With those words, an air of unyielding righteousness stirred in the room.
Director Wang, pale-faced, looked at Shen Qiang with a shocked expression.
In his eyes, all the interns at the hospital were seen as worthless, doing the dirtiest and most tiring work without receiving a salary, and instead having to pay the school.
They would tolerate scolding and hardship, even act subservient, all for a favorable evaluation during their internship, not daring to utter a word in complaint.
But now, as they faced each other, Shen Qiang stood unwavering, like a mountain crushing down on Director Wang, making it hard for him to breathe.
The beautiful young woman beside him not only saw hope rekindled in her eyes but also murmured to herself as she looked at Shen Qiang, "With the righteousness in my heart! This is a real man! Sister, I found you a good boyfriend, you must cherish him in the future!"
The elderly lady was even more emotionally moved as she grabbed Shen Qiang's arm and spoke through her tears, "Young doctor, even if my son can't make it, I will be grateful to you for the rest of my life."
Hearing the old lady's words, Director Wang suddenly snapped back to reality and roared furiously, "Your so-called righteousness counts for nothing! In the Tumor Surgery department, I, Wang Bofu, am the embodiment of justice! Without my go-ahead, forget about having that surgery!"
Shen Qiang took a step forward and calmly said, "Whether a patient needs surgery or not is not for you alone to decide, and I refuse to believe that everyone in Bikang Hospital agrees with you!"
Director Wang laughed maniacally, "I'm the Director, what I say goes here!"
But just then, the Vice-Director of Tumor Surgery, Wu Guoxi, who had been sitting in the office all this time without uttering a word, suddenly spoke up, "Director Wang, this patient's situation is indeed urgent. If it's really impossible to arrange the manpower, then let me perform the operation."
Director Wang's eyes bulged, and then he furiously said, "Old Wu, are you backing Shen Qiang up?"
Wu Guoxi slightly furrowed his eyebrows, and said, "I have no relation to Shen Qiang, why would I back him up? Some things are being observed, both by humans and the heavens above."
Director Wang sneered, "Old Wu, you're less than a hundred days from retirement, why not just sit in your office and drink tea?"
Wu Guoxi said coldly, "I also wanted to coast through my days until retirement, but Shen Qiang's words woke me. You can certainly throw your weight around in the department, but I cannot, therefore, extinguish my conscience."
Director Wang's expression turned ugly as he scoffed, "Fine, very good."
He then turned to the pretty young woman and said, "You're lucky, an old doctor about to retire is willing to operate on your husband. He has cervical spine problems and hasn't entered the operation room for over a year. His hands tremble even when he drinks tea."
The pretty young woman looked somewhat at a loss upon hearing this.
At that moment, Wu Guoxi said, "I am aware of the risks of the surgery, and it's not your place to question my medical skill."
Director Wang scoffed with a chilling smile, "Apart from you, there are no available surgeons."
Glancing at Shen Qiang beside him, Wu Guoxi said gravely, "A simple stomach tumor excision surgery – I can perform it even with the help of interns."
Director Wang's face turned cold as he said sharply, "The operating rooms are all booked. If you plan on operating in the lobby on the first floor, be my guest."
"The teaching operating room is well equipped and perfectly suitable for such surgery," Wu Guoxi said evenly.
Director Wang laughed and said, "Fine, if you're willing to do it, you do it, but let me put this ugly statement up front; even if you make a mistake during surgery, you'll bear all the responsibility."
Wu Guoxi said, "Can do, I'm clear on that."
Hearing this, Dr. Liu laughed on the side. He glanced at Shen Qiang and mocked, "Director Wu, it seems you're aware of the recent professional medical exam fiasco where only Shen Qiang qualified in the entire province."
Seeing the beautiful young woman who had long been aware of this news, her gaze towards Shen Qiang became full of trust.
Director Wang coldly said, "What use is theory without practice? Interns like Shen Qiang have only learned some book knowledge. Once they're actually in the operating room, they can't even hand over a hemostat correctly."
"Exactly," Dr. Liu added with a chuckle. "Being a doctor, the knowledge from books is just the foundation; what's more important is clinical experience. There are plenty of people with good exam scores, but those who truly become renowned 'Doctors' are few and far between."
"Director Wu, you were so eager to take on this patient, mostly because you think Shen Qiang's grades are good, and with your guidance, he could almost manage the surgery."
"But don't forget, it's a joke to think of wielding a surgical knife without years of hard work."
"Is his hand steady enough?" Dr. Liu mocked with a smile. "Don't let him accidentally puncture the patient's bladder with one cut."
Hearing this, Director Wang laughed out loud: "Indeed, to practice the steadiness of my arms, I even hung sandbags on them and have trained hard to this day to achieve my current skill."
"With an intern like Shen Qiang, who trembles even when holding a spoon to drink soup, if you expect him to assist you and complete the surgery, it's no different from plotting to kill a patient."
Wu Guoxi said with a very unsightly expression and in a cold voice, "Shen Qiang is an intern under my supervision. Whether he's capable or not has nothing to do with you."
Director Wang scoffed mockingly, "A cramping old man teaching a trembling student, indeed, like master, like disciple."
Wu Guoxi raised an eyebrow, "Don't forget, Director Wang, you started as an intern too."
After speaking, Wu Guoxi ignored Director Wang and turned to Shen Qiang, "Shen Qiang, you personally inform the instrument nurse; the surgery for the patient in bed 3, room 16 has been moved to the teaching operating room. And while you're at it, help prepare a bit."
Realizing Wu Guoxi was worried about Director Wang tampering with the procedure, Shen Qiang immediately nodded and strode out.
At that moment, Dr. Liu, who stood aside, laughed and said, "Shen Qiang, I'd advise you not to participate in this surgery. Otherwise, once you're on the operating table, if you're shaking like a sieve, it'll be quite a sight for everyone."
Shen Qiang, who had already reached the doorway, stopped in his tracks. He slowly turned around and said very calmly, "If you want to see me make a fool of myself, then you should come."
Dr. Liu was taken aback. The ridiculed Shen Qiang was extremely calm, almost without a ripple of emotion, and this left Dr. Liu's face of mockery frozen in place.
Almost at the same time, everyone present was shocked to see Shen Qiang, who turned his gaze towards Director Wang, suddenly reveal a hint of scorn at the corner of his mouth.
"And as for Director Wang, I remember telling you last night that if you dared to pull any tricks, I would definitely take away everything you hold dear, and you should know that my words are absolutely not a joke."
In that instant, the arrogant Director Wang was stunned. After three seconds of silence, he stood up and said sternly, "Shen Qiang, do you, an intern, dare to threaten me here?"
Shen Qiang laughed, and as he walked away, he said, "Threaten? You're not worthy of that. This is just a notice that you'll pay the price for everything you've done."