Not a malignant tumor?

Luo Hao could not help but laugh and cry at Lin Yuming's question.

"Uncle, looking at the scans, there is a 99% probability it's late-stage cancer. The department heads are entirely right, and that's my assessment as well."

"However, I have other... differential diagnoses, which can be considered a slim chance of survival. But you know, a slim chance is just a possibility, less than 1%."

As he spoke, Luo Hao touched the formula Chen Yong had sketched on his chest.

Impermanence holds the black stones, while physicians hold the white. Thirteen black stones seize the soul, twelve white stones guard the primordial yang. When the raging plague leaves no tricks untried, a single remaining white stone performs the miracle of rejuvenation.

Hopefully, the patient's luck is a bit better.

Some things are beyond a doctor's control and must be left to luck.

If it came down to sheer skill...

There is a saying describing Peking Union Medical College Hospital: "Even if the King of Hell summons you at the third watch, Peking Union will keep you until the fifth."

To exhaust every effort and buy only a few more hours—and that is an exaggeration.

Seeing Luo Hao's peculiar gesture, Lin Yuming did not ask what he was doing and sighed.

"Uncle, given the situation, why bother keeping secrets? At his level, sealing it until after death doesn't even apply," Luo Hao asked.

"Don't talk nonsense," Lin Yuming chided. "In historical records it might not qualify, but for us, it's more than enough. I had contact with him in the past; he took good care of the Mining General Hospital and was the type of leader who got things done."

Luo Hao gave a helpless, bitter smile. "Uncle, whether we go to Peking Union or Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, I still need to examine the patient first. If I can't explain things clearly when reporting the medical history to my teachers, they will lose their temper."

Knowing Luo Hao was right, Lin Yuming hesitated, told Luo Hao to wait for him, and turned to negotiate.

Young though he was, Luo Hao had seen far more senior leaders than Lin Yuming ever had.

Within the commander's mansion, almost anyone casually met outranked this official, and Luo Hao had naturally heard of similar incidents.

Once, a high-ranking official faced a term transition, which was delayed by half a year. By the time the transition finally succeeded, his cancer had reached the terminal stage.

Sometimes Luo Hao truly wondered what they were pursuing.

Perhaps it was a lifelong ambition.

Yet even Zhuge Liang had regrets and could not defy the heavens; who could truly conquer fate?

However, Luo Hao did not dwell on it. Patients' minds were wonderfully complex, and all a doctor could do was try their utmost.

[They say men remain youths until the day they die, but where are the youths...]

Without checking his phone, Luo Hao casually answered an incoming call.

"Dr. Luo, the door to the gastrointestinal endoscopy room has been fixed."

Wang Jiani's voice came through.

Damn!

He had stationed the sales representative sent by President Nie to guard the endoscopy room door and then completely forgotten about her!

Feeling a bit sheepish, Luo Hao fell silent for a few seconds before apologizing. "I'm sorry, I forgot you were guarding that door the whole time."

"Ah? It's fine, it's fine. It's my honor to be of any help. Actually, the security guards came last night anyway, so I didn't do much. I played games all night until my power bank ran out of juice."

"Once the main door is fixed, hurry home," Luo Hao said. "Get some sleep, and contact me anytime in the next couple of days. I'll treat you to a meal."

"Thank you, Dr. Luo. I'll head back then. My power bank running out of battery is truly fatal; I was already getting anxious," Wang Jiani said carelessly.

Hanging up, Luo Hao shook his head, genuinely having pushed the matter to the back of his mind.

Perhaps subconsciously, he wanted to minimize contact with medical sales reps?

Just as he was thinking this, Lin Yuming returned.

"Let's go," Lin Yuming beckoned.

Without asking unnecessary questions, Luo Hao changed his clothes alongside Lin Yuming, got into the car, and drove to the red-brick family residential area behind the municipal government building.

It looked unremarkable, but everyone in Donglian City knew the kind of people who lived inside.

Arriving at an apartment door, Lin Yuming rang the bell.

A cool voice came from inside, and the door opened after Lin Yuming stated his identity.

"Director Lin, please come in," a middle-aged woman said politely. Though she tried hard to control her emotions, the sorrow etched on her face remained unmistakable.

She must have been the patient's wife. To maintain such politeness when faced with a family crisis of this magnitude was already commendable.

"Little Uncle!"

As soon as Luo Hao stepped inside, a man suddenly rushed out and enthusiastically extended both hands.

