Fang Zhiyan sat silently on a nearby chair, choosing not to engage in the conversation. Zhu Zixiao was slightly displeased by his lack of response.
"Don't you believe me?" Zhu asked. "You see, you're new here in the emergency department and haven't encountered certain situations yet."
With hands clasped behind his back like a seasoned professor, Zhu Zixiao began to educate Fang. "In our ER, if you really get to know the patients, you'll see that each carries a heavy burden of tragedy."
Fang Zhiyan raised his head, intrigued by Zhu's unexpectedly poetic commentary.
Continuing, Zhu Zixiao leaned closer to Fang, recounting a story from before Fang's arrival. "Just days ago, we received a young boy who fell from the seventh floor."
Fang thought for a moment. A boy falling from the seventh floor would typically be in the hospital for a long time, yet he hadn't heard of such a case. Had the boy been discharged? No, perhaps the worst had happened—he didn't survive.
Fang looked at Zhu Zixiao, who nodded, confirming his thoughts. "Yes, the boy died."
He continued, "He was brought in with his brain severely damaged, impossible to save. We could only provide temporary respite."
"Chief He received the patient, but despite the collective efforts of numerous departments, we couldn't rescue him."
"Chief He was furious, asking how the family could be so negligent."
"The doctor in the ambulance mentioned that when they arrived, there was another person lying at the home—the boy's mother, already deceased, fixed in her gaze at the balcony."
"She had suffered an asthma attack, which doesn't kill immediately, but she collapsed, leaving the boy to fetch her medicine and accidentally fall."
"So she watched helplessly as he fell, unable to intervene."
Zhu sighed heavily. "By morning, the boy was dead. His father returned—a truck driver who drove through the night. In that single evening, his hair had turned white. Lost his wife and child."
Fang Zhiyan sighed in turn, aware of the helplessness doctors often feel, accustomed to dealing with life and death. Yet this doesn't make them immune to the emotions involved; it's merely overshadowed by the pace of their work.
As Zhu Zixiao discreetly wiped away tears, Fang Zhiyan offered him a tissue.
Zhu, surprised by his own vulnerability, exclaimed, "What're you doing? I'm being emotional here, don't look at me!"
Fang Zhiyan smiled, noting Zhu's sensitivity despite his tough exterior.
Zhu took the tissue, turned away. "Enough, I'm going to eat. It's way past lunch, and I haven't eaten because of that emergency."
"I have instant noodles; want to join me?" he offered.
Fang Zhiyan's face paled at the thought. Quickly, he stopped Zhu. "No, don't! If you're hungry, go out to eat. Not here."
"Why?" Zhu asked, puzzled.
Lowering his voice, Fang Zhiyan replied, "You haven't heard the ER law? If you eat here, an emergency will surely occur!"
Zhu's expression changed slightly. "Is that true? I'll skip the noodles, then."
"I'm off to get fast food instead," he decided, quickly changing and leaving the hospital.
Fang Zhiyan took over the night shift. Fortune was on his side, with few emergencies, all resolved by the attending physician while Fang shadowed the processes for learning.
By the next morning at eight, Fang's shift ended.
Normally, he'd be exhausted, aching from the night shift, but thanks to his robust health, he felt completely fine. Truly, youth is a blessing.
Fang was content. Yet someone else was even more excited—He Dongfang, who had hired Fang.
Upon finding Fang in the ER, He enthusiastically beckoned him into the office, a habitual smile on both their faces.
"Dr. He, looking for me?"
"You're in the newspaper!"
He Dongfang exclaimed, slapping the paper onto the desk.
Fang Zhiyan picked up the newspaper in surprise. It detailed his roadside rescue of Luo Yun the previous morning, praising his skill and courage.
Fang felt a mix of embarrassment and pride. The paper featured a striking photo, capturing the moment Fang used a one-way valve to alleviate Luo Yun's traumatic pneumothorax—a perfectly timed image.
Fang scratched his chin. Youth indeed, captured from any angle flawlessly.
He Dongfang chuckled, "See, you photograph quite handsomely."
Fang grinned, "Right? Quite the looker."
He Dongfang shook his head, "This publicity was definitely intentional, but good nonetheless. You're famous now, and our ER's reputation is bolstered. Patients might prioritize us for treatment."
Fang nodded, knowing he'd done what was necessary. The rest was beyond his control.
Simultaneously, in Jiang'an City People's Hospital, another doctor read the same newspaper.
"Fang Zhiyan?"
"So that's his name," the doctor muttered, realizing if Fang were here, he would recognize him immediately. The doctor was Fan Ziwei, the chief physician of the hospital's internal medicine department, who collaborated with Fang in saving Luo Yun.
Impressed by Fang's youth and talent, Fan felt compelled to recruit him, intending to speak with the hospital director about it.
Yet upon arriving at the director's office, he witnessed the director angrily scolding Du Yu, head of the ER department.
"Is this how you conduct interviews?"
"You let such a talent slip through?"
"Du Yu, I appointed you interview officer—this is your work?"