Today, the neurology department at the Third People's Hospital was in a state of disarray. Yesterday, the Director had delivered a significant announcement to all the doctors, stating that one of them would be required to assist Lin Chang in the surgical procedure for Mrs. Cai. However, unlike the Director, many of the doctors were skeptical of Lin Chang's abilities and perceived her as a novice with no prior experience in the medical field.
"Director will be here anytime soon, Is anyone willing to offer assistance to Dr. Lin?" one of them asked sarcastically.
"Not me. I ain't risking my hard-earned medical license for some no-name doctor like her," another one chimed in.
"Indeed," many of them agreed, nodding in affirmation.
"Dr. Kan, can you please convince the director not to drag us into this mess?" pleaded one of the doctors.
"Exactly, I just don't understand what did director see in her? I mean, other than good looks, she has no other advantage," remarked one of the doctors. "She's like a beautiful flower vase, only for decoration.
Dr. Kan's spirits lifted slightly as he eavesdropped on the hushed chatter of his colleagues. That day when he discovered Lin Chang's name on the ILDR tracker, he was overcome with a potent mix of shock and fury. To make matters worse, she had also exposed his error in Mrs. Cai's medical records. For a physician with decades of experience, it was an unforgivable sin for someone to call out their mistakes. And to add insult to injury, the person who had done so was none other than the individual he had previously looked down upon. How dare she have the audacity to point out his mistake? What could she possibly know with her limited experience?
As Dr. Kan's colleagues turned to him with eager eyes, he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. His vanity was being fed, and he reveled in the attention. "Don't fret, my dear colleagues," he assured them. "No one can force you to assist her. If the director asks, simply decline with a clever excuse."
With Dr. Kan at their side, other doctors breathed a sigh of relief. After all, who was Dr. Kan? He was the head of the neurology department, a master in his field, and respected by all in the hospital. The doctors in his department knew better than to cross him, lest they face his wrath.
Dr. Kan's lips curled into a wicked smirk as he thought of Lin Chang. How dare she point out his mistakes and try to take over his case? He would show her what it meant to disrespect him.
The department kept buzzing with discussion when suddenly, a hush fell over the room. One of the doctors caught sight of the director making his way towards them and announced, "he's here guys."
All eyes turned towards the door as the director strode in, his presence commanding attention. With a warm smile, he greeted the room, "Good morning everyone. I understand you're all incredibly busy, so I won't take up too much of your time."
The director wasted no time in getting down to business, reminding the team of the upcoming surgery scheduled for the following day. "Has anyone decided who wants to assist Dr. Lin?" he asked, his voice both authoritative and respectful.
Silence filled the room as the director waited patiently for a response. Minutes ticked by, but no one spoke up. The director furrowed his brow in confusion, scanning the room as everyone avoided eye contact.
"Everyone, I'm waiting!" he exclaimed, his smile still in place but his tone growing more insistent.
Dr. Kan stood on the sidelines, his eyes fixed on the unfolding scene. A sly smirk played on his lips as he sauntered over to the director, his gait oozing with arrogance. "Director," he drawled, "I daresay no one in their right mind would want to lend a helping hand to a mere novice, especially if it means putting their hard-earned medical license on the line. And as you well know, we are all swamped with work, so don't hold your breath waiting for any of us to step up." He cast a knowing glance at his colleagues, who all nodded in agreement.
"What? But she has guaranteed 100 percent chances of successful surgery. You are underestimating her right? But let me tell you, this young woman may only be 19, but her knowledge surpasses that of any seasoned doctor. I have been in constant communication with her for six days now, and I can assure you that she is more than capable"
Dr Ken raised an eyebrow skeptically. "And what about the risks? What if something goes wrong?"
The Director's eyes widened. "She has already signed an agreement stating that any accidents during the surgery will solely be her responsibility. You have nothing to worry about."
But Dr Ken was not convinced. "Director, I appreciate your enthusiasm, but we have too much on our plate to take on this so-called privilege. I suggest not to disturb any of us."
The Director's smile faltered, but he remained determined. "Very well, Dr Ken. But mark my words, this young woman will go on to do great things in the medical world. And when that day comes, I hope you will remember this conversation."
Dr. Ken paid no heed to the director's words and was just about to speak when a hesitant voice interrupted him. "Director, may I have the honor of assisting Dr. Lin?" The voice belonged to a young man in his late twenties, who spoke with a hint of trepidation.
The room fell silent as everyone turned to look at the young man in disbelief. Even the director was taken aback, but he quickly regained his composure and smiled warmly at the young man. "Of course, Dr. Song. Please follow me," he said, gesturing for the young man to follow him out of the room.
