Chapter 549: The Body’s Second Heart, Secretly Seeking Treatment

The more test results Zhou Can reviewed, the tighter his brows furrowed.

The patient’s X-ray showed no obvious enlargement of the heart or pulmonary edema on the chest film. The color Doppler echocardiogram indicated the heart’s size was within normal limits, valve functions were fine, but the left ventricular ejection fraction was below normal.

After meticulously going through every test, Zhou Can realized this 17-year-old young man’s condition was far more complex than he’d imagined.

Typically, heart failure involves at least one abnormality in the heart itself.

Yet, this patient’s heart—whether in size, muscle condition, or the tricuspid and mitral valves—appeared entirely normal. Apart from the subpar ejection fraction, everything else checked out fine.

Of course, due to the reduced ejection capacity, his heart rate was significantly higher than normal.

This wasn’t a defect per se, but rather a compensatory mechanism of the heart.

What could be causing the ventricle’s ejection fraction to fall below normal?

You can’t just crack open a living person’s chest to take a peek. The only option was to rely on various test results, combined with a doctor’s diagnostic experience and medical knowledge, to make a comprehensive assessment.

At Zhou Can’s level, his evaluations often matched what you’d find if you did open the chest—unless it was some subtle anomaly that instruments couldn’t detect.

For instance, tumors smaller than 1 cm are tough to spot through imaging or ultrasound. MRI, a major advancement in medical diagnostics, can sometimes detect tumors under 1 cm.

But if the tumor is too small or hidden, even MRI might come up short.

At Zhou Can’s expertise, through reading scans and analyzing biochemical tests and auxiliary results, he could achieve assessments as accurate as an open-chest examination.

The invention and use of various diagnostic tools aim to identify the true cause of illness without harming the patient.

Otherwise, to pinpoint a minor issue, you’d have to cut a patient open five or six times, maybe even seven or eight.

Opening the abdominal cavity only to find the problem isn’t there, then suspecting an organ in the chest and cutting again… it’s unthinkable.

After reviewing all the patient’s tests, Zhou Can assessed that there were no obvious defects in the heart.

But one thing warranted caution: if the patient’s heart rate remained elevated for too long, it could lead to severe consequences like heart enlargement or myocardial ischemia and necrosis. The risks were significant.

This young man had chronic heart failure, but with medication control, his young age, vitality, and strong resilience, his heart hadn’t shown particularly drastic changes yet.

There were signs of heart enlargement, though still within a reasonable range.

As for myocardial ischemia or necrosis, those hadn’t appeared yet.

Zhou Can racked his brain, frowning deeply. Where exactly was the root of this patient’s condition?

Now he understood why even the top cardiac experts in the Imperial Capital were at a loss.

The cause of this young man’s condition was incredibly elusive.

Given the poor ejection capacity of the heart, a transplant wasn’t the best option, but it was worth considering.

It’s like repairing an electronic device. If an engineer can’t figure out which component failed—or if it might be the circuit board—and the device just won’t work, experience and common sense point to the motherboard as the likely culprit.

If you can’t pinpoint the exact issue, what do you do?

Replace the motherboard. It’s the simplest and most straightforward fix.

The experts in the Imperial Capital, stumped as they were, had suggested a heart transplant for the young man.

“Your condition is very complex. Stay here for observation for a couple of days. I’ll work with other doctors at the hospital to do our utmost to identify the cause. But I can’t make any guarantees. If during your stay you notice any overlooked symptoms, new issues, or recall important details about your condition’s onset, feel free to tell the attending doctor or nurse anytime.”

Unable to determine the cause just yet, Zhou Can could only arrange things this way.

In clinical practice, countless patients go undiagnosed.

Sometimes, doctors manage to treat an illness without ever figuring out the exact cause.

“Alright, thank you! Please do your best!”

The patient expressed his gratitude to Zhou Can.

As Zhou Can and Director Xueyan stepped a few meters away, they overheard the patient’s family member scoff in a dismissive tone. “I knew it. These so-called internet celebrities are all hype and no substance. How skilled can someone so young really be?”

“I have a good feeling about Dr. Zhou. He seemed genuine just now, taking the time to examine me carefully. Since we’re here, let’s be patient and see how things go in a couple of days.”

The patient’s words brought Zhou Can a small measure of comfort.

A day passed in the blink of an eye.

Whenever Zhou Can had a moment, he poured his efforts into uncovering the cause of the 17-year-old boy’s condition.

