Fang Zhiyan felt a pang of worry in his heart.
Uncle Lu was a good man—without him, there would be no Fang Zhiyan as he was today.
If this patient really was him, then no matter what, Fang Zhiyan had to save him.
Hanging up the phone, Fang Zhiyan moved closer to He Dongfang, carefully examining the images on the scans.
Seeing how intently Fang Zhiyan was studying them, He Dongfang handed the scans over to him.
"Take a look, but this patient is beyond our emergency department's capabilities."
"No, I can perform this surgery."
Fang Zhiyan shook his head, cutting off He Dongfang's words.
The next second, the office fell into complete silence.
Everyone stared at Fang Zhiyan, their eyes filled with shock, disbelief, incredulity, and even a hint of mockery.
Listen to him—just listen. Is this something a person should say?
You can perform this surgery?
Who do you think you are?
You're not even a resident yet—just an intern.
There's a limit to boasting.
He Dongfang coughed, his expression complicated as he looked at Fang Zhiyan.
"Xiao Fang, human lives aren't a joke. Do you understand?"
"Director He, I know. I'm fully aware of what I'm saying."
Fang Zhiyan explained earnestly.
Just as he spoke, a knock came at the door.
A woman cautiously pushed the door open and stepped inside.
"Excuse me, Director He, what exactly is the situation? Can it be treated?"
The woman's face was haggard, her eyes tinged with sorrow and helplessness.
But the next moment, she spotted Fang Zhiyan standing behind He Dongfang.
"Zhiyan?"
"Aunt Zhang, it really is you."
The moment he saw Zhang Xiulian, Fang Zhiyan finally confirmed it.
The patient He Dongfang had taken in was none other than his benefactor, Lu Hongchang.
Zhang Xiulian was Lu Hongchang's wife—the two had known, loved, and supported each other for decades, unwavering in their devotion.
"Zhiyan, I just… I called your mother earlier. I—" Zhang Xiulian covered her mouth, choking back sobs.
"I know, Aunt Zhang. I understand everything now."
Fang Zhiyan nodded solemnly. "Director He has already diagnosed Uncle Lu's condition."
"It's treatable. You don't need to worry—he'll be fine."
"Really? That's wonderful!"
Hearing this, Zhang Xiulian grew even more emotional.
Tears of joy streamed silently down her cheeks.
He Dongfang shot Fang Zhiyan a suspicious glance and asked in a low voice, "What's going on?"
"She's my neighbor—the one who funded my education." Fang Zhiyan gave a brief explanation.
"Director He, I can treat this patient."
With that, he stepped closer to Zhang Xiulian, asking her for more details about Lu Hongchang's condition.
Once he had a clearer understanding, he returned to stand behind He Dongfang.
"Director He, it's now almost certain to be a tumor."
"I think we should proceed with a radiological scan, followed by a lumbar puncture and biopsy to confirm the type of tumor."
He Dongfang nodded.
Fang Zhiyan's suggestions were standard procedure—even neurosurgery would follow the same steps.
He wrote out the necessary forms for Zhang Xiulian, instructing her to take Lu Hongchang for the relevant tests.
Only after the two had left did He Dongfang turn to Fang Zhiyan with a stern expression.
"Do you realize what you're saying?"
"A surgery of this level—you can perform it?"
"Fang Zhiyan, don't be reckless. Do you have any idea how tricky the angle of this tumor's location is?"
"Are you unaware of how high-risk this surgery is?"
Faced with He Dongfang's skepticism, Fang Zhiyan remained completely composed.
He knew full well that, given the current surgical capabilities of the hospital, performing this operation would carry significant risks.
But rather than entrusting it to an inexperienced neurosurgery team, he'd rather do it himself.
At the very least, he had the confidence to pull it off.
With that in mind, Fang Zhiyan spoke again. "Director He, I know the surgery is risky, but I will eliminate those risks."
"Please trust me."
"Nonsense!"
He Dongfang slammed his palm on the desk.
How could he possibly trust this?
How old was Fang Zhiyan?
A mere intern—he didn't even have a medical license yet!
Letting him perform such a surgery was sheer madness.
Who in their right mind would believe someone like him could handle this operation?
If He Dongfang agreed to this, it would be tantamount to playing with the patient's life!
With that thought, He Dongfang ignored Fang Zhiyan entirely and strode out of the office.
Zhu Zixiao stood nearby, giving Fang Zhiyan a pitying look.
"Old Fang, I think you've lost your mind."
Fang Zhiyan let out a bitter laugh but didn't respond.
By the afternoon, Zhang Xiulian returned with the scan results, pushing Lu Hongchang—now paralyzed in a wheelchair—back into the office.
"Director He, what do you think?"
She handed the test reports to He Dongfang while scanning the room for Fang Zhiyan.
He Dongfang carefully reviewed the documents before pressing his lips together.
According to the biopsy, Lu Hongchang's tumor was an ependymoma.
Generally speaking, spinal cord tumors could be categorized into gliomas, ependymomas, astrocytomas, hemangiomas, and lipomas.
Lu Hongchang's tumor was well-differentiated with minimal vascularity—a relatively favorable case.
The problem, however, was its location—connected directly to the spinal cord.
This elevated the surgical risk to its highest possible level.
"I recommend conservative treatment."
After a long silence, He Dongfang finally looked up.
At these words, Zhang Xiulian swayed on her feet.
Beside her, Lu Hongchang's breathing grew ragged in his wheelchair.
Just then, footsteps echoed from the hallway.
A group of doctors entered, led by Shao Gang, the deputy chief physician of neurosurgery.
"Director He, I heard your emergency department has a patient with a spinal ependymoma?"
"Director Shao." He Dongfang quickly stood, handing over the test reports.
"That's right—this gentleman here."
Shao Gang took the documents, skimmed through them, and narrowed his eyes.
"I also heard one of your emergency department interns wants to perform this surgery?"
He Dongfang's face twitched with discomfort.
He couldn't confirm or deny it.
Fang Zhiyan had expressed that intention.
But He Dongfang could never allow it.
This wasn't just playing with fire—it was juggling knives over the patient's neck.
There was no regard for the patient's safety whatsoever.
"My advice? Stick to conservative treatment for this patient."
"The location's too tricky—the surgical risks are sky-high. If he's lucky and the tumor doesn't grow, he might live a while longer."
"But if you go through with the surgery… well."
Shao Gang shook his head. As the deputy chief of neurosurgery, his word carried absolute authority on the matter.
He Dongfang nodded, turning back to Zhang Xiulian and Lu Hongchang.
"Both of you, I'm inclined to agree."
"Conservative treatment is the best decision right now."
Zhang Xiulian was at a loss, her gaze shifting helplessly to Lu Hongchang.
But Lu Hongchang shook his head firmly.
"Then I'll be stuck like this forever?"
"My legs will completely atrophy, won't they?"
"I can't accept living like this."
"I must have this surgery. I'd rather die on the operating table than live in such misery!"