16. Hexagonal Warrior Luo Hao

"I need a capable assistant for this sort of thing," Lin Yuming said, looking at Luo Hao with earnest concern. "Your performance lately has been truly impressive."

Luo Hao remained silent.

"This is the kind of task that offends people," Lin continued, "but don't worry. You didn't attend your class reunion yesterday, but at the Feiyang Barbecue Shop, Old Liu Liu was singing your praises to the high heavens."

"Once this is handled, find an opportunity to transfer to the First Affiliated Hospital of the Medical University. You won't be at the Mining General Hospital anymore, so whether or not you offend Wen Youren won't matter. Feel free to act as you see fit."

"The First Affiliated Hospital?!" Luo Hao asked.

"Yes," Lin nodded. "Our pond at the Mining General is too small; it can't contain you. Just help me push minimally invasive surgery a half-step further... You wouldn't happen to think the temple at the First Affiliated is too small, would you?"

Luo Hao’s heart stirred.

He looked down and noticed, for the first time, that his uncle Lin Yuming’s temples were covered in frost-white hair. Thinking back to what Lin had said earlier, Luo Hao fell into a deafening silence.

"Some things must be done, even if they offend people. When I was young, I was afraid; I always thought about just blending in. But look at the garbage they’ve been doing!"

"Wen Youren graduated from a technical school—and he was an electrician, for God's sake! Back in school, he spent his time smoking, drinking, playing mahjong, and chasing girls. His grades were a disaster; he couldn't even get into a nursing school. Back in our day, the entrance threshold for vocational school was higher than for a key high school. Hard to believe, right?"

Luo Hao nodded. It really was hard to believe.

"As an electrician, he relied on his parents being hospital administrators to drift his way back into the hospital. At the turn of the century, medical licensing wasn't strict, so he managed to acquire a license and the qualifications to practice."

"Come to think of it, many of our female doctors were nurses once."

"It was easy to pull off back then, but now... you have no idea how hard it was for me to secure those seven practice scopes for you!"

Luo Hao remained silent. He never expected the boomerang to hit him.

Fortunately, Lin Yuming’s attention wasn't on him. After a brief complaint, he continued, "The former head of General Surgery gave his parents face and dragged him along for twenty years! Twenty years!! You could take a pig from a sty and teach it surgery hand-over-hand every day, and even it would have learned by now."

"And what’s the result? He only does gallbladder removals and stomach resections, plus some intestinal anastomoses. He doesn't dare touch anything even remotely complex."

"I’ve long found him an eyesore. This time, if he wants to leave with dignity, I’ll grant it. If he refuses..."

"Uncle, I will help him keep his dignity, don't you worry," Luo Hao said firmly.

Lin Yuming looked up and scrutinized Luo Hao from head to toe.

"Braggart."

"Heh, we'll see," Luo Hao smiled.

"You’re too used to being kind to others; you don't understand how sinister human hearts can be. You tell me: the matter of inviting outside experts could be a scene caused by unreasonable people, or it could be a deliberate act by those with malicious intent—but the one thing a doctor must never do is play games with it."

"Do you know why?"

"Because inviting outside experts is the only way for the public in underdeveloped medical regions to access high-end care. Countless patients need that window," Luo Hao answered without hesitation. "Overall, it’s a good thing for the experts, the local doctors, and the patients."

"Exactly!" Lin Yuming slapped the table hard. "Do common people know which doctor is good? Even if they do, can they access high-end medical resources? And even if they find them, the queues alone are enough to break a person. They are all patients—how long can they hold on?"

"Don't think I use your resources in the capital to treat leaders just to suck up... though, sucking up is a major part of it," Lin laughed heartily, unashamed. "The truly big leaders don't care about these scraps of high-end resources, but the common people deserve a chance."

"Uncle, your integrity is high, and you think of the people."

"Get lost!" Lin scoffed. "Wen Youren can't treat patients himself, yet he won't let experts come to help, just hogging gallbladder and appendix removals for his whole career. What about the patients with liver, pancreatic, or stomach cancer?!"

