Super Doctor - Chapter 134

Most doctors weren’t particularly fond of last-minute additions to the resident rotation roster—especially those arranged through connections. Typically, new doctors who qualified through the hospital’s annual recruitment exams would enter as a group.

Those who failed the exams but leveraged connections to join were usually slotted in with their peers at the start of the rotation cycle. Someone like Xu Ze—showing up solo after the previous batch had finished and before the next round began—was practically unheard of.

Still, since Director Qu had personally brought him in, there was no questioning his legitimacy. Even if “backdoor” hires might lack slightly in foundational skills, no leader would risk the hospital’s reputation by letting in someone completely incompetent.

The team quietly speculated about who would be stuck mentoring the newcomer. While well-connected residents could be difficult to train, having an extra pair of hands wasn’t entirely unwelcome.

But Director Qu’s announcement left them stunned.

“Dr. Xu Ze will be under my direct supervision,” he said with a smile. “For the next month, I’ll also be joining the rotation schedule.”

The four doctors exchanged glances. What kind of background did this kid have to warrant the director personally stepping back into clinical shifts just to mentor him? Even for a favor, this was excessive.

Director Qu suppressed a sigh. He hadn’t worked regular shifts in five or six years—this would undoubtedly fuel endless speculation.

Smoothing things over, he chuckled, “Don’t overthink it. Dr. Xu is the grandson of an old friend who asked me to personally guide him. I’ll take today’s shift—adjust the schedule accordingly.”

The explanation eased some suspicions. While still unusual, a personal favor at least made superficial sense.

Among the team, however, the youngest male doctor—Qian Xuebin—felt a spike of resentment. Being mentored by Director Qu was an incredible opportunity.

As a nationally renowned emergency medicine expert and doctoral advisor, Director Qu hadn’t taken on students in years. Yet here he was, personally shepherding this greenhorn. The injustice burned.

Last year during his own rotation, Qian—touted as one of the hospital’s most promising young talents, with an uncle serving as deputy dean—had been stuck under the senior Dr. Wu Yue. Director Qu only appeared for complex cases, offering no regular guidance.

Now this untested newcomer waltzed into the director’s exclusive tutelage? The imbalance was infuriating.

As Qian seethed, Director Qu began introductions.

The most senior was Dr. Wu Yue, followed by two female physicians: long-haired Zhang Qi and bespectacled Li Yuqing, all around thirty. The sole male, Qian Xuebin, appeared twenty-seven or twenty-eight.

Xu Ze nodded politely to each. When his gaze met Qian’s, however, he caught a flicker of hostility—swiftly masked—that made his instincts prickle.

Why the animosity?

Before he could ponder further, Qian—with almost theatrical warmth—not only returned the greeting but launched into effusive camaraderie. The dissonance between the man’s demeanor and that initial glare set off quiet alarms.

This one bears watching.

Director Qu soon handed Xu Ze a fresh white coat and stethoscope. After quick preparations, morning rounds began.

With the director leading, the team reviewed each patient in turn. By the time they finished the dozens under emergency internal medicine’s care, it was already 10:30.

Xu Ze came away impressed. True to its reputation, Xingda’s ER housed numerous severe or diagnostically challenging cases—patients either awaiting specialized department transfers or stuck due to overcrowding elsewhere.

Post-rounds, as Wu Yue and Li Yuqing left after submitting orders, only Zhang Qi (on secondary shift) and Qian Xuebin (night shift) remained.

Director Qu turned to Xu Ze. “Since you’re new, review the charts once nursing completes the orders, then revisit patients to familiarize yourself.”

Xu Ze was about to head to the nurses’ station when Qian interjected with startling enthusiasm, “The charts won’t be ready yet! Why not shadow me? I’ll walk you through cases—far better than dry paperwork.”

Caught off guard by the offer, Xu Ze smiled. “That would be incredibly helpful. Thank you, Dr. Qian.”

Director Qu nodded approvingly. “Excellent initiative, Xiao Qian.”

Pleased at the praise, Qian—masking his satisfaction—beckoned Xu Ze forward. “Come, let’s begin.”

…..

Qian launched into animated case summaries as they walked. “Of my ten patients, five are critical: one with suspected pulmonary infection and sepsis, another with unexplained fatigue…”

Xu Ze listened intently. At Xingda, “critical” implied conditions he’d likely never encountered before.

Their first stop was the sepsis patient. The family immediately greeted Qian with deference.

Nodding, Qian gestured to Xu Ze. “This patient had a persistent cough for over half a month. After a week of failed treatment at a county hospital, they transferred here. Examine him.”

The man was gaunt, listless—clearly ravaged by illness. Xu Ze conducted a thorough evaluation: history-taking followed by meticulous inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation.

Qian observed covertly. For his age, his technique is surprisingly disciplined. A quick study—with Director Qu’s guidance, he might even surpass me. The thought curdled into sharper resentment, though his smile never wavered.

“Post-admission tests confirmed Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia,” Qian explained brightly post-exam. “With soaring WBC counts, we initiated vancomycin. Significant improvement already. Your findings?”

“Coarse breath sounds with persistent rales,” Xu Ze noted. “Antibiotics should continue.”

“Precisely! Now, next patient…”

The second case—a progressive muscle weakness of unknown origin—lay motionless in bed.

“This started in the lower limbs,” Qian narrated. “Now the legs are paralyzed, with abdominal muscles weakening. We anticipate eventual respiratory involvement…”

Xu Ze understood the unspoken prognosis: respiratory failure.

Yet as he studied the patient—alert, with good coloration—something felt off. Instead of examining, he turned to Qian. “What’s your leading differential diagnosis?”