Chapter 356: A Family Crisis and Hidden Talents

After realizing his opinion carried little weight, Zhou Can no longer bothered to push his point and quietly returned to his seat.

Doctors are human, too. They have emotions and desires, and even they can feel disheartened or exhausted.

His aunt and sis-in-law clearly weren’t about to entrust the child’s safety to a low-profile trainee like him. Zhou Can could understand them, but it still stung.

Luckily, he’d been tempered by countless tough moments in Tuyu—scenes where he’d been overlooked and left out—so many times he lost count.

So right now, he looked calm as ever.

Better to let Cousin and Chen Shangfu handle things first. If they couldn’t sort it out or ran into any trouble, then he’d step in to help.

By now, his cousin Chen Shangfu had finished his call, looking visibly excited.

“Uncle, Sis-in-law, don’t worry! I just called my mentor. Turns out, Professor Wei Zhengru is in Xinhai County to check on the traditional medicine project. According to seniority, I’m considered his granddisciple. I went ahead and called Professor Wei, and he agreed to rush over to help right away.”

That’s the true power of connections.

In critical moments, they can make all the difference.

Professor Wei Zhengru is a top specialist. Normally, it’s nearly impossible to get an appointment with him at the Children’s Hospital.

Yet with just a call, Chen Shangfu managed to get him to promise to come personally and examine the child. That kind of face is rare indeed.

As he explained, Chen Shangfu looked full of confidence, pride written all over his face.

His mom and dad were bursting with pride for their son. They couldn’t have looked more satisfied.

“Bro, you’re incredible. You actually got Professor Wei Zhengru to come out himself! It’s usually over three hundred just to try to get his number at the Provincial Children’s Hospital—and most never even get a spot!”

His sister backed him up.

“Heh, that’s what you get for being his granddisciple! Now that we need his help, he has to give me some respect, right?”

Chen Shangfu grinned, riding the wave of attention.

Meanwhile, Cousin was having results of his own.

“I just asked a doctor from the Pediatrics Department at County People’s Hospital. She said, whatever you do, don’t let the kid swallow any more food. It’s best to take her straight to the hospital for an exam and let the doctors decide how to get the bone out. If it’s lodged too deep, they might even need to operate.”

That news scared Uncle, Aunt, and Sis-in-law half to death.

When something threatens your own interests, that’s when it really hurts.

Both Aunt’s family and Zhou Can’s family were anxious for Huanhuan, but compared to Uncle’s family, they managed to stay much calmer.

It’s not about being cold or heartless—just human nature.

To put it bluntly, even if something happened to Huanhuan, Zhou Can’s family and Aunt’s family might grieve for a few days, but time would dull the pain soon enough.

But for Uncle’s family, this would mean a lifetime of suffering—maybe even tearing the family apart.

“It’s my fault—all my fault!”

Uncle was wracked with guilt, pounding his chest in agony.

“Don’t blame yourself. You’ve got a heart condition—don’t push yourself too hard. Huanhuan will be fine, as soon as they get the fish bone out at the hospital.”

Aunt tried to comfort him, but worry filled her eyes.

“Mom’s right. What’s done is done—you never meant any harm. Please try not to get upset—it’s going to be alright.”

Cousin tried to ease his father’s mind, too.

After all, a stuck fish bone is usually a small thing—rarely does it lead to anything serious.

But if Uncle’s heart acted up because of this, it would be a real disaster.

“I know… but my heart just aches so much!”

Uncle had always been proud and strong. Now, ruining such a big family dinner in front of everyone was a bitter pill to swallow.

The restaurant staff had already reported the problem to the boss.

The boss soon hurried over, eager to help handle the situation.

After all, it happened in his place.

Who could have guessed—a meal barely two dishes in, and disaster struck.

“Shangfu, when will Professor Wei get here?”

Cousin asked Chen Shangfu for an update.

This was a minor incident, honestly not worth troubling Professor Wei over. But Chen Shangfu couldn’t help showing off his connections, so he invited Professor Wei Zhengru anyway.

If it were up to Zhou Can, he would have just taken the kid for an X-ray and let the doctors handle the rest.

Never use a favor unless you absolutely have to.

Asking for help means owing someone in return.

There’s no need to make something big out of a little thing.

But everyone has a different mindset. Some people live for pride and never think twice.

“The Traditional Medicine Research Center in Xinhai City? Professor Wei’s there. He said he’ll head right over.”

“That’s not far—he should be here in about ten minutes.”

