"If Dr. Zheng feels that it is insufficient, we can bump it up to a public endangerment charge. It'll be a sentence of three, suspended sentencing of one.1"
Sentence of three, suspended sentencing of one? What did that mean?
Zheng Ren did not understand what Lawyer Ge was saying.
He was exhausted after the emergency surgery, to the point where he was missing the faint minty smell of an energy elixir.
Lawyer Ge took in Zheng Ren's silence.
The kind face of the young doctor belied his cruel demeanor.
Public endangerment was a harsh charge for a criminal case and a three-one sentencing was quite a heavy punishment.
Was he still not satisfied?
Lawyer Ge felt a chill creep into his heart. Pleasing a vengeful client was the hardest part of a lawyer's job.
The fact that he had just threatened Zheng Ren made all this even more complicated. He could feel a guillotine hanging over his neck; one misstep and his head would roll.
"Understood. I will try my hardest!" Lawyer Ge did not know how far Zheng Ren was willing to drag the case but there was no need to show all his cards. A vague answer was best.
Suddenly, another phone rang. It was the traffic police chief's.
He checked the caller ID and left the room.
Lawyer Ge truly believed Zheng Ren was a difficult client to handle. "I have read through the accident report and will proceed with Chairwoman Lin's instructions. If I require any assistance from Dr. Zheng, I will personally pay you a visit."
"Is that all, then?" Zheng Ren asked.
"Yes, we're good for now. Zhou Bai will likely call for other lawyers but do not worry, I am an expert in court cases."
Lawyer Ge desperately wanted to emphasize his importance in the case. At that moment, the traffic police chief entered the room.
"Overtime tonight," the chief said.
He was addressing his subordinate.
An officer transcribing the conversation in his notebook stopped. Had there been a major accident that required them to work overtime?
"The Provincial Government Department wants to drop in," the chief continued. suspended sentencing (, also translated as a sentence "with reprieve"): sentencing does not immediately follow the guilty verdict, but is instead determined after a period of probation.
Chapter 332 - Unnecessary Tests?
The traffic police chief escorted Zheng Ren's group out of the police station.
The involvement of the Provincial Government Department meant that a criminal charge was imminent.
Old Chief Physician Pan knew his worries were for naught.
Intentionally obstructing an ambulance responding to an emergency was a heinous act, but it was most certainly not the first of its kind.
This time, however…
Old Chief Physician Pan said nothing more for fear of distracting Zheng Ren from his work. He parted ways with the young doctor and went home to further understand the situation.
Ding Zhongtai had had a shocked expression ever since Lawyer Ge renounced his loyalty and came to their side.
Yet again, he realized he had underestimated Zheng Ren.
He recalled his interaction with Zheng Ren in the emergency department. Had he sounded rude or offensive? Perhaps he had been a tad agitated, but he was glad he had not berated Zheng Ren.
He ought to be safe.
Office Director Ding absent-mindedly drove Zheng Ren back to the hospital.
He tried to invite the young doctor over for a meal but was unceremoniously turned down. Zheng Ren wanted to check on the patients in the emergency ward.
It was an ironclad reason. Ding Zhongtai let Zheng Ren go and went to report to Director Xiao.
…
After disembarking, Zheng Ren took a few breaths of fresh air to clear his mind.
Crowded places were a source of frustration for Zheng Ren.
Being back at the hospital rejuvenated him.
He headed for the emergency department. Its chaotic environment brought him peace.
There were a few patients who were in for surgery, mostly for internal diseases such as gastritis and influenza.
Snowfall had fled the Northeast for the Southern region.
Heavier snow had catalyzed the spread of influenza, which started as a mild fever on the first day and worsened into a 40-degree Celsius fever within 24 hours.
The queue for consultation stretched throughout the corridor. Community clinics were able to handle the common cold, but influenza patients were quickly directed to Class Three Grade A Hospitals.
