Chapter 801: Hell-Level Difficulty (Part 1)

There was no pain, not even the slightest sensation of pain.

Ji Xiang had expected to experience Empathy from the perspective of a Patient with Acute Appendicitis and Appendiceal Perforation, and he had already prepared himself.

However, this instance of Empathy exceeded Ji Xiang's expectations.

The things Meng Qingfei mentioned today were very scattered, and combined with the strange attitude of the System NPC, Ji Xiang felt something was odd.

Upon careful recollection, he discovered he was only facing one extremely minor matter—a refund.

"His" mother was going to Hainan to spend the winter, and she came to the Outpatient Department of this hospital for a physical examination before leaving.

At the time, the Doctor asked whether to do a Head CT or Magnetic Resonance Imaging; "he" asked a simple question and decided to do the Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

But after the order was placed and the fee paid, it was discovered that the Magnetic Resonance Imaging required an 8-day wait, which conflicted with the flight and itinerary for Hainan.

So, the only option was to get a refund and do a Head CT, which was convenient, fast, and did not require a long wait.

Regarding this trivial matter, Ji Xiang first chuckled, then felt it was particularly absurd.

What was all this? Could it be that the System NPC and the Empathy system had a bug?

After searching "his" memory again carefully, Ji Xiang did not find any problems, so the sense of oddity in Ji Xiang's heart rose to another level.

What kind of Empathy was this? The system actually made him go get a refund?!

It was truly speechless; Ji Xiang thought for at least 5 minutes, wanting to find the key to it all.

Completely unrelated things were mashed together; where exactly had something gone wrong? Ji Xiang recalled blankly, wanting to find the details he had missed.

But he combed through all of "his" recent memories and still couldn't find where the problem was.

The Doctor in the Outpatient Department was very kind, and "his" mother was only there for a physical exam, with normal results.

What happened to the promised Acute Appendicitis?

What happened to the promised Infection-induced Toxic Shock?

Was this it, the highest difficulty?!

In the end, Ji Xiang couldn't make heads or tails of it and could only take the order and go wait in line to find the Doctor.

Although he said he was waiting in line, Ji Xiang was very familiar with hospital outpatient departments; he pretended to be angry and communicated with the Nurse at the entrance.

It was the kind of attitude where one had been delayed by the hospital and would file a complaint at any time.

But because his basic personal character remained, and he was familiar with what everyone in the medical system feared, the mindset of suppressed anger was "performed" vividly by Ji Xiang.

He entered the Outpatient Department again very smoothly, without being delayed by waiting in line.

A small problem, Ji Xiang thought smugly.

Moreover, for a refund, the Doctor at most had to sign, stamp, and operate the system; it would take 2 minutes at most and would not affect other Patients at all.

Everything was very smooth, so smooth that it gave Ji Xiang a slightly bad feeling.

Arriving at the Consultation Room, Ji Xiang explained the situation concisely.

But the Doctor hesitated; behind her spectacle lenses, her gaze flickered, and she seemed afraid to make eye contact with Ji Xiang.

What was wrong?

Could there be a problem?!

A thought appeared in Ji Xiang's mind, but then Ji Xiang laughed; it was impossible for there to be a problem.

At most it was just a refund, what the hell kind of problem could there be.

"Doctor, could you please help me refund the Magnetic Resonance Imaging? Just order a regular Head CT will do." Ji Xiang repeated gently.

"That..." the Doctor said those two words vaguely and then stopped speaking.

"What's wrong? It's just a refund, I have no other requests." Ji Xiang looked at the Doctor in confusion.

"The new system our hospital installed, it's been running... in short, refunds are a bit troublesome," the Doctor said helplessly.

"Beep beep beep beep~~~~" A beeping alarm sound came to Ji Xiang's ears.

A line of text appeared on the System Panel—this instance of Empathy requires the refund to be completed before you can exit.

Ji Xiang froze, falling into complete and utter confusion.

No matter how troublesome, it was still just a refund; the System NPC said the difficulty of this Empathy was extremely high, and the system gave a warning as if it were deliberately making things difficult for him.

The stubbornness in Ji Xiang's heart was activated; he didn't believe it, it was just a refund, even if the procedure was a bit troublesome, what else could happen.

"It's fine." Ji Xiang smiled. "You tell me the process, I'll run it myself. At most I'll run to a couple more departments, I'll do it myself."

