Chapter 120: A Surge of Change

Everyone was stunned.

Chief Resident Shen had been furious just moments ago—how could he suddenly embrace the resident’s point of view?

The turnaround in opinion was astonishingly swift!

“What’s your name?”

For the first time, Chief Resident Shen scrutinized Zhou Can; his look, once icy, now carried a gentle warmth.

There was even a hint of barely noticeable admiration in his eyes.

“My name is Zhou Can!”

Confronted with such a heavyweight chief physician, Zhou Can remained remarkably composed.

Unlike his fellow junior doctors who scrambled to curry favor, he was like a refreshing breeze.

“From the Emergency Department, named Zhou Can… So, you really are Zhou Can! No wonder you’re exceptional!”

Chief Resident Shen not only refrained from criticizing him, he went on to heap praise upon him.

Everyone’s minds reeled in confusion.

What on earth was happening?

And judging by Shen’s tone, this resident must have quite the reputation.

“Who is he?”

One doctor whispered to a colleague.

“I know him. He topped this year’s residency recruitment exam at our hospital, even though he only holds an undergraduate degree.”

A fellow resident recognized Zhou Can immediately.

Nowadays at Tuyu, many graduate students can’t even get in.

Undergraduates who enter Tuyu all possess formidable strength.

“Securing the top spot in the residency exam is truly impressive. With the intense competition this year, it’s no wonder even Chief Resident Shen has heard his name.”

Clearly, most people were unaware of Zhou Can’s brilliant exploits in the Emergency Department.

Their understanding of him was exceedingly one-sided.

Chief Resident Shen’s high standing ensured he was privy to all major hospital affairs.

He knew that Zhou Can had made multiple significant contributions in the Emergency Department.

Moreover, several heads of major departments held this young man in high esteem.

The notorious ‘Cover-Up Case’ that had rocked the hospital’s upper echelon only amplified Zhou Can’s influence—so many department heads had even stepped forward in his defense.

In the end, even Deputy Director Bai had been forced to compromise.

What a formidable force he was!

“Doctor, are you really considering adopting this resident’s opinion?”

Dr. Shan couldn’t understand why Chief Resident Shen had done a complete 180.

“Dr. Zhou is so adamant about his belief that something is awry with the patient’s leg. We can’t dismiss his opinion just because of his junior status—at the very least, it merits our careful attention.”

Chief Resident Shen’s words seemed more like a self-justification than a genuine admission.

If he wasn’t mistaken, Zhou Can’s reminder must have made him realize that there was indeed an anomaly in the patient’s leg.

Given his high status and sterling reputation, he couldn’t admit Zhou Can was right without hesitation.

Otherwise, it would be like punching himself in the face.

That’s why those who ascend to leadership are masters of quick adaptation.

To stubbornly cling to an error while knowing one is wrong is pure folly.

A person like that wouldn’t last long even if they rose to a leadership position.

“Xiao Zhou, explain your diagnostic reasoning in detail!”

Seizing the moment, Chief Resident Shen bent over to re-examine the patient.

This time, his examination was notably meticulous.

He focused on the patient’s subcutaneous bruises on the foot and even pressed the swollen area.

“Around eight o’clock, while examining the patient, I noticed that the bruising was confined to this area. Now, barely an hour later, it has stretched to the ankle. This indicates that the purpura in the patient’s leg is worsening, which is definitely abnormal. If it were merely bruising from a preoperative wheel injury, it should have remained static and not spread so quickly.”

Zhou Can laid out his observations and conclusions with clear, logical detail.

“Moreover, the swelling is intensifying. When pressed, it felt exceptionally hard, suggesting that lymph or fluid is building up. Frankly, if we cannot pinpoint the exact cause, the risk of surgical failure skyrockets.”

In saying this, Zhou Can had at least allowed Chief Resident Shen and Dr. Shan to save face.

If the root cause wasn’t identified and rectified promptly, the surgery was sure to fail.