There was no new information from the Cardiothoracic Surgery department.

This meant the patient’s condition remained unchanged, with no additional useful clues provided.

Even after work, Zhou Can’s brow stayed furrowed, even while eating.

People traveled thousands of miles from the Imperial Capital to seek his help. He had to live up to that trust.

What could be causing the heart failure in this young man surnamed Lan?

The experts in the Imperial Capital had even checked the patient’s ECG signals, and the results came back normal.

Truth be told, if the cause of heart failure couldn’t be identified, even a heart transplant might not solve the problem.

A new heart could still fail again.

Take uremia, for example. It can cause blindness, and even if you replace the entire vitreous body with cutting-edge tech, it won’t help. The root cause isn’t in the eyes but in the kidneys’ loss of function, leading to toxin buildup.

“Even while eating, you’re still mulling over your ‘national affairs,’ huh?”

Su Qianqian teased with a smile from beside him.

“Heh, I just can’t crack this tricky case. This is my job, after all—I have to take responsibility for my patients. That boy is only seventeen, incredibly driven and ambitious. I can’t bear to see a future pillar of the nation wither away like this. Doesn’t the saying ‘heaven envies the talented’ hold some truth?”

Zhou Can had come to see how many idioms were rooted in reality.

And how they seemed to play out time and again.

“How can you say that?”

Su Qianqian tilted her head, questioning him.

“Look at you back then, struck with kidney disease and nearly incurable. Now this boy, equally outstanding, is battling a mysterious illness that’s just as hard to treat. In clinical work, I often meet incredibly sensible and brilliant kids or young adults with terminal conditions. It feels like the heavens are jealous, deliberately sending down calamities.”

Zhou Can never used to believe in concepts like heavenly will or fate.

But after witnessing so much in clinical practice, his understanding of destiny had deepened a bit.

“Didn’t Mencius say in ancient times that when heaven bestows a great task on someone, it first tests their resolve and toughens their spirit? To achieve greatness, one must endure more hardship and trials than most. Keep thinking about that patient’s condition. I won’t disturb you.”

She loved quietly staying by Zhou Can’s side.

And Zhou Can cherished having her there with him.

“Why are you staring at my legs like that? People are watching!”

Su Qianqian scolded shyly.

Even after years together, she remained as bashful as a young girl in public. Perhaps deep down, she was a traditional woman at heart.

Zhou Can didn’t react, not even touching his food, just staring unblinkingly at her legs.

Seeing this, Su Qianqian realized he might be lost in thought.

After a long moment, Zhou Can’s eyes suddenly lit up.

They shone as bright as stars.

“I know where the problem lies!”

Zhou Can exclaimed with uncontainable excitement.

“Hey, work is work, but you can’t skip meals! Your body is your greatest asset. Only if you’re healthy can you help others.”

She grabbed his arm, not letting him leave.

“Alright, alright, I’ll listen to my lady. I’ll head out after I finish eating.”

Zhou Can genuinely enjoyed being nagged by her.

“Heh, always with the sweet talk! You haven’t even married me yet!”

The term ‘my lady’ warmed her heart.

Sometimes, all a woman truly cares about is a man’s sincere heart.

With Zhou Can, there were no grand promises or oaths. Just two hearts fiercely intertwined and the simplicity of everyday life. She had given him her best years, living by his side. What was she after?

Wasn’t it just a title? Wasn’t it for Zhou Can to value her, to keep her in his heart, and to love her always?

“Getting impatient, are we? Once I’m done with this busy period, I’ll go with you to your hometown. We’ll set a date for the wedding. When the time comes, I’ll marry you in grand style, with a proper procession, and make you my wife.”

Zhou Can made her a promise.

“Good!”

She was clearly pleased with his answer, gazing at him with tender eyes full of smiles. Happiness practically spilled from her face.

Zhou Can rarely made promises, but when he did, he never broke them.

This golden reliability made her trust his words without a shred of doubt.

Even his subordinates like Qiao Yu, and senior doctors like Dr. Xu and Director Xueyan, placed immense trust in Zhou Can. Building credibility is no easy feat, but losing it takes just one broken promise.

An adult with integrity is always respected.

After dinner and rounds in the Emergency Department’s inpatient ward, Zhou Can hurried to Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Upon arriving, he headed straight for the young man’s bed.

“Dr. Zhou, you’re here!”

