Super Doctor - Chapter 143

The research project submitted to the hospital was approved quickly. Director Qu, holding the approval document in his hand, waved it with a smile to the team, further boosting their confidence.

He then gestured for Xu Ze to follow him back to his office. After carefully tucking the document into a drawer, he smiled at Xu Ze, who sat across from him, and said, “Xu Ze, you’re about to enter your fourth year of university, right?”

Xu Ze nodded with a smile. “Yes, Director. I’ll be a senior next semester.”

“Hmm… Your fourth year will require a lot of time for clinical rotations,” Director Qu remarked with a nod. Then he continued, “You’ve contributed significantly to securing this project for us. Even though you’re not a formal doctor at our hospital, if we achieve results, I’ll make sure your name is included in the credits.”

“Ah?” Xu Ze was stunned. If Director Qu really secured this ministry-level research project, countless doctors in the affiliated hospital would be fighting to have their names attached to it. He was still a student, not even a formal doctor at the hospital—how could he possibly qualify for inclusion?

Seeing Xu Ze’s mix of shock and delight, Director Qu chuckled and confirmed, “Don’t worry. Since you’ll be doing clinical rotations here starting your senior year, it’s a legitimate reason to include you. With that justification and my support, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

Hearing this, Xu Ze felt a warmth in his heart. He knew that even with this reasoning, it would normally be impossible unless Director Qu was willing to take a stand and risk offending others to insist on his inclusion.

Though he understood that this was partly due to the influence of “the old man,” Xu Ze was still deeply grateful. Having his name attached to such a project would be a tremendous advantage for his future studies and career after graduation.

However, things were never as simple as the emergency department doctors imagined. Good fortune inevitably bred envy.

Soon, news of the emergency department securing the Guillain-Barré syndrome research project spread throughout the hospital. Many who understood the significance of this development grew green with envy.

The first to object was Director Li of the neurology department. He immediately launched a dispute with the emergency department, arguing that Guillain-Barré syndrome fell under the neurology department’s domain. “What business does the emergency department have taking it? Your job is handling emergencies and observation cases—not holding onto our patients. This is just a shameless grab for credit!”

Next, Director Zhang Lide of the internal medicine department stormed into the emergency department, furious. “Guillain-Barré syndrome belongs to internal medicine! What right do you have to take it? Hand over the project and the patients immediately!”

Director Zhang was a heavyweight in the hospital—one of its most influential figures, a renowned expert and professor, overseeing all internal medicine departments and serving as a doctoral advisor at the university. Seeing Director Qu snag such a valuable project, his competitive instincts kicked in, and he rushed over to stake his claim.

If he could bring the project under internal medicine—even if it technically fell under neurology—he, as the head of internal medicine, would still hold the dominant role, reaping the majority of the benefits and prestige. But if it stayed in the emergency department, he’d get nothing.

Thus, he barged into Director Qu’s office, and the two engaged in a heated shouting match. Outside, Xu Ze and the others exchanged uneasy glances as they listened to the two directors, usually dignified figures, bellowing at each other without restraint. Wu Yue and the rest wore expressions of worry, fearing their director might yield under pressure. They wished they could charge in to help.

Xu Ze, too, felt tense. He had worked hard to help Director Qu secure this opportunity, and now that results were within reach, he couldn’t bear to see it snatched away.

Fortunately, Director Qu didn’t back down. The argument reached a stalemate, with neither side willing to compromise.

Failing to get his way, Director Zhang declared he would take the matter to the hospital committee with Director Li, vowing to seize the project no matter what.

Director Qu responded with a cold smile. After Zhang stormed off, he reassured his anxious team, “Don’t worry. We won’t let this go. We already have the approval, and our treatment plan is showing results. Even if they take it to the committee, it’ll take at least a day or two of debate. I’ll drag it out as long as possible.”

“With those two days, we should be able to achieve significant progress. Once we have concrete results, even if they have the stronger argument, they won’t be able to take it from us.” Director Qu spoke with confidence. The internal medicine department might have numbers and influence, but with the project already approved and progress being made, the committee wouldn’t overturn it just to please them.

He then urged his team solemnly, “These next two days, everyone must pay close attention to the patient’s condition. Adjust the treatment plan as needed to ensure the fastest possible recovery. We need solid data—this depends on all of you.”

“Yes, Director! We’ll do our best!” the team responded immediately, eager to support him in the upcoming committee battle.

Satisfied, Director Qu nodded. “Good. Before the committee summons me, let’s review the treatment plan once more to ensure nothing’s overlooked.”

Xu Ze silently agreed. Since Director Qu had promised to include him, this project was now partly his as well. He had to do everything he could to ensure it stayed in the emergency department.

During the discussion, Xu Ze subtly contributed insights on Guillain-Barré syndrome treatment, framing them as suggestions.

Director Qu, who already held Xu Ze’s opinions in high regard, carefully considered each point and found them remarkably useful. He couldn’t help but marvel inwardly. If not for knowing Xu Ze was still an undergraduate on summer break, he might have suspected him of being from some elite foreign research institute—his ideas were that advanced.

He remained curious about the online materials Xu Ze had referenced but assumed they couldn’t have contained anything too groundbreaking, as research institutions rarely shared proprietary findings publicly.

Wu Yue, Li Yuqing, and the others also recognized the value of Xu Ze’s input, growing even more impressed. Just as Zhang Qi had said, this young man had surprising expertise in certain areas.

Only Qian Xuebin, watching Director Qu nod approvingly at Xu Ze’s suggestions, felt his envy and resentment deepen.

Fortunately, apart from Director Qu, none of them knew Xu Ze’s true identity—a mere third-year student. If they had, their shock would have been immeasurable.

Just as they finalized the adjusted treatment plan, Director Qu’s phone rang.

Glancing at the caller ID, his expression turned cold. “Zhang Lide works fast. He’s already convinced President Ou. Hmph… They think I, Qu Zhiyuan, am an easy target?”

He reassured his indignant team, “Don’t worry. I’ll handle them. Focus on the patient’s progress. The sooner we produce results, the sooner this dispute ends.”

Remembering that he and Xu Ze were on duty that afternoon—and that he might be tied up in meetings—he turned to Wu Yue. “Wu Yue, keep an eye on things this afternoon. Let Xu Ze handle the patients, and you just supervise and sign off for me.”

“Ah?” Wu Yue was taken aback but quickly nodded. “Of course, Director. I’ll take over admissions this afternoon.”

Director Qu shook his head with a smile. “No need. Just oversee things. Xu Ze should be ready to handle shifts independently. It’s good experience for him.”

“Alright then… I’ll keep an eye out.” Wu Yue reluctantly agreed, though inwardly he fretted. The director’s really taking a risk here. Xu Ze might have some clinical experience, but he’s so young and new. What if something goes wrong?

Well, I’ll just monitor closely and step in if needed. Wu Yue resolved silently.