The Doctor's mouth twitched; it looked like she wanted to smile, but the expression that finally appeared was uglier than crying.

"Doctor, what is this?" Ji Xiang asked in confusion.

"It's nothing, it's nothing." The Doctor was a little embarrassed. She whispered, "Our outpatient system is a copy of a mature system from a hospital in the South, but the Engineers who connected it messed it up." (Note)

"Ah?!"

"They seem to be afraid of us working too smoothly, so they changed the system into a mess. We don't find our daily work smooth either; not to mention the lagging, some functions even shut down from time to time."

"Hehe, it's fine." Ji Xiang smiled again. Hell-level difficulty? Let the storm rage even more violently.

"Sigh."

"Doctor, how many years has the system been changed?" Ji Xiang suddenly felt a bit worried.

"3 years."

"..."

It had been 3 damn years, and there were still unsolved problems; Ji Xiang couldn't understand it.

"You tell me the process; it doesn't matter if it can't be refunded directly, I'll run it bit by bit. You still have many Patients outside, and I don't want to delay your time." Ji Xiang said very sincerely.

The Doctor smiled with full gratitude and guilt, "Like this, I'll print out the order, then write an application, and you go to the Outpatient Office."

When she said this, the Doctor's gaze was somewhat evasive. Ji Xiang had a bad premonition in his heart; he felt that if he went to the Outpatient Office, he probably wouldn't be able to get it done either.

"Okay."

Ji Xiang thought about it and still felt it was just a refund, yet he had to write an application, which was particularly vexing, but he didn't express any opposition.

After all, it is "Hell Difficulty," so going to the Outpatient Office is no big deal.

It's just that Ji Xiang doesn't know where the pitfall is.

Even if there is a problem with the computer system... the system has a problem?

Ji Xiang suddenly thought of the future hospital and the System Operating Room.

That hospital did indeed look exceptionally advanced, and the entire diagnosis and treatment process was quite fast, but what if a problem were to arise?

As for what the problem is, Ji Xiang does not know.

Six or seven minutes later, Ji Xiang walked out of the Outpatient Department with the application form.

The flickering gaze of the Doctor made him feel a trace of unease.

But where the specific problem lies, Ji Xiang also does not know.

Asking the Nurse, the Nurse patiently told Ji Xiang the location of the Outpatient Office, and Ji Xiang found it all the way there.

Is this even simpler than a game? Impossible; the flickering text before his eyes has already explained everything, and Ji Xiang feels somewhat apprehensive.

Arriving at the Outpatient Office, Ji Xiang knocked on the door, and a "Please come in" voice came from inside.

There is someone here; Ji Xiang had thought there was no one.

Up to this point, everything has been very smooth, without the slightest ripple.

"Hello, sorry to bother you, I would like to request a refund." Ji Xiang walked into the Outpatient Office with the application form and said in a friendly manner.

The person receiving him was a woman in her 40s; one would assume she had been transferred from a nursing position.

She glanced at the form and said with a straight face, "Just leave it there for now."

Just leave it there for now—what does that mean?

Ji Xiang sensed a trace of malice.

"Could you please do me a favor? My mother is going to Hainan and is leaving soon; she is taking her medical insurance card with her. If I don't get the refund now, I'm afraid I won't be able to later." Ji Xiang explained the matter clearly.

"Oh, is that so? Our outpatient system has some problems, these past two days..."

As she spoke, she patted a stack of A4 paper on her right-hand side.

"Look, you see, these are all refunds."

"..."

Ji Xiang was stunned for a moment.

The system has a problem?! So this really is the key point!!

Then solve the problem, for goodness' sake. A refund request shouldn't be a difficult task for an Engineer, a Doctor, or a Nurse.

"I'm in a hurry on my end, sorry to bother you." Ji Xiang bowed slightly, appearing very humble.

"Everyone is in a hurry; there's nothing we can do."

Seeing the clerk stalling, Ji Xiang picked up the form.

The one at the very bottom was an application from 12 days ago.

But "his" mother is going to Hainan in 4 days. If the problem isn't solved in these 4 days, he doesn't know how long he will have to stay in the Empathy system.

Ji Xiang is not willing to experience other people's daily chores; he just wants to safely get the refund and successfully return to the Emergency Department.

