Chapter 23: The Knife is Not Wrong, the One Using the Knife is Wrong

"Wealth is an external possession; you don't bring it with you when you are born, and you don't take it with you when you die."

Dahai muttered in a voice only he could hear.

Each additional surgical procedure meant more money, and for Dahai, this amount of money would take a long time of working to save up.

But at this moment, there was one, and only one, devil's voice echoing in Dahai's heart—Your concubine cannot do it!

This phrase went to his head.

Ji Xiang felt a bit sad.

If he could, he would definitely refuse the surgery; he didn't believe the doctors at this hospital could actually kill him on the operating table.

Too many deceptive tricks are just like this.

If it goes on like this, when will it ever end?

When experiencing firsthand the scenes that appear in various news reports and trending topics, the feeling is different.

"Then I'll start the procedure for you," Sun Yuanzhang said with a smile, seeing that Dahai had taken the bait.

"Dean, how is it done?" Dahai was clearly struggling repeatedly as well; he could not endure the vicious curse of 'Your concubine cannot do it,' but he also vaguely knew that the surgery would cause irreversible effects on both his wallet and his body.

"Inject 300 to 500 mL of Physiological Saline with two drops of Epinephrine into the suprapubic fat pad using a Syringe, make a small incision about 0.5 cm above the pubic bone, use a Liposuction needle to aspirate the fat, and once satisfied, suture the incision with absorbable thread.

The thread is absorbable, very aesthetically pleasing, you don't need to worry."

"The surgery is very simple, the effect is very obvious, and the cost is not high, less than ten thousand yuan."

Sun Yuanzhang emphasized two things at the end—aesthetics and cost.

Hearing the dean of the plastic surgery hospital speak so simply and decisively, Dahai's final line of psychological defense was breached.

As if possessed, he agreed to add an extra Liposuction surgery.

This dean should know a little bit of medical common sense; Ji Xiang didn't hear anything wrong when listening to him describe the process of the Liposuction surgery.

But!

Surgery is not just reciting books!

How could knowing the surgical process alone be enough!!

Even the simplest Circumcision in the Urology Department has so many complications; complications like bleeding at the frenulum and infection are not rare, and even now, recalling it makes Ji Xiang shudder.

Because he was lying on the operating table, limited by his field of vision, Ji Xiang couldn't see exactly how that dean performed the surgery.

After 2 hours and 33 minutes, the surgery ended.

After being sent to the ward post-surgery, bill after bill "flew" in front of Dahai as if they had grown wings.

Looking at the numbers on them, Dahai's heart was bleeding.

The surgery that could only be completed after exhausting his savings and borrowing money from friends and family fell short again because other surgical procedures were added on the table.

"Hurry up and pay," the Nurse said kindly, the smile on her face as warm as spring.

"I... I... I... don't have enough money on hand," Dahai said sheepishly.

"The surgery was performed by the Dean himself, so there definitely won't be any problems. If some medications cannot be used due to financial reasons, there will be a great risk," the Nurse said in a soft, gentle voice.

But the season changed suddenly; the spring breeze had turned into an autumn wind.

Risk?

Risk!

"What kind of risks are there?" Dahai was so scared his heart was pounding.

"Infection and necrosis, you know," the Nurse said. "If it rots, it will all have to be cut off, and by then, even our Dean won't be able to help. It was written clearly in the pre-operative informed consent form; you should remember."

"..."

Ji Xiang understood the other party's tactic; they were cutting like slicing a sausage, one cut at a time, and every step's expense seemed tolerable, even if one had to grit their teeth to endure it.

But once a step was taken, there were subsequent steps; these were all carefully designed.

Listed one by one, item by item, they would not stop until Dahai was hollowed out.

Next, Dahai made calls everywhere, and it was his boss who was loyal, riding an electric scooter to pay 20,000 yuan for his hospitalization fees.

This was an advance on Dahai's salary for the next half year.

In the dead of night, Dahai wept silently, his future dark, unable to see a glimmer of light.

A few days later, after the stitches were removed and he was discharged, Dahai finally left this money-pit empty-handed.

