Chapter 22: A Test of Resolve in the Emergency Department

After being disliked three times in a row, Zhou Can’s stubborn resolve surged within him.

Even if it meant ending up in the worst department.

It would only help him grow.

The emergency department’s medical team is subpar, and the competition isn’t nearly as fierce as in the more prestigious departments. Even newcomers like Zhou Can can seize plenty of opportunities to hone their skills.

Besides, he was burning with determination—thriving in the worst department would prove his worth.

He wanted to show those department chiefs who passed him over that not choosing him was their greatest loss.

“I’m willing,”

Zhou Can replied with unwavering firmness.

“Ha!”

Someone laughed mockingly.

Irritated, Zhou Can looked toward the sound and saw Du Leng covering his mouth with a peculiar expression.

Perhaps Du Leng thought it ironic that while Zhou Can, the top candidate, was shunned, someone like him—the fourth choice—had become the hottest prospect. And when the worst emergency department extended an olive branch to Zhou Can, he grabbed it eagerly, as if he feared being unwanted.

That stark contrast amused Du Leng, prompting his sneer.

Noticing Zhou Can’s seething glare, Du Leng hastily coughed to cover it up.

This little incident did nothing to stop the other chiefs from continuing their selections.

When Director Lou from the emergency department made his pick, he chose Jin Mingxi, who held a standard college degree. He must have been impressed by Jin Mingxi’s work experience and surgical prowess.

In the retest, Jin Mingxi ranked second—only behind Zhou Can.

Had his written exam not slipped slightly, his overall score could easily have vaulted him into the top three.

“Alright, our two slots for the emergency department are now filled. Excuse me,” Director Lou announced to the other four chiefs as he departed with Zhou Can and Jin Mingxi.

With such brisk action, he surely must be very busy.

“Let me take you both to Human Resources for registration. From now on, you’re emergency doctors.”

He led the two into the emergency department.

“Hey, Director Lou’s here! Please, have a seat!”

A female clerk from the Human Resources Department beamed like a flower.

Not long ago, when Zhou Can signed his contract here, she had worn a haughty mask and spoken in a cool, distant tone.

Now, seeing her enthusiastic greeting toward Director Lou, Zhou Can couldn’t help but wonder if she suffered from split personality.

“Register these two under the emergency department. This is Zhou Can and the other is Jin Mingxi.”

Among the major department chiefs, Director Lou was at the bottom of the list,

but before a humble HR clerk, he held undeniable weight.

Her words carried particular authority.

While quickly processing their registration, the clerk laughed, “Director Lou really didn’t pick someone with a higher degree? This batch of standardized trainee doctors includes plenty of postgraduates!”

If there were only a few postgraduates, Director Lou couldn’t compete with the other chiefs and would have to choose the leftovers. That made sense.

But since over 70% of these trainees were postgraduates, it was hard to imagine both slots going unclaimed.

“Our emergency department needs those who can actually get things done. Their degrees may be lower, but their surgical and diagnostic abilities are strong—they can be put to immediate use. Besides, trainees rotate departments. Hiring someone with a high degree may look great, but they’d demand extra nurturing. Once training is over, they might easily move on to another department.”

After hearing Director Lou’s explanation, the clerk giggled, covering her mouth.

“Miss, please don’t laugh. Our emergency department has a heavy workload, low pay, and high risk—it’s really hard to retain good people. The standout ones are quickly headhunted by other departments. I’ve decided to stick with those who can hit the ground running.”

The high turnover in the emergency department was simply dictated by its overall environment.

Compared to other departments, it was at a natural disadvantage.

“You have such a practical outlook. Alright, registration is complete.”

One chief noted that the clerk’s efficiency had increased dramatically.

This person, after all, was all about reality.

“Goodbye!”

Director Lou waved to the clerk as he led Zhou Can and Jin Mingxi back to the emergency department.

“Unlike other departments, patients in the emergency unit might show only mild symptoms that can quickly turn critical. You two must be extra cautious. I’ll give you a two-week adjustment period and assign an experienced doctor to guide you. If you’re ever unsure or unconfident, ask a senior—don’t be afraid of a reprimand or feeling embarrassed…”

On the way back, Director Lou briefed them on some crucial details.

For the first two weeks, he didn’t expect much from them—as long as they didn’t cause any trouble.

Barely had they arrived when a nurse sprinted over.