"Don't mess it up, put it here in order," the woman said, somewhat displeased.

"I'm in a hurry on my end, could you please..."

"Who isn't in a hurry?"

The woman's attitude changed along with Ji Xiang's attitude.

Ji Xiang's temper has always been good, but at the thought of the Hell Difficulty Empathy, the system's warning, and not knowing how long he would have to linger in this godforsaken world if he couldn't go back, Ji Xiang suddenly became a bit anxious.

"It's just a refund, it shouldn't be difficult, right?"

"Normally, it wouldn't be difficult." The woman raised her voice. "But the Engineer can't fix it, and there's nothing we can do."

It looked like she was also very anxious; her temper was sour, and her tone was very unkind.

"Where is the director of the Outpatient Office? If you can't solve it, I'll go to your leadership." Ji Xiang simply tore off his polite facade and threatened her directly.

"They went to the three-evaluation and one-review, and I don't know where they are right now."

Ji Xiang became serious; he stared fixedly at the clerk in the Outpatient Office.

"I am going to the Medical Affairs Department to file a complaint. May I have your name?"

"Heh." The woman sneered. "Go ahead. I'm the only clerk in the Outpatient Office; they'll know who it is without you saying my name."

"!!!"

Ji Xiang was completely shocked.

A complaint is an extremely effective threat, but he hadn't expected that the people at this hospital wouldn't be afraid at all.

What on earth is going on here?

No wonder it is Hell Difficulty. Ji Xiang instantly calmed down and narrowed his eyes.

"I'm not going anywhere, go ahead and complain," the woman said.

She seems to want him to complain about her?! Ji Xiang was dumbfounded.

"Day after day, they can't even handle a simple refund, what a bunch of trash!" the woman cursed. "I'm not talking about you, I'm talking about those Engineers; I don't know how many kickbacks they've taken."

Ji Xiang felt helpless.

Complaining and venting with the woman here won't solve any problems. He should hurry up and file the complaint; strike the snake at its seven inches, and once the problem is solved, he can return to the System Operating Room.

Ji Xiang never thought that a refund would be the big BOSS of Hell Difficulty, but now his heart has gradually sunk.

Arriving at the Jiguan Lou, the first floor is the Medical Affairs Department, just like at the Second Affiliated Hospital.

It seems that no matter which hospital it is, the place for handling disputes and complaints is always on the first floor, presumably to avoid affecting the mood of the hospital leadership.

After registering his information at the security desk at the entrance, Ji Xiang arrived at the Dispute Handling Office.

"Hello, I want to file a complaint." After saying this, Ji Xiang felt it was somewhat laughable.

He never expected that one day he would turn into a "Medical Disturbance".

Would his attitude be too gentle, causing the people at the Dispute Handling Office to not take him seriously? Ji Xiang recalled several large-scale medical disputes from his memory, yet he still couldn't bring himself to do those things.

"Hello, please sit." The person from the Dispute Handling Office was all smiles; one look and you could tell they were a professional.

Ji Xiang concisely and clearly stated the matter he wanted to complain about, and finally, Ji Xiang added, "I'm not looking for trouble, I just want a refund. Such a simple matter, yet your hospital keeps delaying it; it's very hard for me to understand."

The clerk at the Dispute Handling Office also looked troubled, and he sighed, "Damn it!"

He cursed first.

Ji Xiang understood this tactic; the clerk was trying to pull him into the same trench to reach a basic consensus and lower his hostility.

As for whether the matter could be resolved... the gloom in Ji Xiang's heart grew heavier.

"Our hospital replaced the Intelligent Operating System three years ago, contracted by a large domestic company, but they couldn't even copy it properly; what a piece of junk," the clerk complained.

Ji Xiang listened quietly.

"It breaks down every other day. Their Engineer stayed here for over a year, and I thought they could fix the system, or at least stop those moronic little glitches. As it turns out, the glitches are getting more frequent, and recently, even refunds aren't possible."

"I have to take over twenty similar complaints a day; my head is spinning."

Ji Xiang did not fall into the trap; he knew the clerk was just seeking common ground to then constantly stall.

"Slap~"

Ji Xiang slammed a palm onto the table, giving the clerk a fright.

"I just want a refund. Put your hand on your heart and tell me, is this matter difficult?" Ji Xiang shouted sternly.

