Chapter 5: The Show Begins

Ye Song ignored Jiang Ping’an and added coolly, “Director Wu, I need a detailed treatment plan. If your hospital cannot promptly provide a plan that satisfies me, I will take my grandfather abroad for treatment.”

“Officer Ye, please rest assured. I will definitely come up with a plan that meets your expectations!” Jiang Ping’an volunteered eagerly.

Examinations.

Endless examinations.

This was the hospital’s meticulousness; in order to cure the unconscious Elder Ye, Jiang Ping’an exercised the utmost caution. Ye Song, seeing his dedication, felt her impression of him improve slightly.

“Officer Ye, please don’t worry. Elder Ye’s illness is indeed rare, and the operation may present special challenges, but I am confident in my medical skills. Moreover, the provincial hospital has assembled a team of experts for consultation, and my mentor, the esteemed master Yan, will also be present.”

For several days, Jiang Ping’an had stayed close to Ye Song.

From Director Wu, he learned that this female colonel’s identity was far from ordinary. If he could forge a connection with her, success would be within reach.

To ensure Elder Ye’s recovery, Jiang Ping’an spared no effort, even inviting his mentor, Master Yan, out of retirement to lead a special expert group. The team members were all renowned physicians, an illustrious lineup—truly the “pillars” of the medical community in Dongjiang Province.

After hearing the expert group’s report, Ye Song finally allowed a satisfied smile to surface. She nodded gently and said to Jiang Ping’an, “Doctor Jiang, I entrust my grandfather’s illness to you.”

“Officer Ye, rest assured. I will cure your grandfather.”

Jiang Ping’an felt their relationship had advanced a step; at least she no longer treated him with the same icy distance as before.

“Sister Lin Wen, when will you operate on that ICU patient under your care?” Zhuang Zhou asked Lin Wen as she entered.

Zhuang Zhou was to remain under observation for several more days. Truthfully, his main intention was to see how Jiang Ping’an and his team would fare. For the Poison Immortal, he was the protagonist of this drama from beginning to end; the others were mere insignificant supporting characters. His deeper purpose was to strike at Jiang Ping’an and root out whoever had plotted against him. The dignity of the Poison Immortal could not be violated—anyone who tried would pay dearly.

Lin Wen, worried about her younger brother whom she’d watched grow up, replied, “Tomorrow. Why do you ask? I’m not sure if they can cure Elder Ye. The risks of brain surgery are simply too high!”

Truth be told, Lin Wen disliked that arrogant female officer.

If not for Zhuang Zhou, Elder Ye would likely have died already. Even though Zhuang Zhou’s treatment plan sounded bizarre, it deserved at least a word of thanks. Yet not only was there no gratitude, Ye Song’s look at Zhuang Zhou was as if he were a murderer.

“Jiang Ping’an is deeply invested in Elder Ye’s illness, sparing no expense to invite medical luminaries—even Master Yan has joined the expert group,” Lin Wen sighed.

Zhuang Zhou was secretly delighted; clearly Jiang Ping’an had gone all out this time. Yet he knew, even if Jiang Ping’an invited a national treasure like Zhong Nanshan, it would still be useless.

“You’re still smiling!” Lin Wen shot Zhuang Zhou a glare. “The hospital’s abuzz about you challenging Jiang Ping’an, saying you’re a puppy barking at the moon—overestimating yourself!”

For doctors, skill is paramount, but reputation is equally important.

Zhuang Zhou was an unknown medical student, challenging the renowned Jiang Ping’an. Jiang Ping’an was the star physician of the provincial hospital, famed for his extraordinary skill. Such a contest’s outcome was obvious to everyone.

No one believed in Zhuang Zhou.

“Well, Junior Zhuang!” Jiang Ping’an entered with a smile. “Got your notebook ready? This is a rare learning opportunity. Make sure you seize it!”

Hearing Jiang Ping’an’s taunt, Zhuang Zhou showed no anger and replied calmly, “Doctor Jiang, during a craniotomy, you need to awaken the patient. Conventional methods won’t work. To awaken him, you must use the Return Soul Technique.”

Jiang Ping’an dismissed him, “Junior Zhuang, spare me your superstitious nonsense. Treating patients is a scientific, rigorous endeavor.”

Ye Song, standing at the door, frowned and glanced irritably at Zhuang Zhou. She truly found him insufferable—at such a critical moment, he was still promoting his ridiculous shamanistic theories, courting attention. Such a person must never be allowed to practice medicine; he would only bring harm to patients.