However, a few days later, after the drugs in his body had metabolized and Dahai's Corpus Cavernosum became engorged in the morning, he examined it once again,

And discovered...

And discovered...

Not only was there no real growth, but it had actually shortened slightly to the naked eye.

That was secondary; when engorged, there was a spot that always had a slight pain.

Dahai panicked immediately; he didn't dare go to the hospital that refused the surgery to have it checked, so he could only step into that money-pit once again.

The Dean was still enthusiastic toward Dahai, like a spring breeze, but at this moment, not only Ji Xiang, but even Dahai was a little afraid of this "kind" Dean.

"There is some local infection, no problem, just take some more Anti-inflammatory Drug for a while, don't be nervous," the Dean gave Dahai a definitive answer after looking at it.

"But I have already used the Anti-inflammatory Drug..." Dahai argued in a low voice.

"It's not just the Anti-inflammatory Drug, there is also infrared radiation therapy."

A few more days passed, and the pain not only did not improve, but it became more and more severe.

To say it was severe was actually not quite right; that kind of pain was elusive, and when touched by hand, one couldn't find where the problem was, but it just hurt.

It was as if someone was intermittently pricking the surgical site with a needle.

As for exactly when it hurt, it depended on that person's mood.

If they were in a good mood, they would prick a few more times;

If they were in a bad mood, they would prick a few more times again;

He felt calm and casually inserted a few more needles.

Hearing Sun Yuanzhang say this, Dahai wore a mournful face, "Sun Yuanzhang, I really have no money left."

As Dahai could no longer afford the fees for intravenous drips, the Dean's attitude toward Dahai gradually grew cold, as if he had become a different person, as if he had never known Dahai and the surgery had not been performed by him.

This time, Dahai was beyond tears, wandering about like a walking corpse.

Although he was only a bystander, Ji Xiang could feel the pain of those needle pricks. Ji Xiang was very bewildered; he did not know what situation Dahai was facing, nor did he know how to resolve it.

One day, in total despair, Dahai stood on the rooftop of the top floor.

The wind,

was wailing.

Striking against his eardrums, it made Ji Xiang feel particularly uncomfortable.

"Teacher!" Ji Xiang shouted in his heart.

Before entering the Empathy System, the System NPC had told Ji Xiang that he could speak if he could not hold it in.

But even when his vital signs showed changes, Ji Xiang had never chickened out.

He only looked kind, but in reality, he was stubborn as hell.

But this time, Ji Xiang chickened out, having witnessed Dahai's entire ordeal, from Xiaomo saying that sentence in a mocking tone, to the surgery, to being asked for more money while lying on the operating table, to the poor post-operative results and the intermittent pain.

In the end, Dahai lost both his health and his wealth.

Ji Xiang knew Dahai wanted to end his own life, and he did not want to witness that most tragic scene.

The scene blurred and shifted; amidst the light and shadow, Ji Xiang returned to the System Operating Room.

His Surgical Points increased by 20; this was the "income" from Empathy, but Ji Xiang did not notice.

"Teacher..." Ji Xiang subconsciously leaned toward the System NPC.

"This Empathy session lasted a long time. What did you gain?" the System NPC asked.

"Teacher, was it because the surgery was unsuccessful that it not only failed to extend but actually shortened during post-operative congestion?"

"Teacher, what caused that needle-like pain? Was a nerve damaged during the surgery?"

"Teacher..."

Ji Xiang had countless questions, and he asked them impatiently at the first opportunity.

One only regrets having read too little when the time comes to use it; Ji Xiang had a strong urge to read more books, no matter how many, it would never be enough.

Surgery was only one aspect; what he knew was still too little, far too little, and it was not nearly enough before actual Clinical application.

"That is a complication following Extension Surgery—post-operative congestion and retraction. It is not common, but it is not considered a rare disease either," the System NPC said calmly.

"What about the needle-like pain?" Ji Xiang pressed.

"Traumatic Neuroma."

The System NPC answered all of Ji Xiang's questions one by one and also provided solutions.