It could even jeopardize the patient’s life.

At best, it might result in amputation.

And it wouldn’t be a simple amputation at the incision site; if left untreated, a high-level amputation from the thigh might be necessary.

By that stage, preserving the patient’s life would be the sole concern.

There would be no time to worry about losing the leg.

“Your analysis is spot on and your observations are impressively detailed. What do you think is causing it?”

Chief Resident Shen seemed to be testing him.

“The chance of a vascular injury is low—it must be a thrombus,” Zhou Can replied.

As he spoke, he deliberately shot a glance at Dr. Shan.

Female doctors in Orthopedics were a rarity.

Dr. Shan had managed to secure her position amid fierce competition and had even made a name for herself.

That achievement was no small feat.

Female doctors have both advantages and disadvantages in surgery.

They might lack the physical endurance of male doctors and sometimes their logical reasoning falls short. In emergencies, their mental fortitude isn’t always as robust.

Yet, some female doctors remain remarkably calm, even outperforming their male colleagues in critical rescues.

Moreover, their dexterity lends them a natural edge in performing intricate surgeries.

Dr. Shan maintained a stoic expression.

Perhaps she was deliberately masking her inner embarrassment.

After all, Zhou Can’s diagnosis directly implicated an issue with vascular anastomosis.

That was her most prized area of expertise.

At this moment, she still clung to a sliver of hope, as the final results were still pending.

“For a resident to diagnose at this level is quite commendable. Keep in mind, however, that the simultaneous appearance of swelling and purpura doesn’t necessarily indicate a thrombus—it could also be a case of graft rejection. The affected part of the leg was nearly detached; when the patient was brought in, only a thin layer of skin was still intact. Functionally, the surgery is akin to replanting an amputated limb, if not more challenging.”

Chief Resident Shen summarized his thoughts.

While it appeared he was guiding Zhou Can, he was largely trying to save face for himself.

“Send the patient for a color Doppler ultrasound, but only examine the area below the knee.”

A subtle smile tugged at Zhou Can’s lips.

Although Chief Resident Shen verbally denied the presence of a thrombus, the examination he ordered betrayed his inner doubts.

Color Doppler ultrasound is the most commonly used noninvasive method to detect vascular thrombi.

It effectively assesses whether there is a thrombus in an artery, vein, or any organ’s vessel.

Everyone present—from attending physicians to residents—was well aware of this.

It was evident that this resident truly had skill!

From that moment on, no one dared to underestimate Zhou Can again.

……

Chief Resident Shen quickly wrapped up the rounds.

Once he left, Dr. He ushered Zhou Can into his office.

“Dr. Zhou, you were too impulsive earlier. Even if you genuinely suspected a postoperative anomaly, you could have waited until after the rounds to report it. That surgery—where Chief Resident Shen and Dr. Shan, among others, worked over 11 hours—was something they took great pride in. Criticizing it in front of the patient and so many doctors undermines their efforts.”

Dr. He had been nearly terrified moments ago.

Having angered Chief Resident Shen, he was sure to be caught up in the fallout.

“I understand all this. But have you considered that waiting until after the rounds might delay treatment? The sooner the leg is treated, the better it is for the patient. Delays could prove disastrous.”

There was no doubt about Zhou Can’s intelligence or emotional maturity.

If it weren’t for the urgency, why risk offending senior doctors by being the one to speak up?

“Anyway, please be more cautious in the future. Otherwise, as your superior, I’ll have a hard time covering for you.”

Dr. He set a strict rule, albeit with a hint of reluctance.

Not every doctor is willing to jeopardize their career for a patient’s sake.

After all, that’s nothing short of foolhardy.

The rounds incident didn’t have a lasting impact on Zhou Can.

He continued with his work as usual.

Apart from being somewhat timid and overly cautious about his future, Dr. He was otherwise very competent.

He not only patiently taught Zhou Can how to manage a ward and handle emergencies but also walked him through reading patient scans.

