Before leaving, Hu Meiqiao patted Lu Xuan on the shoulder, giving him an encouraging look:
"As long as you're confident about Zhang Song's illness, that's all that matters. Don't worry about the rest, even if something happens, the other party has signed an agreement, so it has nothing to do with you."
Lu Xuan looked grateful, "Director, thank you."
If Hu Meiqiao hadn't agreed to let him treat patients, it wouldn't have mattered how unwilling he was.
But Hu Meiqiao not only agreed, she also took care of the possible troubles afterwards for him.
Previously, Lu Xuan was extremely unwilling to come to the Health Center, but now he's somewhat glad that he did.
If he wasn't at the Health Center, even with his ability to hear the Heart's Voice of traditional Chinese medicine, he probably wouldn't have had the opportunity to treat patients independently.
Even if he could treat patients on his own, in a situation like Zhang Song's, the District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine probably wouldn't agree to let him prescribe and treat.
But at the Health Center, he has much more freedom, and with an understanding director, Lu Xuan feels that staying at the Health Center is the right choice for him.
Hu Meiqiao smiled, "Lu, you don't need to be so formal! After all, I'm the director, I have to consider your welfare. Others may be content here because they're older and aren't looking to leave, but you're young, and you have a chance to go to a bigger hospital and achieve greater things.
With your skills, I know you won't be at the Health Center for long; going to a big hospital is just a matter of time."
"Thanks for your kind words."
Lu Xuan didn't say anything to pledge loyalty, but responded along Hu Meiqiao's lines. He's young and it's unlikely he'll stay at the Health Center forever.
"However, going to a big hospital isn't something I have control over."
Hu Meiqiao disagreed with his statement, earnestly saying, "I understand what you're thinking. You don't want to acknowledge that your medical skills are inherited from your family, and I won't press you on it. Maybe you want to rely on your own abilities to excel.
As for offending Director Liu Rong from the District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, you actually don't need to worry. You know Zhang Song's situation—if you manage to extend his life, then your future won't be something Liu Rong can determine.
Because of Liu Rong's connection, it might be a bit difficult to go to the District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. But as for the City Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, if you want to go there, I don't think it'll be an issue."
"City Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital?"
Lu Xuan swallowed hard; he didn't even dare think about the District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Hu Meiqiao gave a slight smile, "What, you don't believe it?"
Lu Xuan nodded; getting into the City Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital is no easy task.
Hu Meiqiao explained, "Lu, you're underestimating yourself. If you truly cure Zhang Song with traditional Chinese medicine, the City Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital might be the one begging you to join."
"If you don't believe it, just wait and see."
Hu Meiqiao had great confidence in her words. If someone for whom the City First Hospital issued a "death notice" can be saved, then it's a skill that will be coveted not just by the City Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, but even at the provincial level.
By then, the question wouldn't be whether the District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine wants to invite Lu Xuan, but whether they have the qualifications to invite him to practice there.
Hu Meiqiao was confident Lu Xuan could go to the City Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, and Lu Xuan didn't really know how to respond, so he just smiled.
"By the way, Lu, let's get you an assistant," Hu Meiqiao suddenly said.
"No need, I can handle it myself," Lu Xuan quickly shook his head.
But Hu Meiqiao gave an insightful smile, "It's better to have one; otherwise, I'm afraid you won't be able to keep up with the workload."
Seeing that Hu Meiqiao didn't seem to be joking, Lu Xuan, though not fully understanding, could only nod and agree, "I'll follow your arrangements."
After a brief chat, Hu Meiqiao left with Wang Youqing.
After leaving the Traditional Chinese Medicine department, Hu Meiqiao suddenly turned back to Wang Youqing and said, "If Zhang Song recovers, our Health Center's Traditional Chinese Medicine department might really get busy."
Upon hearing this, Wang Youqing nodded approvingly, "Indeed!"
If Lu Xuan can even save Zhang Song, once the news spreads, how many people will be rushing to register at the Traditional Chinese Medicine department?
Wang Youqing couldn't even imagine.
This morning, there were already many people in the registration hall, and word of mouth will only make Lu Xuan's reputation grow.
Previously curing a child who swallowed a screw might have been good luck, but saving Zhang Song's life would undoubtedly be true skill.
"I'm just worried that when Lu leaves, there will be no one to take over at the Traditional Chinese Medicine department."
Wang Youqing sighed.
Hu Meiqiao also looked complicated. It's not just that there would be no one to take over—it's that not just any Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor could manage it.
Once Lu Xuan leaves, the Health Center's Traditional Chinese Medicine department might return to its previously neglected state.
Traditional Chinese Medicine department.
After Hu Meiqiao and Wang Youqing left, Lu Xuan thought about the City Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, feeling somewhat eager.
"Going to the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital would be great, but for me right now, it might not necessarily be a good thing."
Lu Xuan knew clearly that regardless of his abilities, he was just a student who graduated less than half a year ago, and going to the City Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital might not even get him an opportunity to practice independently.