Jiang Ping’an declared solemnly, “Though Elder Ye’s illness is complex, I’ve invited Dongjiang Province’s top experts for consultation. Everything will be foolproof. As for you, Junior Zhuang, spreading eccentric medical theories during your studies and overstepping your bounds in the hospital—I’ve heard the university administration is very dissatisfied. After this surgery, there may even be a meeting to expel you. I advise you to take care.”

A threat—he dared to openly threaten the Poison Immortal. Such audacity! Zhuang Zhou was inwardly furious, but outwardly smiled placidly, “Let’s see how things unfold.”

As Jiang Ping’an departed, Lin Wen said indignantly, “Jiang Ping’an is far too arrogant.”

“He has reason to be. Don’t forget, he’s a genius doctor with superb skills,” Zhuang Zhou said unconcernedly.

“I just can’t stand his condescending attitude.” Lin Wen, after a year or two in the hospital, found Jiang Ping’an frivolous and had no fondness for him.

Zhuang Zhou merely smiled.

Beep, beep, beep!

In the operating room.

Jiang Ping’an concentrated intently on the surgery. For him, this was a golden opportunity for advancement. Through the mask, one could see his eyes brimming with confidence; the craniotomy proceeded smoothly.

Ye Song stood coldly beside Zhuang Zhou, icy as a mountain, her lips pressed tight, filled with nervousness, paying no attention to him.

Zhuang Zhou, for his part, watched Jiang Ping’an closely.

Jiang Ping’an was right—this was indeed a rare learning opportunity. Brain surgery was unimaginable in his old world; he was amazed at the wonders of this one.

Beep!

A prolonged tone from the cardiac monitor made everyone tense up again.

Jiang Ping’an glanced at Master Yan, who gave him an encouraging look. Jiang Ping’an, unfazed by the brief cardiac arrest, lowered his head and continued the operation.

With his mentor overseeing, Jiang Ping’an felt the surgery was assured.

Brain surgery—the most complex procedure in the world. Even the greatest doctors cannot guarantee absolute success. Yet for Jiang Ping’an, this operation was going exceptionally well: clearing the hematoma was flawless, and every member of the expert group nodded in satisfaction. Even in their youth, they could not have performed so well.

“All right, let’s wake the patient.”

The burden in Jiang Ping’an’s heart finally lifted.

Only the last step remained: awakening the patient.

But at that moment, something strange happened. No matter how the doctors tried to awaken him, Elder Ye remained unresponsive. Time seemed to freeze.

Did they fail?

Everyone’s hearts clenched in anxiety. Zhuang Zhou, however, showed no joy; his brows were knit tightly, forming a knot between his eyes.

“How can this be?!”

By all accounts, the surgery had been a perfect success, yet the patient remained comatose, showing no sign of awakening.

Wu Dongjie’s heart skipped a beat—he sensed trouble ahead.

Zhuang Zhou quietly approached Wu Dongjie and whispered, “Director Wu, Yamen, Laogong, Sanyinjiao, Yongquan, Taixi, Zhongwan, Huantiao, Sanli, Hegu—these are the nine points for the Revival Needle Technique.”

Wu Dongjie’s eyes lit up.

Of course! He’d been so nervous he’d forgotten the Revival Needle Technique. He shot Zhuang Zhou a grateful look and went to the expert group. Soon, their faces showed astonishment, and Master Yan even stepped up to the operating table, gently pressing a spot on the patient.

Wu Dongjie personally wielded the needles—nine strikes as swift as lightning, steady as a mountain. Zhuang Zhou couldn’t help but sigh in admiration; Wu Dongjie’s needlework was impressive.

Beep, beep, beep!

The heartbeat returned. Shortly, the patient revived. When they tried to awaken him again, Elder Ye opened his eyes, though his gaze remained clouded.

“What did you just say to Director Wu?” As Zhuang Zhou retreated to his original spot, Ye Song asked beside him.

Zhuang Zhou smiled and shook his head, “Nothing, just some shamanistic techniques you consider superstitious.”

“Hmph!”

Could it really be so simple? Ye Song absolutely refused to believe it. Seeing Zhuang Zhou’s confident smile, she frowned but asked no more. At this most critical moment of her grandfather’s surgery, she would not be distracted by a man who seemed so mysterious.