Chapter 773: A Different Way of Living

"Xiao Ji, what do I need to do to increase the success rate of the surgery?" Deng Chaohong asked.

It was clear that Deng Chaohong was quite concerned about this.

Ji Xiang was curious; there seemed to be something off about Deng Chaohong today.

After seeing Ji Xiang's gaze, Deng Chaohong hesitated for a moment and said directly, "Recently, several of my classmates have been contacting me, asking me about the recovery process of our post-operative patients, and they even ask about every single physical examination in great detail."

"I feel like they are coveting this surgical technique."

"I didn't participate in Neymar's surgery, but I didn't understand Zhao Dali's surgery at the time, so I've been keeping an eye on that young man ever since. His recovery can be said to be very good, if..."

Deng Chaohong hesitated for a moment, but still spoke the truth.

The value of this surgical technique is clear to any ordinary Orthopedics Department doctor, not to mention specialists in sports medicine.

He certainly couldn't assume Ji Xiang didn't know; if he did that, it would be too disrespectful.

Ji Xiang smiled and did not interrupt Deng Chaohong.

"Speaking of it, it's still about making money," Deng Chaohong said candidly. "I see that your surgery, Xiao Ji, is still leaning towards Embolization and Resection for Renal Cancer."

Having said this, Deng Chaohong felt embarrassed himself; he rubbed his hands and kept offering apologetic smiles.

It was just like how he used to be when he was by his mentor's side many years ago.

"Performing surgery on athletes, especially top-tier athletes, is indeed quite profitable," Ji Xiang said with a smile. "Teacher Deng, the surgical technique is definitely fine."

"The difficulty lies in minimizing damage to the capillary network; previous surgical techniques were all too crude."

Deng Chaohong felt ashamed.

"It will get better with more experience, and if someone comes to you for surgery, I will assist you."

Finally!

Deng Chaohong received a positive answer from Ji Xiang.

Although he felt a bit ashamed, Deng Chaohong couldn't care about that much.

Right now, the vast majority of people only know that his "student" performed the surgery on Neymar casually, and Neymar recovered well.

If he, as the teacher, performed the surgery, it would definitely be even better!

Deng Chaohong chuckled, feeling slightly embarrassed.

Being able to make some money through Ji Xiang's hands is better than nothing; after all, there's nothing shameful about making money.

"Xiao Ji, what should I say to the Sports General Administration?"

"I'm just an assistant; you are the teacher. You perform the surgery, and the success rate won't be low," Ji Xiang replied very politely, which was exactly what Deng Chaohong wanted.

"Really... really..." Deng Chaohong rubbed his hands, not knowing what to say.

"When is the patient coming?" Ji Xiang asked.

"They didn't say, I estimate they might have to go to Shanghai."

"Oh."

Seeing that Ji Xiang was somewhat reluctant, Deng Chaohong hurriedly persuaded him, "Xiao Ji, there are many large Grade A Tertiary Hospitals in Shanghai, the level is high, and the income is even higher. Changing to a different platform would be better."

"I... am not short of money."

"!!!"

Deng Chaohong was stunned and sighed deeply in his heart.

Not short of money—this reason is truly enviable.

However, Deng Chaohong knew that Ji Xiang was definitely not talking nonsense. An SCI Thesis is worth tens of thousands of yuan; if one sold for 10,000, it would be a huge favor, yet Ji Xiang smiled slightly, didn't care at all, and gave them away casually.

The gap between people is truly huge, Deng Chaohong thought, and sorrow flowed like a river in his heart.

But he quickly became happy again; if Ji Xiang were short of money, where would he have such a good opportunity?

Just as Deng Chaohong was thinking, his phone suddenly rang.

"Hello?"

"Ah! Where?"

"Alright, alright, alright, I'll be there right away!"

Deng Chaohong hung up the phone and ran out in a hurry.

"Xiao Ji, I'm going to the Intensive Care Unit."

Deng Chaohong ran a few steps and found Ji Xiang following him. This kid is really curious, Deng Chaohong thought to himself.

While waiting for the elevator, Deng Chaohong took the initiative to say, "A nurse's daughter in the department fell ill a while ago; it's considered to be medication-related."

"Is the person okay?"

"Not good, there is no spontaneous breathing," Deng Chaohong frowned. "The person is in the Intensive Care Unit, and they say it might be Brain Death."

Brain Death!

Vegetative State!!

Ji Xiang was slightly startled.

