Chapter 357: A Crisis at the Family Gathering

Director Wang’s expression instantly grew serious after hearing the news.

“If the child developed breathing difficulties this quickly, it means the fishbone’s injury to her esophagus is quite severe. I suggest taking her to the hospital urgently, before anything worse happens.”

Most people don’t realize how dangerous this can be.

Only seasoned doctors like Zhou Can and Director Wang truly understand the risks—a tiny fishbone claiming a life isn’t as rare as people think.

“Stop waiting for Professor Wei. Get her to the hospital now!”

Uncle looked devastated, weighed down by guilt like a man condemned.

“Did you call in another doctor to take a look?” Director Wang asked, a bit embarrassed.

Honestly, Zhou Can’s skills are more than enough to handle this. There shouldn’t have been any need for another opinion.

Director Wang and Cheng Dazhuang couldn’t figure out why Zhou Can just sat there, not getting involved with the little girl at all.

But this wasn’t exactly the sort of question they could ask out loud.

“Oh, here’s the thing—my cousin works at the Provincial Children’s Hospital. When he checked on the child, he felt unsure, so out of concern, he called his teacher’s teacher for help. That’s the Professor Wei Zhengru I mentioned earlier.”

Cousin struggled to keep his worry under wraps as he explained.

“I see! No wonder. Professor Wei Zhengru is a renowned expert at the Provincial Children’s Hospital. Having him oversee things will be even safer. Still, with danger this close, you’d better take her to the hospital right away!”

Director Wang nodded knowingly.

If the blood-swelling in her airway worsened, the little girl’s life might be at risk.

And things could decline in the blink of an eye.

At the hospital, doctors would at least be able to act quickly—performing an airway incision or providing oxygen, things like that.

Here at the restaurant, even the best doctor can’t do much without proper equipment. No one wants to stand by and watch a child slip away.

“He’s here! Professor Wei just arrived!”

Chen Shangfu had been keeping watch at the door. He jumped up when an old man entered with two younger people in tow.

He rushed over to greet them.

Moments later, he led Professor Wei over to join the group.

Director Lu greeted Professor Wei with a smile and introduced himself, but before he could finish mentioning he was the director of the Xinhai City People’s Hospital, Professor Wei cut him off, waving a hand. “Where’s the patient? The child comes first.”

That’s real medical ethics, always putting the patient first.

“She’s over here! Please take a look—she’s been choking on this fishbone for over twenty minutes, and now she’s having trouble breathing!”

Cousin quickly summarized the situation.

“Oh dear, for the swelling to be this bad in such a short time, the fishbone must be quite large and deeply embedded. Children’s tissue is so tender, a sharp bone does even more harm. She needs surgery at the hospital, urgently.”

After examining the girl, Professor Wei presented his treatment plan.

At those words, Uncle swayed unsteadily, and Aunt hurried to steady him.

“Hey! Hold on!”

She quickly searched Uncle’s jacket pocket, found his heart pills, and made sure he took them.

The thought that only surgery could remove the bone hit Uncle hard—regret overwhelmed him, and his heart gave out.

“Maybe we can get an X-ray first. If no vital vessels are injured, we could try using a laryngoscope and long forceps to remove the bone,” Zhou Can offered.

Every surgery comes with risks and puts a huge strain on the patient.

If there’s any way to avoid surgery, Zhou Can believes you should take it.

After all, the little girl was his niece. No matter how much Uncle’s family doubted his abilities, he owed them his advice.

“Her esophagus is especially fragile and narrow. Trying to use long forceps might not be realistic.”

Professor Wei Zhengru instinctively glanced back at Zhou Can.

“If we’re careful, we might have a shot. And if the swelling is dangerous, after the X-ray we can intubate her airway to keep it open and prevent suffocation. If handled quickly, the swelling usually eases within twenty-four hours.”

Zhou Can, though young, was every bit an equal in skill and experience.

Discussing treatment with a top pediatric expert like Professor Wei, he didn’t lose a bit of confidence.

“Which hospital are you from, young man? Judging by your tone, you don’t sound like one of Xinhai County’s usual doctors,” Professor Wei finally looked him over.

Experts can size each other up in just a few words.

During the discussion, Cousin Chen Shangfu couldn’t get a word in—his skills simply weren’t on the same level.

