lu Cheng only heard half of it and didn’t know what they were talking about specifically.
“Do you want to eat? Or are you going out?”
“When Xiao Shu arrived, your dad and I had already eaten. She said she’d wait for you to eat together.”
“The dishes are already prepared; we can just heat them up,” Tian Hui asked.
Mu Nanshu glanced at Lu Cheng, her gaze carrying a hint of reprimand, but she didn’t complain.
After all, she had said she would return after the National Day holiday, but Lu Cheng had stayed in the department for ninety-six hours, forcing her to read literature at home every day.
Lu Cheng quickly said, “I’ll take a shower and then we’ll go out to eat.”
“Professor Chen also messaged me, asking me to treat him to a meal. Shu will also come with me.”
…
By the time Lu Cheng had washed up and changed, it was only 7:25.
In less than fifteen minutes, Lu Cheng brushed his teeth, showered, and dried his hair, a speed that left Mu Nanshu utterly astounded.
Seeing Lu Cheng tidied up, Mu Nanshu stood up, “Uncle Lu, we’re going to eat now. I’m still a bit hungry.”
“In a couple of days, I’ll come over again to freeload. My dad has a friend who raises giant salamanders, and they’re almost ready to be taken out of the pond. I’ll bring a couple then.”
Wild giant salamanders are not edible, but farmed ones are.
“Xiao Shu, you don’t need to bring anything. If it’s inconvenient for you to cook there, you can come over and eat every day; it’s just adding a pair of chopsticks.” Tian Hui said quickly.
Mu Nanshu said, “No need, Auntie. I cook for myself too. I usually cook at home for lunch.”
“I’ll definitely come over often to mooch meals!~”
Lu Cheng said at this moment, “Mom, I’ve scheduled a gastroscopy for you on the 9th. You must go.”
“Your stomach isn’t good, so you need to get checked thoroughly. If there’s a problem, take some medicine first.”
“Shu, what do you think?”
Mu Nanshu nodded, “Auntie agreed. She said she wouldn’t go stock up tomorrow and would rest for two days first.”
“Oh, right, I found an account and password for you. You can log in to our school library at home from now on to download literature.”
“Also, I found you an account and password for the Chinese Medical Association Orthopedics membership, which has many teaching videos. You can log in and view them for free.”
“This teacher is the one uploading the teaching videos, so you can watch other teachers’ videos without charge.”
“I’ve written down the account and password for you and given them to Aunt Tian. You mustn’t change them.”
Lu Cheng glanced at Mu Nanshu, “Professor Xie’s?”
Mu Nanshu nodded, “Yes.”
Tian Hui said, “They’re in the notebook on the table. Xiao Lu, remember to tidy them up when you get back later.”
“Then hurry up and go. Come back early.”
“Xiao Lu, go to the upper attic in the kitchen and get a jar of fermented corn, a box of chopped chili, and a box of pickled chili for Xiao Shu.”
“I don’t have time to make fermented tofu and fermented beans this year. I’ll give them to you in a few days, Xiao Shu. I remember you love these the most.”
Lu Cheng did as he was told, and Mu Nanshu thought for a moment and said thank you, Auntie.
…
When Lu Cheng and Mu Nanshu picked up Professor Chen Song, Mu Nanshu sat in the back seat, giving the front passenger seat to Chen Song.
Chen Song had recently rented a new apartment. As he opened the driver’s side door, he said with a hint of resentment, “Xiao Lu, you’re so inconsiderate.”
“It’s one thing to let me go hungry, but you don’t even care about your wife being hungry.”
“If I had dared to act like you back then, your wife would have scolded me for over half an hour.”
Lu Cheng explained, “I’m sorry, Professor Chen. I overslept; the alarm didn’t even wake me up.”
Chen Song said, “Heh, you’re lucky the grim reapers didn’t drag you away.”
Chen Song extended his hand to Mu Nanshu for a firm handshake, “Hello, Researcher Mu. My name is Chen Song. You can call me Old Chen.”