"..."

The clerk was startled; he hadn't expected that although Ji Xiang looked gentle and weak, his temper was explosive to the Extreme Point.

"What's going on?"

Two security guards poked their heads in.

"I'm here..."

Ji Xiang interrupted the clerk, looked at the surveillance camera, and said angrily, "You have surveillance video here, right!"

"Uh..." The clerk froze.

How did this person seem so familiar with their own place?

"A refund, the most basic operation, and you're pushing from the east to the west, and the west to the east, playing kickball with me?!" Ji Xiang said, looking into the clerk's eyes.

"Don't, we have no choice either."

"Really?" Ji Xiang said coldly, "Do you only handle it if it actually causes public opinion?"

As soon as the term "public opinion" left his lips, the clerk's complexion turned ugly all of a sudden.

"It's not twenty years ago now; there's no need for a Medical Disturbance." Ji Xiang took out his phone and opened the camera, "You say the part about not being able to process the refund, and I'll post it on a short video website."

"..."

"I really don't believe it. Dozens of Patients and Family Members have had the same experience; once your hospital's bad reputation becomes thunderous, I don't know how much pressure your Dean will be under."

"..." The clerk stared blankly at Ji Xiang.

"The Dean doesn't care about refunds, nor does he care about complaints, but if a call comes in from the city regarding public opinion monitoring and he still doesn't care, then let's wait and see!"

The clerk's face turned ashen.

The person in front of him looked young, but he was clear on every single detail; if a call came from the city's public opinion monitoring department, the Dean would have to run down and point at his own direct superior's nose and curse them out.

Which young master had he offended?

"Please calm down, calm down," the clerk said sheepishly.

He couldn't just sit face-to-face and not speak.

But every one of Ji Xiang's words was like a knife stabbing into his soft underbelly; whatever he feared, that was exactly what the other party brought up.

"I'm not angry. Come on, buddy, tell me about the inability to process the refund," Ji Xiang said calmly, "Since the inspection team is at the Provincial Hospital, I'll go ahead and submit your opinions on the Intelligent Operating System upgrade and renovation along with it."

"..." The clerk's legs began to tremble.

"I don't believe that in broad daylight and a clear sky, there's nowhere to reason. Buddy, do you think my request is excessive?" Ji Xiang asked.

"No... no... not excessive."

"Am I being unreasonable?" Ji Xiang asked again.

He didn't delay for even a second, pressing forward step by step.

"No," the clerk said dejectedly.

"Then can I get a refund?!"

"Not for the time being."

Damn!

Even with Ji Xiang's good temper, he almost started cursing.

Originally, Ji Xiang thought he had the upper hand and had spoken to the limit; theoretically, there should be no problem.

All he wanted to do was get a refund.

However!

The answer he received was still no.

No wonder it was Hell Difficulty; Ji Xiang felt a bit helpless.

"It's really not that we don't want to give you a refund, it's just that..." The clerk had a mournful face; he almost actually cried.

"What 'just that', can you solve this matter?"

The clerk shook his head.

"Where is your leader."

Reminded by Ji Xiang, the clerk realized immediately that now was the best time to shift the blame. Since they couldn't solve it themselves, they shouldn't provoke this young master before them; they had better find a leader quickly.

A full five minutes passed before a short, chubby man walked in.

Ji Xiang knew this time must have been spent by the clerk "relaying" his words to him, which was why it had been delayed.

"Young man, don't be anxious. I am the Director of Medical Affairs at Central Hospital; tell me if there is any problem."

"He already finished telling you just now." Ji Xiang held up his phone quite calmly, "Now, please give me an explanation."

Seeing the phone shining brightly in front of him, the Director of Medical Affairs of Central Hospital felt a bit troubled.

"Young man, put the phone down, let's talk this over properly."

"I have been talking properly the whole time, but you all aren't," Ji Xiang said coldly, increasing the pressure.

He knew very well that if he were fobbed off, 3 or 4 days would pass in the blink of an eye, and he would be unable to leave on time.

At this very moment, Ji Xiang missed Bai Chuzhang immensely.

Although Ji Xiang had been grateful before, deep down he had always thought that for everything Bai Chuzhang did, he had provided feedback, and Bai Chuzhang had benefited quite a bit.