"Screw him!" Luo Hao, eager to support his uncle, said without hesitation.

"I can only apply pressure; getting our own people into the Department of General Surgery is the only way to strike the snake's seven-inch mark. Little Luo, I don't have high demands for you—just make him miserable."

Luo Hao checked his system panel—Main Quest: Smaller Incisions, Greater Possibilities (Phase 1).

Wen Youren’s actions were cutting off the path to completing his system quest.

If this can be endured, what cannot? For both public duty and private interest, Director Wen needed to be granted a bit of "dignity."

"This is just a small mobilization meeting," Lin Yuming said, his tone cooling. "We Chinese emphasize having a righteous cause. Without a proper name, words won't carry weight; without weight, things won't get done."

"After all, this is about taking someone down, and I was afraid you might have reservations."

"I understand, Uncle. Don't worry, I don't like Director Wen either."

"Good. Aside from the outside expert for the cyst intervention surgery, you need to prepare the relevant knowledge. We are doctors; even if we’re looking for trouble, it’s for Director Wen’s own good. You understand?"

"Understood!" Luo Hao knew the conversation was over.

For the sake of Director Wen—yes, it was all for his own good.

...

In the days that followed, Luo Hao was relatively relaxed.

The Dispute Office of the Medical Affairs Department was responsible for handling complaints, and behind them stood the Director of Medical Affairs, Lin Yuming.

Complaints regarding General Surgery were handled entirely by Lin Yuming.

Luo Hao didn't ask how they were being handled, and Lin didn't say. He knew he was a blade—a blade of professional expertise.

A day later, Lin Yuming took Luo Hao to the high-speed rail station to pick up a gastroenterology expert from the First Affiliated Hospital.

Liu Haisen accompanied them, along with a middle-aged man wearing glasses who looked kind and slightly plump.

"This is Director Shi from our Gastroenterology Department," Liu Haisen introduced.

"Director Shi, I've heard so much about you!" Lin Yuming stepped forward to shake his hand.

"You're too kind," Director Shi said with a chuckle. "The patient had surgery not long ago. It’s hard to say if a gastrointestinal endoscopy will work; your hospital should prepare for a second surgery."

"Yes, I've already communicated with the family. We'll take a look first, and if it's not feasible, we won't force it."

Liu Haisen pulled Lin Yuming aside. "Boss Lin, how much did you pay out? Are the family's emotions stable?"

"They’re reasonable enough. It’s a rare disease, so we just have to accept the bad luck."

"How much did you pay exactly?" Deputy Director Liu’s gossip fire burned bright.

Lin Yuming smiled without answering.

These were the hospital's little secrets. Even though Liu Haisen was like a brother, professional boundaries were professional boundaries.

"You're such a bore," the deputy director scoffed.

"Well, convincing the family is a win in itself. Hopefully, everything goes smoothly and we resolve the issue without lingering trouble."

Seeing Lin Yuming’s troubled expression, Liu Haisen didn't press further. It was likely a large sum, and the accounting for it was complicated; he shouldn't ask too much.

They arrived at the hospital.

Although Director Shi had reviewed the patient's imaging data on the cloud beforehand, the first thing he did upon arrival was confirm it again. In medical disputes, Director Shi acted like a firefighter; he couldn't afford to be careless.

Confirming the diagnosis was correct, Director Shi flipped through the images and suddenly spotted a "strange" scan.

"Huh? 3D reconstruction?!" Director Shi held the film up to the light, then clicked it into the viewing box.

"Director Lin, your hospital is full of talent!" Director Shi praised while looking at the scan.

"Uh..." Lin Yuming paused.

"Director Lin, I did this at the CT room early this morning," Luo Hao whispered.

Deputy Director Liu’s pupils contracted, like a cat staring into the sun.

While Lin Yuming wasn't an expert in 3D CT reconstruction, he was a graduate of imaging studies and understood the basics. He focused on the scan. It wasn't a standard sagittal view; it had been rotated at different angles to "expose" the feeding artery of the lipoma from every possible position.