“Teacher Chen, my name is Mu Nanshu, Nan from ‘Nanzhu’ and Shu from ‘Shuben’. You can call me Xiao Mu or Xiao Shu. Please don’t call me Researcher.”
“In front of you, we are all students,” Mu Nanshu quickly explained.
Chen Song smiled, “Don’t say that. PhDs who graduate from Stanford are formidable. In terms of scientific research, we are just beginners.”
Although Mu Nanshu had just graduated, she applied for a PhD at Stanford, not as an exchange student or on a state-sponsored program, which was different.
Although Mu Nanshu’s graduation was delayed, her admission and graduation carried significant weight.
Otherwise, Professor Zhong Junyun of Xiehe Hospital wouldn’t have sent Mu Nanshu to be the project leader.
In front of Mu Nanshu, Chen Song dared not play any tricks. In fact, he even had to ask Mu Nanshu about some things to avoid being unprofessional.
Chen Song was a professional doctorate, and while he was a doctor, he had to be more cautious in front of a research-oriented doctoral candidate who was also a professional researcher.
Scientific research is not that easy.
“Teacher Chen, we’ll learn from each other. You’re too kind.”
“If it weren’t for the intervening holiday, I would have visited you long ago,” Mu Nanshu replied graciously and appropriately.
“Teachers, may I start driving?” Lu Cheng suddenly asked.
Chen Song paused, turned, and looked at Lu Cheng, “What are you calling us?”
“Director Mu is my boss,” Lu Cheng said.
Chen Song likely knew that Mu Nanshu’s family background was much better than Lu Cheng’s, so Lu Cheng’s explanation wasn’t wrong.
“Let’s go. We’ll eat first, and then we’ll try to finalize the sub-directions of the research project.”
…
During the meal, Lu Cheng’s main role was ordering food and listening.
Chen Song was mainly responsible for explaining the current indications for spleen preservation surgery, the current research status, and the potential areas for expanding the suturing technique.
After listening, Mu Nanshu nodded, “Teacher Chen, I have a small point to add.”
“That is, can this suturing technique only be applied to spleen preservation surgery?”
“Can it be applied to other areas?”
Mu Nanshu looked at Lu Cheng and continued, “To my knowledge, spleen preservation surgery is more broadly applied to emergency spleen injuries. Does it also have value in elective and chronic diseases of the spleen?”
“Also, who will be responsible for creating the emergency condition model for the animal experiment?”
“Condition model?” Chen Song realized he was a bit of an outsider.
Mu Nanshu nodded, “That is, professional animal experiment model builders. Among our research staff, besides those doing basic cell experiments, there are such people.”
“For example, there are people for drug efficacy expansion and dedicated animal experiment personnel. In addition to conducting animal experiments, a portion of these dedicated personnel can simulate real clinical emergency conditions and transfer them to animal models.”
“I wonder if Professor Chen has any connections in this regard. If not, I might have a suitable candidate.”
Chen Song was very surprised, “Xiao Mu, you mean there are people who can transfer specific patient conditions from the clinic to animals?”
“Yes!~”
Mu Nanshu nodded again, “Specifically, for example, a spleen rupture of AAST grade III, its injury direction and depth can be replicated.”
“Of course, replicating this is very difficult and requires a highly specialized animal experiment surgeon.”
Chen Song glanced at Lu Cheng, immediately revealing his ignorance in research: “There are such specialized personnel divisions?”
“I’ve certainly learned a lot.”
“If there are such talents, wouldn’t practicing treatments for many diseases become much easier?”
Mu Nanshu said, “Professor Chen, this is a small branch that has gradually emerged in the last few decades.”
“If you don’t have a suitable candidate to recommend, I might have to make another trip in a few days to invite them.”
“I’m just afraid our research project is too small, and people won’t be interested and unwilling to come.”
Mu Nanshu then said to Lu Cheng, “This person is one of my junior sisters. She went to the United States about two years ago, but she was an exchange student.”