But in this moment of crisis, Ji Xiang truly wished that it was Bai Chuzhang who had walked in.

"We... let's talk properly for now, could you put the phone down?"

"I'm sorry." Ji Xiang looked directly into the eyes of the Director of Medical Affairs, not dodging at all, "If you help me get a refund, I certainly won't make unreasonable trouble. Life is so stressful, who has time to waste in a hospital."

"Sigh." The Director of Medical Affairs knew he had run into a tough nut to crack; it was extremely thorny.

"I will ask you a few questions, I only want answers." Ji Xiang said firmly, "First, regardless of whether it's the Doctor not informing me that Magnetic Resonance Imaging requires an 8-day wait, or me deciding temporarily not to do it, is it not the hospital's duty to process refunds for services not rendered?"

"Yes." The short, chubby man had already started wiping his sweat.

His forehead was shiny and slick; Ji Xiang's words had struck the vital point.

"Then if you don't give a refund, is that not a dereliction of duty?"

"..."

The Director of Medical Affairs didn't even dare to let out a peep; he lowered his head, only busy wiping his sweat.

"Speak, is it or is it not!" Ji Xiang roared.

The short, chubby man shivered in fright, possessing none of the poise Bai Chuzhang had when facing danger.

But he didn't lose his composure; he knew Ji Xiang was holding a phone, and he would surely slip up if he said too much.

"Then there is no other way." Ji Xiang sneered, "Since you won't say a word, I will go to the inspection team to file a report under my real name."

"Report what?"

"That your Intelligent System can't even complete a refund; I heard it cost over 12 million? Where did the money go? I am a victim, filing a report under my real name has nothing to do with you, just wait and see."

After Ji Xiang finished speaking, he took his phone and prepared to leave.

"Young man, don't go, don't go, let's talk this over properly."

"Not go? Can you give me a refund?"

Silence was what awaited Ji Xiang again.

Ji Xiang shrugged; he knew there must be a problem with the hospital's system, but the key was that this hospital, from the Director of Medical Affairs down to the little clerk, was not shrewd or capable at all, and they were extremely sluggish in handling matters.

He could only apply pressure, and then apply more pressure.

Seeing Ji Xiang turn and walk away, the Director of Medical Affairs broke out in a cold sweat, his clothes on his back already completely soaked.

He hurriedly grabbed Ji Xiang.

"Young man, everything is negotiable."

"Did you give me a chance to negotiate?" Ji Xiang asked.

The Director of Medical Affairs sighed, "I will report this to the Dean, how about that?"

"How long?"

"15 minutes!"

"Fine, I will wait for you for a quarter of an hour. I'll say this first: if there isn't a result that satisfies me, I won't just go myself, I will also contact everyone else who recently failed to get a refund to go together!"

Damn it!

The Director of Medical Affairs hurriedly pushed Ji Xiang inside, saying polite things as he pushed.

And Ji Xiang stopped recording the video and tapped on the timer.

"15 minutes, I won't wait a second longer."

"!!!" The short, chubby man "rolled" away like a ball.

Time ticked away, and Ji Xiang felt there shouldn't be a problem this time. Getting a refund wasn't a big deal; the Dean could solve it with one word.

If he didn't want to cause trouble, he wouldn't cause trouble either.

At 13'23", the short, chubby man came running back, like a dog in the dog days of summer, his tongue almost hanging out.

"Young man, I... I... I..."

Ji Xiang didn't comfort him, his expression growing increasingly cold and stern.

"The Dean said we must hurry to solve the problem for you, so he has already called the relevant departments, and they are holding a meeting right now."

A meeting?

A meeting!

They actually had to have a damn meeting!!

Ji Xiang stared blankly at the Director of Medical Affairs, trying hard to recall his own countermeasures.

It seemed there was nothing wrong, yet the other party was being extremely "perfunctory."

No wonder it was hell-level difficulty, no wonder the Intelligent System NPC had to warn him.

Note: emmmmm, this is just about my hospital, everything is a personal experience, absolutely absurd, hell-level difficulty.

When I heard about this matter, I was also surprised; this is impossible.

But it is the fact.

As for Xianglian, I won't even censor the name; I truly find outsourcing, done solely for the sake of making money, annoying. So after we switched to the new system made by Xianglian, every time Xianglian has an incident, I follow along to watch the joke.