Hearing the professor’s words, which seemed to indicate his agreement with Xu Ze’s new classification of pulmonary tuberculosis, the students in the classroom were all astonished. It turned out that what Xu Ze had said wasn’t fabricated but was indeed based on solid evidence.
Thinking about the gap between themselves and Xu Ze, the students couldn’t help but sigh. It seemed that comparing oneself to others was truly futile…
Xu Ze, noticing the professor’s appreciative gaze, knew that this matter was finally over. The professor likely wouldn’t give him any more trouble.
Sure enough, the professor sighed helplessly and said, “Alright… this student is quite impressive. You’ve won the bet. Although your internal medicine knowledge may already be solid—perhaps you’ve even self-studied the entire textbook—I still hope you’ll attend classes regularly to reinforce what you’ve learned.”
Xu Ze couldn’t help but smile. The old professor’s words essentially acknowledged that he didn’t have to attend class if he didn’t want to. This meant that skipping a lesson or two wouldn’t be a major issue.
However, Xu Ze was well aware that the old professor would likely keep a close eye on him from now on. Not that he minded—Xu Ze was already accustomed to being the center of attention. One or two more people watching him made little difference.
In the afternoon, it was time for hospital training again. Since it wasn’t an outpatient day, Xu Ze made his way to the office of the head of internal medicine, located in the cardiology department.
The cardiology department at the affiliated hospital was as bustling as ever. Nurses hurried between wards, and the low, painful groans of patients with heart attacks or heart failure occasionally drifted out from the rooms.
Xu Ze walked slowly down the corridor, followed closely by another group of students heading toward the doctors’ office in the cardiology department.
These days, he often visited the cardiology department. As a student under the direct supervision of the head of internal medicine, he even had opportunities to voice his opinions during consultations. As a result, the doctors and nurses in the department had grown quite familiar with this handsome, sharp-faced student.
From time to time, nurses passing by would smile and greet Xu Ze, much to the envy of the students trailing behind him. The disparity in treatment was undeniable. These lovely young nurses were charming, yet they seemed to ignore everyone but Xu Ze.
Soon, the group of students paused outside the doctors’ office, watching enviously as Xu Ze continued toward the head of internal medicine’s office.
Staring at the familiar door, Xu Ze sighed softly and knocked. Truth be told, he didn’t enjoy shadowing Zhang Lide every day. It drew far too much attention.
After a month of following Zhang Lide around, nearly half the hospital had taken notice of him. People often whispered in surprise, “Who is that young man? Why is he following Director Zhang during consultations? Is he a new hire in internal medicine? I’ve never seen him around before. He must have connections to be shadowing Director Zhang like that…”
Xu Ze’s hearing was sharper than most, so he often caught these hushed remarks. Each time, he felt a twinge of embarrassment. He wasn’t here because of personal connections—Director Zhang had insisted on mentoring him.
Pushing the door open, Xu Ze found Zhang Lide reviewing some documents. Without a word, Xu Ze took a seat nearby. He knew Zhang Lide would handle everything, so he settled comfortably into the plush leather sofa in the director’s office, taking the opportunity to rest.
After a while, Zhang Lide looked up from the documents and sighed, “Diabetes… it’s such a challenging disease. I wonder when we’ll truly be able to overcome it.”
Xu Ze understood what Zhang Lide was thinking. Recently, a patient in the diabetes department had extremely high blood sugar levels. Despite being administered high doses of insulin, the treatment showed little effect.
The patient’s complications from diabetes—peripheral neuritis, skin ulcers, and retinopathy—had become severe. However, due to poorly controlled blood sugar, these complications continued to worsen.
The diabetes department had already consulted Zhang Lide, the head of internal medicine, but even after adjusting the treatment plan based on his recommendations, the results were underwhelming. This left Zhang Lide deeply frustrated.
Xu Ze knew the answer to Zhang Lide’s rhetorical question. According to future medical data, a drug called Motinine, derived from bioengineering research, would eventually replace insulin as the primary treatment for diabetes.
Based on recent updates from Xiao Dao, a top diabetes research institute in the U.S. was already exploring this field. However, according to Xiao Dao’s estimates, it would take a long time for the institute to achieve a breakthrough.
With a faint smile, Xu Ze replied calmly, “It’ll probably take another twenty to thirty years.”
“Twenty to thirty years…” Zhang Lide looked up at the young man’s composed expression, a flicker of curiosity crossing his eyes. Although it sounded like a casual guess, Xu Ze’s tone was so natural and confident that it seemed almost prophetic.
