Chapter 2681: 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 stroking a stone.

Xiao Shitou tried to dodge, but he wasn't as tall and long-armed as Zheng Ren, so he still couldn't get away.

"Oh, wrong!" Xiao Shitou frowned and said, "You're tricking me."

"I'm not tricking you."

"Doctors nowadays are highly skilled; you're impressive to be able to handle a department." Xiao Shitou frowned and said.

"I'm happy to introduce myself; I'm Doctor Zheng Ren of 912, the best surgeon in the world, proficient in all specialties." Zheng Ren smiled.

"Don't trick kids, okay."

"I'm not tricking you; I'm giving you a little hope, but soon you'll discover the truth and be even more disappointed, which is pointless. You're smart and brave, and I'm telling the truth."

The little boy stared intently at 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, right?" Xiao Shitou asked.

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

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

Zheng Ren shook his hand, but seeing Xiao Shitou clench his fist as if to cheer himself up, Zheng Ren didn't pull back; he also clenched his fist and placed 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 ran out. The whine of helicopter rotors filled his ears, but the person he bumped fists with had changed.

"I thought doctors were all boring, 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 taking 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?"

"You should discuss it with your mom first." 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 couldn't run; out of breath, he greeted Zheng Ren, waved his weak little fist, and 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 came down, but he still didn't see Xiao Shitou or Wen Xiaonuan.

He probably left, Zheng Ren thought.

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

Seeing Director Pan looking pleased after pointing out the country, Zheng Ren also felt happy. He stepped forward, took Yi Ren's hand, and said, "Not boring; I just ran into Xiao Shitou."

"……" Su Yun stared.

"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. Without further explanation, he knew what Zheng Ren wanted to do.

"Now that things have 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 pretty precocious." Su Yun exclaimed.

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

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

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

"Does Zheng Ren really want to treat such patients with surgery? Is he outdated or just arrogant?"

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

Going down the mountain, back to the city, they set everything aside and ate and drank happily. The next day, they saw Director Pan, Da Chu, and Xiao Chu off on the train to Hai Cheng before 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 was filled with congratulatory voices and beaming smiles. Dealing with these occasions really was a bit tiring, Zheng Ren thought.

But he should recover soon, though 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—rounds, seeing patients. But now when seeing patients, family members would quietly ask a couple of questions, their emotions tinged with awe. This is the Nobel Prize effect; Hua Shi TV's news channel still has considerable reach.

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

After admission, Zheng Ren contacted the special-needs ward and brought in a lawyer from Xinglin Yuan to sign legal documents. Once everything was done, 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."

"Then do a pancreaticoduodenal resection? The organs would be chopped up haphazardly—could the person even survive?"

"After a while, we should send him to Germany for the new DeepMACT algorithm. If possible, we'll try targeted drugs plus 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 turned to leave.

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

Zheng Ren sat like an old monk in meditation, holding Xiao Shitou's film; at a glance it was two or three hours.