Chapter 29: A Call to Raise the Standard

After graduating from college, I returned to my hometown to work at Shuangchuan County People’s Hospital as a doctor. I’ve done it all—Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, and Emergency. I’ve devoted fourteen years to this job, rising from an intern to an attending physician, and if everything goes well, I should be promoted to associate senior rank next year.

Jin Mingxi mentioned his past for the first time.

“Wait a minute, you’re 35 this year, right?”

Dr. Xu’s habit of being meticulous had reared its head once again.

“Yes, I’ve just turned 35. If I can’t secure a residency at Tuyu Hospital this year, I might never get another chance.” Jin Mingxi was clearly racing against time.

There are actually many ‘society doctors’ like him.

Securing a residency at Tuyu Hospital is notoriously difficult.

It’s like the old scholar-prodigies who, even with white hair, never gave up on the imperial examinations.

Many social doctors who fail to secure a residency at Tuyu this year will try again next year—as long as they’re under 35, they keep fighting.

“You graduated with your bachelor’s at no later than 23. After fourteen years of work, aren’t you 37 already?” Dr. Xu’s piercing gaze fixed on him.

That was a glaring inconsistency.

Not long ago, Dr. Xu had given Zhou Can a similar hard stare.

“Well, back in elementary school, I skipped three grades. I was even known as a prodigy for quite a while,” Jin Mingxi explained with a smile.

Prodigies like that can be found all across the country.

There are even special classes just for young geniuses.

It was amazing—Jin Mingxi was so talented in his youth that he skipped three grades.

“You’ve worked for so many years at your county hospital; why are you now aiming for a residency at Tuyu?” Dr. Xu asked curiously.

If I could hang on for one more year, I’d soon earn that associate senior rank and finally see a breakthrough.

Even as an associate chief physician in a county hospital, life can be quite comfortable.

At that point, there was no need to subject oneself to the hardships of residency training at Tuyu Hospital.

“What can I say? From a personal standpoint, there’s no reason to travel thousands of miles to Tuyu just to be a resident. My hometown, Shuangchuan County, is a remote, impoverished area that can’t retain top talent. As a result, our hospital’s overall medical standard lags far behind.”

“In my work, I often encounter patients who, due to the limitations of local medical standards and facilities, end up losing their lives. Every time that happens, it really breaks my heart, because I know their conditions could be treated at a top hospital like Tuyu.”

“That’s when I had an idea—to get into a top-tier hospital, master the craft, and then return to train my hometown hospital’s doctors. Only then can we gradually raise the local standard of medicine and save more lives.”

After Jin Mingxi finished speaking, everyone fell silent.

Such selflessness, prioritizing the community over personal interests, truly embodies the spirit of a doctor.

Many people have passion, but few are willing to sacrifice their own gains for the sake of community and local medicine.

Whenever the nation or one’s hometown is in trouble, heroes like Jin Mingxi—the ‘fool’ type—emerge.

At crucial moments, they step forward without fear of sacrifice.

Throughout thousands of years of Chinese history—from the chaotic end of the Jin Dynasty’s turmoil to the foreign invasions at the end of the Qing Dynasty—when the Chinese nation faced existential danger, countless heroes rose up.

They defended their country with such bravery that they were willing to sacrifice their lives.

This indomitable spirit and courage are etched into the very bones of the Chinese people.

“Dr. Jin, I truly believe your dreams will come true,” Zhou Can said sincerely.

If he ever had the means in the future, he would be more than willing to lend a hand.

“Thank you!”

Jin Mingxi returned Zhou Can’s smile with heartfelt gratitude.

“Incredible, Dr. Jin! What an extraordinary dream! If you ever have any questions about medicine, feel free to ask me anytime,” Dr. Xu added, clearly moved by Jin Mingxi’s determination.

He gave him a thumbs-up.

“Absolutely! Thank you, sir!”

Jin Mingxi nodded emphatically.

“Heh, Dr. Jin’s ambition is indeed great, but I believe these tasks are best left to those with greater capabilities. As for me, I wouldn’t entertain such foolish ideas.”

Dr. Lu didn’t agree with Jin Mingxi’s approach.

