Chapter 2577: 2583.2484 Fist Bump

2583.2484 Fist Bump

Zheng Ren rubbed the top of Xiao Shitou's head, where only a few hairs remained, as if feeling a stone.

Xiao Shitou tried to dodge, but he wasn't as tall or long-armed as Zheng Ren, so he still couldn't avoid it.

"Hey, that's not right!" Xiao Shitou frowned and said, "You're tricking me."

"I'm not tricking you."

"Nowadays doctors are highly professional; you're amazing to be able to handle a department," Xiao Shitou frowned and said.

"I'm happy to introduce myself; I'm Doctor Zheng Ren from the 912 department, the best surgeon in the world, proficient in all branches," Zheng Ren said with a smile.

"Don't trick the kid."

"I'm not tricking you; I'm just giving you a little hope, but you'll soon discover the truth and be even more disappointed—it's pointless. You're smart and brave, and everything I say is true."

The little boy stared intently into Zheng Ren's eyes and quickly made up his mind.

"I'll tell my mom that even if the surgery fails, she'll get a little money—is that what you mean?" Xiao Shitou asked.

"Yeah, but I'd rather the surgery succeed."

"Fifty percent? Your hope won't help." After saying that, Xiao Shitou formally extended his hand, "Then it's up to you."

Zheng Ren shook his hand, but then saw Xiao Shitou clench his fist, as if cheering himself up. Zheng Ren didn't pull back; he also clenched his fist and held it in front of Xiao Shitou.

Xiao Shitou was a bit surprised, but then he bumped fists with Zheng Ren.

Zheng Ren felt as if he were back on that stormy night when ammunition and supplies had run out. The howling of helicopter rotors filled his ears, but the object of the fist bump had changed to someone else.

"I thought you doctors were all boring people, but I didn't expect you, at your age, to still be into this kid stuff," Xiao Shitou said with a laugh.

"Doctors aren't boring; they're just under pressure, constantly learning, promoting, facing life and death every day, and having to take the blame." Zheng Ren said, "Every doctor is like Captain America, born to take the fall."

"If I can hold out until a new product comes out, will you let me be in the first batch of test subjects?"

"If we can get into phase III clinical trials, we definitely will."

"If luck holds and I grow up, I definitely won't become a doctor." Xiao Shitou said, "Am I going to be hospitalized tomorrow?"

"First discuss it with your mom." Zheng Ren said, "Although we don't have much time, we can still wait three or five days."

"Alright, it's settled. My mom must have gone somewhere to cry; she's not back yet." Xiao Shitou said, "Brother, you do your thing; I'm going to find my mom."

Zheng Ren laughed and tried to touch Xiao Shitou's head again, but he dodged.

"I'll go as soon as I can!" Xiao Shitou, unable to run, gasped and greeted Zheng Ren, waving his thin little fist, then disappeared into the crowd.

Zheng Ren worried they had gotten separated, so he sat in place waiting a long time until Director Pan and Su Yun and the others came down, but he still didn't see Xiao Shitou or Wen Xiaonuan.

He must have left, Zheng Ren thought.

"Boss, aren't you bored being here?" Su Yun asked with schadenfreude.

Seeing Director Pan all pleased with himself after pointing out the mountains and rivers, Zheng Ren also felt happy. He stepped forward, took Yi Ren's hand, and said, "Not boring—I just bumped into Xiao Shitou."

"……" Su Yun stared for a moment.

"Is that the little boy you mentioned a few days ago?" Xie Yiren asked.

"Yeah, he's very sensible, a bit precocious." Zheng Ren said.

"Boss, you're getting full of yourself." Su Yun said disdainfully. No need to elaborate—he knew what Zheng Ren wanted to do.

For now, the dust has settled; even if the surgery fails, the impact wouldn't be that great. Still, Su Yun doesn't recommend doing it—what's the point?

Everyone headed back together, and Zheng Ren recounted his conversation with the little boy.

"This kid is quite precocious!" Su Yun exclaimed.

"He's precocious." Zheng Ren said, "It's not common, but it definitely exists."

"Boss, are you really ready to do it? Where first?" Su Yun frowned and pressed, "Abdomen or chest? How do you plan to handle the airway?"

Director Pan listened, feeling a bit confused; after detailed questioning, he also wore a bitter smile.

Does Zheng Ren really want to treat such patients with surgery? Is he outdated, or is he being arrogant?

However, Director Pan didn't say much more; Zheng Ren would do what he wanted, having his own considerations. For a mature doctor, everyone knows the risks—no need to elaborate.

Coming down the mountain, returning to the city, they set everything aside and happily ate and drank. The next day, they saw Director Pan, Da Chu, and Xiao Chu off on the train back to Hai Cheng, after which Zheng Ren returned to the hospital.

He didn't rest much at home; he knew his own condition.

Back at the hospital, wherever Zheng Ren went there were congratulatory voices and beaming smiles. Dealing with these occasions really was a bit tiring, Zheng Ren thought.

However, he should recover soon, but at least not until after the December awards ceremony ends. Until then, everything is just brewing. The necessary sense of ceremony is still there; for such a grand awards ceremony, if it were broadcast, the ratings wouldn't be low.

During the few days Zheng Ren was ill, Gao Shaojie led Lin Yuan in maintaining basic clinical operations, with no instance of someone collapsing and no one to perform surgery.

Days went on as usual—making rounds, seeing patients. But now, when seeing patients, their families would whisper a couple of questions, their emotions tinged with awe. This is the effect of the Nobel Prize halo; Hua Shi TV's news channel still has considerable reach.

The patients were all stable; in the afternoon, Xiao Shitou contacted Zheng Ren to arrange hospitalization procedures.

After admission, Zheng Ren contacted the special-needs ward and brought in a lawyer from Xinglin Yuan to sign the legal documents. Once everything was finished, Su Yun asked, "Boss, how are you going to do it?"

"An enlarged neck dissection surgery, replacing the left carotid artery with an artificial blood vessel, plus removing the fourth cervical vertebra." Zheng Ren said, "First we solve the most life‑threatening problem, then we deal with the liver and abdominal cavity."

"After that, do a pancreaticoduodenal resection? The organs would be chopped up haphazardly—could the person still survive?"

"After a while, we should send him to Germany for the new algorithm DeepMACT. If possible, we'll try targeted drugs and surgical treatment. Beyond that, I haven't thought further." Zheng Ren said.

"I see Xiao Shitou has a strong will to live; besides, he's young and still understands the basics of the situation." Su Yun said.

"Let's give it a try." Zheng Ren said, "Go to the Emergency Department and look at the records."

Having said that, he stood up and walked away.

Contact Zhou Litao, then go to Cui Lao's office.

Zheng Ren was like an old monk entering meditation, holding Xiao Shitou's slice in his hand; one could tell it had been two or three hours.