Zhang Wen was secretly pleased; he had never wanted to perform the surgery in the first place, and thus turned to leave immediately!
Tang Zhong's expression turned ugly; what kind of doctor was this?
"Hold on, isn't there a saying that a doctor should have the heart of a parent? This girl clearly is in the early stages of leukemia, with your skills, the treatment should be effortless. Besides, it's not like the fees won't be paid, it's just a late payment." Tang Zhong said earnestly.
"Early stages, young man, you seem to know a lot, even aware that it's the early stages of leukemia!" Zhang Wen said coldly, "Since you're so capable, why don't you perform the surgery? What do you need me for?"
This was pure hassle; with so many onlookers, he felt extremely annoyed. Nowadays, it seemed anyone dared to talk back to him.
At this point, people began to gather around, including nurses and patients.
When they realized one of the parties was Zhang Wen, they all expressed a hint of surprise; they still vividly remembered his recent lecture. Who dared to trouble this distinguished man? And when they saw that the other was a manual laborer, disdain was apparent in their eyes.
What's with these laborers nowadays, so brazen without money for treatment. Don't they know how precious an expert's time is?
As the crowd grew larger, a smile appeared on Zhang Wen's face.
Tang Zhong began to feel an instant disgust towards Zhang Wen; what kind of person was this?
Is this how a doctor behaves?
Life is the most precious, what does money amount to?
"This should be a piece of cake for you, so why won't you do it?"
"Piece of cake, huh? It's been a long time since I've seen someone who dares to talk big like that. Do you even know what leukemia is? Do you understand what white blood cells are? From your tone, it seems as though you know everything. In that case, why don't you perform the surgery on the patient? I believe with my skills, I could definitely persuade Mingcheng Hospital to provide you with the equipment and nurses. If that's not the case, then it's best you keep your mouth shut. I would have taken action had you prepared the money, but now I won't do it because you have disrupted my mood for treating patients. So, please step aside, I am leaving. Tonight, I'm catching a plane to visit my master, Yan Beitian!" Zhang Wen said coldly.
The spectators couldn't help but snicker; they couldn't understand what this laborer was thinking, daring to argue with Zhang Wen. Now, even if they had the money, he refused to treat the patient. Just wait for their crying.
Tang Zhong's expression remained icy when he heard the name "Yan Beitian," and he asked, "What is Yan Beitian to you?"
"You better watch your mouth. Is Yan Beitian someone you, a laborer, can address so casually? Weren't you contradicting me just now? Now I'll tell you who I am. I am the disciple of Yan Beitian, the master, a disciple of a medical authority." Zhang Wen boasted proudly.
He seemed to have already glimpsed the horror-stricken face of the laborer before him. He guessed that the laborer, upon hearing his affiliation, would immediately kneel and beg him. The more Zhang Wen thought about it, the more excited he became, exasperated that just anyone dared to defy him.
Yet, the expected scenario did not occur; Tang Zhong couldn't even be bothered to reply.
"If you won't go, then I'll save her," Tang Zhong said. Performing surgery on site was an option, but it would be a waste of time. Better to use "that" method.
His words reached the ears of those around, and nearly everyone thought they had misheard.
"What did that laborer just say?"
"He said he'd conduct the surgery for leukemia. Good heavens, I must have heard wrong."
"No, you haven't; that laborer is an idiot, talking big in front of Zhang Wen."
Not only that, even Zhang Wen was taken aback by Tang Zhong's words, but he soon burst into laughter.
"Even a sparrow aspires to become a phoenix. As a laborer, you have a nice dream, wanting to become a doctor to treat leukemia. It's a commendable thought, but, I remember your elementary school teacher must have taught you the saying: when the elephant plows the field, the cow is dead. If any laborer could cure diseases, what would we need doctors for? I forgot to introduce myself; I am Zhang Wen, I've researched leukemia for ten years, and I'm a graduate of Fuli University," Zhang Wen sneered.
But once he finished speaking, Zhang Wen slapped his forehead, "Look at my memory, always telling you things that are profound and mysterious, apologies. You're a laborer, you probably didn't even graduate from elementary school, right?"
Everyone knew Zhang Wen was mocking the other man, yet not a single person felt that Zhang Wen was in the wrong. The other party was just a laborer, challenging an authority like Zhang Wen; truly didn't know his own limitations.
An old lady who had been watching the scene stepped up beside Tang Zhong, "Young man, don't be stubborn. He's an expert, better than us. Let's just accept it, and admit defeat. Tiantian has lived a hard life. She lost her parents when she was young, and now she's afflicted with this illness... Sigh."
The old woman's eyes filled with tears as she spoke.
"Granny, rest assured, leave this matter to me. I will treat Tiantian's illness," Tang Zhong reassured the old woman.
The old lady's face looked sullen, but it brightened a bit after hearing Tang Zhong's words.
"Young man, I am content with your words; we can't blame anyone for Tiantian's illness. If anyone is to blame, it's because we are peasants, we don't have money."
Tang Zhong didn't continue the conversation; instead, he just smiled.
Then he looked at Zhang Wen, clearly and slowly saying, "Medicine has its ethics, a doctor should have the heart of a parent. If a doctor doesn't even possess the most basic professional integrity, then no matter how great his achievements are, he doesn't deserve to call himself a doctor because he's unworthy. And you, Zhang Wen, are at best just a quack."
Zhang Wen's face turned extremely unsightly upon hearing these words, enraged to be spoken to like this by a laborer.
"What are you, to talk to me like this; go ahead if you can, or else shut your mouth," Zhang Wen retorted.
"Fine, I'll do it." Tang Zhong said with a smile.
Suddenly, the whole room almost burst into laughter, a laborer claiming he could treat leukemia, which could easily be the joke of the day.
Ignoring the surrounding eyes, Tang Zhong began, "I expect, during the treatment, no one should come near."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Wen laughed out loud, "Fine, I said earlier, whatever equipment you need, just ask, I can definitely manage. But I fear you would be the one embarrassing yourself."
"I need no equipment; I require peace and quiet. It's better if no one disturbs me, after all, it won't take long to complete," Tang Zhong replied.
"Alright, I'll grant your request. But let's get one thing straight; if you fail, I'll sue you for defamation. Of course, if you don't want me to sue you, you can kneel down and beg me, and naturally, I'll consider sparing you. After all, a doctor should have the heart of a parent," Zhang Wen said with a smile.
Tang Zhong's expression turned icy as he looked at Zhang Wen and said indifferently, "Don't worry, I won't lose, after all, to me, this is but a trivial matter!"