Chapter 151 - Custom Configuration Part I (1/2)

“Chief Resident Zheng!” an on-call doctor yelled.

“Yes?” Zheng Ren answered.

“There’s a patient requesting admission but… I think you should have a look.”

Zheng Ren was a surgeon born and bred, and was thus not familiar with this on-call doctor from the medical wing of the emergency department. Zheng Ren was rarely called to weigh in on their cases. If the patient’s condition was severe, they were naturally admitted to the hospital.

Zheng Ren nodded and headed for the emergency rescue room.

In the room, a wheezing, elderly man of seventy-odd years lay on a stretcher.

Standing by the bed was an old woman of similar age.

“Chief Resident Zheng, this old lady wants to admit her husband but doesn’t want us to treat him,” the on-call doctor told Zheng Ren.

In some cultures, the custom was for terminal patients to pa.s.s at home. Some preferred to do so at their holy places but a good number of people chose the hospital.

It was the early winter season now. The hospital saw an increase in patients in every medical department. Many wanted to leave the hospital as soon as they were allowed to.

“You must be Dr. Zheng,” the old woman said. She had a kind, serene expression, as peaceful as the lake in the System. Her brows were slightly furrowed by hints of sadness.

“Madam, good day. Yes, I am Dr. Zheng,” Zheng Ren replied.

“I would like to send my husband on his last trip. It’s a bit inconvenient at home, so I hope it’s not a problem.” The old woman bowed slightly. Her movements were subtle and she carried an air of cla.s.s that implied a certain pedigree.

“It’s not a problem but we currently don’t have any vacancies in the related department, so there’s nothing I can do.”

A flash of disappointment crossed her face, but it was gone in a second.

“Dr. Zheng, we just need a quiet room for him, as long as nothing startles him. He doesn’t have long. Look…”

“We do have some quieter rooms here in the emergency department, but we don’t even know what illness he has and we don’t have the manpower to provide him medical attention.” Zheng Ren was in a tight spot.

“There’s no need for medical attention or rescue.” The old woman lowered her gaze. She gently stroked the silver mane on the patient’s head; her expression was of love and tenderness. “All I ask is for a peaceful pa.s.sing.”

“Then follow me. We’ll need you to sign a do-not-resuscitate order,” Zheng Ren said.

The on-call doctor was aware of the manpower shortage in the newly-built emergency wards. Medical staff were stretched thin in the department. He did not understand why Zheng Ren was opting to take in this patient.

Of course, Zheng Ren had his reasons.

It was a minor issue to write up a patient’s history. If Chang Yue was not willing to do it, he would personally do so. It would take four to five hours at most.

Four to five hours of his break time, that is.

The old woman was good-natured and Zheng Ren wanted to help her with this small matter.

“Thank you so much,” she said to Zheng Ren.

Zheng Ren called on two staff members to move the patient to the emergency wards.

Chang Yue saw the arrival of the new patient and got the necessary doc.u.ments ready. Although the patient was not in for emergency surgery, she processed him as per routine without any complaints. She was calm and caring as she dealt with them.

The arrangement put the old man in the last room. Chang Yue spoke with the family and asked after the patient.

Zheng Ren left relations.h.i.+p-building to Chang Yue and went to the office, recalling Old Chief Physician Pan’s words.

Many things in this world were illogical.

The world was not black and white, but shades of grey.

A person who was lauded by many would also have many enemies. There was always the flip side of a story.

After a few minutes of thought, Zheng Ren laughed. He started thinking about how to go about with Zheng Yunxia’s treatment.