Chapter 147: Old Horses
The patient’s family was shocked at the sudden news.
“I have just returned from a conference in Arica and they had a patient with the sa condition,” Zheng Ren lied reassuringly, loud enough that he could be heard by the patient. “I brought back a type of dication that’s very effective in treating such an illness but it’s a bit pricey.”
“She’ll be cured?” the elder son of the patient asked imdiately.
“It has a 100% cure rate,” Zheng Ren replied confidently without any of his usual disclairs.
The on-call doctor had a look of confusion. ‘Hasn’t Chief Resident Zheng been in the ergency departnt’s operating room for the past few weeks? When did he fly to Arica? Did he an he went to a lecture delivered by an Arican?
‘And he has a cure that 100% works?
‘That doesn’t sound very scientific.’
Su Yun realized Zheng Ren’s intentions after the second sentence and ignored the unfolding drama. The soft curls on his forehead bobbed as he lowered his head.
“Doctor, just tell the price and I will get the money ready,” the patient’s son said.
“There’s no rush,” Zheng Ren said as he motioned for the son to calm down. “Your mother has been suffering from the illness for quite so ti. We will administer the cure first, and then you can make the paynt.”
With that, Zheng Ren strode out of the ergency departnt rescue room.
A mont later, a nurse walked in with a 20ml syringe.
“Intravenous injection,” Zheng Ren said.
The family mbers were brimming with hope and worry at the sa ti.
Their hopes were on the miracle cure working... but a negative thought nagged at the back of their minds. What if the miracle cure failed? Was she going to spend her whole life paralyzed?
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“Done. She should be able to walk after five minutes,” Zheng Ren said, “She should co in for a booster dose a week later, then all should be well. Co with , I’ll write a bill for you.”
Zheng Ren walked out of the room without a glance back at the patient.
Su Yun, who just snapped out of a daze, said mindlessly, “There won’t be any issues as long as Old Chief Physician Pan is here.”
Zheng Ren only chuckled at his words.
Su Yun carried on with the questions, ignoring Zheng Ren’s cue to stop talking. “You’re sure it’s just delusion and not a rare disease?”
“Yes. If I made a mistake, a dose of calcium gluconate won’t do any harm,” Zheng Ren replied.
“Really...” Su Yun made to accuse Zheng Ren of being irresponsible but changed his mind at the last second. The costs of MRIs and dical tests were beyond the ans of this patient’s family.
Zheng Ren was right. If it was a wrong diagnosis, they could rule out this possibility.
He went to produce the bill for the patient’s son at the ergency departnt reception desk.
A frown was etched on the son’s face, no doubt worrying about the exorbitant cost of the miracle cure.
‘How much would a cure imported from Arica cost? Would I have to sell our houses to afford this?
‘A few tiled-roofed houses should be sufficient. What else could they sell?
‘This bill did not even include the dose for next week...’
The printer spat out the slip.
“Here, take this to the paynt counter and collect your dication at the dispensary,” Zheng Ren told him.
The man took the bill and checked it. There was a series of incomprehensible words on the bill but his eyes zood in on the arabic nurals.
A look of disbelief flashed across his face when he read the numbers.
Before he could ask Zheng Ren about them, the door slamd open and an excited voice shouted, “Dad! Grandma can stand now!”
This second surprise prompted the man to rush back to the patient’s room.
In his rush, his muscular body collided with the doorfra and Zheng Ren imagined the building shaking at the impact.
“Another correct diagnosis for you.” Su Yun leaned against the wall like a boneless mannequin. He said jokingly, “What a lucky man.”
Zheng Ren did not bother to reply to Su Yun as he could never get a word in edgewise. The System did grant him so luck points, but Su Yun did not need to know that.
The man walked out of the room, an arm supporting his mother.
The old woman was still unsteady on her feet, but it was a huge improvent from her paralysis just minutes ago.
“Doctor, thank you so much,” the two family mbers said to Zheng Ren.
“It’s alright.” Zheng Ren gave them a smile.
“This...” The patient’s son held out the bill. There was uncertainty on his face as he struggled with his words.
Zheng Ren was surprised.
The man decided to co clean. “Doctor, was there a mistake in the bill?”
“No. It’s a complintary dose from an international pharmaceutical company so the hospital can’t charge you for it. Your family is lucky to be here right now,” Zheng Ren answered light-heartedly.
“The fee...”
“It’s on the house,” Zheng Ren said.
Su Yun watched the kind expression on Zheng Ren’s face with suspicion. He ntally calculated the cost of the intravenous injection of calcium gluconate solution.
The miracle cure was just a ruse for the benefit of the patient and her family.
They conveyed their heartfelt gratitude. Zheng Ren reminded them of the follow-up next week for the booster jab. This dication not only treated and cured, it also prevented recurrence.
As Zheng Ren watched the happy family leave for the paynt counter, he felt his stomach growl.
The ward round had taken longer than expected and Zheng Ren lanted the thought of cold leftovers in the cafeteria.
“Why did you want them to co in for a follow-up?” Su Yun asked.
“The patient was deep in her delusion. I worry a single dose would be insufficient to convince her. A booster dose seed like the best option,” Zheng Ren answered.
They were both experienced doctors who knew the importance of a white lie.
Su Yun said nothing in return and Zheng Ren took his silence as acceptance.
‘He’s the lucky one. He’s been working in the hospital for so long without anyone making an attempt on his life,’ Zheng Ren thought.
Once the patient was discharged, Zheng Ren made a beeline for the cafeteria.
On his way there, his phone rang.
“Yiren? What’s up?
“Oh, sure. Su Yun and I have not eaten.
“Yes, sure. Thanks for the trouble.”
He hung up and turned back to the ergency departnt.
Su Yun called out from behind him, “What happened?”
“Chang Yue brought the free-range eggs to Yiren’s house. They’re making fried scallions with eggs.”
“I think you an fried eggs with scallions,” Su Yun said, deadpan.
“That’s what I said. Yiren says she’ll bring it over and have lunch with us.” Zheng Ren was fine with such an arrangent. He had very few opinions about food.
The two n walked back to the ergency departnt. Twenty minutes later, Xie Yiren arrived excitedly with a black lunchbox.
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