3D reconstruction was, for a doctor, the equivalent of revealing the entire map.

Playing with the map uncovered versus playing in the fog of war were two completely different forms of combat—and required two different surgical approaches.

Director Shi folded his arms, watching the 3D reconstruction almost frame by frame.

Time ticked by. Director Shi seemed to have entered a trance.

Lin Yuming knew that in Director Shi’s mind, he was likely simulating the entire surgical process based on the 3D images. He was layering his years of clinical experience, pre-planning what to do if he encountered specific complications.

After a full ten minutes, Director Shi let out a long breath.

"Director Shi?" Lin Yuming’s hope grew.

"High confidence. Don't worry too much. However, the surgical team needs to be ready. If I can't finish it, General Surgery will have to step in to save the day," Director Shi said with a smile. His chubby face was full of warmth, devoid of any pretense.

Although Director Shi’s advice remained the same—that the surgeons should be on standby—Lin Yuming read something different in his expression.

Director Shi was now confident of victory! Before, he hadn't been so open about the "if I can't finish it" part; he had been much tighter-lipped.

"Let's go see the patient."

"Dr. Luo, is it?" Director Shi looked back at Luo Hao. "Did you do this 64-slice 3D reconstruction?"

"Yes, it was my first time, so some parts aren't precise enough."

"It’s more than enough. This is your first time? I don't believe it. The detail is incredible; everything that needs to be seen is visible. It doesn't look like the work of a novice," Director Shi asked curiously.

"I watched my teachers do it in school and learned for a while, but this is indeed my first time doing it since returning to the Mining General," Luo Hao explained.

"Tsk, tsk." Director Shi sighed.

Going to a lower-level hospital to perform surgery is different from working at home; the instruments, nurses, and assistants are all different. The surgeon's skill level must have enough of a buffer to handle any situation.

Like this surgery—a rescue mission—Director Shi hadn't wanted to come at all, but his friendship with Liu Haisen was strong, and he couldn't resist the constant badgering. He had hoped for a 3D reconstruction to avoid accidents, but while many hospitals could perform them, few could do them well.

He never expected the Mining General to harbor such talent. The 3D reconstruction was so good he felt the specialists at his own First Affiliated Hospital couldn't have done better.

"I've heard of you from Old Liu—the Peking Union 8-year program PhD. I didn't expect you to be a 'six-sided warrior' who can do everything," Director Shi praised.

"Just barely trying my best. Our hospital has the machine, but the expert who specialized in 3D reconstruction was poached by the South last year. Now we can only do simple ones. I’m just… being thrown into the deep end."

They talked casually as they reached the ward.

The moment before they entered, the smiles on everyone’s faces vanished, replaced by masks of seriousness and focus.

After examining the patient and completing the final protocols, Director Shi explained the surgery to the family, leaving himself plenty of room for maneuver. Seeing that the family was reasonable, they headed to the endoscopy room.

"Little Luo, have you done surgery via endoscopy?" Director Shi asked.

"I have," Luo Hao replied.

"You’ll be my assistant later."

Luo Hao looked at the quest panel in the corner of his vision and hesitated, but forced himself to endure. The quest was important, but he couldn't be the lead surgeon here. Despite the regret, he didn't insist.

He nodded, and after arriving at the endoscopy room and seeing the anesthesiologist begin general anesthesia, he set about preparing the equipment and supplies.

The surgery began.

Director Shi put on sterile gloves, eyes fixed on the screen, skillfully inserting the endoscope. The difficulty lay in the size of the lipoma, which could cause bleeding, and the fact that the previous appendectomy meant the local tissue was still healing—whether the endoscope could pass through was a question.

But Director Shi used his skillful techniques and experience to navigate the difficulties without a hitch.

Luo Hao watched in awe. He estimated Director Shi’s endoscopy skill was at least Level 5, higher than his own.

Although the system quest couldn't be completed since he wasn't the lead surgeon, he didn't force it. He just glanced at the red cross on his quest panel with a hint of regret.

