Chapter 277

After a thorough examination, Wang Shutong preliminarily determined that Gao Lu was indeed dead. The reason is simple: Gao Lu already shows rigor mortis, with stiff limbs.

Translation: After Wang Shutong conducted a careful examination, he preliminarily judged that Gao Lu was indeed dead. The reason is simple: Gao Lu has already developed rigor mortis, with stiff limbs.

We need to keep it as one line.

Lin Dongfan doubted that Emergency Department Director Feng Qiuqiu had interfered.

Translation: Lin Dongfan suspects that the Emergency Department Director Feng Yuqiu tampered with things.

Wang Shutong also dared not be careless.

Translation: Wang Shutong also dared not be careless.

He immediately called several nurses in to connect Gao Lu to various medical monitoring equipment, and uniformly monitored vital signs such as EEG and ECG.

Translation: He immediately called several nurses in, connected Gao Lu to various medical testing equipment, and uniformly monitored vital signs such as brain waves and electrocardiograms.

Lin Dongfan, Qi Ting, Yang Qing, and others standing nearby all widened their eyes.

Translation: Lin Dongfan, Qi Ting, Yang Qing, and others standing nearby all widened their eyes.

They stared intently at the vital signs displayed on the instruments.

Translation: They stared fixedly at the life data displayed on the instruments.

The atmosphere was tense to the extreme.

Translation: The atmosphere became extremely tense.

Whether she lives or dies depends on the instruments' readings. People can lie, but these cold instruments never will. Everyone thought that Wang Shutong would never dare to tamper in front of everyone.

Translation: Whether she lives or dies depends on the instruments' readings. People may lie, but these cold instruments never will. Everyone thought Wang Shutong wouldn't dare to tamper in front of everyone.

Some instruments were incomprehensible to Lin Dongfan, so he kept his eyes on the heart monitor.

Translation: Lin Dongfan didn't understand some of the instruments, so he kept staring at the heart monitor.

He stared at it for a while.

Translation: He stared for a while.

When he saw the instrument showing Gao Lu's heart rate steady at five to seven beats per minute, Lin Dongfan's eyes widened like a bull's.

Translation: When he saw the instrument showing Gao Lu's heart rate steady at 5 to 7 beats per minute, Lin Dongfan's eyes widened like bull's eyes.

He burst out shouting, "Director Wang! Give me a reasonable explanation right now!"

Translation: He shouted, "Director Wang! Give me a reasonable explanation right now!"

This sudden outburst startled Wang Shutong, who nervously replied, "There's a heartbeat, which means Gao Lu isn't dead yet..."

Translation: This sudden roar startled Wang Shutong, who panicked and said, "There's a heartbeat, which means Gao Lu isn't dead yet..."

"I'm not asking you to explain that, old man—I'm not blind!" Lin Dongfan snapped.

Translation: "I'm not asking you to explain that, I'm not blind!" Lin Dongfan angrily said.

Wang Shutong broke out in a cold sweat from nervousness: "You… what do you want me to explain?"

Translation: Wang Shutong broke out in a cold sweat from nervousness: "You... what do you want me to explain?"

"Speak!" Lin Dongfan coldly stared at Wang Shutong: "Gao Lu isn't dead, so why did your emergency department director issue a death certificate? If you don't take care of Feng Qiuqiu today, I'll take care of you!"

Translation: "Speak!" Lin Dongfan coldly stared at Wang Shutong: "Gao Lu isn't dead, why did your Emergency Department chief issue a death certificate? If you don't settle Feng Yuqiu today, I'll settle you!"

"I… I can handle it, Director Lin, give me some time…" Wang Shutong hastily wiped his sweat, turned and ordered the nearby nurse: "Call Director Feng to come over right now! Immediately!"

Translation: "I... I can handle it, Section Chief Lin, give me some time..." Wang Shutong hastily wiped a sweat, turned and barked at the nearby nurse: "Call the chief to come over right now! Immediately..."

"Why call her over? Disgusting me? I don't even want to see her right now!" Lin Dongfan said.

Translation: "Why call her over? To disgust me? I don't want to see her now!" Lin Dongfan said.

Wang Shutong turned back in surprise and weakly explained to Lin Dongfan: "Director… Director Lin, didn't you say you wanted to take care of her? I… I'm just cooperating with your work."

Translation: Wang Shutong turned back in astonishment, weakly explaining to Lin Dongfan: "Section Chief Lin, didn't you say you wanted to settle her? I... I'm just cooperating with your work..."

"Taking care of her is your responsibility; I just want the result." Lin Dongfan snapped.

Translation: "Settling her is your responsibility; I only want the result." Lin Dongfan angrily said.

Wang Shutong wiped his sweat again: "I… I understand, please rest assured, Director Lin, I will definitely handle Feng Qiuqiu strictly according to law and regulations, with no leniency..."

Translation: Wang Shutong wiped another sweat: "I... I understand, please rest assured, Section Chief Lin, I will definitely handle Feng Yuqiu strictly according to law and regulations, without leniency..."

