Chapter 480: 472 A Strange Relationship

Zheng Ren was very busy today, especially seeing the child's parents leaning against the wall squatting, his mood a bit off, so he didn't beat around the bush and directly stated the truth of the problem.

The man smiled faintly, showing no embarrassment at all from the trick being exposed.

"Doctor, I'm not causing a medical disturbance, and I have no other intention." The man's attitude was not arrogant, and after being caught red-handed, he used his tone to cover up his inner panic.

His voice and tone were very flat, as if nothing had happened.

Zheng Ren found his attitude somewhat strange.

"I just feel it's unfair." The man stared into Zheng Ren's eyes and said, "No signature, no surgery. On the consent form, they'd even write down a one-in-ten-thousand chance—don't you think this is an unfair clause?"

"Er..." Zheng Ren had never encountered such a rational patient's family member before, but had he really considered the feelings of the loved one beside him?

Zheng Ren had just flashed this thought when he heard the patient say, "You have rules, we can have countermeasures; all risks are borne by me alone, and you push responsibility onto us completely clean. Doctor, do you think this is reasonable?"

They're a married couple, their worldviews are completely aligned to the extreme.

Even their sentence patterns are very similar.

Zheng Ren looked at the female patient bent over from pain, her face somewhat pale, and was speechless.

"We pay for medical treatment, which is consumption. But when something goes wrong, we have to bear it ourselves while you push responsibility completely clean—this isn't appropriate, is it?" The man smiled and said to Zheng Ren.

Zheng Ren couldn't be bothered to explain that medical care isn't ordinary consumption.

Other businesses can choose not to sell, but when can a hospital refuse patients just because it's in a bad mood?

The Emergency Department is already this busy—doesn't it still run overloaded?

Naturally each side thinks they're right; arguing like chickens and ducks is just wasting time.

"This is our rule, and also a rule every hospital must follow." Zheng Ren said without changing expression, smiling: "Time is almost up; I've already told you about all possible complications from the surgery. If you agree to the surgery, please sign here."

Saying this, Zheng Ren took a pen from the pocket of his white coat and handed it over.

The patient's family member didn't take the pen, but adjusted his glasses, looked earnestly at Zheng Ren's eyes, and asked, "If we don't sign, does that mean no surgery?"

"Yes." Zheng Ren replied, "No matter where, without a signature there will be no surgery."

Actually, surgery can be performed without a signature; Zheng Ren himself had just done one.

But that refers to cases where no family member is present and the patient's condition is critical.

As for the female patient before us, her condition is okay—not mild, not severe—and the surgery is relatively simple.

Regarding their insistence on the signature issue, Zheng Ren naturally would not back down.

The couple exchanged a glance, and the husband asked, "Doctor, are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

"Aren't doctors supposed to save lives and heal the wounded?"

Zheng Ren couldn't be bothered to answer that question; lately, after emergency shifts, he's been accused of lacking medical ethics, of not saving lives, too many times, and has grown numb.

This kind of question is most often voiced by emergency patients. Saying this is tantamount to pointing at someone's nose and cursing them in the street, tearing faces apart—how could they meet again? Let alone seeking medical care.

But once hospitalized, things actually improve a bit.

As long as the family isn't planning to cause trouble, minor grievances are usually tolerated. Who would bring up medical ethics or lack thereof?

Doctors have a natural advantage in some aspects, depending on the situation.

"But this is the regulation; if you have objections, you can file a complaint with the Medical Department or give suggestions to the hospital director." Zheng Ren's attitude was firm.

The couple hesitated a moment, exchanged glances, and then the husband said, "We want to be discharged."

"Okay, Zhong Min, issue a discharge communication." Zheng Ren said to Zhong Min.

"Sure." Zhong Min immediately began acting.

"What about the self-pay portion?" the husband asked.

Each hospitalization involves a certain self-pay ratio; the initial 200–800 yuan spent is not reimbursable.

After admission, the patient just completed the relevant pre‑operative examination and preparation, costing a few hundred yuan—this amount is definitely not reimbursable.

Zheng Ren had anticipated this, smiled slightly, and said: "That's a matter for the medical insurance bureau; we can't change it. But you could take the test results to another hospital for surgery, which would reduce some loss. Overall it's not much—about 200–300 yuan."

After a pause, Zheng Ren turned serious and said: "No matter where you go, I advise you to hurry and have the surgery. Your loved one's condition isn't severe yet; after removing the appendix, recovery takes a few days. But if it perforates, there will be danger."

The couple exchanged another glance.

Zheng Ren felt they had a telepathic connection; since sitting down, they haven't spoken a word, communicating only through eye contact.

Truly, they share a tacit understanding.

Actually, Zheng Ren's impression of this couple is still good; he also believes the risk of performing surgery on the patient is nearly negligible.

Such a rational patient is truly rare.

However, this couple seems to have a contrarian streak, even using their own bodies and illnesses to argue—it's a bit like they're too deep into the role.

"All right, Doctor Zheng, then we'll be discharged and have the surgery elsewhere." The husband said.

Zheng Ren smiled and nodded.

Zhong Min had already printed a self‑discharge informed consent form; Zheng Ren took out a pen and had the husband write below: "Due to family and financial reasons, we request self‑discharge; the doctor has informed us that the patient's condition is relatively serious and requires emergency surgery. However, after repeated communication, we still refuse surgery and request self‑discharge, accepting full responsibility for any consequences."

This long paragraph still made the husband feel somewhat uncomfortable.

But since they were already prepared for discharge, further arguing was pointless. Zheng Ren spoke while writing these words.

Finally, he signed his name at the bottom.

After everything was settled, the two turned and left, and Zheng Ren stood up to see them off.

Reaching this point was also a first for Zheng Ren.

This couple was extremely rational—no arguing, no shouting; if they couldn't agree, they simply discharged themselves, without getting overly tangled over fees.

So Zheng Ren still wanted to add a reminder.

"You two may distrust the hospital or consider the pre‑surgery signature an unfair clause, but after all you are ill and really ought to have surgery—please don't delay your condition."

Zheng Ren smiled, emphasizing this point.

The couple nodded together, the husband shook Zheng Ren's hand, they gathered their belongings, and left the Emergency Department of City First Hospital.

"Chief Zheng, how are you still treating them as friends?" Zhong Min somewhat not Understanding, asked in a low voice.

……

……

Many years ago, I personally experienced an incident. The couple were particularly interesting; besides not wanting to sign, they were especially reasonable. Looking at their expression and tone, I knew that even if the Shou Bing was done, it would be fine, but who would dare? Anyway, in the end there was no unpleasantness; we shook hands and parted. At that time I didn't even have a cell phone. Nowadays, I would definitely leave a WeChat.