"By the way," Director Shi chatted while performing the surgery, "where is the surgeon for the original operation? Why don't I see him?"

Lin Yuming sighed.

"Heh," Liu Haisen chuckled, saying nothing.

Understood!

Both being clinical veterans, Director Shi understood immediately. Some people act high and mighty when things are fine, as if they are the greatest, but the moment trouble hits, they hide further than anyone else—even if the issue is directly related to them. They bury their heads in the sand like ostriches. As long as I don't see it, it doesn't exist.

Director Shi had seen such doctors before; they weren't rare in clinical practice.

"Director Wen is busy," Luo Hao suddenly replied.

Deputy Director Liu was slightly startled. The last time the patient's family wanted to sue him, Boss Lin had smoothed it over, but he had his suspicions. Why did Luo Hao say that?

"Dr. Shi, the First Affiliated Hospital is better off; we have doctors leaving all the time. In surgical departments like General Surgery, there’s a severe shortage of personnel. Director Wen is in the operating room every day."

"Oh, I see. It's not just you; even our First Affiliated has had countless doctors poached by the South. There are over a thousand people in the 'Southbound Group,' all in their prime." Director Shi chatted while operating, his focus entirely on the procedure, not thinking deeper.

But Liu Haisen was different.

Pondering Luo Hao’s words, the deputy director felt a surge of doubt and glanced at Lin Yuming out of the corner of his eye.

"Director Shi might not know, but our Mining General is facing a severe generational gap. General Surgery is the only department where surgical volume hasn't declined, and that’s all thanks to Director Wen," Lin Yuming added.

"And Director Wen is the only provincial-level famous doctor at our Mining General. He’s our facade—truly impressive," Luo Hao continued.

Lin and Luo took turns praising Wen Youren. Listening to them, one would think the hospital would collapse without him.

Luo Hao’s actions now carried the hint of the "acting" skill granted by the system; he played the part vividly, though he didn't realize it.

The sound waves traveled to the ears of those present, and also—via a nurse’s pocket phone—to Wen Youren’s phone, broadcasted clearly.

The medical incident and the patient’s complaint had terrified Wen Youren; he hadn't slept a wink in days. Fortunately, he had a reliable Medical Affairs Director who had unraveled the cause, provided the correct diagnosis, and settled the misdiagnosis with a small payment.

A misdiagnosis isn't necessarily professional negligence—it’s impossible for a doctor to diagnose every patient correctly.

The payout couldn't have been large, and whether it was large or not didn't matter to Wen Youren; he just needed the problem solved. Hearing that Lin Yuming had handled it, Wen Youren finally relaxed.

However!

Wen Youren remained suspicious about Lin Yuming inviting an outside expert for the final step. He had found a nurse in the endoscopy room—the girlfriend of one of his doctors—to act as his "spy."

Wen was cautious. Fearing the nurse might exaggerate or misinterpret things, he had called her the moment Director Shi entered the room and listened in silence.

[Director Wen is a dedicated and hardworking doctor. Not only is his technical level high, but his character is also solid.]

Lin Yuming’s praise drifted from the phone. A rare smile appeared on Wen Youren’s face.

[Little Luo, I heard you were the one who suggested the enhanced CT scan for this case. What do you think?] Director Shi’s voice came through.

[Dr. Shi, some illnesses are destined to be misdiagnosed. I don't think it has anything to do with Director Wen.]

Wen Youren exhaled. At least Lin Yuming and Luo Hao had a conscience; they weren't bad-mouthing him behind his back.

[Oh?]

[I encountered a consultation on the table when I was in school. The original procedure was a laparoscopic appendectomy. When the scope went in, the surgeon was stunned—the appendix was nowhere to be seen.]

!!!

Wen Youren’s ears perked up like an old white rabbit.

[They brought in the lead professor, and they decided to convert to open surgery. But even after opening up, there was still no appendix. They had no choice but to keep calling for consultations.]