Nurses were running left and right, replenishing IV drips and administering medicine. It was a hectic scene.
Zheng Ren walked down the busy corridors. While turning a corner, he overheard the sounds of an argument. A frown creased his forehead. 'What's happening?'
In the emergency medicine area, he found a doctor engaged in heated conversation with a patient's family.
A security guard was moderating the commotion. It was Fan Tianshui. The man's appearance suggested he had been taking good care of his body.
He met Zheng Ren's gaze and smiled as the latter approached.
When the emergency medicine doctor saw Zheng Ren, still dressed in casual wear, his eyes sparkled as if his savior had appeared. "Chief Zheng, I was going to call you."
"What's going on?" Zheng Ren asked.
The family members present side-eyed Zheng Ren uncomfortably.
"The patient is a 52-year-old female who experienced pain around the navel and vomiting this morning. There were no signs of external injuries or other notable symptoms. Physical examination indicated point tenderness at the abdomen but no rebound tenderness or muscle guarding. Her blood test came back with slightly elevated white cell count," the doctor explained.
Zheng Ren studied the patient as the doctor talked.
The patient on the hospital bed was overweight. Her hands clutched at her abdomen and her face was twisted in agony.
"I suggested a peritoneal dialysis or abdominal CT scan to rule out intestinal obstruction but the patient refuses radiological methods for fear of radiation. It could be acute gastroenteritis, but I have other suspicions," the doctor said, frustrated.
"It's not a serious problem. Why should we consent to a CT scan? CT has radiation, what if it gives her cancer? Who'll be responsible then?" one of the family members shouted.
Zheng Ren could not sympathize with the family's worries.
The patient had been admitted to the hospital, but her family was accusing them of suggesting unnecessary tests. The patient was also at fault here; a few radiology exams would not deteriorate a normal person's health.
If the myth was true, interventional surgeons would be the first to succ.u.mb to disease.
"Let's all keep a cool head and focus on treating the patient," Zheng Ren advised.
"Who are you?" one of the family members squinted at Zheng Ren.
Zheng Ren replied with a non-sequitur. "The patient has an intestinal obstruction due to intussusception. The affected parts of the intestines have yet to necrotize. She will require emergency surgery to address the intussusception. If you guys delay it any longer, we will have to remove the whole segment."
The emergency medicine doctor was as shocked as the family. Zheng Ren's face betrayed no emotion and the doctor reminded himself to praise the chief resident's acting skills later.
Such a massive white lie was a bit over-the-top.
At Zheng Ren's words, the family members paled.
"Did they sign the refusal of consent form in the morning?" Zheng Ren asked the doctor under his breath.
Refusal of a recommended test required proper doc.u.mentation. It made explaining themselves easier in the future.
An emergency department doctor who had to handle all sorts of patients had to abide by standard procedure. The risk of being sued was always there, and having evidence to back up one's word was essential.
"Yes," the emerg
ency doctor said brusquely, "They refused a CT scan and peritoneal dialysis and are willing to bear the consequences. The patient signed the form herself and I have it filed and locked."
Zheng Ren was relieved to hear the doctor's answer. A misdiagnosis would be a hassle. He could handle the surgery from here on out. "Call for an abdominal CT. I'll take the patient for the scan."
The family's anger dissipated when they heard the exchange between the two doctors.
Unnecessary tests did not occur in a Class Three Grade A Hospital. The many tests reflected the many patients they had, to the point where a rare disease was common.
Especially in times where patients doubted their doctors every step of the way, a misstep could lead to a life-ruining lawsuit.
The doctor quickly issued an abdominal CT scan ticket which Zheng Ren took and handed to the family. "Make your payment, then head to the CT room. I'll drop by to view the scans once I'm changed."
"Doctor, she's going to be alright, right?" Their attitude towards the hospital's doctor's had softened.
