Chapter 231: Irascible (Part 5 of 5)
Qin Liren was fidgeting like a cat on hot bricks.
He was supposed to have surgery today, but the PhD student a.s.signed to it by that professor had just informed him this morning that the surgery was postponed before simply running off without another word.
He had walked around for the whole morning looking for someone with which to clarify the situation, but could not find any doctors in the ward.
How absurd!
He had briefly considered asking the nurses, but they were all stretched to their limits as there were only eight or nine nurses between fifty-four beds in total. They could not even spare the time to talk; who would bother with him?
It would be so nice to be back home, where he would not need to deal with such matters.
At that moment, Qin Liren genuinely understood the hards.h.i.+ps of being an alien.
It was so… so difficult.
Nevertheless, he was not ready to give up yet as his condition was too serious to be delayed any further. He had not consumed any food or drink any water, hoping that he could get his surgery done by today.
It was a pity there was no one here he could bribe into getting his way.
Qin Liren regretted coming to Imperial Capital to seek treatment. Had he known that this would happen, he would have asked a professor to perform the surgery on him in Provincial Capital, which would have been more comfortable and convenient for him.
Even though he had retired, he ought to still be able to get a private ward in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Provincial Capital Medical University.
Qin Liren would have returned to Provincial Capital by now, were it not for his wife insisting that he do it at Imperial Capital for fear that inviting the professor over to their place would result in more delays.
Time pa.s.sed quickly and it was already past nine. The first patient was sent out from the operating theater.
Qin Liren paced back and forth outside of that patient’s ward. He wanted to go in and make an enquiry but felt embarra.s.sed.
The patient seemed to be in great condition. He was chatting away as though he had not just undergone a major surgery. Qin Liren was confused by the sight.
How could someone be so relaxed after their surgery? It was probably not a major operation.
However, from the patient’s description, his surgeon had been amazing. Had he made an error in judgment? Suddenly, it hit Qin Liren that the surgeon had to have exemplary skill for their postoperative patient to be in such a good condition.
Qin Liren felt envy and resentment at the same time.
Just because he was retired, he had been totally cut off from the scene. Was he not allowed an experienced doctor for his surgery?
He felt a constriction in his chest due to his rising blood pressure. Qin Liren’s face, already dark with anger, became even more enraged.
Less than an hour later, the second patient was wheeled out.
This time, Qin Liren swallowed his pride and stopped a physician hurrying back to the operating theater. “Excuse me, doctor, who’s doing the surgery today?”
“Boss Zheng.” The doctor was in a hurry, a hint of frustration evident in his tone.
Frustration was rarely visible on a doctor’s face unless they were in the middle of an emergency, when someone’s life was at stake. Was this one of those times?
Boss Zheng? It rang a bell and Qin Liren’s mind instantly recalled the young doctor from Sea City who had interviewed him about his medical history.
However, he quickly dismissed the thought.
Even birds did not choose to defecate in Sea City. Why would a doctor from Imperial Capital address him as Boss Zheng?
‘They probably share the same surname. Uhm, that’s all,’ he thought.
Qin Liren stretched his facial muscles and put up an awkward smile before asking, “Doctor, the surgery went really well, right? I saw the patient not having any discomfort afterward.”
“Of course, that was a demonstrative surgery. Is there anything else? If not, we’ll talk after the operation.” The doctor pa.s.sed Qin Liren and took off.
Qin Liren got even more envious, but the stronger it grew, the greater the bitterness in his heart.
Flowers could blossom again, but youth could never be regained.
He had not even informed his son, currently working in Silicon Valley, about his medical condition, fearing that the news would cause the kid a career setback. He had already retired, and he was not going to depend on his son… this would be his life from now on.
Qin Liren let out a sigh, feeling depressed.
Shortly after, the third patient was wheeled out.
It was a patient who had been sharing his ward; specifically, the tanned man that had greeted him. This morning, all of the patients awaiting surgery were gathered in the same room. Since Qin Liren had exchanged a few words with the man, he considered him an acquaintance and took the opportunity to sneak in together.
This time, a different doctor was pus.h.i.+ng the gurney.
However, they had the exact same expression and demeanor, scurrying back to the operating theater after sending the patient out.
“Was the surgery successful?” Qin Liren asked the patient cautiously.
“It went great, brother. Let me tell you, the surgeon today was fantastic.” The tanned man was so happy that he could not resist smiling.
“Wait, you know about surgery?” Qin Liren was surprised.
“No, but I have eyes!
“When I laid down on the table, I saw through the gla.s.s that there was a room full of physicians next door. Only the chiefs were seated, while all the others remained standing. Some of them could not even get in and stayed in the corridor.” The man added, “I initially thought that the surgeon would be a foreigner when they told me that it was going to be a demonstrative surgery. Anyway, it was extremely crowded back there.”
“…” Qin Liren despised such unsophisticated peasants, but felt his misery growing as the man continued.
“The surgery was fast and accurate. The best part was that I didn’t feel a thing at all. I was about to close my eyes and rest when they told me it was already over,” the man said. “However, I chose not to use the compression device, which is why I need to stay an extra day in bed. You see, one device costs over a thousand yuan, and even though they claim you can be discharged four hours after using it, I’ll be able to save a thousand yuan by lying down for a day. Where else would I get such a reasonable deal? Am I right, brother?”
“…” Qin Liren’s expression darkened even further.
“But I don’t think he’s a foreigner. The surgeon had big black eyes. It was rather comforting.” The man was still happily describing his experience to Qin Liren.
However, Qin Liren had lost interest in listening any further. He was already extremely irascible, the burning sensation in his liver becoming unbearable.
He turned around and left without bidding farewell to the man.
After returning to his bed, Qin Liren sat down angrily without saying a word.
“Old man, what’s wrong?” His wife picked up an apple and started peeling it.
“I’m not eating anything! I want to have surgery!” Qin Liren was fuming.
“I’ll eat it, then.” Qin Liren’s wife had already gotten used to his temper.
It was a known fact that anger was a rather useless emotion. However, patients with hepatic disorders simply could not control theirs.
Qin Liren was still in a bad mood when the last patient came out.
The two doctors accompanying the gurney were no longer in a rush, leisurely chatting while walking.
Qin Liren sprung up and followed them to ask when he would be able to receive surgery.
“Mr. Zheng was amazing,” one of the doctors said.
“Of course! If he wasn’t, would Chief Kong have asked him to demonstrate the surgery?”
“Didn’t Chief Kong say that he partic.i.p.ated in the research process?”
“Are you really believing the boss’s words? With his daily schedule, do you think he has the time to conduct research?”
“Mr. Zheng is truly a remarkable man. We need to get his contact information so that we can invite him to perform surgeries at our place.”
Qin Liren followed them closely, eavesdropping.
All of a sudden, a familiar voice called out, “Brother Liren.”
…
…