"Speak! If she isn't dead, why is Gao Lu's body stiff?" Lin Dongfan stared directly at Wang Shutong: "Give me a scientific explanation!"

Translation: "Speak! She isn't dead, why is Gao Lu's body stiff?" Lin Dongfan stared directly at Wang Shutong: "Give me a scientific explanation!"

"This…"

Translation: "This..."

Wang Shutong's face showed utter despair.

Translation: Wang Shutong wore a look of collapse.

Looking back at Gao Lu on the operating table, he wished he could drag Feng Qiuqiu out and cut her to pieces; at over forty, she still hasn't found her place, yet she dares to wade into the murky waters of politics.

Translation: Turning his head to look at Gao Lu on the operating table, he wished he could drag Feng Yuqiu over and hack her to pieces; a person in her forties still hasn't found her place, yet she dares to muddy the political waters.

"What the hell is this? Speak!"

Translation: "What the hell is this? Speak!"

Lin Dongfan's roar rang out again in his ears.

Translation: Again, Lin Dongfan's roar came from beside his ear.

Wang Shutong, steeling himself, replied: "I estimate that Feng Qiuqiu probably injected Gao Lu with 'Shi's Ning'."

Translation: Wang Shutong, steeling himself, replied: "I estimate Feng Yuqiu probably injected Gao Lu with Suxinin."

"What is 'Shi's Ning'?" Qi Ting asked curiously.

Translation: "What is Suxinin?" Qi Ting asked curiously.

Wang Shutong wiped sweat from his forehead with his sleeve: "It's a Western drug that can cause generalized skeletal muscle rigidity. Its side effects are also severe, possibly leading to multi-organ failure. Gao Lu is currently on the brink of death; if not treated promptly, she could die at any moment."

Translation: Wang Shutong wiped sweat from his forehead with his sleeve: "It's a Western drug that can cause generalized skeletal muscle rigidity. Its side effects are also severe, possibly leading to multiple organ failure. Gao Lu is now on the brink of death; if not treated promptly, she could die at any moment."

"Before admission, Gao Lu had also taken barbital nerve-inhibiting capsules," Qi Ting reminded.

Translation: "Before admission, Gao Lu also took barbiturate nerve-inhibiting capsules." Qi Ting reminded.

Wang Shutong's face turned ashen: "She's not just in danger; her situation is worse—she's already got one foot in the grave. Please, leaders, tell us: should we save her or not?"

Translation: Wang Shutong's face turned pale with shock: "Then she isn't just in danger; the situation is worse—she has already stepped onto the road to the underworld. Please, two leaders, give instructions: should we save her or not?"

"Nonsense, hurry up and save her!" Lin Dongfan barked: "Don't play tricks with me—if you can't save Gao Lu today, you'll be wearing handcuffs and walking with me!"

Translation: "Nonsense, hurry up and save her!" Lin Dongfan angrily ordered: "Don't play tricks with me; if you can't save Gao Lu today, you'll wear handcuffs and walk with me!"

"I… I have a plan, I'll do everything I can to rescue her…"

Translation: "I... I have it in mind, I will do my utmost to rescue..."

Under constant pressure from Lin Dongfan, Wang Shutong grew so nervous he didn't dare even to pass gas; he immediately ordered the nearby nurses to summon all the on-duty emergency doctors, prioritizing saving the patient.

Translation: Faced with constant pressure from Lin Dongfan, Wang Shutong was so nervous he didn't dare to fart extra; he immediately ordered the nearby nurses to call all the on-call doctors of the Emergency Department, prioritizing saving lives.

To avoid hindering their rescue efforts.

Translation: In order not to hinder their rescue efforts.

Lin Dongfan, Qi Ting, and the others also retreated to the hallway outside the operating room, ordering the police to guard the door to prevent anyone from taking advantage of the chaos to sneak in and murder Gao Lu.

Translation: Lin Dongfan, Qi Ting, and others also retreated to the hallway outside the operating room, and ordered the criminal police to guard the operating room door, preventing anyone from taking advantage of the chaos to sneak in and murder Gao Lu.

Seeing Lin Dongfan's furrowed brow, Yang Qing stepped forward to comfort him: "Don't worry—Director Wang was almost scared to piss himself by you; he wouldn't dare play tricks."

Translation: Seeing Lin Dongfan's furrowed brow, Yang Qing stepped forward to comfort him: "Don't worry, Director Wang was almost scared to piss himself by you earlier; he wouldn't dare to play tricks."

"I just wonder whether Gao Peng wants to save Gao Lu or kill her," Lin Dongfan muttered, lighting a cigarette and walking toward the hallway window.

Translation: "I'm just wondering, does Gao Peng want to save Gao Lu or kill her?" Lin Dongfan took out a cigarette, lit it, and walked toward the hallway window.

Qi Ting followed, pondering: "Gao Peng's original intention was probably to save Gao Lu; otherwise, why would he fight for control of the 'corpse'? But now that he's lost that control, he likely wants Gao Lu dead. If she dies, he could turn around and bite us."