Shaking his head, Zhang Lide sighed softly. “Let’s hope so. But even if it’s developed in twenty or thirty years, I’ll be old by then. Right now, this patient alone is giving me a headache.”
Xu Ze smiled knowingly. He understood Zhang Lide’s frustration. As one of the country’s leading hospitals, failing to effectively treat diabetes was disheartening for anyone.
However, aside from Motinine—which wouldn’t be available for decades—Xu Ze had no groundbreaking solutions for diabetes. The electro-acupuncture emergency techniques he knew weren’t designed for chronic diseases like this. He vaguely recalled that certain traditional Chinese herbs mentioned in future data might have some effect, though not a significant one.
“Let’s go… we’ll check on this patient again today. Director Li from the diabetes department has called for another grand consultation,” Zhang Lide said, tapping the documents in his hand. He then led Xu Ze toward the diabetes department.
The diabetes department’s office was packed. This was another large-scale consultation. Aside from the diabetes department’s director and doctors, several other internal medicine department heads were also present.
The dozen or so chairs in the office were all occupied. Only one chair in the center remained empty, clearly reserved for Zhang Lide. The rotating interns and trainee doctors from the diabetes department stood nervously along the walls, not daring to make a sound as they watched the department heads sit with solemn authority.
As for the medical trainees from the university, they weren’t even allowed inside the office. They waited outside, enviously watching Xu Ze follow Zhang Lide into the room with an air of ease.
Zhang Lide nodded briefly to the department heads who stood to greet him before taking the central seat. Xu Ze stood leisurely behind him, crossing his arms and leaning casually against the wall, assuming a comfortable posture as he waited for the consultation to begin.
Seeing Xu Ze’s relaxed demeanor, the rotating interns and trainee doctors exchanged uneasy glances. They thought, “With so many department heads present, how dare someone act so carelessly? This guy must have nerves of steel.”
They anxiously glanced at the department heads, known for their strictness, expecting someone to reprimand the audacious young man. However, after waiting for what felt like an eternity, none of the department heads said a word. Even though they clearly noticed Xu Ze’s posture, not a single one showed any displeasure.
The rotating interns and trainee doctors were baffled. Other department heads might let it slide, but Director Li Junying of the diabetes department was notoriously strict. How could he pretend not to notice?
Their curious glances repeatedly drifted toward Xu Ze, trying to figure out who he was and why no one dared to reprimand him.
Someone with sharp eyes finally noticed the red emblem on the left chest of Xu Ze’s uniform, which read “Clinical Medical College of Star University.” Their jaws dropped. Anyone wearing that uniform was either a trainee or an intern. How could this guy be so bold?
With Zhang Lide’s nod, the grand internal medicine consultation officially began in a serious yet lively atmosphere.
First, the attending physician from the diabetes department presented the patient’s medical history. The department heads listened intently, occasionally furrowing their brows or jotting down notes. The rotating interns and trainee doctors watched in awe, not daring to breathe too loudly as they observed these rarely seen department heads.
As for Xu Ze, he stood with his arms crossed, half-closed eyes, and even let out a yawn. He had already memorized this patient’s details during the previous consultation with Zhang Lide. There was no need for him to pay close attention to the lengthy presentation.
Once the attending physician finished the report, the department heads asked a few clarifying questions. Then, under the lead of Director Li Junying and Zhang Lide, the group made its way to the patient’s room for a detailed physical examination.
Xu Ze followed closely behind Zhang Lide, standing out among the department heads. The rotating interns and trainee doctors trailed two meters behind, their expressions a mix of curiosity and disbelief.
“Director Zhang… please put in some extra thought today. I’m truly out of ideas,” Director Li said.
“Of course. With everyone here today, let’s take a closer look together,” Zhang Lide replied.
Listening to their exchange, Xu Ze sighed inwardly. This consultation likely wouldn’t yield any breakthroughs. He had seen the patient before—the patient was insensitive to insulin, and other medications were even less effective.
If combined treatments had already failed, what new drug could possibly emerge from this consultation? Unless he advanced to level five or six and unlocked access to Motinine’s formula in the system…
The group crowded into the patient’s room, where Zhang Lide conducted a meticulous physical examination and asked detailed questions.