Arriving at the entrance of the Intensive Care Unit, a middle-aged woman was squatting on the ground, covering her eyes with both hands, tears flowing through her fingers.

"Qu Dan, what happened?" Deng Chaohong asked.

"Brother Deng, I don't know either. The child was studying at home. I went to deliver fruit, and she even smiled at me, but when I turned back, she had collapsed on the floor. I... I..."

"I'll go take a look."

Deng Chaohong did not comfort the middle-aged woman but instead entered the door of the Intensive Care Unit.

Ji Xiang followed behind Deng Chaohong, put on a sterile gown, changed his shoes, and walked in with long strides.

After clarifying the situation, both Deng Chaohong and Ji Xiang were dumbfounded.

The director of the Intensive Care Unit considers that the patient overdosed on medication, likely a suicide. There had been no spontaneous breathing since before being sent to the hospital, and there is still none now; it is considered Brain Death, and the patient is already in a Vegetative State.

The patient is currently being assisted by an Anesthesia Machine for breathing and is temporarily stable.

Deng Chaohong furrowed his brows tightly, sighing incessantly.

"Director Lei, is there any hope for rescue?" Deng Chaohong asked.

The director of the Intensive Care Unit kept a straight face, "Although the rescue was timely, the current situation is not optimistic."

Not optimistic—these three words have many implied meanings; in the current context, they can basically be understood as a high probability of Brain Death or a Vegetative State.

Ji Xiang quietly went to perform a simple physical examination; the patient's neurological reflexes were indeed just as Director Lei of the Intensive Care Unit had said, very unoptimistic, with a score of almost zero.

The diagnosis for this patient was relatively straightforward, but the age made one feel quite sighful.

After cardiac arrest and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, although the patient regained a spontaneous heart rate, she remained in a deep coma, unable to breathe autonomously, and had low blood pressure, requiring vasopressors to maintain it.

Now she was intubated, relying on an Anesthesia Machine to assist her breathing.

With the operation of the Anesthesia Machine, the patient's chest wall rose and fell; this sight made Ji Xiang feel hollow inside.

Deng Chaohong also had nothing he could do; after clarifying the situation, he went out to explain it to the Family Member.

When encountering such matters, all a Doctor can do is offer comfort.

It was very clear that Deng Chaohong's mood was also poor; half an hour later, he left with Ji Xiang, his eyes red.

"Xiao Ji, back in the day, this Nurse was a very capable worker. It's just a pity she was non-tenured staff. One year, the hospital went crazy—that was the year when all doctors and nurses without tenure had to go through labor dispatch."

Ji Xiang vaguely knew about this matter; in order to circumvent many things, doctors and nurses without tenure were classified under the management of a certain labor service company, with the labor service company signing contracts with the hospital.

"At the time, the hospital didn't think it through, and that batch of nurses was all dismissed. The people who came later were a bit lazy, so every time we encounter issues, we really miss them. Although they don't work here anymore, over these years, whenever they bring people in for medical treatment, I still try my best to help."

"Every year, I also find a few of them to eat together and reminisce. But who could have imagined that such a thing would happen."

As Deng Chaohong spoke, he sighed.

He didn't say much more about labor dispatch, just providing some background, and then he arrived at the Fire Exit; just as he was about to reach for a cigarette, the cigarette case was already handed to him.

Deng Chaohong took the cigarette, his mood very poor, "Xiao Qu hasn't had it easy all these years. Her daughter reportedly had excellent grades; when she got into a key high school, we few doctors and nurses who were close had a drink to celebrate."

"Who could have imagined... sigh."

"Children are under a lot of pressure. When I was an intern, I met a high school student who, because she got second place in the grade and couldn't accept that someone had better grades than her, jumped off a building," Ji Xiang said.

Deng Chaohong shook his head.

"Teacher Deng, do you think there is a chance she will wake up?"

"No," Deng Chaohong gave a definitive answer.

"But you asked the Family Member to go home and find the medicine box to see what exactly she took; could there still be a miracle?"

"I wish there were, but just between us, to be honest, there is no hope. The Neurology Department's physical exam score is very low; there's no chance, it's likely a Vegetative State."

Deng Chaohong took a deep drag of the cigarette; he seemed to forget to exhale it, remaining silent for a long time before finally sighing.

Yet no smoke was exhaled.

"Teacher Deng, there's nothing to be done about this." Ji Xiang had never experienced such a thing; he didn't know how to comfort Deng Chaohong and could only say dry, empty words.