Whether it was ultrasound, X-ray, CT, or MRI films.

In Orthopedics, X-rays were taken more frequently.

During his internship, Zhou Can had learned to read scans, but only at a superficial level.

Later, after spending three months with Dr. Xu, his scanning skills improved, though he was still far from an expert.

He could only grasp the basics.

It wasn’t like those seasoned attendings and chief surgeons who could immediately decipher the deeper details in a film.

For instance, Dr. Xu once took one look at a patient’s color ultrasound and instantly diagnosed cardiovascular disease.

It turned out to be accurate upon further investigation.

The patient indeed suffered from severe coronary artery sclerosis.

How Dr. Xu made that deduction still puzzled Zhou Can immensely.

That was a testament to his skill.

Now, under Dr. He’s guidance, Zhou Can was learning to read X-rays effectively.

Especially since some barely noticeable fractures truly tested a doctor’s acuity and experience.

Sometimes, the radiology department could only mark certain parts, as their scanning skills were also limited.

This is where the diagnosing doctors and surgeons, with their keen eyes, played a crucial role.

……

By the end of the shift, although Dr. He had initially planned for Zhou Can to take the night duty, he ultimately didn’t assign him this arduous task.

Perhaps recognizing Zhou Can’s tremendous potential, he thought that forging a good relationship now might prove useful later.

Temporary gratification is fleeting.

If Zhou Can later harbored resentment over this, it would be counterproductive.

After work, Su Qianqian—sporting oversized sunglasses—was already waiting in the hospital’s outpatient lobby.

“When did you get here? You must’ve been waiting a long time!”

Zhou Can quickened his pace, his eyes fixed on the girl he dearly loved.

They had been together for nearly a month now,

and he still found it somewhat surreal.

While others might rush into a flash marriage, their romance had ignited like lightning.

Their love had blossomed almost without warning.

It was as if they had fallen for each other on the very night they shared drinks.

Of course, for Su Qianqian there had been a bit of courtship involved.

It all started when Zhou Can delivered her a set of keys late at night and heroically chased away some thugs.

After all, every girl wishes for a strong protector.

No girl would be drawn to a timid man.

Zhou Can’s display of strength and assertiveness was exactly what girls admired.

Later, when Zhou Can intervened at a drinking party to rescue her—and without taking advantage of her drunken state—it only heightened her admiration for him.

That left her with an exceptionally high regard for him.

But what truly bound them was that unforgettable night in her darkest hour.

That day, when her work was in shambles, and she was stricken with uremia while drowning in a debt of over 300,000 yuan, the pressure drove her to the brink of despair.

She had even considered ending her life.

At her lowest, it was Zhou Can who stayed by her side through that unforgettable night.

The warmth he offered and the tender sweetness of budding love left an indelible mark on her.

And after that, nothing more needed to be said.

Zhou Can splurged 1.6 million to buy her a music album that freed her from a burdensome contract, and invested 4 million to co-found an entertainment company solely to promote her.

Really, who could resist such an overwhelming display of love?

When Su Qianqian saw Zhou Can, her face lit up with pure joy.

“I knew you were at work, so I only sent you a WeChat message. So, did you miss me?”

“Missed you! Missed every inch of you!”

“You rascal!”

She playfully scolded him.

“Hehe, didn’t you say women love a charming rogue?”

“I’m no match for you! From now on, everything’s in your hands.”

She laughed.

“Weren’t you going to take me to an amusement park for a wild ride? It’s about 5:40 this afternoon—we can easily have fun until around nine.”

Zhou Can wrapped his arm around her, and they walked out together.

“Alright! But you have to keep an eye on me—I’m the most timid. When I see that Ferris wheel, I get weak in the knees.”

Like most girls, she retained a childlike sense of wonder.

Hearing that Zhou Can was taking her to an amusement park, she was over the moon.

Not long after they left, Zhou Can sensed someone stealthily taking photos and tailing them.

“Qianqian, don’t look back. It seems we’ve attracted some paparazzi.”