Damn!

Lin Yuming froze. Whose little uncle? This man was older than him; how could he possibly call Luo Hao little uncle?

He must have addressed the wrong person.

"Director Shen, there's no need to be so polite," Luo Hao said, bowing slightly in a courteous reply.

"!!!" Lin Yuming stared blankly at the bald, middle-aged man older than himself, his mind in complete disarray.

He really was addressing Luo Hao!

When on earth did a connection like this pop up?

"Little Uncle, let's deal with the matter at hand. It wouldn't make sense if I didn't call you little uncle," Director Shen said, raising a hand to stroke his bald head.

Luo Hao felt a slight aversion to this form of address.

"Director Shen, what brings you here?" Luo Hao steered the conversation elsewhere.

"Lu... that friend of his found me and asked me to take a look at the situation." Director Shen suddenly remembered something. "Little Uncle, have you seen the scans?!"

"I have."

"Do you also think something is off?!"

Director Shen spoke with great exaggeration, his hands constantly making various gestures to amplify his emotions.

Even during a normal conversation, he gave the impression that he was delivering a speech.

It was theatrical, yet brimming with confidence and infectious energy.

Before Luo Hao could reply, Director Shen waved his hands and continued, "I couldn't be sure, and there are some special circumstances here. I wanted to ask the Big Boss to take a look, but... I didn't dare."

"Now that you're here, Little Uncle, hurry and call the Big Boss!"

Lin Yuming was completely baffled, having no idea who this man was or why he was uttering such bizarre statements.

The only good news was that the patient might actually be all right.

"Luo Hao, who is this..." Lin Yuming asked.

"He is Director Shen from the Rheumatology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of the Medical University, a renowned expert in our province."

"!!!" While Lin Yuming knew the balding middle-aged man must have a formidable background, he never imagined it would be this substantial.

Wait!

The head of the Rheumatology Department at the First Affiliated Hospital of the Medical University called his own nephew "little uncle"—how was seniority reckoned here?

If Luo Hao was this man's little uncle, what should he himself be called?

Lin Yuming fell into deep thought.

He had never imagined his seniority could be ranked so high.

Puffing out his chest with a hint of pride, Lin Yuming wondered if this anecdote could be brought up at a banquet to boast.

"Director Shen, I do think there's something questionable, but without examining the patient or taking a medical history, too many pieces are missing," Luo Hao quickly interrupted him.

Impolite as it might be, Luo Hao suspected Director Shen suffered from both social butterfly syndrome and logorrhea.

Director Shen paused, but ultimately "respected" Luo Hao's suggestion, leading him into the inner room to examine the patient.

Lin Yuming and the patient's wife looked at each other, both temporarily at a loss for words.

The only comforting news was that neither the older man nor the younger one seemed to believe the patient's condition was a malignant tumor.

Yet, who on earth was the "Big Boss"?

"Director Lin, this is..."

"My nephew."

"..." The patient's wife was struck dumb.

"He..." Lin Yuming wanted to offer an explanation, but right as he said it, he realized he himself knew very little about Luo Hao's past.

Even if he wanted to explain, he had no idea what to say.

"Little Uncle, this is the patient."

Entering the room, Director Shen first introduced the middle-aged man to Luo Hao, and then said to the patient, "Little Lu, this is my little uncle."

"Little Uncle?" The patient looked surprised.

"My teacher's teacher wanted to take him as a student a few years ago, but some things happened, and it didn't work out. The Big Boss has always held onto that regret; I heard it from my teacher."

The middle-aged man stared dazedly at Luo Hao.

"Hello, I'm Dr. Luo from the Mining General Hospital. You can just call me Little Luo, Elder Leader." Luo Hao made a brief self-introduction and began taking the medical history.

The patient's history was not overly complex. Less than half a year ago, his company health checkup had revealed no issues. Recently, he had suddenly developed abdominal pain, which he initially mistook for a bad stomachache and ignored.

The pain quickly subsided, but it kept recurring. Coupled with weight loss, he finally went to the hospital for a checkup.

The test results, however, were beyond his wildest nightmares—late-stage pancreatic cancer.

As each piece of medical history was inputted, the diagnostic AI began to run, soon generating a single recommendation: perform an EUS (Endoscopic Ultrasound) examination.

It was not a malignant tumor!

Or rather, the probability of it being a malignant tumor was not one hundred percent!!