"Sigh," Deng Chaohong collected himself, "This is all fate, no way around it. The child is still young, why take her mother's medicine! That's all just to scare people!! Every year in the hospital, at least three or five nurses take medicine just to avoid working the night shift."

"It should have been enough to just scare people; why go as far as to turn yourself into a Vegetative State."

Deng Chaohong was always refined; this was the first time Ji Xiang heard him curse.

"And then there are those who drink Paraquat... forget it, let's not mention this."

The joy Deng Chaohong had just felt was swept away; after finishing, he fell silent, smoked a cigarette, and then went back.

From then on, every year, Deng Chaohong would go to the Intensive Care Unit to take a look.

The Intensive Care Unit issued multiple critical condition notices and informed the family that there were no signs of recovery in the patient's brain, the neurological system score was extremely low, and the preliminary judgment was that the possible outcome was Brain Death.

One day later, Ji Xiang followed Deng Chaohong to the Intensive Care Unit again.

"Brother Deng." The middle-aged woman's eyes were full of bloodshot veins, her complexion was extremely poor; she lowered her head and said to Deng Chaohong, "Thank you."

Deng Chaohong was stunned for a moment; he seemed to realize what had happened. Deng Chaohong's lips moved, but the words were swallowed back before they reached his mouth.

"The child is likely gone. Her father and I discussed it; rather than using an Anesthesia Machine to assist breathing and being a Vegetative State, it's better to change to a different way of living."

"Organ donation?" Deng Chaohong asked in a hoarse voice.

The middle-aged woman nodded.

"Should we wait a bit longer?"

"I knew it when the Doctor issued the critical condition notice," the middle-aged woman said blankly, "Brother Deng, they mean that Xiao Yu is definitely a Vegetative State, even if she could be taken off the machine later."

"The costs of the Intensive Care Unit are too high; we can't afford it. The family doesn't have the means either; even if she recovers spontaneous breathing, the family can't take care of a Brain Death patient, so let it be."

Ji Xiang lowered his head.

The woman said "let it be" in a low voice; she didn't cry, nor did she have that sense of relief, she was simply stating a fact, a decision.

"Alright, since you have already made the decision... call me if you need anything," Deng Chaohong said softly.

"Okay, Brother Deng. Thank you for your hard work during this time."

Change to a different way of living, perform organ transplantation, find a new meaning in life?

Ji Xiang didn't understand; he thought of the System NPC.

"The Affiliated Hospital organ donation coordinator will be here in a while; I don't know the specific procedures either. Brother Deng, you go ahead and get busy; it's almost time for the shift change at this hour. After things are finished, the two of us will find you for a meal."

"Alright, you guys..." Deng Chaohong didn't even finish the words "my condolences."

Ji Xiang endured and endured; after they left, he asked, "Teacher Deng, the Intensive Care Unit costs over ten thousand a day, what if we watched for a few more days."

"Heh." Deng Chaohong lowered his head and walked toward the ward area.

They met Director Liu head-on, with Zhou Tianbo by his side.

Ji Xiang was slightly startled; Zhou Jiaoshou Tianbo did not greet Ji Xiang, but instead walked up to the Family Member and bowed deeply.

"Teacher Deng, you go back first, I'll follow Director Liu to take a look."

"Alright, don't rush, I'll do the surgery first." Deng Chaohong was in no mood; after saying this, he kept his head down and left.

"Director."

"You and Professor Deng come to see the Patient," Liu Zhuren said in a low voice. "Zhou Tianbo is coming to evaluate the Patient's kidney function; the organ donation coordinator will be here in a moment."

Ji Xiang's mood was extremely complicated.

Liu Zhuren was the same; he only briefly described the situation to Ji Xiang, and the two fell silent at the same time.

Although Zhou Jiaoshou Tianbo did not speak, he expressed his respect through his body language.

He then entered the Intensive Care Unit.

After checking the Patient's condition, Zhou Tianbo remained silent for a long time.

"Zhou Jiaoshou, the Patient's kidney function seems to be alright," Liu Zhuren asked.

"In theory, there is no problem, but I always feel something is a bit strange." Zhou Tianbo frowned, looking completely different from the stereotypical impression Ji Xiang had formed when he first saw him at the private hospital.

"How so?"

"The Family Member seems to be a former Nurse from the Second Affiliated Hospital, right?"

"Yes," Liu Zhuren said. "I heard people say she used to be a Nurse in the Orthopedics Department."

Zhou Tianbo did not continue speaking.

