Super Doctor - Chapter 145

They say illness strikes like a collapsing mountain but fades like drawing silk from a cocoon—usually, it’s the patient who grows frantic while the doctor remains calm. Most doctors know recovery takes time, that there’s no rushing it…

But now, the situation was completely reversed. The family and patient in Bed 38 had watched the condition improve day by day over the past two days, and their moods couldn’t be better. Before, the illness had only been barely controlled, kept from worsening.

Now, however, the patient was visibly getting better. By today, the legs could even be lifted slightly—a vast improvement from when they couldn’t move at all. The patient and family were practically glowing, privately estimating that, at this rate, another seven or eight days in the hospital would be enough for a full recovery. It was genuinely exciting.

But today, they found themselves puzzled. Why did the doctors seem more anxious than the patient? The nurses and physicians, though smiling, had unmistakable urgency in their expressions. They came by five or six times a day, asking, “Feeling any better? Can you lift your legs a little higher now?”

It made the patient and family feel almost guilty. So many doctors and nurses—even the department head—visited multiple times a day, practically revolving around them. Why couldn’t they recover faster? Just a tiny improvement each day… They’d completely forgotten that, just days ago, there had been no progress at all.

…..

Director Qu sat in his office, brows tightly furrowed, absently tapping a ballpoint pen against the desk. The rapid tap-tap-tap filled the room with nervous tension.

“That old bastard Zhang Lide is ruthless—not giving us any time at all. He won’t rest until he snatches this research project away…” Qu cursed inwardly before suddenly slamming the desk. “Fine. Today, I’m throwing caution to the wind. No more playing nice.” With that, he stormed out of his office, heading straight for the hospital committee.

The loud bang of his door slamming next door sent a ripple of tension through the doctors’ office.

It was rare—almost unheard of—for all five doctors, including Xu Ze, to still be in the office at 11 a.m. Li Yuqing, who had just finished the night shift, hadn’t left. Zhang Qi, who was supposed to be off today, was also present. They sat in solemn silence, exchanging uneasy glances.

This was a battle among the higher-ups, something they couldn’t intervene in. All they could do was focus on speeding up the patient’s recovery. But could medicine really be rushed? Even with the right treatment, healing took time. None of them were miracle workers who could snap their fingers and cure someone instantly.

Their only hope was that Director Qu could buy them another day or two. If the patient improved significantly by then, they’d have a better chance of keeping the research project.

…..

The small conference room of the hospital committee was thick with cigarette smoke. Around the oval table sat five or six people, divided into opposing sides. At the head of the table sat three leaders, their expressions resigned.

Emergency Department Director Qu sat alone on the left, his brow furrowed. Opposite him, Internal Medicine Director Zhang Lide had brought his own reinforcements—the heads of Neurology, Immunology, and General Internal Medicine—all lined up in a row, smirking coldly as they glared at Qu.

The three leaders—President Ou, Vice President Qian, and Medical Affairs Director Sun—exchanged weary looks. President Ou leaned toward Internal Medicine taking over. After all, Guillain-Barré syndrome fell under Neurology’s domain, and Internal Medicine had more staff, resources, and experience.

Vice President Qian, naturally, supported the Emergency Department. His nephew Qian Xuebin worked there—no question where his loyalty lay.

As for Director Sun, he was more sympathetic to the Emergency Department. He and Qu had a good relationship, and he’d been the one to approve their initial application. Besides, the Emergency Department had made the discovery first. If Internal Medicine hadn’t been eyeing this “big prize,” would they have suddenly jumped in to snatch it? It just wasn’t right.

With opinions split, Qu—though outnumbered—refused to back down. Zhang Lide and his team knew Qu was stalling for time, but with the leadership divided, they couldn’t force the issue yet.

But Zhang Lide wasn’t about to let Qu drag this out. Another two days, and the patient might be halfway recovered—what would be the point of taking over then? Since Qu Yuan would never concede willingly, their only option was to convince President Ou to make a decision.

After a hushed discussion among the Internal Medicine team, Zhang Lide sneered, “Old Qu… your Emergency Department has had this patient for days now. Why don’t we go take a look? See how things are progressing?”

Qu hesitated. The patient was improving, but they’d only adjusted the treatment plan the day before yesterday. And he had no idea what Zhang Lide was plotting. Before he could respond, President Ou cut in with a smile, “Good idea. Let’s go see for ourselves. Arguing won’t solve anything—facts will.”

With President Ou’s approval, Qu had no choice but to stand and follow the smug Internal Medicine team, along with the hospital leaders, toward the Emergency Department.

…..

When the hospital’s top brass entered the office with Director Qu, the Emergency Department doctors immediately stood in respectful surprise. Xu Ze was no exception. The three men walking half a step ahead of Qu radiated authority—clearly high-ranking figures. He rose with the others and greeted, “Good morning, leaders.”

President Ou nodded with a smile. “You’ve all been working hard, contributing greatly to our hospital. On behalf of the committee, I thank you for your dedication.”

“Thank you, President!” Though seasoned professionals, the team couldn’t help but feel a flicker of warmth at the praise.

“Director Qu informed us that the Emergency Department has diagnosed a case of the newly discovered Guillain-Barré syndrome—possibly the first in the province, maybe even the country. So Vice President Qian, Director Sun, and I came to see for ourselves.” President Ou’s smile remained genial. “Which doctor is in charge? Could you brief us on the patient’s condition?”

The team froze, glancing at Director Qu, who quickly interjected, “President Ou, this patient is under my direct supervision, with rotating resident Dr. Xu Ze assisting.”

“You’re personally managing this?” President Ou raised an eyebrow, impressed. “Director Qu, as a department head, still handling patient care directly—you’re setting an example for the entire hospital. The Emergency Department’s dedication is clear.”

He and the other leaders took their seats, while the Internal Medicine directors—though less welcome—were also offered chairs out of professional courtesy. The head nurse, spotting the arrival of the VIPs, had already sent over a few of the more presentable nurses with tea.

The office was now packed. President Ou scanned the room before repeating, “Director Qu mentioned an assisting doctor earlier? Surely we can’t have the department head delivering the case report himself…”

The Emergency Department team tensed. Xu Ze had only been here two days—did he even know how to present a case properly?

Director Qu was equally worried. Xu Ze had decent clinical experience, but he was still a student from a small clinic. Could he articulate this clearly? If he fumbled, the Emergency Department’s credibility would take a hit—and with it, their chances of keeping the research project.

But with President Ou’s direct request, there was no refusing. All they could do was watch nervously, hoping Xu Ze would handle this with his usual calm confidence.

At least he didn’t look nervous. His expression remained composed as he stood slowly.

“President Ou, Vice President Qian, Director Sun, and all department heads, I am rotating resident Dr. Xu Ze. I will now report on the condition of Patient Wang Ziqiang in Bed 38.”

“Damn it… why me again?” Xu Ze sighed inwardly. Keeping his demeanor steady, he nodded politely to the leaders while rapidly reviewing the patient’s file in his mind, organizing his thoughts.

Then, with clear articulation and unwavering confidence, he began:

“Patient Wang Ziqiang, male, 43, married, resident of Taoyuan City, Xingcheng. Approximately twenty days ago, he experienced mild pain in the limbs and neck without apparent cause. No accompanying chills, fever, nasal congestion, or runny nose were present.”

“The patient initially disregarded the symptoms. After two to three days, progressive weakness developed in both lower limbs. Despite treatment at a local hospital for presumed myasthenia, his condition worsened over ten days, culminating in complete loss of mobility in the legs…”