CHAPTER 323: 323 PATIENTS WHO TURN MISFORTUNE INTO BLESSING

"Teacher Liu, is on-site first aid really more tiring than first aid in the emergency room?" Miao Rui asked curiously.

"It depends on the situation. Although I didn’t see the scene, such severe injuries must have been very urgent," Liu Banxia said with a smile.

"In the emergency room, we have a lot of equipment and tools. What could we possibly have at the scene? The first time responding to a scene must feel similar to the first time saving a critically ill patient in the emergency room."

"Don’t look at me like that; I’ve never been to a scene either. Back when I was in the emergency department, we didn’t have our own ambulance. The hospital’s ambulances were almost all used for patient transport."

"Teacher Liu, there will be news about our Second Affiliated Hospital’s Emergency Center tonight. It’s a shame that because of the Medical Department’s interference, you didn’t get to be interviewed," Miao Rui said.

"What does that matter? Saving a few more patients is better than anything. Besides, the credit they’re trying to give me is undeserved," Liu Banxia said.

"You all should just focus on improving your skills. In terms of practical application, I’ll pick the worst performers among you to participate. But for the first surgery? I’ll definitely pick the best performers."

"Currently, you, Liu Yiqing, and Su Wenhao are temporarily in the leading group. However, you’re not that much stronger than the others, so the competition will continue."

"Did you think I don’t know about your little schemes? Deliberately performing worse to get more practical opportunities? That might work, but it will lower your scores."

Miao Rui initially felt a bit embarrassed, not expecting Teacher Liu to have seen through everyone’s little tricks. But when he heard the latter part, a cold sweat broke out. Right, why hadn’t he thought of that? He had only considered performing worse to get more practice and train his skills, so he wouldn’t panic if he got the chance to lead a surgery. But if everyone did this, wouldn’t it mean he’d lose the chance to compete for the first lead surgery?

"So, you see, you’re still not experienced enough. You need to work harder," Liu Banxia said with a grin.

Miao Rui nodded in frustration. This was completely counterproductive.

"Dr. Liu, the patient’s cervical and thoracic spine show no fractures, but there’s a shadow near the thoracic spine. I don’t think it was caused by the car accident. We need to do an MRI to get a closer look," Qi Wentai said, walking over.

"Alright, as long as the patient consents," Liu Banxia nodded.

This was also a common occurrence. After all, some conditions remained latent and might only be detected with imaging. He wondered if it was a tumor; if it was attached to the thoracic spine, it would be very troublesome.

Qi Wentai was being overly polite now, consulting him on every little thing, which Liu Banxia found a bit frustrating. They had already discussed this: just use whatever instruments the symptoms indicated, no need to worry about other things.

It had to be said that after getting the new, more prominent premises, the number of walk-in patients had indeed increased significantly. Especially now, with the large, clearly visible sign on the main road.

Although most cases were still simple traumas, they allowed the interns to practice their hands-on skills and also brought in revenue. Liu Banxia was quite satisfied.

Seeing there was nothing else for him to do, Liu Banxia pulled out his phone and sent a bunch of emojis to Qiaoqiao.

"What are you doing?" Qiaoqiao replied quickly.

Liu Banxia called her directly.

"What’s up? I’m taking a bath," Qiaoqiao said as she answered.

"Oh, am I interrupting your relaxation? Or should I let you finish your bath first?" Liu Banxia asked with a smile.

"Get lost, what’s up?" Qiaoqiao asked.

"Being a tour guide for my parents last time was tiring. How about I treat you to dinner tonight? Let’s not go to your family’s restaurant; I always feel like I’m taking advantage if we go there," Liu Banxia said.

"Well, that could work. Let’s go to that kebab place we went to before. Their pig trotters and chicken feet are pretty delicious," Qiaoqiao said.

"Wang Mingxing’s place? I was thinking about that, but if we go, Brother Wang definitely won’t let me pay," Liu Banxia hesitated.

"Why are you so dense? Can’t you just bring him a couple of bottles of wine or something? After a few rounds of that, he won’t be able to refuse payment," Qiaoqiao said.

"How many people? I can pick you up then. I was wondering what to do tonight. Yanzi is busy with her own sweetheart, leaving me all alone."

"I’m just inviting you. Liang Xiaolin and Qing Kewa both have night shifts. I also just confirmed a surgery in Jinshui District for tomorrow; otherwise, I wouldn’t be calling you at this time," Liu Banxia said.

"I see. What time do you get off work? I’ll pick you up," Qiaoqiao asked.

"Normally, I can leave by six, but I don’t know if there will be any emergencies. Sorry to trouble you, but could you also get me a couple of bottles of wine? Something around two hundred or five hundred yuan would do. If it’s too expensive, he won’t accept it," Liu Banxia said.

"Damn, this meal is proving to be a real hassle for me—running errands and being a chauffeur! Don’t worry about it. I’m hanging up now," Qiaoqiao said, then promptly ended the call.

After hanging up, Liu Banxia picked up a book to study. Meanwhile, Qiaoqiao, still in the bath, was feeling quite annoyed. She stewed over it for a moment before picking up her phone to call Wang Xiaoyan.