“Maybe so! Some things must be done by someone. I know my own limits, but even setting an example, however modestly, can make a difference.”

Jin Mingxi’s resolve remained firm, unmoved by criticism.

A self-serving person like Dr. Lu could never understand.

At that moment, another patient was wheeled in.

“Ouch, ouch, hurry up and operate on me—I’m dying here…” the patient moaned from the gurney.

The sound struck a strangely familiar note with Zhou Can.

“You two, go attend to her immediately!”

Dr. Xu ordered Zhou Can and Jin Mingxi.

“Dr. Xu, this patient arrived early this morning. She registered with Gastroenterology, and tests revealed an appendiceal stone. Consequently, she was referred from Internal Medicine to the Colorectal Surgery Department. After a long wait and unbearable pain, she learned that the Emergency Department doesn’t require a queue, so she rushed over to us. Dr. Luo Yong advised that if surgery was feasible, we should proceed.”

The nurse briefly explained the situation.

At major hospitals, their reputation attracts patients from all over the country, resulting in overwhelming numbers.

Waiting in line is a grueling ordeal every patient must endure.

There have even been cases where patients died because the wait was simply too long.

This female patient was particularly unfortunate—she spent nearly an entire day shuttling between the Internal Medicine and Surgery departments before finally running to the Emergency Department for help.

Even the Emergency Department isn’t exempt from queues.

However, patients in critical condition can be prioritized for immediate care.

Moreover, as the Emergency Department functions solely as an urgent care station handling a massive influx of patients, its expertise tends to be broad but shallow.

Even challenging cases or those that aren’t urgent are eventually redirected to specialty departments for treatment.

Zhou Can took the gurney from the nurse and looked down at the female patient writhing in pain.

A smile spread across his face.

No wonder her moans sounded so familiar.

Wasn’t she the elderly woman from the outpatient hall this morning who had falsely accused him of being a medical broker?

After a long day at the hospital, the elderly woman’s makeup was a chaotic mess and her hair disheveled.

She looked almost ghostly and frightening.

Had it not been for Zhou Can’s vivid impression of her, he might never have recognized her.

“Is there a family member with you?”

Dr. Xu inquired.

The elderly woman only groaned in pain, seemingly oblivious to his question.

Zhou Can had to repeat, “The attending is asking if you have a family member with you.”

This time, the elderly woman listened clearly.

“No one’s with me! I signed the consent form for surgery myself and already paid the fee.”

Even in such a dire state, she hadn’t called for any family.

“This surgery is classified as a Level II procedure. If done laparoscopically in the specialty department, it would be considered a Level III procedure. Not having a family member present is a significant issue!” Dr. Xu remarked while reviewing her test results.

The final decision on whether to proceed with the surgery rested with him.

Dr. Luo Yong, who was on consultation duty, could only offer his advice.

“With her intestines so obstructed, had she come in sooner, surgery might have been avoided!”

After examining the abdominal ultrasound and CT scans, he let out a soft sigh.

An appendiceal stone is essentially a fecalith lodged in the appendix.

If not severe, it can be treated conservatively.

Medications might even expel the stone.

But if it develops into a full-blown intestinal obstruction, nearing necrosis, that’s when it becomes critical.

In such cases, the appendix must be removed along with the stone.

The moment the elderly woman heard that a family member was required, she looked conflicted.

Her eyes shifted to Zhou Can.

“Young man, I thought your voice sounded familiar earlier. Could you take off your mask so I can see you? Maybe we know each other,” she silently hoped, wishing that if he were an acquaintance, she could avoid having to call for family.

Zhou Can removed his mask, a playful smile tugging at his lips.

“Hello, ma’am!”

He greeted her just as he had that morning.

“Ah… could it really be you?” The elderly woman, who had hoped he might be someone she knew who could help get her better care, was dumbfounded when she finally saw his true face.

It was an ironic twist—wasn’t he the young doctor she had earlier denounced as a medical broker?

“Hehe, what a small world—here we are again.”

Zhou Can grinned contentedly.

Earlier in the outpatient hall, she had vented her anger at him as a supposed medical broker; now, as his patient, she seemed resigned to her fate.

Her greatest fear, however, was the possibility of Zhou Can taking revenge on her.