Chapter 34: I Must Have Surgery

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Fang Zhiyan was somewhat worried. Uncle Lu was a good man. Without him, Fang would never have become who he was today.

If this patient really was Uncle Lu, then Fang would do whatever it took to save him.

After hanging up, Fang moved closer to He Dongfang and carefully examined the scans.

Seeing how seriously Fang was studying them, He simply handed the scans over.

“Take a look. But our emergency department can’t handle this patient.”

“No. I can perform the surgery.”

Fang shook his head, cutting He off.

The office fell utterly silent.

Everyone stared at Fang Zhiyan, their eyes filled with shock, disbelief, and even a hint of mockery.

Did he hear himself? Was that something a sane person would say?

He could perform the surgery?

Who did he think he was?

He was not even a resident. He was only an intern.

There had to be a limit to boasting.

He Dongfang coughed and regarded Fang with a complicated expression.

“Xiao Fang, human life is not a joke. Do you understand that?”

“Director He, I know. I am fully aware of what I’m saying.”

Fang spoke with complete seriousness.

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

A moment later, a woman cautiously pushed the door open.

“Director He, may I ask what exactly is going on? Can he be treated?”

The woman looked utterly haggard, her eyes filled with grief and helplessness.

Then she saw Fang Zhiyan standing behind He Dongfang.

“Zhiyan?”

“Aunt Zhang, it really is you.”

The moment Fang saw Zhang Xiulian, he finally became certain.

The patient He Dongfang had admitted was none other than Lu Hongchang, the man who had once saved him.

Zhang Xiulian was Lu Hongchang’s wife. The two had loved and supported each other for decades, remaining together through thick and thin.

“Zhiyan, I called your mother just now. I…” Zhang Xiulian covered her mouth, unable to speak through her sobs.

“I know, Aunt Zhang. I know everything.”

Fang nodded and said seriously, “Director He has already determined Uncle Lu’s condition.”

“It can be treated. You don’t need to worry. He’ll be fine.”

“Really? That’s wonderful!”

Zhang Xiulian grew even more emotional. She wept with joy, tears silently slipping from the corners of her eyes.

He Dongfang cast Fang a doubtful glance and asked in a lowered voice, “What’s going on?”

“She’s my neighbor. She helped pay for my education,” Fang explained briefly.

“Director He, I can treat this patient.”

As he spoke, he approached Zhang Xiulian and asked her for the details of Lu Hongchang’s condition.

Only after he had learned nearly everything did he return to He Dongfang’s side.

“Director He, it’s essentially confirmed that this is a tumor.”

“I think we should perform radiographic imaging, followed by a lumbar puncture and a biopsy to determine exactly what kind of tumor it is.”

He Dongfang nodded.

Everything Fang had suggested was standard procedure. Even in neurosurgery, they would have to proceed in the same way.

He wrote out the necessary orders and indicated that Zhang Xiulian should take Lu Hongchang for the examinations.

Only after the two of them had left did He Dongfang stare sternly at Fang.

“Do you know what you’re saying?”

“You think you can perform an operation of this level?”

“Fang Zhiyan, don’t lose your head. Do you have any idea how difficult the angle is at which this tumor is located?”

“Do you understand how great the risks of this surgery are?”

In the face of He Dongfang’s doubts, Fang remained completely calm.

He knew very well that, given the hospital’s current surgical capabilities, performing this operation would be extremely risky.

Rather than entrusting the procedure to a neurosurgical team whose skills were not yet mature, it would be better for him to do it himself.

At least he was confident that he could succeed.

With that thought, Fang spoke again.

“Director He, I know the surgery is risky, but I will eliminate those risks.”

“Please believe me.”

“Don’t be ridiculous!”

He Dongfang slammed his palm down on the desk.

How could he possibly believe Fang?

How old was Fang Zhiyan?

He was only an intern, without even a medical license.

Allowing him to perform such an operation—was this some kind of joke?

Who could trust someone like that with this surgery?

If He Dongfang agreed, then he would be treating the patient’s life as a game.

With that thought, He Dongfang ignored Fang completely and turned to leave the office.

Zhu Zixiao, standing to one side, gave Fang a sympathetic look.

“Old Fang, I think you’ve gone mad too.”

Fang gave a bitter laugh but did not reply.

That afternoon, Zhang Xiulian returned carrying the scans and pushing Lu Hongchang, who was paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair, into the office.

“Director He, could you take a look?”

She handed the examination report to He Dongfang while searching the room for Fang Zhiyan.

He Dongfang studied the report carefully, then pressed his lips together.

According to the biopsy, Lu Hongchang’s tumor was an ependymoma.

Generally speaking, intramedullary spinal tumors could be broadly classified as gliomas, ependymomas, astrocytomas, hemangiomas, and lipomas.

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Lu Hongchang’s tumor was well differentiated and had relatively few blood vessels, which was considered a fairly favorable situation.

Unfortunately, the tumor was located where the spinal cord connected to the brain.

That pushed the risk of the entire operation to its absolute maximum.

“I recommend conservative treatment.”

After a long silence, He Dongfang slowly raised his head.

At those words, Zhang Xiulian’s body swayed.

Lu Hongchang, seated in the wheelchair beside her, began breathing rapidly.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside.

Several doctors entered the room. Leading them was Shao Gang, the deputy chief physician of neurosurgery.

“Director He, I heard that your emergency department has a patient with a spinal ependymoma?”

“Director Shao.” He Dongfang quickly rose and handed him the examination report.

“That’s right. This is the patient.”

Shao Gang took the documents and glanced at them, narrowing his eyes.

“I also heard that an intern in your emergency department wants to perform the operation?”

A trace of embarrassment appeared on He Dongfang’s face.

He could neither acknowledge nor deny it.

Fang Zhiyan did indeed have such an idea.

But He absolutely could not tolerate it.

That would be no different from performing knife tricks at the patient’s neck.

It would show no regard whatsoever for the patient’s safety.

“My advice is that this patient should still receive conservative treatment.”

“The tumor is in an extremely difficult location, and the surgical risks are very high. If you’re lucky and the tumor doesn’t grow, the patient may still have some time left.”

“But if you operate…” Shao Gang shook his head.

As the deputy chief physician of neurosurgery, he had absolute authority on the matter.

He Dongfang nodded and turned toward Zhang Xiulian and Lu Hongchang.

“Both of you, I share the same opinion.”

“Conservative treatment is the best decision for now.”

Zhang Xiulian had no idea what to do and could only look toward Lu Hongchang.

But Lu Hongchang shook his head firmly.

“Wouldn’t that mean I’d remain like this forever?”

“My legs would eventually waste away completely, wouldn’t they?”

“I can’t bear to go on living like this.”

“I am determined to have the operation. I would rather die on the operating table than continue living such a miserable life!”

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