"Qiaoqiao, what’s up? How did you know I just got off the plane?" Wang Xiaoyan asked as soon as the call connected.

"I need your advice on something," Qiaoqiao said.

"Oh? Sounds like something big is about to happen. Out with it, what is it?" Wang Xiaoyan teased.

"Well, Liu Banxia invited me to dinner tonight, just the two of us. Do you think he has some ulterior motive?" Qiaoqiao asked earnestly.

Wang Xiaoyan paused for a moment on the other end, then wild laughter erupted from the receiver.

"What are you doing? Are you tired of living?" Qiaoqiao was thoroughly exasperated.

"You’re wondering if he has ulterior motives? Why don’t you ask yourself if you have any?" Wang Xiaoyan said, finally containing her laughter.

"Tell me, what outcome do you want tonight? Your sister here can help you strategize. We absolutely have to reel Dr. Liu in. After all your hard work playing tour guide for his parents, you have to get some return on your investment."

"Get lost! Am I as despicable as you think? I was just helping. Just wait until you’re the one with a crooked bone, then we’ll see what you do," Qiaoqiao grumbled, extremely frustrated.

"Then you have to tell me what situation you’re hoping for. If you ask me, since you’ve been eyeing him for so long, just go for it," Wang Xiaoyan began to coax.

"I haven’t decided yet. I’m not that kind of casual person," Qiaoqiao muttered.

"Then drink tonight. Drink a lot, and then just let nature take its course," Wang Xiaoyan said seriously.

Actually, Wang Xiaoyan found it a bit exasperating. This girl didn’t seem to realize it herself, but she had already completely fallen for Liu Banxia. And yet, she pretended to be oblivious.

"What era are we in? If you don’t make an effort, all the good men will be snatched up by other women," Wang Xiaoyan continued.

"Liu Banxia will definitely become more and more famous in the future. If you don’t make your move now, with so many temptations around him, do you think he’ll just be waiting for you?"

"Also, have your beautician help you get ready properly. Don’t dress too casually, but don’t be too flashy either. That’s all. They’re calling me. Good luck, darling!"

With that, Wang Xiaoyan hung up.

Qiaoqiao, still holding the phone, felt rather frustrated. It was as if she hadn’t asked anything at all. It would have been better not to ask; it just left her distraught. However, Yanzi did make a good point about not dressing too casually. But what should she wear? It was really vexing. Still, vexing as it was, there was nothing she could do about it; she had already agreed to go and couldn’t back out now.

While Qiaoqiao was fretting over her plans for the evening, Liu Banxia at the emergency center didn’t even have time to read. The MRI results for the female driver were out. It wasn’t a tumor, but it was a dangerous vertebral artery malformation.

"Dr. Zhang, given the location, is the surgery highly difficult? Can we manage it?" Liu Banxia asked Zhang Xiao, who had been called for a consultation.

"Although there are certain risks, it should be manageable. It’s a good thing it was detected early. If symptoms had developed, it could have evolved into a vertebral artery aneurysm or caused a hemorrhage," Zhang Xiao replied after a careful look.

"I heard it was discovered from a scan of a car accident patient? That’s a blessing in disguise. Otherwise, she might not have even had a chance to be rescued. Even if she were, she might have ended up paraplegic."

Liu Banxia nodded. "I had this hunch ever since the CT scan. Doctor Qi was meticulous and arranged an MRI after he spotted it. You and Doctor Qi should communicate with the patient together. Her relatives should also be called over."

"Alright, leave it to me," Dr. Zhang nodded.

Liu Banxia felt a surge of emotion. Such was fate. A vascular malformation was truly a ticking time bomb, ready to burst at any moment.

"We’ve finally reconnected the blood vessel. She’s been sent to the ICU. Let’s observe her overnight," Wei Yuan said, returning with his team.

"Good job. All three cases today were successful," Liu Banxia acknowledged.

"If we’d known, we would have let you handle it. We’re exhausted, and you’ve been slacking off here," Wei Yuan teased.

"I’ll take the next round if there are patients. By the way, Brother Wei, keep an eye on this group; they’re all hiding their true intentions," Liu Banxia said.

"Aren’t you the one who spoiled them? Actually, their skills are quite good. Is the assessment going to be moved up, or what?" Wei Yuan asked curiously.

"Let’s see how it goes. We need to temper their mindsets first. I hadn’t tempered my mindset properly back then, which led to so many embarrassing situations," Liu Banxia said self-deprecatingly.

"You’ve done well enough. Don’t keep looking at the past; you need to look to the future," Wei Yuan said.

"Anyway, among everyone in our emergency center, only your future is limitless. The rest of us, at best, can try to advance from our current positions. But you can ascend several levels."

"Why so modest?" Liu Banxia asked curiously.

Wei Yuan gave him a helpless look. "Your capabilities are apparent. Being a doctor requires talent, and honestly, I can’t compare to you. If I could become a true associate chief physician, I’d be satisfied. I don’t ask for much more."

This was his honest opinion, and sometimes he did feel a hint of jealousy towards Liu Banxia. Anyway, with his current skills, he could, at best, barely manage to perform partial liver resections. Liu Banxia, on the other hand? He handled them with ease.