As soon as the director left, Dr. Ken's face contorted with anger as he turned to face the young man. "Song Mu, how dare you go against me?" he growled, his eyes flashing with fury. Song Mu took a step back, his fingers trembling with fear.
But Song Mu refused to back down. "Dr. Ken, I have nothing else to do at the moment, so I am more than happy to assist with tomorrow's surgery," he said, his voice steady and resolute. And with that, he turned and followed the director out of the room, leaving Dr. Ken seething with rage.
It is widely known among the staff of the neurology department that why Song Mu is currently unoccupied. In fact, he has been without duties for a period of one month. Upon his arrival at the hospital, Song Mu was met with disdain from his colleagues due to his origins in a small village in the west. Additionally, his questioning of Dr. Kan's treatment plan resulted in him being nearly ostracized by Dr. Ken. And now that he crossed him again, his fate is sealed, and there is no escaping the consequences of his actions.
Meanwhile in Southern district
"Hao. What's keeping you so busy that you don't even sleep well?" Lin Lisha inquired as she came out of her room and spotted Lin Hao perched on the couch in living room.
Lin Hao had been diligently toiling away at his research ever since Professor Gu had criticized his concept, he had been scouring his surroundings for inspiration, hoping to strike gold. But alas, his efforts had been in vain, and he was still grappling with a dearth of viable ideas.
"Mom," he said with a grin. "It's about my research paper."
Lin Lisha approached her son with a gentle smile, her hand reaching out to caress his cheek. "Hao, I am so grateful to have you and Chang as my children. You both are so devoted and diligent that I have no worries about your future." She paused for a moment before continuing, "Hao, I understand that you may not have the best opinion of Chang. But could you please give her a chance? You've already formed a negative impression of her based on rumours, but you know what they say about rumors - they're just that, rumors, with no evidence to back them up."
"Mother, I am aware that the malicious rumours surrounding her are unfounded. However, I find myself at a loss when it comes to forging a connection with her. The mere notion of having a younger sister has always been a nightmare for me. You are well aware of the torment that Yun Chun has inflicted upon us. That's why, just give me some time. Nevertheless, my perception of her has undergone a positive transformation," Lin Hao expressed. His countenance shifted from one of fury as he mentioned Yun Chun, but the thought of his biological little sister brought him a sense of solace.
"Take all the time you need, Hao," Lin Lisha spoke softly, her eyes brimming with tears as she thought of her daughter. "But please, be gentle with her. She's been through so much already, living with the weight of false rumors on her shoulders."
Lin Hao's eyes remained fixed on his computer screen, his mind consumed with the task at hand. "I know, Mom," he replied, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "But I have so much on my plate right now. My college wants me to present them at an international seminar, and the pressure is really getting to me."
Lin Lisha's heart sank at the sound of her son's weariness. "You need to take care of yourself, too," she urged him. "You're not eating or sleeping properly. Please, don't let this opportunity consume you. And don't worry you'll win, because I know how intelligent my son is, you will make me and your teachers proud"
"Mom, it's easier said than done," Lin Hao sighed, his eyes wandering aimlessly. "Back in middle and high school, I was a shining star. Teachers and students alike looked up to me. But now, in university, I feel like I'm light years away from the advanced world."
Lin Lisha regarded her son thoughtfully before speaking. "Did you know that your uncle Bao was also an exceptional student in his university days?" A smile played at the corners of her lips as she reminisced about her younger brother.
Lin Hao was taken aback when his mother revealed that his uncle had attended university. He had never been privy to this information before.
"Indeed, he and Wang Hai were enrolled in Shandong University in Jinan, pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Vehicle Engineering. They shared a passion for automobiles and motorcycles," Lin Lisha divulged, before trailing off.
Intrigued, Lin Hao probed further, "What happened next, mom?"
"Subsequently, Lin Quin, your elder uncle, wanted to venture in restaurant buisness. Our parents, in turn, denied to allocate funds towards Bao's education. Furthermore, Gao Fa's actions exacerbated the situation, ultimately leading Bao to leave his university studies and seek employment in various menial positions," conveyed Lin Lisha, who expressed deep sympathy for her younger sibling.
Lin Hao felt sorry for his uncle and was a bit mad at his grandparents. He said, "My uncle doesn't deserve this. I don't know why they treat him and you so unfairly."
"Let's not dwell on it, Hao," Lin Lisha spoke with a gentle tone. "I told you this to let you know that Uncle Bao is also here for you. If you ever find yourself struggling, don't hesitate to reach out to him for assistance. And don't underestimate the power of your younger sister, even though she's in her final years of high school. Sometimes, the youngest ones can surprise us with their wisdom and insight." Her smile was warm and comforting, a reminder that they were never alone in their struggles.
Lin Hao smiled and nodded at his mother and said, "sure mother I'll talk to both of them tomorrow"