Chapter 368 - Root Cause Investigation (1/2)

Director Zhang left with his head lowered.

If he stayed to listen to the ongoing conversation between Zheng Ren and Professor Rudolf, he would be too ashamed to invite them to the Secondary Hospital for the TIPS surgery.

Department Chief Xia found nothing amiss and bid Zheng Ren goodbye before bringing the patient back to the gastroenterology department.

The patient did not have any complications after this round of surgeries. The portal hypertension had subsided. All that was left was the ascites, which required a simple abdominal tap.

In the silence, Zheng Ren watched the mission counter on the System display change from zero to one. His heart beat expectantly.

Initially, accomplis.h.i.+ng ten TIPS surgeries in a month had seemed difficult due to the lack of patients.

However, with the help of Director Zhang from the Secondary Hospital, the limiting factor was addressed.

Zheng Ren thought of the hefty mission reward awaiting him and one-month mission duration, then smiled.

“Boss, we’re going to the other place to perform how many procedures?” Professor Rudolf Wagner asked.

“I don’t know, but it sounds like we’ll get however many we want.”

“That’s great. Research requires supporting evidence—” The professor’s words were cut off by another voice.

“Lil Fugui, I’m responsible for the boss’s research,” Su Yun said darkly, his jet-black hair ruffled with his sudden movement.

Professor Rudolf stared at Su Yun, his excitement dampened.

‘The research can’t be monopolized by one doctor!’ the professor thought.

In the future, other surgeons would be using the Zheng-Rudolf method to perform TIPS surgery. It was what Professor Rudolf had envisioned.

“Quit fighting. We’re making the rounds,” Zheng Ren said.

Su Yun smiled at Zheng Ren, who had little concern about the proprietary rights of his research.

Trailing behind Zheng Ren, Su Yun and Professor Rudolf discussed under their breaths, occasionally looking up to check on Zheng Ren.

After the surgery, the first thought that came to Zheng Ren’s mind was the octogenarian whom he saw in his morning rounds.

Physically, nothing was amiss, but the old man complained of pains and discomfort in different parts of his body.

Why would the old man be faking illness? His children were a filial bunch who came and stayed by his side. He was not faking it for attention.

There was no clinical indication of a disorder. Even the System did not provide a diagnosis.

Odd.

As they reached the emergency department observation unit, an idea struck Zheng Ren.

He would need Chang Yue’s help. She was familiar with every patient’s family and was better at unearthing information.

The flurry of thoughts in Zheng Ren’s head abated as they entered the observation unit.

The old man’s son was peeling an apple by the bed while he laid in bed, whistling a tune as his foot tapped to the music. The old man looked to be in peace.

Was he even sick?

Zheng Ren was sure the old man was faking sick.

He walked up to the hospital bed and said gently, “Sir, I am the chief resident in the emergency department. I’m here to check up on you. Can you tell me where you feel discomfort?”

The old man’s eyes popped open and saw Zheng Ren standing before his bed. A frown appeared on his forehead, then he held an arm over his stomach and said, “Doctor, my stomach hurts.”

Zheng Ren adjusted the old man’s legs so that he was in a supine position. He rubbed his hands to warm them before proceeding with the physical check up.

The old man’s acting was not a match for Zheng Ren’s expert palpation a.s.sessment.

After a round of examination, Zheng Ren found nothing concerning.

Although his mind arrived at that conclusion, Zheng Ren hesitated to order a hospital discharge for the old man.

Arguments about the elderly taking up public resources were often seen online, made by keyboard warriors who hid behind a screen of anonymity. A man in his eighties could theoretically pa.s.s on at any moment and thus, could be said to deserve the medical care and attention.

A forceful removal could elicit an emotional outburst that would cause an unpredictable outcome… Zheng Ren would ideally want to sidestep this potential landmine.

They would move the old man to the emergency wards, just to be sure.