Cousin finally relaxed a little, seeing his daughter had stopped crying.

But as the minutes ticked by, Huanhuan’s breathing became labored.

“Shangfu, Shangmei, please—what’s going on with her breathing?” Sis-in-law’s face turned pale as she stared at her daughter, frantic.

“Most likely the fish bone injured her esophagus. The swelling is pressing against her airway, making it hard for her to breathe,” Chen Shangfu replied, expression grave.

He wasn’t exactly experienced, but as a grad student, he knew his medical basics.

Normally, after a fish bone gets stuck, only if it’s been there a long time do you see complications—like infection or labored breathing. For Huanhuan to show these symptoms after just ten minutes meant it was a lot worse than anyone thought.

He was scared out of his mind that waiting too long would make things worse for her.

If the swelling got any worse, her airway could be completely blocked.

Suffocating like that is truly terrifying—like having a rope tighten around your throat.

“Is this really serious? I’m about to lose my mind.”

Sis-in-law stared at her child, heart in pieces.

“If the swelling becomes severe, things could get very bad. If it’s just mild, pressing on the airway a little, then there’s not much danger,” Chen Shangfu answered as honestly as he could.

But he was deeply anxious inside, terrified the swelling might suddenly get worse and leave no time for rescue.

Just then, Cheng Dazhuang strode in with two men who looked every bit the part of big shots.

One of them was none other than Director Wang of Cardiothoracic Surgery at County People’s Hospital, someone Zhou Can recognized right away.

The other was tall and broad-shouldered, his features commanding, eyes sharp as an eagle. He exuded the air of someone in charge.

“Zhou Can! Ah Can…”

Cheng Dazhuang, eager to please his superiors, was hard at work tracking Zhou Can down.

He quickly spotted Zhou Can among the diners.

But the restaurant was packed and noisy, so Cheng’s shout was swallowed by the crowd.

“Let’s just go to him directly!”

With the director giving the order, there was nothing else to say. The three headed over together.

“Lu—Director Lu, hello!”

Cousin Zhou Hai looked up and, seeing the trio approaching, jumped to his feet in a panic.

In little Xinhai City, the director of County People’s Hospital was a big deal.

As a newly promoted, mid-level cadre, Zhou Hai seemed downright humble addressing him.

But there was no helping it—with rank and position comes pressure.

“Chief Zhou, having dinner here too? Nice to see you!”

Director Lu nodded toward Zhou Hai but didn’t go over to shake his hand.

He wasn’t being aloof—there was someone even more important he needed to greet.

Whenever groups like this meet, the highest-ranked people always exchange greetings first. Anything else would be breaking the rules.

Besides, Director Lu had come specifically to meet Zhou Can. To put it bluntly, he was hoping to connect—he’d never ignore the real VIP to make small talk with Zhou Hai.

“Dr. Cheng, which one is Dr. Zhou Can?”

Director Lu looked over the group but couldn’t tell which was Chen Shangfu and which was Zhou Can.

“This one—this is my good friend Zhou Can!”

The room fell into stunned silence after Cheng Dazhuang’s introduction.

Clearly, this imposing Director Lu was here for Zhou Can.

Everyone started to wonder—could Director Lu be a fan hoping to meet Su Qianqian through Zhou Can, to get an autograph or a selfie?

“Dr. Zhou, hello! I’m Lu Daguang, director of County People’s Hospital. I heard you were back in Xinhai City and wanted to meet you. Sorry to drop by unannounced—hope you don’t mind.”

When Director Lu introduced himself, the whole room was shocked again.

The director of County People’s Hospital wasn’t some nobody—yet he’d come all this way just for Zhou Can.

For a trainee from Tuyu, was he really worth this much attention from a top hospital director?

Even the most confident members of his family realized something was off.

The Chen siblings noticed Director Lu spoke to Zhou Can with utmost respect and politeness.

They couldn’t help but rethink who Zhou Can really was.

If Director Lu was after the family fortune, he’d have tried to get close to Boss Zhou, not his son.

Looking for a celebrity like Su Qianqian made even less sense.

There was only one other explanation: their cousin Zhou Can must have a far more impressive status in Tuyu than just ‘trainee doctor.’

If the Chen siblings picked up on this, Zhou Hai—experienced in official circles—surely did, too.

“You’re too kind, Director Lu! I’ve long admired your reputation. If time wasn’t so tight today, I’d be the one paying you a visit,” Zhou Can replied, even steadier and more composed than Zhou Hai.