Luo Hao instantly perked up.

Though the system had not issued a formal mission, Luo Hao did not slacken in the slightest.

"Elder Leader, while I haven't entirely ruled out a tumor in your case, my primary consideration right now is not malignancy," Luo Hao said after finishing the history taking and physical examination.

"I'd like to make a call and contact my teacher."

"Please go ahead." Hearing Luo Hao say this, the patient's spirits lifted dramatically, his illness seemingly lightening by a third.

Nodding, Luo Hao walked out of the bedroom and into the living room.

He first asked for the patient's name, logged into the cloud platform, and forwarded the imaging files to Elder Zhao.

Then, Luo Hao dialed the number.

"Elder Zhao, hello, sorry to disturb you," Luo Hao said softly and gently.

"Little Conch, what is it?" The instant Elder Zhao's voice came through, Director Shen snapped to attention, assuming a peculiar posture with his hands held before his chest.

Lin Yuming could tell it was the posture of holding an old-fashioned medical record folder.

"Is it convenient for you right now?" Luo Hao asked.

"Convenient. Let's use video; I haven't seen you in a while and I miss you."

The video call connected, revealing an elderly person with neatly groomed, immaculate white hair on the screen.

Luo Hao waved.

"Elder Zhao, hello."

Director Shen edged closer. Not daring to push Luo Hao aside, he spoke excitedly from the corner of the frame, "Big Boss, hello!"

"Who are you?" Elder Zhao looked perplexedly at the partial face appearing on screen.

"I am Teacher Zheng's student, surnamed Shen."

"Oh." The old person nodded kindly. "So you're Little Zheng's student, hello. Little Conch, you haven't changed at all."

Lin Yuming felt a complex mixture of emotions.

While the elderly person on screen was polite, it was obvious she had no idea who Director Shen from the Rheumatology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital was, yet she was warm and affectionate toward Luo Hao—treating him even more like family than Lin Yuming himself did.

*What the hell,* Lin Yuming cursed blankly in his heart.

Luo Hao concisely reported the patient's medical history and physical signs. Upon hearing the summary, the elder on the video smiled slightly. "The imaging is on the cloud platform, yes?"

"Yes, Elder Zhao."

"Let me look at the scans first before we continue."

The elder on screen put on her glasses, fished out a magnifying glass, and turned off the video feed.

A few minutes later, the video call rang again, and Luo Hao answered.

"Little Conch, this patient is quite classic. I'm going to test you," the elder said sternly on screen.

In an instant, both Lin Yuming and Director Shen felt as though they had been transported back to a classroom from decades ago, a chilly draft sweeping across their backs.

A pop quiz!

If you failed to answer well, the teacher would be angry, and the consequences would be severe.

"Elder Zhao, it's like this," Luo Hao said, his expression unchanged, his smile as bright and sunny as ever. "The pancreatic lesion is patchy, without a distinct mass; the distal pancreas is significantly atrophied, and the pancreatic duct is dilated..."

The diagnostic AI was merely an aid, at least for now.

Relying on his rock-solid foundational skills, Luo Hao began analyzing the condition and performing a differential diagnosis.

Point by point, case by case.

Clear in structure and rigorous in logic.

Five minutes later.

"Elder Zhao, I judge that the probability of the patient having a malignant pancreatic tumor is low, and I recommend an EUS examination."

"What typical features do you expect the EUS results to show?" the elder continued to ask sternly on screen.

"Objectively speaking, various possibilities exist. To speak offhand, I suspect there should be a sausage-like sign around the pancreas, and typical sandwich-like changes should be visible near the bile duct."

"Go ahead and do it. I approve of your preliminary diagnosis," the elder smiled and said on screen.

"Thank you, Elder Zhao," Luo Hao bowed with his habitual respect.

"Why are you at the Mining General Hospital right now?" The elder began chatting about daily life, her tone carrying a trace of grievance, much like an old grandmother.

She even named and scolded several prominent figures at Peking Union Hospital.

After a thorough explanation by Luo Hao, the elder was finally coaxed into a good mood, and the video call ended.

Lin Yuming was left utterly confused, but seeing that Director Shen was equally bewildered, he felt a lot more balanced.

Could Little Conch's tier really be this high up? Lin Yuming felt a sense of bewilderment.

He had always regarded Little Conch merely as a bridge to high-end medical resources, never expecting that his own nephew was himself a part of those high-end resources.