Not even Director Wang dared question Professor Wei’s diagnosis or plan.

He was a cardiothoracic surgeon, after all—treating children’s airway obstructions wasn’t his area.

Without hands-on knowledge, anything he blurted out would only invite ridicule.

Zhou Can spoke up, argued his case, because he truly had the ability to back it up.

“I mean no disrespect. I’m just stating my view. I’m a trainee at Tuyu Hospital.”

Zhou Can knew the tempers of these old experts.

Their pride can be even greater than their skills.

To be challenged publicly by a younger colleague—of course Professor Wei was displeased. That was only natural.

“A trainee at Tuyu Hospital? When you discussed the treatment just now, you spoke so confidently and your eyes were so determined. Clearly you know what you’re doing, not just spouting theory. No offense, but while Tuyu Hospital is strong, I doubt a trainee’s reached that level yet.”

Professor Wei’s sharp eyes missed nothing, his experience vast.

He’d picked up on all sorts of hints from Zhou Can’s remarks—and he was spot on.

As they say, nothing beats age and experience.

“There’s no need for me to lie. I am indeed a trainee.”

Zhou Can answered honestly.

“What’s your name? Who are your mentors?” Professor Wei prided himself on knowing all the notable doctors from Tuyu Hospital.

“I’m Zhou Can. My official mentors are Dr. Xu Chen and Dr. Hu Kan, though I’ve learned from many others as well.”

Zhou Can replied calmly.

“Dr. Xu Chen from the Emergency Department?”

Professor Wei’s pupils shrank, and his face turned solemn.

He looked at Zhou Can with new respect.

“That’s right!”

Zhou Can nodded.

“No wonder you’re so skilled. Fast Scalpel Xu Chen, Steady Scalpel Hu Kan—both your teachers? The last time I lost a case to you, I can’t even feel bad about it.”

Now Professor Wei was chatting with Zhou Can instead of tending to the girl, making Cousin’s whole family fidget nervously.

They dared not interrupt.

They could only pray the conversation would end soon.

“I think this is our first meeting? I don’t recall ever competing with you, and medicine isn’t about showing off—it’s about saving lives.”

Zhou Can felt sure he hadn’t met Professor Wei before.

“When you said your name was Zhou Can, I knew it was you. I treated a little boy who swallowed a live fish and developed vomiting, nausea, and a low fever. No matter what I tried, he didn’t improve. You ended up curing him—do you remember that case?”

Professor Wei fixed Zhou Can with a searching look.

“I recall that patient. It took me a lot of effort to diagnose him… Oh! Was the specialist at Provincial Children’s Hospital you?”

Realization finally dawned on Zhou Can.

“I’m a bit ashamed—it was me treating that boy. That case has puzzled me ever since. When we have time, I really want to discuss it in depth with you. But right now, let’s get this little girl to the hospital!”

Professor Wei actually admitted, in public, that he wanted Zhou Can’s advice.

To everyone else, it felt unbelievable—like something out of a storybook.

But listening to their exchange, it was obviously true.

Uncle’s family finally understood—the real ‘expert’ here had been Zhou Can all along, not the professor they’d pinned their hopes on.

That old saying proved right—you only hear sloshing from a half-full bottle. The ones with true ability stay quiet.

The stronger you are, the more modest your demeanor.

Director Lu and Director Wang stared at Zhou Can, faces alight with discovery.

So Dr. Zhou wasn’t just a top heart stent surgeon, he was also expert in pediatric cases! Judging from Professor Wei’s words, his diagnostic skill might even surpass the top-ranked expert.

Right then, Chen Shangfu was completely stunned.

If his own grand-mentor sought out Zhou Can’s advice, where did that leave him? The gap was enormous.

Any pride he’d felt had vanished, replaced by deep respect.

Just look at how warmly Professor Wei treated Zhou Can—his talent was obvious.

Without real ability, a professor of that caliber would never openly admit defeat, much less ask for advice.

A saying goes—people value their reputation above all else.

Professor Wei was a renowned expert, especially conscious of his status and image in public.

Chen Shangfu wondered privately just how good his cousin really was.

A trainee from Tuyu Hospital who could win respect from the province’s top pediatric expert—this had to be a first.

Chen Shangmei had been boasting before, saying if Zhou Can couldn’t make it at Tuyu, she could help him get a job at the Third Hospital.

