Chapter 12: A Critical Decision

Just trying to get close to a man who exudes mature charm in hopes of questioning him about his condition will most likely be met with a firm rejection.

This type of successful man, with rich life experience, has seen it all and dealt with all manner of people.

Wise, mature, and exceptionally cautious.

Approaching him uninvited would only heighten his wariness.

So how can one quickly earn his initial trust?

Zhou Can wasn’t keen on metaphorically hanging himself from that tree.

But at the moment, he had only this man as a suitable patient.

The man had already begun climbing the steps.

And the distance between him and Zhou Can was shrinking.

Then, an unexpected event unfolded.

The man stumbled and nearly fell.

Zhou Can couldn’t help but feel elated – an opportunity had arisen.

In an instant, he lunged forward to steady the man.

“Sir, are you alright?”

“I’m… fine. Just a bit of chest tightness and angina. Thank you for a moment ago.”

The man managed to force a faint smile.

As Zhou Can steadied him, he noticed the man’s body trembling slightly.

Combined with his complaints of chest tightness and angina, Zhou Can realized the seriousness of the situation.

“I’m an intern doctor from Tuyu Hospital. Seeing your pale face and symptoms of chest tightness and angina, I suspect it might be a heart-related issue. Have you ever had a history of heart disease?”

Zhou Can supported him as they headed towards the outpatient hall.

Upon hearing that Zhou Can was a doctor from Tuyu Hospital, the man’s trust visibly increased.

“No, I’ve never had heart issues. I went for a run this morning, and when I got home, I started feeling chest tightness and couldn’t catch my breath. After a shower and changing, I began experiencing sharp pains in my left chest, so I came to see a doctor.”

The man briefly explained the onset of his symptoms.

“When you were climbing the steps just now, you nearly fell – did you also feel dizzy?”

“Yes, I felt a bit dizzy, in waves.”

Chest tightness, shortness of breath, angina, and intermittent dizziness.

And it was related to exercise too.

A deadly disease name flashed through Zhou Can’s mind.

Coronary heart disease.

It was most likely acute coronary syndrome.

This is an extremely perilous condition that can snatch a life away in mere moments.

【Pathology Diagnosis Experience +1.】

【Congratulations, your Pathology Diagnosis has risen to Level 3. Current experience 0/1000. Resident doctor at a basic level.】

His long-held desire to elevate his pathology diagnosis to Level 3 had finally come true.

He now possessed the medical skills of five resident doctors, definitely capable of outclassing his peers in the residency exam.

“Based on your description and the symptoms you’re showing, the situation looks grim. Registration in the outpatient department only begins at eight. I strongly suggest you register for the emergency department immediately.”

Zhou Can urged in a serious tone.

“I’ve never handled an emergency before!”

The man’s trembling worsened.

And most of his weight was now leaning on Zhou Can’s arm.

This indicated that his condition was deteriorating rapidly.

Glancing at his watch, Zhou Can saw he only had four minutes until the residency exam began. Accompanying this man to the emergency room wouldn’t be a matter of a minute or two.

It would inevitably make him late for the exam.

“Don’t you have any family members accompanying you?”

“My child studies abroad, and my wife’s work is extremely busy. I figured it wasn’t a big deal, so I came alone.”

Leaving the man unattended could result in a vibrant life lost due to missing the critical rescue window.

Although Zhou Can wouldn’t bear legal responsibility, he would likely suffer a lifetime of guilt.

But taking the man to the emergency department would undoubtedly make him late for the residency exam.

The cost would be tremendously high.

He might even lose his chance to secure a residency position.

Truly, fate can be cruel.

After preparing for so long and putting in endless efforts — staying up until one or two in the morning to hone his skills — his medical expertise had just reached Level 3, and he was set to impress everyone at the residency exam.

Who would have thought that at this critical moment, he would be struck by such an incident?

“Should I accompany this man to the emergency room, or leave him and rush off to the residency exam?”

It was an incredibly difficult choice.

Though the man was suffering from severe chest pain, his worldly experience allowed him to see Zhou Can’s hesitation.

“Son, are you in a hurry to get back to work? Don’t worry about me; you go on and handle your business. I’ll manage just fine.” The man understood the struggles of an intern.

At that moment, Zhou Can had already made up his mind.

From the day he entered medical university, his teachers had instilled in them the lesson, “For a doctor, virtue comes first and medical skill second. If you lack virtue, even perfect skills won’t make you a great doctor.”

A doctor without medical ethics will never become a renowned physician.