If he can't practice independently, he'd rather stay at the Health Center to accumulate clinical experience and hone his real skills.
Instead of now, where he has to rely on an external aid to prescribe and heal.
He couldn't even thoroughly understand pulse diagnosis and tongue diagnosis.
As a Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor, Lu Xuan knew he had more than just a little to learn.
Even if he were to go to the City Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, it would have to be when he's gained some considerable skill.
He can't always rely on the Heart's Voice, can he?
...
The news about Zhang Song quickly spread around the community near the Health Center.
A group of elderly men and women, with nothing better to do, began to discuss Zhang Song as their topic of conversation during their leisure time.
Under the shade of a tree, a group of elderly people fanned themselves while chatting about today's news.
"Hey! Did you all hear? The City First Hospital had sent someone home to prepare for the funeral, and today, they suddenly showed up at our Qiu City Health Center," an elderly woman who was in the registration hall earlier in the day started the conversation.
Those who hadn't heard the news shook their heads repeatedly, while those who had heard the story quickly joined in: "I heard about Dr. Lu's achievements and that's why they came here, but I doubt there's much hope. Even the City First Hospital sent them back to prepare for the end. What can Dr. Lu really do?"
"I also think the possibility isn't great. I saw the patient, very severe condition. I heard the First Hospital worked on him for five days without much effect. Traditional Chinese medicine isn't really strong in this area. But if Dr. Lu can actually save that person, that would be amazing."
"If he can really save him, I'll also go to Dr. Lu to have my old ailments looked at."
"Your old ailments haven't been healed yet?"
"Nope, it's been decades."
"It's worth a try, but if he really gets cured, it might be difficult to get an appointment with Dr. Lu then."
"I'll just go online and book an appointment for the day after tomorrow now."
The elderly man quickly picked up his phone, not daring to delay.
Whether to go or not, just schedule the appointment first, and even if he doesn't go, he can cancel later.
The day passed quickly.
Evening.
Lu Xuan, who was still documenting Zhang Song's case, suddenly received a WeChat message. When he opened it, he saw it was a voice message from Zhang Song's wife, Ms. Wu.
Lu Xuan turned on the speaker and listened:
"Dr. Lu, following your instructions, I've given him the medicine twice already. My husband is now sweating profusely, urinating a lot more, and the swelling on his body has reduced significantly. His condition seems to have improved."
Just after listening, a photo came through, showing Zhang Song himself.
Apart from what Ms. Wu mentioned, Zhang Song's complexion had also improved a lot; it had been a gloomy grey in the morning, and now a slight redness could be seen.
Seeing this, Lu Xuan clenched his fist in excitement.
A turning point had appeared.
Of course, he was not completely out of danger yet, but looking at the situation now, it seemed manageable.
So, he picked up his phone, thought for a moment, and said: "Indeed there is an improvement, but he's not out of danger yet. Continue to give him the medicine as per the instructions from this morning, and come over for a follow-up immediately after taking it."
He released his grip and sent the message.
Soon after, Ms. Wu responded, her gratitude evident: "Thank... thank you, Dr. Lu! Thank you so much."
It was clear that Ms. Wu was very excited.
Lu Xuan also breathed a sigh of relief.
The prescription he gave Zhang Song included an amount of Aconite that far exceeded the standard limits. If anything really happened to Zhang Song and his family decided to pursue it, even though a liability waiver was signed, Lu Xuan wouldn't be able to escape responsibility.
One could say that Lu Xuan had taken a risky step, akin to walking a tightrope in high air; one slip and he might plummet into an abyss.
However, he was unwilling to let such a good opportunity pass.
For a Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor, taking on a critical patient is something many dream of, though some view it as a dangerous tiger, afraid to touch it.
After all, if something went wrong, they might never recover again in their lifetime.
It can only be said that Lu Xuan, with his extraordinary ability called Heart's Voice, had the decisiveness and courage of a newborn calf unafraid of tigers.
More importantly, it was about the responsibility of being a doctor.
To heal the wounded and rescue the dying.
Nowadays, many doctors have forgotten their original intentions.
Some even lack the ethics a doctor should have.
Lu Xuan did not want to become one of them.
Only by doing so can he live up to the trust of the patients.
Even if there is an abyss ahead, he must take a step forward.
And if no one else will take that step, he will.
For Lu Xuan, Zhang Song was not just a patient on the brink of death; he also offered Lu Xuan a new understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
In the past, he only knew that emergency medicine was also part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, but he had never had direct exposure.
And now it was different, witnessing with his own eyes a patient on the brink of death—and even given a "death notice" by the First Hospital— gradually escape danger under his care, was an indescribable feeling.
Maybe in years to come, he will feel fearful of what he did today.
But today, he is proud of it.
No matter how dangerous the road ahead is, he dares to take bold action.
This is what a true doctor should be.
Not forgetting the original intention.