Director Han looked at Xue Shuheng, Lin Guorui, and the others. "Directors, what do you all think we should do?" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Everyone’s opinion was surprisingly unanimous.

"We have to operate as soon as possible!" said Director Du from pediatrics, speaking first. "The child is too young. Every minute the nail stays in his stomach, the danger increases!"

"I agree!" Lin Guorui nodded in affirmation. "Surgery is the only viable option at this point."

Inside the consultation room, everyone agreed that they should operate immediately.

But Xue Shuheng offered a different "opinion."

"Surgery is, of course, necessary. However, I personally believe that this operation should not be performed by our hospital."

Everyone was stunned.

Xue Shuheng continued, "As you can all see, the patient’s situation is extremely complex. The child is too young, and the surgical risk is immense. Our hospital specializes in traditional Chinese medicine; our equipment and experience in pediatric surgery can’t compare to the City People’s Hospital. I believe, from the standpoint of being most responsible for the patient, we should transfer him back to the City People’s Hospital. After all, their facilities are better than ours."

His words sounded grand and principled,

as if he were only thinking of the patient’s well-being on the surface.

But to Lin Guorui, Zhu Quanxin, and the others present, his true intentions were as clear as day.

They could all tell that behind all his words, Xue Shuheng’s core message was simple—he didn’t want to get his hands dirty with this mess.

An open abdominal surgery on an infant is extremely risky, with a high failure rate.

If the surgery failed and the child died on the operating table, the lead surgeon would have to bear immense responsibility and pressure.

Xue Shuheng cherished his reputation and was even more afraid of shouldering responsibility.

He was unwilling to take such a risk for a rural child he didn’t even know.

"Transfer him?"

Director Han sighed internally after hearing this.

He knew, of course, that the City People’s Hospital had better facilities, but the problem was, that’s where the patient had just been transferred from!

He sighed. "Professor Xue, your reasoning is sound. But even if we are to transfer him, we must first get the family’s consent. We can’t just force a patient out."

He walked out of the meeting room and invited in Wang Jianhao and his wife, who were still waiting anxiously.

"Sir, ma’am, it’s like this." Director Han chose his words carefully, speaking as tactfully as possible. "We just assembled our experts for a detailed consultation on your child’s condition. They unanimously agree that his situation is critical and requires immediate surgery. However..."

His tone shifted. "Considering that our City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s equipment and experience in pediatric surgery might not be as comprehensive as the City People’s Hospital’s, for the child’s safety, we recommend... that it would be best for you to transfer him back to the City People’s Hospital for the operation. Their... facilities are a bit better."

The moment Wang Jianhao heard this, the nerve that had been stretched to its breaking point finally snapped!

He shot up from his chair, his eyes bloodshot, like an enraged lion.

"Transfer him? You want us to transfer again?!" He was extremely agitated. "What do you think my son is? A soccer ball? For you to kick back and forth? My son is in critical condition right now, and you want us to drag him all over the road again? Aren’t you deliberately trying to kill him?!"

"Sir, please calm down!"

Director Han tried to soothe him. "We’re also doing this for the child’s own good! Besides, regarding that acupuncture method you mentioned, Director Zhu from our acupuncture department has already said it’s completely unfeasible. It’s impossible to remove a nail from the stomach and intestines with acupuncture."

"I don’t care! I don’t care if acupuncture works or not."

Wang Jianhao had completely lost his composure. He clung to the only lifeline he had. "Where’s that Divine Physician you mentioned? The doctor named Li Xu? Is he here? He’s not here, so what right do you have to say it won’t work? If he says it’s useless, then I’ll believe it. I don’t believe a single word anyone else says."

He was like a drowning man, desperately clutching the only piece of driftwood, refusing to let go.

"This..." Director Han was rendered speechless.

He cast a helpless look at Zhu Quanxin, his eyes seeming to say, ’What are we supposed to do about this?’

Zhu Quanxin looked equally helpless.

He knew there was no reasoning with the emotional family member at this point.

The one who tied the bell must be the one to untie it. The only way to possibly resolve this situation was to get Li Xu to come and explain things to the family himself.

He sighed, stepped aside, took out his phone, and dialed Li Xu’s number.

"Hello, Doctor Li. I’m so sorry to bother you again."

Zhu Quanxin’s voice was full of apology. "We have another emergency case at our hospital. Here’s the situation..."

He quickly explained to Li Xu about the young child who had swallowed a nail.

He finished with a helpless tone, "Right now, the family is extremely agitated and is specifically asking for you to come and take a look. Are you available? If you are, could you please come over and help us talk some sense into them?"

On the other end of the line,

Li Xu’s heart stirred as he listened.

’So, the patient from today’s intel isn’t at my clinic, but at the City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.’

[Today’s Intel: Patient Wang Zimo, one year old, has accidentally swallowed a nail, which has entered his stomach...]

Appended to the intel was a treatment plan that seemed fantastical, yet was also ingenious and exquisite.

"Okay, Director Zhu, I’m on my way."

Li Xu readily agreed.

...

「Meanwhile.」

Li Xu’s university alumni group chat was once again buzzing because of him.

[Hu Qiming: Guys, I’m live-streaming for you all again from the "front lines" of the ER.

A one-year-old who swallowed a nail was just transferred from the City First Hospital. The situation is extremely dangerous.

The experts at the City First Hospital didn’t dare to operate, but then the family heard about Li Xu’s recent exploits and are now demanding him by name. They insist he has to be the one to treat the child.

Now, all the experts in our hospital are at a loss, and the family is causing a scene, refusing anyone but Li Xu.

I don’t know... what’s going to happen when Li Xu gets here this time.]

This message once again blew up the group chat.

[Li Baojie: You’re kidding me. Again? Aren’t these family members a bit... a bit too ignorant? The last patient had something stuck in their throat. This one has something in his stomach. Those are two completely different things.]

[Miaoli: Exactly! The nail is in the stomach, this requires surgery 100% of the time. And the risk is huge. Li Xu can’t possibly use acupuncture to poke a hole in the stomach and pull the nail out, can he? That’d be a magic trick, not medicine!]

[Jiang Peng: I have a feeling Li Xu is out of his depth this time. No matter how skilled he is, he still has to follow the laws of science, right? For a physical foreign object like this, there’s no other way besides surgery. If he shows up this time, he’ll probably just end up advising the family to go with the operation.]

[Hu Qiming: @Li Xu, you here, man? Do you have a plan?]

[Li Xu: I’m on my way. A plan... Heh, I actually do have one.]

[Hu Qiming: What?]

[Miaoli: No way. What’s the plan?]

[Li Xu: It’s a secret for now.]