“Director Lou, please check the critical care room. That patient has already gone into shock three times. The family is arguing fiercely—almost to the point of a brawl,” the nurse reported breathlessly.

That patient must be the critical case Director Lou had mentioned recently.

Shock is a very specific medical term.

For most people, hearing the word ‘shock’ might immediately conjure images of a coma.

In reality, shock is far more severe.

It’s a syndrome where, after a severe insult, the effective circulating blood volume drops sharply, causing widespread, sustained, and significant reductions in tissue perfusion. This leads to microcirculatory failure and serious dysfunction of vital organs.

At this point, the body can no longer compensate, leading to tissue ischemia, oxygen deprivation, and imbalances in neural and hormonal function.

A state of shock is essentially being on the brink of death.

It’s as if half your life is dangling by a thread.

A coma can vary in severity.

For example, a common epileptic seizure might lead to a coma that isn’t particularly dangerous. Sometimes a brief lack of oxygen, a minor head injury, or even a scare can trigger a coma.

This contrast makes it clear that once a patient falls into shock, immediate resuscitation is crucial.

Otherwise, the patient could die at any moment.

That patient had already slipped into shock three times in a short span—what could be wrong with him?

With a stern face, Director Lou said nothing more and quickly strode toward the critical care room.

Not seeing any further instructions from the director, Zhou Can followed him into the room.

On his first day in the emergency department, Zhou Can found himself in a life-or-death scenario. Despite a hint of nervousness, his excitement outweighed his fears. With sufficient skill, he believed he could make a name for himself here.

There would be plenty of opportunities to learn on the job.

“Is this hospital even competent?”

“If my son dies, I’ll sue every single one of you!”

“He was conscious when he arrived, and it’s all your mediocre doctors who let my nephew slip into shock. This is murder!”

A group of family members were causing a scene at the entrance to the critical care room.

Their insults were shockingly harsh.

Having served a year as an intern, Zhou Can wasn’t used to such scenes, though he had seen a few before.

At this point, any words to the family would be futile—the priority was saving the patient.

“Please remain calm. The director is here and will do everything he can to save your child.”

A brave female nurse stepped forward to clear the way.

“Why does someone only step in when it’s too late? What were you doing earlier?”

“You’re completely irresponsible!”

It was understandable that the family was desperate and distraught.

But such unreasonable abuse towards doctors should never be condoned.

While Director Lou rushed into the critical care room, the family blocked the entrance, seriously hampering the rescue efforts.

Seeing that the nurse couldn’t control the situation, Zhou Can stepped forward, scowling, and shouted at the family, “Clear the way! If your interference results in the patient’s death, you’ll be held responsible!”

The family was visibly taken aback by his commanding tone.

“Please wait over there. We are doctors, and it is our duty to save your child. If you don’t trust us, you can have the patient transferred to another hospital. Arguing will get no one anywhere.”

Though the family wasn’t entirely pleased, they eventually backed off.

This allowed Director Lou to enter the critical care room without further delay.

Zhou Can and the others followed closely behind.

Inside the critical care room, six or seven doctors and nurses were frantically working to save a convulsing child.

The child’s eyes were tightly shut, his teeth clenched, and his face was as pale as death—it was a dire situation.

Vital signs such as blood oxygen, heart rate, and blood pressure were all in a critical state.

“Director Lou, this child was just resuscitated moments ago but has slipped back into shock. We still haven’t determined the cause,” said an attending doctor in his forties, sweating profusely and too flustered to wipe his brow.

His furrowed brow and grave expression spoke of deep concern.

“You all concentrate on saving the child and get me the medical records!” Director Lou maintained his composure, unlike the other panicked staff.

He calmly searched for the cause of the shock.

After entering the critical care room, Zhou Can first observed the child before listening as Director Lou recited the case history.

“Two days ago, the child caught a cold—he developed a fever, lost his appetite, became listless, and was excessively sleepy. After treatment at a nearby clinic proved ineffective and his condition worsened, he was rushed to Tuyu Hospital’s emergency department.”

It was just a simple cold—how had it escalated so drastically?

Zhou Can could think of only two possibilities: either the child didn’t really have a cold, given the many illnesses that mimic it, or the family was hiding something.

As a new trainee in the emergency department, his opinion carried little weight; until the cause was confirmed, he kept his thoughts to himself.

Now, the task was to methodically untangle the clues and rule out each possibility one by one.