Chapter 383: Judging on a Case-by-Case Basis

Gradually, the days became chaotic; black and white were indistinguishable, and day and night were inverted.

After suffering through the final day, Ji Xiang finally returned to the System Operating Room.

This experience left Ji Xiang speechless, to the point that after returning to the System Operating Room, he did not take the initiative to "report" the experience of Empathy to the System NPC as he usually did.

"Did you discover anything?" the System NPC asked.

"..." Ji Xiang remained silent.

"Sometimes you have to persuade the Family Member," the System NPC said. "Listen to the Patient's opinion; although there is no euthanasia in this country, you can try to do fewer useless treatments."

"..." Ji Xiang remained silent.

The System NPC did not speak either. He took Ji Xiang to the locker room, took out the pack of White Lingzhi that Ji Xiang had "bought" for him, and with a flick of his wrist, a cigarette popped out.

Ji Xiang saw that the pack of cigarettes had not been touched, but the cigarette that had popped out had teeth marks on the filter.

It seemed the System NPC just held it in his mouth to satisfy his craving, without actually smoking it.

"Teacher, being forcibly kept alive at the end is truly very boring."

After an unknown amount of time, Ji Xiang said in a low voice.

This was the only thing he wanted to say.

And during the Empathy, Ji Xiang had forgotten his true purpose—to discover exactly why the Patient developed Pneumonia.

"You have to look at the Patient's wishes," the System NPC said. "Some patients, no matter how much they suffer, want to live; they count one day at a time, one hour at a time."

"And what about you?"

"I don't want to; it's tiring," the System NPC said very frankly and straightforwardly. "But Zhou Congwen and my spouse do not agree."

As he spoke, the System NPC seemed somewhat annoyed. He bit down hard on the filter of the White Lingzhi, and a creaking sound could be vaguely heard.

"Don't think too much; this is just a part of Clinical experience. Think about it more when you truly encounter terminal patients in the future."

After a long time, the System NPC said calmly.

"Okay."

"Regarding the Pneumonia, did you figure it out?"

"..." Ji Xiang was truly speechless this time.

He had been too busy suffering to notice what exactly caused the Pneumonia.

The System NPC smiled, seemingly forgetting the previous unpleasantness, and began to explain the details to Ji Xiang.

"Old Lu, how is the Patient now?" Seeing Lu Gang looking at the film as if he were reading a face, Liu Zhuren asked with some impatience.

"It's alright, but look here; why do I feel like something is wrong?" Lu Gang's finger tapped on the film viewer, making a thumping sound.

"There's nothing wrong; at most, there are some artifacts." Liu Zhuren took a look and didn't think there was anything to it.

Ji Xiang scratched his head and was just about to speak when Lu Gang's phone suddenly rang.

"Lu Zhuren, the Patient's blood oxygen is dropping, prepare for a Treacheotomy!"

"I'm coming right away!"

Lu Gang pulled the film down, grabbed the film envelope, and walked out quickly.

Ji Xiang followed behind him, and Liu Zhuren looked very helpless. "Xiao Ji, I'll wait for you in the office."

"Okay!" Ji Xiang said, trotting to follow Lu Gang as he disappeared around the corner.

Liu Zhuren shook his head helplessly.

"Zhuren, Doctor Xiao Ji is also..." Wu Zong didn't know how to describe it.

"Everyone is like this when they first enter Clinical practice," Liu Zhuren laughed. "They want to learn everything they see. When he learns more and realizes there isn't enough time, he will naturally know what to do."

Ji Xiang walked quickly behind Lu Gang, full of energy, completely different from the hellish torture he had experienced in Empathy not long ago.

It is better not to be sick; it is better to be young. After experiencing the moment of being on the verge of death, Ji Xiang cherished his current health very much.

Arriving at the Respiratory Medicine Department, the Patient had already undergone a Treacheotomy, was being assisted by an Anesthesia Machine, and had blood drawn for testing to monitor blood gas analysis.

"Old Lu, the Patient might not make it," the Respiratory Department director said with some regret. "I have already spoken with the Family Member, and they are still discussing it for the time being."

"Sigh." Lu Gang looked at the Patient on the Anesthesia Machine and sighed softly.

"The Patient's will to survive is quite strong," the Respiratory Medicine Department director said. "When he came to the hospital, he could no longer speak, and he used a pen to write on paper—'must go all out'."

"..." Ji Xiang was startled.

This was completely different from his own Empathy.

But that was right; the joys and sorrows between people are never shared, and his own experience only represented himself.

Wanting to live on, even if only for one day—there should be quite a few people like this.

"The handwriting is crooked, but you can make it out. I promised the old man I would go all out, which is why I contacted Bai Chuzhang to find you for a consultation."

"But if even you think there is no good way, then it is the Patient's time."

After the Respiratory Medicine Department director finished explaining, he said helplessly.

"Teacher, can a patient who has been bedridden for a long time still have such a strong desire to survive?" Ji Xiang asked.

"You must be Ji Xiang," the Respiratory Medicine Department director smiled. "Even an ant clings to life. Although the final time is not very comfortable, people's thoughts are different."

So, the thoughts between people are really like being separated by high mountains and vast seas, Ji Xiang thought.

In the Empathy, both he and "himself" felt that this was an endless torment, yet the Patient in reality had been bedridden for many years and still begged the Doctor to let him live a little longer when he arrived at the hospital.

Recalling the System NPC, Ji Xiang seemed to have gained a deeper understanding.

This kind of thing really must be judged on a case-by-case basis.

"I always feel that the film is a bit off." Lu Gang crossed his arms over his chest, supported his chin with his right hand, and frowned as he looked at the Patient.

Hearing Lu Gang speak, Ji Xiang finally woke up from the choice between life and death. This kind of speculation can only be judged on a case-by-case basis and cannot be generalized.

Ji Xiang brushed away the extraneous thoughts and picked up the Patient's Medical Record.

Sure enough, Adalat was right there, just as the system NPC had predicted.

"Teacher Lu, the Patient is taking oral Adalat, subcutaneous Insulin injections, and long-term diuretics."

"Hmm? Is there a problem?" Lu Gang asked casually.

The Director of the Respiratory Medicine Department looked at Ji Xiang with great interest.

Everyone knew that Bai Chuzhang had "exiled" Lu Gang to work under a Standardized Training Doctor, and at first, everyone thought Bai Chuzhang was unscrupulously suppressing Lu Gang.

But a while ago, during the Practicing Physician Examination, Ji Xiang had taken first place in the country, and with a perfect score at that, so the Director of the Respiratory Medicine Department felt that something was not quite right.

She had seen the test paper, and she believed that she certainly would not have scored a perfect mark on that exam herself.

Now, Ji Xiang was standing right in front of her, having just said a "platitude."

The next second, Lu Gang's eyes lit up; the layer of window paper had been poked through.

"Right, it's the Adalat!" Lu Gang said loudly, "Prepare the Bronchoscope; it must be the shell of the Adalat stuck in the trachea!"

"Old Lu, are you alright?" the Director of the Respiratory Medicine Department asked, puzzled.

"Hurry, if we take it out now, the Patient can still recover," Lu Gang waved his hand without hesitation.

(End of this chapter)