The boy greeted Zhou Can politely, visibly glad to see him.

He could tell the boy was thrilled by his arrival.

Having come all the way from the Imperial Capital just to see Zhou Can, knowing he was taken seriously made the boy happy.

It was a mutual commitment.

“Lan Ke, let me check your legs.”

After the greeting, Zhou Can couldn’t wait to examine the patient.

The middle-aged man standing by the bed remained indifferent, watching Zhou Can with a faintly disdainful look.

Heart failure, and he’s checking the legs? What’s the point?

Even a layperson like him knew legs had little to do with the heart.

“Heh… ah… hahaha… can you stop messing with my legs? I’m ticklish!”

The boy squirmed, trying to pull away.

Zhou Can was pinching and prodding, especially around the calves.

“Doctor, I’ve got to say something. We came here for treatment, not to play around or be your guinea pig. Legs have nothing to do with the heart. What are you even doing? All this fumbling just makes it seem like your skills are laughably poor. It’s useless for treating the illness.”

The middle-aged man pulled Zhou Can away, throwing in a couple of sharp words.

Zhou Can could feel the man’s strength—he was incredibly strong.

By instinct, Zhou Can knew he was no match for him.

The man also seemed slightly surprised, sizing Zhou Can up.

When he’d pulled Zhou Can away, there’d been a subtle test of strength between them.

“Didn’t expect you to have some grit.”

The man snorted, his tone carrying a hint of surprise but mostly deep-seated contempt.

A true expert reveals their skill in an instant.

This man’s physical prowess clearly outmatched Zhou Can’s by a wide margin.

After all, practicing Sanda and combat was just a hobby for Zhou Can, while the calluses on this man’s hands marked him as a professional.

Zhou Can’s profession, however, was medicine.

“Brother Wei, don’t be rude to Dr. Zhou!”

The patient snapped at the middle-aged man.

His words carried weight. The man stepped back a couple of paces, refraining from further physical contact with Zhou Can.

“Dr. Zhou, please don’t take offense.”

The patient apologized on his behalf.

“It’s fine.” Zhou Can waved it off. “I may have found the cause of your condition.”

Treating the patient’s heart failure was Zhou Can’s true focus.

“Really?”

The patient’s breathing quickened, his face full of anticipation as he stared intently at Zhou Can.

“Medicine is a precise field, so I can’t be certain just yet. But we can verify it with some tests. If you agree, I can arrange an echocardiogram for you right now.”

To confirm the cause, the patient’s cooperation was needed.

“Yes, yes, please arrange it now! I dream of getting better and returning to school soon.”

The patient was clearly more eager than Zhou Can to uncover the cause and get treated.

The hardest part of treatment is when you can’t identify the cause.

Without knowing what’s triggering the illness, treatment is like shooting an arrow blindfolded. Hitting the target is pure luck.

Of course, for some rare diseases, no specific drugs have been developed yet. Or if the surgery is too complex, curing the illness remains a challenge.

“Hmph, a heart condition, and you’re looking at the legs? What a ‘renowned doctor’!”

Brother Wei sneered coldly.

People are like that. A bad first impression makes it hard to even speak civilly afterward.

Brother Wei clearly held a strong bias against Zhou Can.

“Brother Wei, my parents asked you to accompany me to take care of me, not to argue with the doctor. If you respect me, please show Dr. Zhou some courtesy. Otherwise, I’ll be upset.”

The patient was far more sensible than Brother Wei.

Offending a doctor in a hospital is hardly a wise move.

From their exchange, it was clear they weren’t related by blood but rather in an employer-employee dynamic.

A family that can afford a bodyguard is rarely an ordinary one.

Zhou Can had long noticed that this boy surnamed Lan carried an air of refinement uncommon in most kids. His extraordinary demeanor, the confidence and poise in his speech, all pointed to a background far from ordinary.

Since ancient times, the Imperial Capital has been the city of emperors.

At the feet of the Son of Heaven, one is either an official or nobility.

It wasn’t surprising that this boy’s family held some influence.

Not to mention, even native residents of the Imperial Capital with property are rarely poor.

If there’s a bit of family legacy, with elders in official positions, the younger generations often reap the benefits.

“Fine, fine, I’ll keep quiet!”

Brother Wei’s face was full of reluctance.

But he didn’t dare disobey his employer’s words. He stood there with an expression that seemed to say, ‘Let’s see if Zhou Can can actually figure this out.’