The Surgeon's Studio

The patient’s family was shocked at the sudden news.

“I have just returned from a conference in America and they had a patient with the same condition,” Zheng Ren lied reassuringly, loud enough that he could be heard by the patient. “I brought back a type of medication that’s very effective in treating such an illness but it’s a bit pricey.”

“She’ll be cured?” the elder son of the patient asked immediately.

“It has a 100% cure rate,” Zheng Ren replied confidently without any of his usual disclaimers.

The on-call doctor had a look of confusion. ‘Hasn’t Chief Resident Zheng been in the emergency department’s operating room for the past few weeks? When did he fly to America? Did he mean he went to a lecture delivered by an American?

‘And he has a cure that 100% works?

‘That doesn’t sound very scientific.’

Su Yun realized Zheng Ren’s intentions after the second sentence and ignored the unfolding drama. The soft curls on his forehead bobbed as he lowered his head.

“Doctor, just tell me the price and I will get the money ready,” the patient’s son said.

“There’s no rush,” Zheng Ren said as he motioned for the son to calm down. “Your mother has been suffering from the illness for quite some time. We will administer the cure first, and then you can make the payment.”

With that, Zheng Ren strode out of the emergency department rescue room.

A moment later, a nurse walked in with a 20ml syringe.

“Intravenous injection,” Zheng Ren said.

The family members were brimming with hope and worry at the same time.

Their hopes were on the miracle cure working… but a negative thought nagged at the back of their minds. What if the miracle cure failed? Was she going to spend her whole life paralyzed?

“Done. She should be able to walk after five minutes,” Zheng Ren said, “She should come in for a booster dose a week later, then all should be well. Come with me, I’ll write a bill for you.”

Zheng Ren walked out of the room without a glance back at the patient.

Su Yun, who just snapped out of a daze, said mindlessly, “There won’t be any issues as long as Old Chief Physician Pan is here.”

Zheng Ren only chuckled at his words.

Su Yun carried on with the questions, ignoring Zheng Ren’s cue to stop talking. “You’re sure it’s just delusion and not a rare disease?”

“Yes. If I made a mistake, a dose of calcium gluconate won’t do any harm,” Zheng Ren replied.

“Really…” Su Yun made to accuse Zheng Ren of being irresponsible but changed his mind at the last second. The costs of MRIs and medical tests were beyond the means of this patient’s family.

Zheng Ren was right. If it was a wrong diagnosis, they could rule out this possibility.

He went to produce the bill for the patient’s son at the emergency department reception desk.

A frown was etched on the son’s face, no doubt worrying about the exorbitant cost of the miracle cure.

‘How much would a cure imported from America cost? Would I have to sell our houses to afford this?

‘A few tiled-roofed houses should be sufficient. What else could they sell?

‘This bill did not even include the dose for next week…’

The printer spat out the slip.

“Here, take this to the payment counter and collect your medication at the dispensary,” Zheng Ren told him.

The man took the bill and checked it. There was a series of incomprehensible words on the bill but his eyes zoomed in on the arabic numerals.

A look of disbelief flashed across his face when he read the numbers.

Before he could ask Zheng Ren about them, the door slammed open and an excited voice shouted, “Dad! Grandma can stand now!”

This second surprise prompted the man to rush back to the patient’s room.

In his rush, his muscular body collided with the doorframe and Zheng Ren imagined the building shaking at the impact.

“Another correct diagnosis for you.” Su Yun leaned against the wall like a boneless mannequin. He said jokingly, “What a lucky man.”

Zheng Ren did not bother to reply to Su Yun as he could never get a word in edgewise. The System did grant him some luck points, but Su Yun did not need to know that.

The man walked out of the room, an arm supporting his mother.

The old woman was still unsteady on her feet, but it was a huge improvement from her paralysis just minutes ago.

“Doctor, thank you so much,” the two family members said to Zheng Ren.

“It’s alright.” Zheng Ren gave them a smile.

“This…” The patient’s son held out the bill. There was uncertainty on his face as he struggled with his words.

Zheng Ren was surprised.

The man decided to come clean. “Doctor, was there a mistake in the bill?”

“No. It’s a complimentary dose from an international pharmaceutical company so the hospital can’t charge you for it. Your family is lucky to be here right now,” Zheng Ren answered light-heartedly.

“The fee…”

“It’s on the house,” Zheng Ren said.

Su Yun watched the kind expression on Zheng Ren’s face with suspicion. He mentally calculated the cost of the intravenous injection of calcium gluconate solution.

The miracle cure was just a ruse for the benefit of the patient and her family.

They conveyed their heartfelt gratitude. Zheng Ren reminded them of the follow-up next week for the booster jab. This medication not only treated and cured, it also prevented recurrence.

As Zheng Ren watched the happy family leave for the payment counter, he felt his stomach growl.

The ward round had taken longer than expected and Zheng Ren lamented the thought of cold leftovers in the cafeteria.

“Why did you want them to come in for a follow-up?” Su Yun asked.

“The patient was deep in her delusion. I worry a single dose would be insufficient to convince her. A booster dose seemed like the best option,” Zheng Ren answered.

They were both experienced doctors who knew the importance of a white lie.

Su Yun said nothing in return and Zheng Ren took his silence as acceptance.

‘He’s the lucky one. He’s been working in the hospital for so long without anyone making an attempt on his life,’ Zheng Ren thought.

Once the patient was discharged, Zheng Ren made a beeline for the cafeteria.

On his way there, his phone rang.

“Yiren? What’s up?

“Oh, sure. Su Yun and I have not eaten.

“Yes, sure. Thanks for the trouble.”

He hung up and turned back to the emergency department.

Su Yun called out from behind him, “What happened?”

“Chang Yue brought the free-range eggs to Yiren’s house. They’re making fried scallions with eggs.”

“I think you mean fried eggs with scallions,” Su Yun said, deadpan.

“That’s what I said. Yiren says she’ll bring it over and have lunch with us.” Zheng Ren was fine with such an arrangement. He had very few opinions about food.

The two men walked back to the emergency department. Twenty minutes later, Xie Yiren arrived excitedly with a black lunchbox.