Now, seeing Zhou Can’s true strength, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

With such prowess, passing probation at Tuyu would be a breeze. His future was immeasurable.

And not just that—one of his mentors, Dr. Hu Kan, was the most famous cardiothoracic expert in the province. With teachers like that, the future looked brighter than ever.

Director Wang, learning Zhou Can was Dr. Hu Kan’s protégé, was filled with resolve. He decided right then to stay on Zhou Can’s good side.

Anytime County People’s Hospital faced tough cases in cardiothoracic surgery, he could reach out to Zhou Can for help.

With that decision, Director Wang regarded Zhou Can with a new intensity.

His gaze was full of respect and eagerness.

“Dr. Zhou, is this little girl related to you?”

Director Lu’s question clearly had deeper meaning.

“Yes! She’s my niece. Deputy Chief Zhou is my cousin—we’re as close as brothers.”

While Zhou Can didn’t outright ask for help for Zhou Hai, he made sure to highlight his close bond with his cousin.

When dealing with clever people, you don’t need to spell everything out. One hint is enough.

“Since she’s your family, if you ever need anything, I’m here to help. And send the girl to our People’s Hospital—I’ll handle the arrangements.”

That’s exactly why Director Lu asked about their relationship.

If the girl wasn’t close to Zhou Can, he wouldn’t interfere. Treatment would just go by the book.

Now that he knew she was Zhou Can’s niece, he planned to do everything possible. He’d use his authority to mobilize resources for emergency care—another way to win Zhou Can’s favor.

“Thank you! Thank you so much, Director Lu!”

Cousin bowed gratefully, barely able to contain his excitement.

With just his deputy chief status, Director Lu would never have stepped in. This was all for Zhou Can’s sake.

“Professor Wei, as the pediatric expert here, we’ll need you to come with us!”

Zhou Can looked to Professor Wei, inviting him along.

This was his way of showing respect.

Zhou Can himself felt quite confident about treating Huanhuan.

“Of course! I’d be glad to work with Dr. Zhou. After the scans, let’s formulate the plan together. Maybe surgery really can be avoided, just like you said.”

After learning Zhou Can’s true identity, Professor Wei naturally accepted his earlier diagnosis.

He was eager to see how Zhou Can would handle the fishbone extraction.

Learning from this would give him a new approach to similar cases back at the Provincial Children’s Hospital.

“No time to lose—let’s go! Director Lu, Director Wang, I’m sorry for not being able to host you today. Please stay and enjoy a meal with my parents—they’ll be happy to have you.”

Zhou Can apologized warmly to Directors Lu and Wang.

Seeing their son’s achievements, Boss Zhou and his wife were flushed and beaming, happier than ever.

They hurried to greet Directors Lu and Wang.

Having such distinguished guests willingly drop by was a real honor.

Their son had achieved so much but never bragged about it or even mentioned it at home.

“No need, really. We only came to see Dr. Zhou. Now that you’re heading to the hospital to help your niece, we’ll join you—we might be able to help or provide resources if needed.”

Director Lu had no intention of sticking around for a meal.

He declined politely on the spot.

With everything settled, they set off with Huanhuan for the hospital.

What was supposed to be a lively family meal was abruptly dampened by the accident.

At the hospital, scans revealed the fishbone was quite thick.

Whether it was due to swelling or Huanhuan’s attempts to swallow, the fishbone was wedged horizontally in her esophagus.

After careful study, Zhou Can believed forceps extraction could work.

He discussed with Professor Wei, and they settled on a treatment plan: Zhou Can would first attempt endoscopic removal, and only try emergency surgery if that failed.

……

Eight minutes later, the large fishbone was successfully extracted. The room erupted in applause.

Even a task that seemed as simple as pulling out a fishbone turned out to be much trickier than anyone imagined.

The difficulty was extremely high.

No one—not even Professor Wei—was confident about removing the bone without causing more damage to the girl’s esophagus.

But Zhou Can pulled it off perfectly and won everyone’s admiration.

Outside the endoscopy operating room, Cousin’s whole family waited anxiously.

It had been less than ten minutes when the operating room door swung open and a nurse carried Huanhuan out.

Cousin’s heart sank—she was out so quickly, he feared for the worst.