"I've already said that she has an intestinal obstruction due to intussusception and needs surgery. She's lacking blood flow in the intestines and if we don't hurry, the tissue will necrotize. Do you think I'm joking?" Zheng Ren snapped at them.
The emergency medicine doctor's eyes went wide. Was Chief Resident Zheng not joking?
He could feel cold sweat on his back.
Acute intussusception intestinal obstruction and necrosis?
It was no longer a small matter.
The family members did not argue. One went to pay for the scan while others helped transport the patient to the CT scan room.
"Chief Zheng, was what you said true?" The doctor was still convinced that this was a ruse by Zheng Ren. The patient's symptoms were… not conclusive.
"Yes. Did you ask about the patient's diet?" Zheng Ren questioned.
"Er…" The doctor was too shocked for words.
Chapter 333 - A Male Version of Fukuhara Ai
It was 9:00 p.m. Zheng Ren was once again caught up in a whirlwind of cases. The surgery would likely drag on until midnight.
Zheng Ren grimaced but figured a surgery was better than dealing with the many-faced Lawyer Ge.
What kind of food could cause bowel obstruction? Especially to the point of intussusception? A sticky bean bun?
Zheng Ren turned to the emergency medicine doctor. "It probably wouldn't have clarified much but if she's back a second time, we should cover all bases. Don't be too occupied by arguing with the family."
After that, he left to change into his work clothes.
The emergency ward was quiet with most of the patients having gone home for the night. Its few remaining patients were in postsurgical care. The hospital had no television and slow Wi-fi. Without any entertainment, patients had no reason to stay awake.
The office lights were still on when Zheng Ren entered the room. Chang Yue was patiently typing out a patient's record while Professor Rudolph Wagner was reading through a Mandarin coursebook.
Zheng Ren's arrival was met with a curious look from Chang Yue.
"Chief Zheng, why are you still here? Are you so much of a workaholic that you want to take my shift?" she said, expression deadpan.
It was clearly a joke, though; who wanted to spend the night in the emergency department on-call room?
The men's on-call room was unkempt and dirty. Their hectic schedules meant that no one was willing to perform housekeeping.
Some of the nurses did help out occasionally, although they could not be blamed for simply letting the room rot.
How was it even comparable to a villa with its own bathtub?
"I went to the emergency department and noticed a patient with bowel obstruction due to intussusception. She'll need emergency surgery. I'm taking the patient for a scan, so help me prepare the admission papers and the patient record."
"Admitting patients so soon after your return. You're a weird one, Chief Zheng," Chang Yue said impassively.
Grumble as she might, there was still work to be done.
Zheng Ren quickly left to change into his work clothes. On his return, he passed the office and said into the room, "The patient and family have low medical compliance, take caution."
"Understood," Chang Yue said. "Lil Fugui, why don't you go help Chief Zheng?"
Professor Rudolph was already one step behind Zheng Ren. "Enna1."
Zheng Ren was speechless.
The professor had only been in town a few days and had already changed his name to Ru Fugui. Now, he was even speaking in a Northeastern accent.
Zheng Ren appreciated the professor's willingness to adapt to his new surroundings. The distance between them felt smaller with the change in his manner of speaking.
"Boss Zheng—"
"Don't use that, call me Dr. Zheng or Chief Zheng," Zheng Ren interjected.
Zheng Ren was self-aware enough to feel undeserving of being called a boss. The title made him uneasy.
Su Yun was the only person whom he could tolerate using it.
"Enna," the professor carried on in his Northeastern twang, "What's the problem? You're back in so late. I would have been resting in my hotel had you not come."
"There's a surgery. Are you up for it?" Zheng Ren asked.
"Chief Zheng, the working hours here are truly inhumane." The professor had taken a Chinese name and picked up the local slang, but was still a Westerner through and through.
"Are up for surgery, I said? If you can't, I'll get someone else," Zheng Ren said dismissively and picked up his pace toward the CT scan room.
