Doctor: Picking Up Attributes in the Hospital-Chapter 542 - 420: Life Is Tough, the Frog Must Perform (Part 2)
Xu Hongdou asked casually.
"If not for livelihood, who would dress like this and stand out here for an entire night."
Zhao Heng said with a touch of melancholy.
Honestly, if he hadn’t had this extraordinary encounter with the system, his salary working with medical equipment might not have sufficed for his living expenses. He might have ended up wearing this mascot suit, trying to earn some extra money on the street.
Living in North City is truly no easy feat!
Just as Xu Hongdou and Zhao Heng were observing the frog mascot and chatting, Zhao Heng saw the green-skinned frog mascot, which had been saluting pedestrians continuously, suddenly become still. It seemed to sway briefly and then collapsed to the ground, scattering the "Frog Son Balloons" it was holding everywhere.
Pedestrians initially thought the person inside was just fooling around, smiling knowingly; some even took out their phones to capture the moment.
However, several minutes passed, and the collapsed frog mascot remained motionless, making the onlookers realize something was wrong.
"Somebody help!"
"Is there a doctor?!"
Having walked a distance away, Zhao Heng faintly heard the cries and immediately turned back, running towards the frog mascot.
Upon reaching the scene, Xu Man Ni immediately called 120 for emergency services.
Zhao Heng crouched down to assess the frog mascot’s condition. As he did, a security guard from the mall approached.
"Sir, I’m a doctor. Help me remove this helmet."
Zhao Heng said to the security guard.
"Alright!"
The security guard quickly understood and crouched down as well, assisting Zhao Heng. The helmet was incredibly snug, and it took both of them considerable effort to finally remove it.
Wow!
As the helmet came off, the person inside the green-skinned frog mascot revealed himself to be a white-haired old man, startling the crowd of onlookers.
Everyone had assumed that the person inside the frog mascot selling balloons would undoubtedly be a young individual, as the weather was too hot, and the mascot costume was heavy. Without great physical strength and stamina, one couldn’t endure standing even for an hour, let alone an entire day.
Stuck inside the suit during the scorching heat made it sweltering and stuffy, akin to being in a steamer.
Seeing the true identity beneath the frog mascot as a white-haired old man, while Zhao Heng was also shocked, he immediately began to assess the old man’s condition.
He observed the old man’s pale complexion, the fine beads of cold sweat on his face, checked the pulse, and instantly his expression became very grave.
Considering the scene where the old man collapsed suddenly while wearing the frog mascot costume, Zhao Heng could essentially determine the situation.
A rapid pulse, general weakness, pallor, cool and moist skin, cyanosis, along with sudden loss of consciousness and coma, Zhao Heng was certain it was acute cardiogenic shock requiring immediate emergency intervention.
"Doctor, how’s this old guy?"
The security guard was shocked when he saw the helmet reveal an elderly gentleman older than himself, feeling complex emotions since he had driven the frog mascot away earlier that afternoon.
"It’s acute cardiogenic shock; he must be taken to the hospital immediately."
Zhao Heng stated to the security guard.
"The emergency vehicle will take a while to get here; do you have a first-aid kit—medications?"
Zhao Heng felt the old man’s pulse again and asked the security guard.
"I’ll get it!"
The security guard rushed off quickly and returned, panting with a bottle of medication.
"Doctor, this is all we have; will it work?"
The security guard handed the bottle to Zhao Heng.
Zhao Heng inspected the bottle and saw it was Rapid Heart-Saving Pill.
"Yes, support him a bit. I’ll administer the medication."
Zhao Heng nodded. With Rapid Heart-Saving Pill available as emergency medication, it seemed waiting for the ambulance would be feasible.
"Alright."
The security guard nodded, and with their combined effort, Zhao Heng used the bottled water he carried to help the old man take the Rapid Heart-Saving Pill.
Soon, the medication took effect, and the old man opened his eyes slowly, realizing many people were gathered around him.
"Frogs... frogs..."
The old man’s first reaction upon waking was to tremulously point towards the scattered "Frog Balloons" and speak.
"Don’t worry, old man. I’ve gathered the frogs for you."
The security guard assured the old man, collecting the scattered frog balloons.
He promised that if this old man came again in the future, he wouldn’t chase him away.
The ambulance soon arrived, and Zhao Heng briefed the emergency doctor on the situation. The ambulance then transported the old man to the hospital.
Watching the ambulance drive off, Xu Hongdou remarked emotionally, "Life is tough; even a frog performs for a living!"
"Now you realize how good your own life is, don’t you? Stop pondering stuff constantly."
Xu Man Ni took the opportunity to softly lecture Xu Hongdou.
"Doctor, about that old guy earlier, is he going to be alright?"
The security guard, now holding several frog balloons, asked Zhao Heng.
"There’s no major problem, it was caught in time. A week or two under observation should suffice."
Zhao Heng replied.
"That’s good, that’s a relief."
The security guard exhaled deeply.
In the afternoon, when he was driving away the frog mascot, the mascot remained silent. Back then, he felt that the person was stubborn.
Only now did he realize the silence was the final act of resilience.
Afterwards, Zhao Heng and the other two found a newly opened Thai hot pot restaurant, settled down, and ordered food.
"Making a living nowadays is really tough."
Xu Hongdou commented with some lament.
If she didn’t have such a good family background, she too would be struggling for survival.
The elderly gentleman earlier must have been over seventy, yet at that age, he chose to wear a taxing frog mascot to earn some extra money, even learning to salute like a frog; morning till night, saluting to anyone passing.
This must be because life has pushed him to such an extent.
"Now everywhere is focused on layoffs and efficiency improvements; jobs are hard to come by. It’s not surprising to see phenomena like this."
Zhao Heng said.
Although his current situation is quite good, truthfully speaking, the broader environment truly isn’t easy to navigate.
When he last met Wang Yaoqing, Wang Yaoqing’s enthusiasm towards Zhao Heng was almost overwhelming. The gratitude felt almost awkward.
It was after chatting with Wang Yaoqing that Zhao Heng learned many software companies on par with Wang Yaoqing’s have gone bankrupt over the years, with only a few still standing, even those now struggling to stay afloat.
Thus, peers see Wang Yaoqing’s thriving software company as impressive amidst adverse conditions, some with envy. Several executives from former competitor companies have even sought jobs at Wang Yaoqing’s firm, with simple demands.
A job, salary payment, and social insurance coverage would suffice.
Many seeking jobs from Wang Yaoqing were once industry experts, talent Wang Yaoqing couldn’t recruit before, yet now they humbly seek merely a job.
"Regardless of the time, we healthcare professionals, at least can count on having a meal."
Xu Man Ni sighed.
"Alright, despite what’s happening around, sister, brother-in-law, we—a family—can just live happily and comfortably each day."
Xu Hongdou smiled lightly.
"Yes, as long as the family lives well, there’s no need to worry much."
Xu Man Ni echoed.
However, Zhao Heng could not seem to cheer up, unable to articulate the feeling.
"Brother-in-law, don’t overthink it; come, try these green shrimp, they’re fresh."
Xu Hongdou apparently noticed the subtle melancholy in Zhao Heng’s demeanor and placed a green shrimp in his bowl.