Translation: Qi Ting followed, thoughtfully analyzing: "Gao Peng's original intention should have been to save Gao Lu; otherwise why would he fight for control of the corpse? But now he has lost control, so he likely wants Gao Lu dead. If Gao Lu dies, he could bite back at us."

"So we need to watch the operating room door closely, making sure no assassin gets in." Lin Dongfan turned and told Yang Qing: "In my view, you should put on a disinfection gown and stay inside to keep watch."

Translation: "So we must keep a close watch on the operating room door, absolutely not letting assassins slip in." Lin Dongfan turned and told Yang Qing: "In my view, you should change into a disinfection suit and go inside to keep watch; that would be better."

"Is that really necessary?"

Translation: "Is that necessary?"

Yang Qing felt that Wang Shutong should be able to control the overall situation.

Translation: Yang Qing felt Wang Shutong should be able to control the overall situation.

Qi Ting said: "Be careful, go keep an eye on them. The emergency department staff aren't necessarily all reliable. They don't know Director Lin's background, but they know Gao Peng is Number One in Nanzhou. Someone might, like Feng Qiuqiu, try to curry favor with the high-ranking Gao Peng by taking risks and tampering during the rescue."

Translation: Qi Ting said: "Be careful, go keep watch. Those people in the Emergency Department aren't necessarily reliable. They don't know Section Chief Lin's background, but they know Gao Peng is Nanzhou's number one. Someone might, like Feng Yuqiu, ingratiate themselves with the high‑powered Gao Peng, take risks, and tamper during the rescue."

"Alright, I'll go inside to keep watch."

Translation: "Alright, I'll go inside to keep watch."

Yang Qing put the cigarette he had just taken out back into his pocket, turned, and went to guard the operating room against defection.

Translation: Yang Qing put the cigarette he had just taken out back into his pocket, turned and went to guard the operating room, changing his shift.

Lin Dongfan stood at the window, puffing on his cigarette; from this vantage point he could see Gao Peng's special car still parked in the lot below, unmoved.

Translation: Lin Dongfan stood by the window, puffing on his cigarette; from this position looking down, he could see Gao Peng's special car still parked in the lot below, unmoved.

The driver and Gao Peng were both standing beside the car.

Translation: The driver and Gao Peng were both standing beside the car.

Gao Peng was on the phone.

Translation: Gao Peng was making a phone call.

Qi Ting also looked down at the scene below: "Guess who he's talking to?"

Translation: Qi Ting also looked down at the scene below: "Guess who he's on the phone with?"

Lin Dongfan did not answer that question.

Translation: Lin Dongfan did not answer that question.

It seemed Gao Peng wasn't calling Provincial Party Secretary Jiang Huan Tian, since that card had already been played once with no effect; now he was likely calling the veteran leader Zhou Yu Gang.

Translation: It's likely Gao Peng isn't calling Provincial Committee Secretary Jiang Huantian, since that card has already been played once with no effect; now he's probably calling the veteran leader Zhou Yugang.

But mentioning Zhou Yu Gang's name might scare Qi Ting.

Translation: But mentioning Zhou Yugang's name might scare Qi Ting.

Lin Dongfan took a slow drag of his cigarette, confidently giving Qi Ting a reassurance: "No matter who he's calling, as long as we handle the case according to law, nobody can touch us."

Translation: Lin Dongfan took a slow drag of his cigarette, confidently gave Qi Ting a reassurance: "No matter who he's calling, as long as we handle the case according to law, nobody can touch us."

"To be honest, I've never seen Secretary Gao scrambling for help like this before." With Lin Dongfan's reassurance, Qi Ting's face relaxed into a smile.

Translation: "To be honest, this is the first time I've seen Secretary Gao scrambling for reinforcements." Having received Lin Dongfan's reassurance, Qi Ting's face also relaxed into a smile.

Lin Dongfan frowned: "When the ethylene warehouse exploded, Li Chunyan's father Li Zhong almost got beaten to death by that secretary of the committee, and Li Chunyan himself almost got killed by Qian Mu Ye of the High-Tech District bureau. The two father and son are still lying in the hospital, and Li Chunyan's daughter Li Meng seems to be confined in a psychiatric hospital…"

Translation: Lin Dongfan's brows remained furrowed: "When the ethylene warehouse exploded, Li Chunyan's father Li Zhong almost got beaten to death by that Secretary Sun of the committee; Li Chunyan himself almost got done in by Qian Muye of the High‑Tech District Bureau. The two father and son are still lying in the hospital, and Li Chunyan's daughter Li Meng seems to be locked up in a psychiatric hospital..."

"That family was almost destroyed, but thanks to your timely intervention." Qi Ting said consolingly.

Translation: "That family was almost ruined, fortunately you acted in time." Qi Ting said consolingly.

Lin Dongfan gazed at Gao Peng downstairs: "Now, it's also Gao Peng's turn to panic, as the top official of Nanzhou City, who should bear responsibility if not him?"