“Come on, I’ll take you to the emergency room! To be honest, I have a residency exam today and only four minutes until the entrance time, but compared to your life, this exam means nothing!”

Zhou Can supported the man as they made their way to the emergency department.

“Your noble medical ethics are admirable, young man. But is my condition really that serious?”

The man still harbored some doubts about his diagnosis.

After all, he was just an intern doctor; his skills were expected to be mediocre.

There was a chance of misdiagnosis, and even a slightly severe illness could be frightening.

“It’s very serious. I suspect it could be acute coronary syndrome – a condition that strikes suddenly, progresses rapidly, and can snatch a life in no time. You likely triggered it from your morning run, and then washing with cold water at home only worsened it. I advise you to contact a family member immediately, as any near-future surgery will require their consent.”

Zhou Can conveyed the potential consequences in a solemn tone.

After hearing how severe it was, the man hesitated briefly before finally dialing his wife’s number.

He briefly explained his situation and asked her to come to the hospital.

Zhou Can could faintly hear the woman on the other end, her voice strained with tears upon learning how serious her husband’s condition was. It was evident that the couple shared a deep bond.

In times of crisis, only one’s closest kin can be truly relied upon.

It made him long for the beauty of love even more.

As he escorted the man to the emergency room,

“I’m an intern doctor in General Surgery at Tuyu, and this patient exhibits chest tightness, angina, and dizziness, most likely due to coronary heart disease which is rapidly worsening. Please arrange for his treatment immediately.”

Zhou Can flashed his intern badge and briefed the duty doctor at the emergency department.

This was the simplest and quickest way to communicate.

“Do you have any family with you?”

“No!”

“Let’s start with a physical examination then!”

The duty doctor took Zhou Can’s diagnosis seriously. Being a doctor from Tuyu Hospital, he knew that even an intern possessed a solid medical foundation.

“Sir, do you have your ID? I’ll help you register for the emergency, and then my colleague will conduct the necessary tests and begin treatment,” Zhou Can explained.

“I’m really glad I ran into you today.”

The man quickly produced his ID along with a hundred-yuan note and handed them to Zhou Can.

After registering, Zhou Can returned the change along with the registration slip and the ID to the man.

Meanwhile, the duty doctor was taking the man’s blood pressure and heart rate.

“This isn’t looking good. We need to get him an ECG and an ultrasound immediately. Mr. Cui, please notify your family right away – time is of the essence.”

By this point, the man was struggling even to speak.

“I’ve already informed them. They should be here soon. I still have my residency exam to attend, so I must leave now.”

Before leaving, Zhou Can briefly explained the onset and symptoms of the man’s condition.

His heart felt heavy as he departed.

He hoped that the man would pull through.

…

A few minutes later, he dashed to the temporary exam hall for the residency test.

A few security guards were stationed outside the hall – likely remnants from when the crowd was larger, keeping order.

Now, there wasn’t a single examinee in sight.

Zhou Can checked his watch – 8:21. He was a full 21 minutes late.

“Hey, what are you doing?”

The security guard, noticing him trying to barge in, immediately stopped him.

“I’m an intern doctor from Tuyu Hospital here for the residency exam. Gentlemen, I apologize – I was delayed by an emergency. Please, grant me entry.”

Zhou Can explained calmly.

“Being late for something this important is unacceptable. Nearly half an hour late shows you clearly didn’t take our hospital’s residency recruitment seriously. Here at our hospital, people come first and character is paramount. A candidate like you, with no sense of time, simply doesn’t deserve to take the exam.”

The Deputy Director of the security team didn’t excessively hassle him.

He dashed inside to inquire on his behalf.

Before long, he returned accompanied by a middle-aged woman wearing glasses.

“This is Deputy Director Hu from the Human Resources Department. You can explain your situation to her.”

“Hello, Deputy Director Hu. My name is Zhou Can, an intern doctor from the hospital. I was delayed by an emergency and arrived late. I’m hoping you can make an exception so I can take the exam.”

Zhou Can kept a humble demeanor.

When addressing her, he deliberately dropped the ‘Deputy’ from his title.

Generally, people with such titles dream of having the ‘Deputy’ removed. It’s best not to address them as ‘Deputy Director’ or ‘Deputy Chief’ to avoid unnecessary friction.

Otherwise, you’re guaranteed to make enemies.

“I don’t care what delayed you – being nearly half an hour late shows you have no respect for our hospital’s residency program. A candidate with such poor time management simply does not deserve to take the exam.”

Deputy Director Hu elevated the issue to one of character, politely denying Zhou Can’s request to enter the exam hall.