He hid it deep. For two years, he had never even noticed.

"Little Uncle, what is the diagnosis?" Director Shen asked immediately.

"The preliminary diagnosis is autoimmune pancreatitis, specifically a subtype known as sclerosing pancreatitis. As for a definitive diagnosis, an EUS is required."

"I knew it!"

"Director Shen, please contact Director Shi and see if an EUS examination can be arranged."

"Endoscopic ultrasound?"

"Yes, our Mining General Hospital lacks the equipment. Does the First Affiliated have it? If not, I'll have to take the patient to the Capital."

Luo Hao hesitated for a moment before saying, "Never mind, I might as well take the patient directly to the Capital."

Director Shen's lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but nothing came out.

Lin Yuming felt deeply comforted.

The First Affiliated Hospital certainly couldn't meet the patient's needs, so going straight to the Capital for treatment and consultation would save the trouble of bouncing back and forth.

This was also being responsible to the elder leader.

Given that the elder leader had treated the Mining General Hospital well in the past, Lin Yuming sincerely hoped the leader's illness was not a malignant tumor.

...

"Master, such a classic scan, and Luo Hao actually said it might not be a malignant tumor? That's sheer nonsense." Wen Youren sat in the department head's office, grumbling.

Before Wang Guohua, he felt completely relaxed, daring to say anything and willing to share any thought.

Even though he had already been "backstabbed" by Wang Guohua, Wen Youren had long grown accustomed to this dynamic.

"It is somewhat imprudent, but you can't outright call it wrong. After all, no matter how definitive imaging data is, it's still just imaging data; a differential diagnosis or pathology is still required," Wang Guohua replied.

Imprudent?

A chill crept into Wen Youren's heart. His master had already thrown his support behind Luo Hao, even dismissing Luo Hao's wild talk—dismissing a late-stage pancreatic cancer diagnosis as mere "imprudence."

This was going too far!

Wen Youren snorted. "Master, if Luo Hao's diagnosis turns out to be correct, I... I..."

He wanted to say he would "invite" Luo Hao to be the department head, but he felt an acute reluctance. Even though Wen Youren believed it was utterly impossible, he subconsciously refused to take even a one-in-ten-thousandth risk.

"I'll eat my fountain pen."

"Heh." Wang Guohua chuckled. He knew his disciple too well; every single mental fluctuation in Wen Youren was practically transparent to him.

"He can practice medicine too!" Wen Youren said with disdain. "He's just a grandstanding little fellow."

"Youren, I noticed you've admitted several pancreatic cancer patients," Wang Guohua said calmly.

"Yes," Wen Youren said. "First chemotherapy, then see if surgery is possible after the tumor shrinks."

Before Wang Guohua could say anything, Wen Youren continued, "That patient was acting all sneaky. So sick, yet pretending to be some big shot? Nonsense. He should just come in for chemotherapy; if he's lucky after two or three courses, he'll have a shot at surgery."

"How many cases have you actually performed?" Wang Guohua asked.

He could no longer hold back. Wen Youren... sigh, why had he ever taken on such a disciple?

Wen Youren was a lost cause, utterly impossible to mold.

The malignancy rate of pancreatic cancer was exceptionally high. Years ago, when Wang Guohua encountered late-stage pancreatic cancer patients, he would send them to the oncology department for chemotherapy, telling them to return for surgery after a few courses if possible.

Everything Wen Youren just said aligned with this, and there was nothing wrong with it.

However!

Even for patients who could undergo surgery, the surgical difficulty was immense and completely beyond Wen Youren's capability.

Chemotherapy first, then surgery? Wang Guohua had long seen through Wen Youren's little scheme.

He simply wanted to admit a batch of chemotherapy patients.

Wen Youren seemed to have forgotten he was a surgeon, genuinely intending to turn general surgery into general internal medicine.

"I... I..."

Wen Youren's aged face turned flushed red, the embarrassment quickly shifting into anger.

"If this isn't our specialty and our medication dosing isn't meticulous enough, couldn't we coordinate with the oncology department?" Wang Guohua advised kindly.

With a reddened face, Wen Youren kept his head down and remained silent.

Wang Guohua sighed.

The atmosphere in the department head's office became awkwardly stifling, and Wang Guohua stood up and left.

...

"Luo Hao, both postoperative patients are doing fine. Take a look at the prescribed medications."