"Emergency rescue was performed immediately, and the Patient was barely sent to the Emergency Department, then to the ICU. Zhou Jiaoshou, do you have any concerns?"

"I have... no." Zhou Tianbo's face was grave.

Ji Xiang's heart stirred.

Before this, Ji Xiang had performed a physical examination with Deng Chaohong; the Patient was in a deep coma, had a spontaneous heartbeat, but no spontaneous breathing. The neurological reflex score was extremely low, and the Patient could be diagnosed as being in a Vegetative State.

But Zhou Tianbo's intermittent questions caused a sliver of doubt to arise in Ji Xiang's heart.

Ji Xiang turned around silently, went to a corner, pretended to look out the window, held his breath, and focused his mind to enter the System Space.

"The kidney function is fine and can be used. Tell the Family Member to prepare for surgery."

Just as Ji Xiang regained his senses, a familiar yet annoying voice reached his ears.

Wei Fusi!

Why is it him again!!

Ji Xiang let out a breath.

"Don't rush, let's take another look. I have some thoughts about this Patient," Zhou Tianbo said in a low voice, holding his arms and supporting his chin.

"Old Zhou, although the Patient took medication, the kidney function hasn't been damaged. You wouldn't be afraid to perform the surgery, would you?" Wei Fusi asked.

"No, it's mainly that the Patient..."

"What Patient, what Patient? Can you tell me where there is a problem with the kidney function?" Wei Fusi pressed.

"The Patient shouldn't be in a Vegetative State; is that what you are considering, Zhou Jiaoshou?" Ji Xiang walked over and interrupted Wei Fusi.

"!!!" Wei Fusi saw Ji Xiang, and he seemed to have the same feeling as Ji Xiang—they loathed seeing each other, and both felt disgusted looking at the other.

"The Patient collapsed at home, followed by Respiratory and Circulatory Arrest. Because the Family Member is a medical worker, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation was performed immediately until the 120 Emergency Vehicle arrived."

"Rescue was also continuously performed in the Emergency Department and the Intensive Care Unit until intubation and the Anesthesia Machine were used."

"What are you trying to say? Did you check the physical condition? Do you know what the neurological reflex score means?" Wei Fusi retorted directly with a face full of disdain. "Deep coma, and there is still no spontaneous breathing to this day. What are you spouting nonsense for?"

"Old Wei, I also feel that the cause of the Patient's coma is the medication, and coupled with the continuous Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, we cannot easily diagnose Brain Death." Zhou Tianbo looked deeply at Ji Xiang, hesitated for a moment, but chose to stand on Ji Xiang's side.

"Old Zhou, have you gone senile too?" Wei Fusi was somewhat angry.

"We need to re-evaluate the possibility of the Patient's brain recovery."

Ji Xiang and Zhou Tianbo gave the next plan in unison.

Wei Fusi looked coldly at Ji Xiang and curled his lip. "Little Standardized Training Student, you're quite arrogant. Old Zhou, you wouldn't be lacking confidence in yourself because you've been here for a year of support and have performed fewer surgeries, would you?"

Zhou Tianbo sighed and shook his head.

"The Family Member agrees, the Patient is assessed as being in a deep coma, has no spontaneous breathing, and the kidney function meets the standards. I think we can proceed with organ transplantation," Wei Fusi gave his opinion without hesitation.

"Let's wait a bit longer." Zhou Tianbo looked up and stared directly into Wei Fusi's eyes.

"What is there to wait for? Wait for the rescue medication to accumulate in the kidneys, leading to renal insufficiency? Or wait for the Patient to linger in the ICU for thirty or fifty days before finally making a decision?"

Wei Fusi looked at Zhou Tianbo's eyes with great dissatisfaction and finally said in a deep voice, "Old Zhou, you used to be decisive. How come I haven't seen you for a few months and you've become so wishy-washy?"

"It has nothing to do with decisiveness. I agree with Xiao Ji's view that the Patient needs further observation."

"You!" Wei Fusi was somewhat angry. "Are you dissatisfied with the person receiving the organ? So you want to wait?"

At these words, Zhou Tianbo was speechless, not knowing how to explain.

"Old Zhou, all the paperwork is complete, you... you... damn it!" Facing Zhou Tianbo's questioning, Wei Fusi didn't want to fall out either; he finally stamped his foot and turned to leave.

"Old Wei, wait for me." Zhou Tianbo followed him out in a hurry.

"Xiao Ji, do you think there is still hope? I have seen many similar patients. Even if they are rescued and have spontaneous breathing, they end up in a Vegetative State." Liu Zhuren frowned slightly.