Comparing everything he experienced in the Empathy System, Ji Xiang underwent a transformation without realizing it.

"Teacher, this type of surgical procedure is truly harmful," Ji Xiang said subconsciously with resentment.

"How could it be?" The System NPC shook his head. "Extension Surgery is one of the two recognized extension methods in the medical field, and it has been proven effective through detailed data in Clinical practice."

"But there are so many side effects."

"If the surgery is performed well, it can be said there is only one side effect—the angle after congestion is originally 45-60°, and after surgery, it becomes 90-110°, looking less firm," the System NPC explained. "As for various complications, they exist whether you take medicine or have surgery."

Although Ji Xiang's emotions fluctuated, he quickly calmed down after the System NPC's patient explanation.

He understood that the System NPC was right about the surgical procedure, and that those who used sweet talk to deceive people, empty their wallets, and finally kick Dahai out the door were the ones at fault.

It was like that old metaphor—the knife is not wrong; the fault lies with the person using the knife.

Recalling the System NPC's explanation of the sequelae of Extension Surgery once more, Ji Xiang looked into his eyes and asked, "Teacher, I want to read some books. Do you have any recommendations?"

"Urological Surgery," the System NPC said. "You should be on the third edition now; go back and read it. Master the basics regarding Circumcision and Extension Surgery first."

"And then?" Ji Xiang frowned and asked.

"Naturally, read various journals and magazines, large-sample data, and some Gegan baodao."

"Teacher, can I come and bother you often?"

"Come anytime." The System NPC smiled gently. "I am very happy that you can enjoy the dull and boring surgery."

"It won't be dull or boring," Ji Xiang said firmly.

"Go back; your Endurance Value is running out," the System NPC waved his hand.

"Teacher!" Ji Xiang knew the System NPC was about to chase him away, so he hurriedly called for a stop.

The System NPC did things efficiently and decisively; if he were a second late, he would be kicked out. Ji Xiang still had a small ambition; he wanted to improve.

"What is it?"

"I have experienced Empathy three times, and the system gave me a reward," Ji Xiang said.

"Oh, being able to experience Empathy three times in a short period is not something everyone can do," the System NPC smiled. "You are outstanding and worthy of focused cultivation."

"These two potions are for you." The System NPC flipped his hand, and two purple potions appeared in his palm.

"They can increase the Surgery Level!" Ji Xiang was slightly excited.

"Mm."

Ji Xiang naturally knew that this stuff should be used at the end; earlier Surgery Levels were easy to raise, and using such bug-like potions given by the system would be too wasteful.

But...

Looking at the massive amount of Experience Points needed for an upgrade, Ji Xiang felt somewhat helpless.

And this was just for a Circumcision.

"My Stamina is exhausted every time in the System Operating Room, and I only get a few thousand Experience Points," Ji Xiang said without concealment. "Teacher, I want more Experience Points."

"Haste makes waste," the System NPC laughed.

"Teacher, is there any other way?" Ji Xiang asked.

"The System Operating Room has its advantages and disadvantages. The flow of time here is different from the outside, which is precisely why it doubles the consumption of your Basic Endurance. If you want to train more, you can practice in reality."

"Tying Knots?"

"Familiarizing yourself with the structure of the suturing device is also fine, just like a soldier cleaning their own rifle," the System NPC said.

"What about Experience Points?"

"Focus your attention on the understanding of surgery; Experience Points are merely the natural result of success, not the goal you should pursue."

After speaking, the System NPC waved a hand.

Ji Xiang opened his eyes.

The midday sun was very intense, and the sound of cicadas outside the window carried a sense of irritation.

The noisy, bustling atmosphere of the human world dispelled the chill from the Empathy experience.

For an instant, Ji Xiang could not distinguish between reality and the System, feeling somewhat dazed.

The experiences regarding Dahai appeared in his mind, as if they were Ji Xiang's past life.

He subconsciously reached out and touched it; it was still hard and there.

The angle was normal, without the changes from Extension Surgery.

That is good.

(End of this chapter)