Her popularity was skyrocketing, even surpassing her former prime.

Paparazzi were everywhere.

They thrived on snapping every bit of celebrity privacy—a truly despicable habit.

“Ah… What do we do? I’ve dressed up so nicely, yet they still target us—paparazzi really have a nose for this stuff.”

She said dejectedly.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got this. The hospital is my turf. Not just one, even if ten paparazzi show up, they’ll get a taste of defeat.”

With a protective arm around Su Qianqian, Zhou Can approached two hospital security guards.

“Hello, I’m a doctor at the hospital.”

He flashed his ID badge; after all, a doctor’s status commanded respect.

At least the security, cleaning staff, orderlies, and others who depended on the hospital were eager to curry favor with doctors.

“Hello, Dr. Zhou. How can we help you?”

The security guard responded in an obliging tone.

“There’s someone behind us with suspicious intentions. Could you help detain him and check his ID?”

Zhou Can instructed.

“No problem! Rest assured, we won’t let him keep tailing us.”

The security guard exchanged a glance with his partner as they kept a close eye on the suspect slowly drawing near.

Zhou Can and Su Qianqian quickened their pace, and the tail did as well.

After following for only a dozen meters, two security guards promptly seized the suspect and pinned him to the ground.

“What are you doing? Why are you tailing a doctor from our hospital?”

“Let me go! Let me go!”

The paparazzo struggled frantically.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Zhou Can led Su Qianqian to a swift exit.

“Haha, you really know how to handle things. If I ever encountered paparazzi like this, I wouldn’t know what to do but hide.”

Su Qianqian felt remarkably secure with Zhou Can by her side.

Thanks to his clever maneuver, he had effectively dealt with the pesky paparazzo.

“Just a few days ago, a particularly nasty paparazzo even tossed one of our date photos at me, demanding 20,000 yuan.”

Su Qianqian recounted the incident, her tone seething with anger.

“You didn’t pay him, did you?”

“Where would I get the money? I’d give my life for it.”

Burdened by hundreds of thousands in debt and barely affording medicine,

she thought the extortion by that paparazzo was utterly shameless.

“And besides, what’s wrong with dating? It’s nothing scandalous.”

“You’re on the rise in your career now. It might be wiser to keep your relationship under wraps. Have you mentioned this to Mr. Li?”

Zhou Can asked.

“I haven’t told him.”

She shook her head.

“It’d be best if you did. He might offer you some professional guidance.”

Zhou Can realized that popularity often brought complications.

If possible, he might even arrange for a reliable female bodyguard for her.

After all, no one was allowed to harm his woman.

……

The next day, Zhou Can and Jin Mingxi rushed to the Orthopedics Department for work.

Today was finally his turn to enter the operating room.

Jin Mingxi mentioned that among yesterday’s residents, two were exceptionally fierce.

Only six residents in total would be allowed in the operating room.

That put a slight pressure on Zhou Can.

Under the guidance of Dr. Yang, Zhou Can and five other residents entered the operating room.

This state-of-the-art laminar flow operating room, worth over a hundred thousand, was clearly far superior to the regular OR in the Emergency Department.

“Remember, your task is to assist with the surgery. At the end of the shift, the chief surgeon will score your performance. Exceptional performance might earn you a permanent spot.”

Dr. Yang gave a brief instruction before hurrying off.

Not long after, Dr. Shan—the same one from yesterday—along with two nurses and two assistant doctors, entered the operating room as well.

Perhaps due to the already high number of residents, no interns were allowed in.

“Hey, you all are early!”

Dr. Shan’s gaze swept over the group of six.

When she noticed Zhou Can among them, her expression turned slightly surprised, and her glance at him was icy.

Zhou Can thought to himself that the situation wasn’t good.

Judging by the circumstances, Dr. Shan was very likely to be the chief surgeon today.

Having offended her yesterday, if she decided to give him a hard time, he might be eliminated on the spot.