Compared to him, Chen Shangfu and Chen Shangmei were clearly outclassed in poise.

That innate upbringing, plus years of personal growth and refinement, gave Zhou Can the presence of a true gentleman.

He stood up and warmly offered a handshake to Director Lu.

He even clasped Director Lu’s hand with both of his—an added sign of respect.

That one simple gesture doubled Director Lu’s already high regard for Zhou Can.

“Director Wang, nice to see you again!”

After shaking hands with Director Lu, Zhou Can turned to greet Director Wang of Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Both carried substantial influence in their town.

Building good relationships now might come in handy down the road.

“Ha! I just had to tag along when I heard Director Lu wanted to visit you. Watching you handle that cardiac stent surgery yesterday—I can’t tell you how much I admire you. Such skill at your age, and a hometown connection too—I couldn’t pass up the chance to learn from you. If you weren’t so busy, I’d be pestering you for advice every day!”

Zhou Can’s initiative to greet him left Director Wang feeling seen, not sidelined—and he was all smiles.

That grin stretched from ear to ear.

Did Ah Can do surgery yesterday?

And not just any surgery—a high-level cardiac stent procedure?

All his relatives, jaws practically on the floor, could hardly believe it. Even Zhou Can’s parents were dumbstruck.

As for Su Qianqian, her eyes sparkled with pride, her smile fixed right on her boyfriend.

She’d always known Zhou Can was incredibly skilled and respected at the hospital.

Although he never bragged about his work, after two years of dating, she picked up just how impressive he really was in subtle ways.

She’d even seen him featured on the news once.

“Brother Can, did you really perform a cardiac stent surgery at County People’s Hospital yesterday?”

Chen Shangfu just couldn’t hold back his curiosity and blurted out the question.

Only another doctor like him could understand just how tough cardiac stent procedures really are.

“That’s right—I was at the hospital visiting my old friend Cheng Dazhuang, and happened to run into a heart patient. I stepped in to help out.”

Zhou Can’s humble, reserved way of replying put everyone at ease.

It’s rare to see someone that skilled stay so modest. His family respected him even more for it.

Director Lu and Director Wang were even more impressed and appreciative.

“You wouldn’t believe how amazing Dr. Zhou is! Yesterday’s patient was serious—the surgery was incredibly risky with almost no time to spare. I didn’t think we had a shot, but Dr. Zhou kept his cool, took lead as chief surgeon, and pulled it off! His surgical skills are extraordinary. Definitely one of the best from a top hospital like Tuyu. In a word—respect!”

Director Wang was no fool and he didn’t hold back on praising Zhou Can in front of his family.

After hearing that, Chen Shangfu was totally crushed.

“Lead surgeon in a cardiac stent surgery… and a really tough one at that. Brother Can, you’ve been hiding your skills!”

Chen Shangfu hadn’t even held a scalpel, much less finished a basic operation alone.

He never dreamed his cousin, just a trainee with a bachelor’s degree, could perform such a complicated heart surgery—one that’s even harder than traditional procedures.

All he felt now was shock. Pure shock.

Everyone started to see why Director Lu would personally visit Zhou Can.

No one could’ve guessed Zhou Can’s surgical abilities ran so deep.

“Huanhuan! Huanhuan!”

Sis-in-law suddenly cried out in anguish.

Director Lu’s arrival had made everyone momentarily forget Huanhuan’s situation.

“What’s wrong with the child?”

Director Lu also noticed something was wrong with the little girl.

“She choked on a fish bone while eating. Director Lu, please—you’re the director of the hospital. I’m begging you, save my daughter! Please…”

At this point, Sis-in-law was desperate enough to try anything.

“Director Wang, check on the child for us,” Director Lu said, calm and composed as always.

For Zhou Can’s sake, he wasn’t about to just stand by.

“This is our hospital’s chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery. He’s got tons of experience—everyone, stay calm and let Director Wang examine her first.”

Director Lu did his best to calm Zhou Hai’s family.

But the little girl’s condition was frightening—her breathing was getting heavier, her face twisted in pain.

She tried desperately to grab at her own neck.

It was as if an invisible rope was tightening around her throat, leaving her gasping for every breath.

“How long has the fish bone been stuck?”

Director Wang asked.

“Maybe not even twenty minutes,” Sis-in-law answered, her voice trembling with tears.

Any mother would be frantic seeing their child in danger. Even Cousin could only watch, face twisted with worry.