“She only stayed for a year and is now working at Zhengda First Affiliated Hospital.”
Chen Song said, “Xiao Mu, do you need me to go with you? Wouldn’t that show more sincerity?”
“It’s hard to say for now. I need to ask her if she’s willing to come. If she’s interested and hasn’t been claimed by other big shots, we might all three need to visit.”
“The more standardized the animal experiment model is, the more credible, original, and rigorous the research project will be, and the higher the final quality will be.”
Mu Nanshu then added, “Professor Chen, this research project requires applying for funding. You’ll need to allocate some money from your budget for preliminary research.”
“You should have discretionary funds allocated by the hospital, right?” Mu Nanshu specifically emphasized discretionary funds.
Restricted funds are difficult to move.
“Yes, yes, I do,” Chen Song felt Mu Nanshu’s professionalism.
Mu Nanshu continued, “Lu Cheng has no research experience, so for the collaborators on this project, Professor Chen Song will need to do more legwork.”
“Otherwise, with his research accumulation, applying for the project would be like a stone sinking into the sea; he wouldn’t get the money.”
“I also have some research startup funds, not a high amount, only two million…”
Chen Song coughed, “Two million isn’t enough?”
Mu Nanshu glanced at Chen Song, “Animal models are very expensive. Generally, making one of these models and raising it might cost thirty to forty thousand.”
“Two million is only enough for forty to fifty…”
“Holy crap…” Chen Song’s lips were tingling.
Research is truly a money-burning endeavor.
Lu Cheng was bewildered. Two million was a colossal sum to him. Lu Cheng couldn’t imagine that this research project would require more than two million.
“Shu, Teacher Chen, why don’t we eat something first? We can discuss these things slowly later?” Lu Cheng suggested.
“Okay, I’m starving. Chen Song retracted his jaw, no longer as proud as he was facing Lu Cheng.
He seemed to have been completely subdued by Mu Nanshu’s few words.
Midway through the meal, the group stopped discussing work.
Lu Cheng said, “Teacher Chen, in our Xiangzhou, other things might not be great, but the scenery is certainly beautiful.”
“If you’re willing, you can take a self-driving trip to play around soon.”
Chen Song said, “What’s fun for me to drive alone? But in a while, I really want to drive to Furong Town. It looks very beautiful online.”
“Although I hear it’s a bit of a tourist trap, since I’m here anyway.”
After a few bites, Chen Song said, “The taste of this hot pot chicken is still not as good as firewood chicken.”
Lu Cheng said, “Tastes differ. Firewood chicken is about the wok hei and aroma.”
“Hot pot chicken is stir-fried with hot pot base. After cooking, the texture is a bit tougher.”
Chen Song looked at Lu Cheng with surprise, “Xiao Lu, you’re quite a connoisseur of food.”
“That’s great.”
Speaking of which, Chen Song asked again, “Xiao Mu, did you already plan to lure Lu Cheng to Xiehe Hospital?”
“And even asked Professor Xie to call Tong Yuan’an…”
Mu Nanshu looked up, her face full of confusion, “Professor Xie called Professor Tong? When did this happen? How come I don’t know?”
Mu Nanshu’s expression made Lu Cheng and Chen Song even more incredulous.
Lu Cheng had no idea anyone had called Tong Yuan’an.
“Then perhaps Tong Yuan’an misspoke.” Chen Song had meant it as a joke, but he didn’t expect Mu Nanshu to be unaware of it.
That’s strange.
Of course, this issue didn’t trouble Mu Nanshu for long. She soon learned from Xie Yuan’an what the “gossiping girl” had done…
There was no other reason, just to “gossip.”
Mu Nanshu looked at Lu Cheng and seriously explained, “I really didn’t know about this before.”
“Professor Xie also? Gossiping…?” Mu Nanshu swallowed.
Lu Cheng also looked completely innocent, saying, “I didn’t know either!~”