[The operating room was lively that day. The people arriving were getting older and older; two academicians even showed up.]

[Oh, that’s impressive!] Director Shi praised.

[Yes, the last academician scrubbed in and traced the intestine inch by inch. It took a full half-hour to find the wrong spot.]

[What happened?]

[An intraluminal appendix. They finally opened the intestine and performed a retrograde resection.]

[I remember Academician Zhao saying back then that some diseases can't be diagnosed pre-operatively unless the doctor puts the patient through countless exams. Just like this patient—pre-operatively, you wouldn't perform an abdominal enhanced CT. For the vast majority of acute appendicitis patients, that would be considered over-treatment.]

Hearing Luo Hao’s explanation, Wen Youren felt a warmth in his heart; his eyes moistened without him realizing it.

Exactly!

Who in their right mind would order an abdominal enhanced CT for a patient with typical acute appendicitis? If he did that, he would have been sued to death by patients long ago. Even if the patients didn't make trouble, the medical insurance authorities would have revoked his license.

Accidents happen—it couldn't be helped.

Wen Youren immersed himself in the explanations provided by Luo Hao and Lin Yuming, feeling relieved and "reconciled" with himself. He completely forgot how impatient he had been when the patient complained of pain, or how many times he had called the patient "dramatic" behind their back.

[That’s true, an intraluminal appendix is rare.] Director Shi agreed.

Amidst the idle chatter, the surgery ended quickly.

[Dr. Shi, how many days for post-op fasting?]

[The surgery was highly successful; 1-2 days of fasting will do. Not bad, Little Luo, you assisted well. Honestly, I didn't expect it. I had prepared to do it all myself. Hahaha.]

Hearing this, Wen Youren let out a long breath and hung up the phone.

"Director, it’s all clear," the nurse said with a smile.

"It had nothing to do with us in the first place. Anyone with eyes could see that," Wen Youren said dismissively.

One would never guess that the man who had been nearly scared to death moments ago was him.

...

The surgery was a success, and Luo Hao followed the gurney back to the ward.

The system quest had failed, as expected. Luo Hao had hoped for some leniency, but it seemed 33 points of luck weren't always useful.

No matter, the patient was safe. Luo Hao watched the big red 'X' on the system panel and comforted himself.

Chen Yong, who was pushing the gurney in front, remained silent, wearing his triple-layered mask, lost in thought.

Back in the ward, aside from the attending physician coming to receive the patient, Luo Hao didn't see a shadow of Director Wen. Luo Hao had expected this and wasn't disappointed; he stood to the side, representing the Medical Affairs Department, and watched the attending physician work.

"What a piece of work," Chen Yong muttered.

Luo Hao raised his right hand, index finger to his lips, signaling silence.

Chen Yong gave an impatient look over his mask. His eyes were long and slender, rippling like water, as if they could talk. Sometimes, Luo Hao wondered if the person in front of him was a woman dressed as a man—just like in those TV dramas where everyone is blind and can't tell the difference.

"Dr. Luo, you’re quite skilled. Why do you insist on staying in the Medical Affairs Department?" Chen Yong asked.

"Heh." Luo Hao smiled and didn't answer.

Chen Yong raised an eyebrow, his gaze sharp, seemingly cursing under his breath.

Luo Hao ignored the doctor wearing three masks. He watched the ECG monitor show stable vital signs, saw the attending physician confirm the patient’s pain had eased, and saw the doctor walk toward the Director’s office.

Director Wen really is a coward, Luo Hao thought.

Soon, Director Wen walked out of his office. He looked hesitant, but summoned the courage to enter the ward.

Wen Youren didn't walk straight in; he stood at the doorway and peeked inside. Seeing the patient sitting half-upright in bed, completely free of the previous severe pain, he let out a sigh of relief and walked in with a hearty laugh.

"Idiot," Chen Yong whispered.

Luo Hao patted Chen Yong’s shoulder. "Keep it down. Walls have ears."

"You and Director Lin are also..."

Chen Yong remained fearless, cursing softly right in front of Luo Hao.