"I'll join the imaging. Don't you think it's against the law to allow an interventional surgeon to perform a surgery outside of his—"
"Understood." Zheng Ren took out his phone and dialled a number.
"How's the patient?
"Sounds a bit complicated. Thank you for your dedication.
"Nothing. There's a patient with bowel obstruction, but I think I can handle it alone.
"Really… Alright, preparations here are almost done. You can drop in soon."
With that, Zheng Ren ended the call.
Su Yun was watching over Yang Lili, whose injuries were severe and her condition still unstable.
Monitoring organ blood flow was a difficult task.
At times, the human body was resilient. Zheng Ren had seen car accident victims, whose bloody bodies had to be dragged out of wreckages, recover in mere days.
However, the human body could sometimes also be tricky to handle. They had to monitor blood circulation throughout the body as prolonged inadequate blood supply could lead to loss of organ function.
Even with modern medicine, not all patients could be saved.
The ICU was akin to the gates of hell. Some patients could leave, but some never did.
Yang Lili's surgery had been a success but Zheng Ren could not guarantee her survival. He had no power over the afterlife.
Soon, he and the professor arrived at the CT scan room.
There were few patients who needed an emergency scan at night. The bowel obstruction patient was already inside undergoing her CT scan.
The family members said nothing when they saw Zheng Ren in his white coat, followed by a blond-haired, blue-eyed foreigner.
Perhaps there were some perks of having the professor around, Zheng Ren thought.
The professor seemed to make people speechless. He was quite good-looking and gave off a scholarly vibe.
Zheng Ren greeted the doctor in the CT scan room and watched him operate the machine.
Zheng Ren's presence hinted at the patient's condition. The CT room doctor made haste as he scanned and processed the images.
The images loaded, slice by slice, on the display. Zheng Ren located the telescoping intestine within the scan.
There were two encircling layers at the target site. The affected part of the intestines were bulging and swollen. The machine differentiated the low-density a
dipose tissues from the high-density muscles of the intestines.
The damaged blood vessels of the telescoping intestine were dark pools on the image.
"Fecalith intestinal obstruction?" Professor Rudolph offered, pointing at the scan.
"It might not be fecalith. I'm guessing it's food residue," Zheng Ren said.
The CT room doctor did not understand the difference between fecaliths and food residue. Were they not different names for the same thing?
Professor Rudolph looked doubtful. "Chief Zheng, when is the surgery? I want to have a look. My hypothesis is that this was caused by fecaliths and not undigested food."
The CT room doctor was shocked by the fluent Northeastern Mandarin leaving the foreigner's mouth, his mouth agape as he stared at the blond-haired man.
Anyone who spoke Northeastern Mandarin was regarded as family, be they a national or a foreigner.
Like Fukuhara Ai… Unfortunately, Professor Rudolph was not as cute. He had an intense look about him.
"Chief Zheng, will you need the prints?"
"Yes. Pass it to the family later, please. As for the report, I'll tell them to collect it tomorrow," Zheng Ren instructed before leaving the control room to deliver the news to the family.
Upon meeting them, he asked, "Can I speak to the patient's spouse?"
A man in his fifties stepped forward hesitantly. Worry was etched into the lines of his face as he approached Zheng Ren.
Zheng Ren's earlier diagnosis had shocked him to his core. He had been fearing the worst throughout the CT examination, praying that his wife would not need surgery.
However, noticing the young doctor's grave expression, he braced himself for the bad news.
The aggression from earlier had given way to resignation and concern. Logic had kicked in after hearing the doctor's diagnosis.
"Doctor, I am her husband. Is she okay?"
"The CT scan confirmed the intussusception which led to the intestinal obstruction. We'll have to perform an emergency surgery. If there are no objections, follow me to the emergency wards to sign the admission papers and we can proceed with the procedure," Zheng Ren said in a no-nonsense tone.
The man nearly fainted at the news.
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