Watching Zhang Lide’s systematic and flawless examination, Xu Ze nodded in approval. The head of internal medicine truly lived up to his reputation. In real life, Xu Ze had never seen anyone perform a physical examination more precisely than Zhang Lide.
After Zhang Lide finished, the other department heads took turns inspecting the patient’s skin ulcers and asking additional questions. Once done, they retreated to the office.
After shuttling between the ward and the office twice, the group finally settled back into the office, the atmosphere growing quiet and serious.
Sitting in the center, Zhang Lide glanced around with an air of authority. Satisfied with the solemn expressions around him, he turned to Director Li Huaming from the neurology department and said, “Old Li, why don’t you share your thoughts first?”
“Alright, I’ll start then,” Director Li replied. “Regarding blood sugar levels, I’ve reviewed the medical records and noticed that almost all effective hypoglycemic drugs have already been administered. As a neurologist, I don’t have much to add in that regard. Instead, I’ll focus on the peripheral neuritis. For this patient… intramuscular injections of Vitamin B1 might provide some relief…”
The attending physician diligently noted down every suggestion, whether practical or not.
“Good point, Old Li,” Zhang Lide said with a nod before turning to Director Li Qijiang from the general internal medicine department. “Qijiang, what are your thoughts?”
Director Li Qijiang cleared his throat solemnly. “Ahem… regarding this patient, I believe…”
In the diabetes department office, the only sounds were the occasional speaker’s voice and the soft scratching of pens on paper.
An hour later, Zhang Lide looked around at everyone who had spoken and sighed inwardly. Despite the grand consultation, no constructive suggestions had emerged. It seemed there truly was no effective solution for this patient.
Yet, he couldn’t help feeling frustrated. These individuals were considered some of the top experts in the country. How could so many brilliant minds fail to devise a viable plan?
Frowning slightly, Zhang Lide scanned the room and asked hopefully, “Does anyone else have anything to add?”
In response, the department heads exchanged glances before busying themselves with their notes or staring blankly into space. No one dared to speak up.
Everyone knew how challenging this case was. No one wanted to risk offering an unhelpful suggestion.
Seeing his subordinates at a loss, Zhang Lide felt a surge of irritation, though he understood the difficulty of the case. If he couldn’t solve it, neither could they.
Resigned, he shook his head and reached for his notebook, preparing to wrap up the meeting. Just then, a soft yawn came from behind him.
Hearing the yawn, Zhang Lide’s already frayed patience snapped. He had noticed Xu Ze yawning several times during the meeting, but this latest one felt like the last straw. How could someone be so relaxed in such a serious setting?
With a displeased hum, Zhang Lide suddenly spoke words that left everyone stunned: “Xu Ze, why don’t you share your thoughts on this patient?”
The room fell silent. The department heads knew who Xu Ze was, but they were baffled by Zhang Lide’s request. Why would he ask a trainee to speak at such a critical moment, especially after all the department heads had already shared their opinions?
Logically, as a trainee, Xu Ze had no right to speak in such a setting. Even if Zhang Lide valued his input, he should have been asked to speak earlier, not as the final speaker after all the department heads. It was unconventional, to say the least.
Though inwardly critical, none of the department heads voiced their objections. Instead, they all turned to look at Xu Ze, curious to hear what the so-called “miracle kid” had to say.
As for the rotating interns and trainee doctors, they were still unaware of Xu Ze’s identity. They wondered, “All the department heads have spoken. Which Director Xu hasn’t shared his opinion yet?”
Their curious gazes swept across the table until they followed the department heads’ peculiar stares toward the young man standing behind Zhang Lide. Their jaws dropped when they realized who it was.
The department heads watched with suppressed amusement as Xu Ze stood against the wall, eyes half-closed, seemingly lost in a daze or dozing off.
When Zhang Lide noticed the prolonged silence and the strange looks directed behind him, he turned around and saw Xu Ze yawning again, clearly struggling to stay awake.
Seeing the anger twisting Zhang Lide’s expression, everyone in the room held their breath, afraid of drawing attention to themselves. The office fell into an eerie silence.
Feeling the sudden quiet, Xu Ze slowly roused himself, thinking, “Is the meeting over?” He blinked drowsily and looked around.
Meeting the collective stares of five or six department heads, four or five doctors, and over a dozen rotating interns and trainee doctors, Xu Ze finally sensed something was wrong. He had clearly missed something important.
His mind sharpened instantly. He snapped his eyes open and looked ahead, only to find Zhang Lide glaring at him with barely contained fury.
