Chapter 293: Deformity

"I can come." Zhao Zhe squeezed out three words, his voice dry and stiff.

Liu Zhuren looked at the constipated-looking Zhao Zhe, caught between laughter and tears.

This fellow was unable to speak because he was too excited, not because he couldn't come, which was why he had that expression.

"Does your spouse agree?" Liu Zhuren asked.

"I've been divorced for a long time, I'm a lone wolf," Zhao Zhe said. "My parents are both in good health, no need to ask anyone else; if I think it's fine, then it's fine."

This was the first time Liu Zhuren had asked about Zhao Zhe's family affairs, and only then did he learn that he was still single.

Recalling his visit to Zhao Zhe's home in Yuanliao City to look at research materials, it had indeed been a mess, completely disorganized, and he hadn't seen Zhao Zhe's spouse either.

But these were private matters and had nothing to do with Liu Zhuren.

"Then go handle the procedures," Liu Zhuren said. "Tell Xiao Ji, and hand over the surgeries here."

"Mm!" Zhao Zhe nodded vigorously.

After leaving Liu Zhuren's office, Zhao Zhe still felt like he was dreaming; his feet felt light, as if he were stepping on cotton, with no strength in them.

He was no longer young and had long since accepted his fate.

Being an Attending Physician in Yuanliao for the rest of his life until retirement was his destiny. As for whether others looked down on him or whether he could publish papers, those were already minor matters.

Zhao Zhe was only interested in new things, and he felt a momentary sense of satisfaction when a patient smiled and bowed to thank him after being saved.

Only in that one moment did Zhao Zhe consider himself the protagonist.

He had never imagined that because of this ten-plus-year research project, he would actually be transferred to the Second Affiliated Hospital!

Seeing Ji Xiang changing clothes to go home, Zhao Zhe excitedly grabbed Ji Xiang's hand.

"Xiao Ji, Xiao Ji, I'm coming to the Second Affiliated Hospital!"

"I know, I just heard Liu Zhuren say it," Ji Xiang said. "Congratulations, Zhao Ge."

"..." Zhao Zhe held Ji Xiang's hand, his habit of being a chatterbox long gone.

Ji Xiang smiled and pulled his hand away. "I'm heading home first."

"Xiao Ji, I need to ask for leave," Zhao Zhe said, though excited, he hadn't lost his head; he said very respectfully, "I need to go back to Yuanliao to handle the procedures and will return as soon as possible."

"Just tell the director," Ji Xiang said, feeling a bit awkward.

"The director told me to greet you," Zhao Zhe said. After he finished, his lips moved rapidly, as if he were speaking, but no sound came out.

Zhao Zhe knew in his heart who the real boss was in this invisible medical team.

Ji Xiang patted Zhao Zhe on the shoulder and left the department.

Today was Meng Qingfei's shift, and he wanted to take a look at the Emergency Department.

The Emergency Department was the hospital's main window, and all kinds of emergency patients were precious clinical experience for Ji Xiang.

Especially since Meng Qingfei was an interesting person, Ji Xiang was willing to interact with him more and learn more.

The two of them were quite compatible.

Although it was already late, there were still a lot of people piled up at the elevator entrance. Ji Xiang glanced at them and decided to take the Fire Exit.

Walking down the stairs was much faster than taking the elevator.

As he went downstairs, Ji Xiang suddenly heard sobbing.

It sounded like the cold winter wind blowing in through the cracks in a window.

Walking down the stairs, Ji Xiang saw a man with his head buried in his knees, holding his head with both hands and weeping bitterly.

Ji Xiang subconsciously felt his pockets; there were no cigarettes.

He would have to prepare a pack of cigarettes in the future; when communicating with a patient's family, especially one who was grief-stricken, smoking a cigarette was the best choice.

Ji Xiang didn't know what had happened, he only felt that the man's suppressed sobbing made one feel sorrowful. But people crying in a hospital was the norm.

He wanted to leave quietly, but after hesitating for a moment, he stopped and stood in front of the man, patting him on the shoulder.

"Brother, what's wrong?" Ji Xiang asked as "socially" as he could.

The man's shoulders heaved, but he didn't look up.

Ji Xiang glanced at the floor; it should be a family member of a patient from the Obstetrics Department.

Generally speaking, the Obstetrics Department was the most joyous department in the hospital.

In a hospital, there is birth, old age, sickness, and death, but only the families coming to the Obstetrics Department arrive with smiles. Yet, precisely because of this expectation, if something goes wrong in Obstetrics, it is a massive disaster.

Could it be an Amniotic Fluid Embolism?

Ji Xiang hadn't rotated through the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, and his understanding of emergencies there was limited to just that.

But he didn't think about any nonsense like "saving the mother or the child."

"Brother, stop crying," Ji Xiang comforted him gently. "You are the pillar of your family; you have to hold on at a time like this. What exactly happened?"

"What am I supposed to do now?" the man said, choking back sobs.

"What happened?" Ji Xiang asked again.

"My daughter... my daughter... her head is flat and long, like a winter melon... what am I going to do in the future..."

The man said intermittently.

Ji Xiang was stunned, recalling when he saw a newborn baby during his internship; he had almost laughed out loud.

In the last ten-plus years, a service had gradually been introduced in the country—husbands entering the delivery room to accompany their wives during childbirth.

Newborn babies indeed sometimes have flat and long heads, which looks very strange, but it gets better very quickly.

Ji Xiang held back his laughter and asked, "What did the doctor say?"

"The doctor said it would get better soon, but I know they are just comforting me," the man said, still immersed in his grief and unable to pull himself out. "I did the prenatal check-ups, all on time, and no one warned me the child was deformed. But that's my child, even if there's a disability, I have to... sob sob sob..."

"Babies born naturally all have heads like that," Ji Xiang said, sitting down beside the man to explain.

He felt a bit of regret; if he had a pack of cigarettes right now, it would be better to explain it to the grieving family member while smoking.

Next time, for sure.

"Buddy, it's like this," Ji Xiang explained to the man, "because humans..."

Ji Xiang started from physiological anatomy and went all the way to natural childbirth. Although he knew many details might be incorrect, it was meant to comfort the man after all, so it didn't matter.

After speaking for nearly ten minutes, the man gradually lifted his head. Although his eyes were still brimming with tears, the sorrow was gone. He stared blankly at Ji Xiang and asked, "Really?"

"Of course, I am a Doctor," Ji Xiang smiled, "Didn't the Doctors and Nurses in the Obstetrics Department tell you?"

"There are a few others who couldn't give birth, and they are all busy and don't have time to explain it to me. I thought they were just comforting me. Are you sure you aren't just comforting me?"

"Of course. I'm about to get off work, why would I comfort you?" Ji Xiang said with a smile, "Three days. Generally speaking, the child's head will return to normal after three days. Look, look here."

Ji Xiang lowered his head and pointed his finger at the fontanelle on his own head.

"A child's 【fontanelle】 here isn't closed; it will gradually close as they grow. Don't worry. You were crying so sadly here, I thought something had happened."

The man was somewhat suspicious and somewhat embarrassed.

He only half-understood Ji Xiang's explanation, but it sounded professional, and he believed it eighty percent without realizing it.

"Go back and see your wife and child. I'm leaving now," Ji Xiang stood up and smiled, "Don't scare yourself; there won't be any problems."

(End of this chapter)