"Ah?!" Ji Xiang stared blankly at Wei Fusi's back.

"Many years ago, there was an 18-year-old lad repairing a car. Something went wrong with the equipment, and the car fell and crushed him. His heart stopped, and he was sent to the hospital for rescue. His vital signs returned, but he was brain dead."

"Because he was an only child, the Family Member refused to give up. It's been over ten years now, and the Patient is still lying at home. The Nurses from our department are picked up every two weeks to change the urinary catheter and perform catheter care."

"So long! Are there any bedsores?" Ji Xiang was surprised.

"No, the Nurse said that the lad even gained weight." Liu Zhuren sighed. "I don't know who is right or wrong; it's truly hard to say in such matters. You are young, and it's normal to be soft-hearted, but in the end, it's meaningless."

Although Liu Zhuren said he didn't know who was right or wrong, the last sentence had already indicated his attitude.

"Zhuren, I just feel that the Patient can still be saved."

Liu Zhuren looked at Ji Xiang helplessly.

Perhaps when one first starts working, one always wants to have a perfect solution.

This was because Ji Xiang hadn't seen the Patient who was to receive the kidney; if he had seen the other party, he wouldn't know how to make the choice.

"Let's go, it has nothing to do with us. Xiao Ji, do you know why I don't choose to perform organ transplantation?" Liu Zhuren asked.

Ji Xiang understood; Liu Zhuren was definitely not lacking in skill.

In the Urology Department, Kidney Transplantation is not the surgical procedure with the highest level of difficulty.

It is estimated that Liu Zhuren and the system NPC have similar thoughts.

Seeing that Ji Xiang did not speak, Liu Zhuren could not be bothered to explain either. Any topic regarding organ transplantation, no matter how it is discussed, will invite many unnecessary troubles and arguments.

Therefore, he is unwilling to touch this surgical procedure, to save himself the trouble.

If 3D-printed organs were truly perfected, one could just pick up and perform the surgery.

"Let's go." Liu Zhuren patted Ji Xiang on the shoulder, "It has nothing to do with us; Bai Chuzhang is also just trying to build up some technical reserves as much as possible, and is unwilling to invite this trouble. The matters inside this, once explained and laid bare, are quite dull."

"Oh."

Ji Xiang and Liu Zhuren exited the door of the Intensive Care Unit.

When leaving, Ji Xiang saw Wei Fusi bowing in salute.

Doctors and nurses give extremely high respect to the patients and Family Members of organ transplant donors.

"We have some differing opinions, how are you considering it?" Wei Fusi asked politely.

Although he looked down on Ji Xiang, he was not like that toward the Family Member.

"We agree to the organ transplantation," the middle-aged woman said flatly, "You have my phone number; just call me once you have a decision."

"Call? You..."

"I cannot get time off," the middle-aged woman stated a fact very flatly, "I am on the day shift today, and my workplace only allowed me to leave for the morning."

Wei Fusi looked horrified.

He hesitated for a moment, his expression as uncomfortable as if he had eaten a fly.

"Teacher Wei, Teacher Zhou, then I will be going first," the middle-aged woman bowed and said very respectfully.

Watching the woman leave, Wei Fusi frowned and said with disgust, "There really are such Family Members!"

"Sigh, Old Wei, say less."

"Her heart is truly hard; her daughter is about to die inside the Intensive Care Unit, yet she actually still has to go to work!"

Wei Fusi's voice was not loud, but the sense of respect from just a moment ago had vanished completely, replaced only by disgust and disdain.

Ji Xiang was also stunned for a moment.

"Liu Zhuren?"

"Do you have a surgery?" Liu Zhuren asked with a flat expression.

"I do, but it is not urgent; Professor Deng and Lin have already started," Ji Xiang knew Liu Zhuren had something to say to him.

"Come to my office."

Ji Xiang did not say anything; he could sense that the atmosphere was a bit off.

Following Liu Zhuren to his office, Liu Zhuren sat down and looked at Ji Xiang, staring for a full 20 seconds.

20 seconds is not a long time, but it made Ji Xiang feel very awkward.

"Zhuren, do you have any guidance for me?" Ji Xiang, feeling helpless, could only pose the question.

"Do you have the same thoughts as Professor Wei Fusi?" Liu Zhuren asked very flatly.

"I just feel it is a bit strange."

"Let me tell you a story," Liu Zhuren looked at Ji Xiang and said softly.

(End of this chapter)