Upon Luo Hao's return, Chen Yong pulled him aside to "report" on the status of the postoperative patients.

Checking the patients, their conditions were stable. Nausea, vomiting, and pain were normal postoperative complications of interventional surgery.

The surgery was performed without issue; Luo Hao was confident in that.

"Chen Yong, I might be going out of town soon. You should admit a few patients while I'm away."

"Huh? What kind of patients?"

"Various interventional surgery patients—and by that, I mean in the broad sense; endoscopic surgeries also count as interventional. When you see such patients, don't admit them directly; check with Director Guohua first."

"Got it." Chen Yong agreed, then asked curiously, "Where are you going?"

"On a business trip for the medical affairs department."

"I almost forgot you're still part of the medical affairs office." Chen Yong smiled.

The day passed uneventfully, and Luo Hao returned home early.

At the apartment building entrance, Luo Hao ran into Zhou Tianci.

"Luo Hao! What a rare sight, you're getting off work so early today," Zhou Tianci greeted warmly. "I was just about to head over to your place."

"Some friends brought me a few catties of Shangwei red sausage, bought after waiting in line since 3 AM. Pure Shangwei sausage, genuine article."

"Take some back for Aunt Lin to try."

Zhou Tianci enthusiastically pulled Luo Hao toward his apartment.

Luo Hao smiled. "How is Section Chief Duan's little grandson doing?"

Beaming, Zhou Tianci recounted the child's current condition, though inwardly harboring disdain, suspecting Luo Hao was "dropping hints" to remind him of the favor he owed.

"I'm heading to the Capital tomorrow. Ask Section Chief Duan if he'd like to bring his grandson along to see Cui Mingyu."

"Oh?" Though inwardly dismissive, Zhou Tianci was quite receptive to Luo Hao's proposal.

Although the follow-up exam at the Mining General Hospital showed nothing wrong, the parents, grandparents, and maternal grandparents remained uneasy.

Going to the Capital was always preferable if possible.

Having a diagnosis from Director Cui Mingyu would surely be more reliable than the ultrasound Luo Hao had "randomly" performed.

"I'll get in touch with Section Chief Duan then." Eager, Zhou Tianci stuffed all the red sausages from his refrigerator into Luo Hao's hands.

"That's too much, I can't finish it all."

"It's Shangwei sausage, something we couldn't afford to eat when we were kids. Take it, take it." As Zhou Tianci spoke, he shot a fierce glare at his mother.

Aunt Lin clearly looked reluctant, but under her son's dagger-like gaze, she could only force a pained expression and keep silent.

As Luo Hao left, Zhou Tianci muttered, "Mom, it's just a few sausages. Why are you so stingy?"

"Is that just a few? That's several catties!"

"Sigh," Zhou Tianci scratched his head. "Mom, Luo Hao doesn't care about things like that."

"He's just a junior doctor who doesn't make much money; how could he not care? Look, he didn't even put up a polite front. Truly ungrateful and greedy!" Aunt Lin muttered inwardly.

Recalling the Iron Man villa by the Songhua River and the Lamborghini disguised as a Peugeot 307, Zhou Tianci felt a momentary daze.

Not knowing what else to say, he returned to his room to call Section Chief Duan.

Section Chief Duan was naturally willing, especially since Luo Hao was going to the Capital too, which would likely make things much more convenient. As soon as Zhou Tianci brought it up, he readily agreed.

Zhou Tianci went over to Luo Hao's place again to coordinate, book tickets, and by the time everything was settled, it was past ten in the evening.

Resting early, Zhou Tianci still felt something wasn't quite right.

The next day at the high-speed railway station, Zhou Tianci spotted Luo Hao stepping out of a Camry and waved excitedly, jumping up and down.

"Why didn't Little Luo drive his own car?" Section Chief Duan, who had also taken leave, asked while holding his little grandson.

Yet!

The very next second!

Section Chief Duan saw the rear passenger door open, revealing a familiar yet unexpected figure.

Rubbing his eyes hard, Section Chief Duan realized he wasn't seeing things and grabbed Zhou Tianci by the arm.

"Section Chief?"

"Shut up!" Section Chief Duan chided.

"What is it?"

"Why is Luo Hao going to the Capital?" Section Chief Duan asked in a low voice.

"Uh..." Zhou Tianci pondered. "He said he was taking someone for medical treatment."

"!!!"

He was actually taking *that* person?! Section Chief Duan's hands trembled slightly.