Chapter 8: Coaxing
Shi An’s face burned, and he frantically wiped his mouth.
The sound of an ambulance interrupted his panic, and no one dwelled on the coffee-colored stain around his lips.
Shi An followed Zhong Yan to the resuscitation room.
A blur of blood and flesh brought chaos to the emergency department that afternoon.
Zhong Yan put on rubber gloves and listened to the accompanying doctor’s brief report: “Male, thirty-five years old, history of smoking, past medical history unknown.”
“The patient is a construction worker from a nearby site, injured by being crushed by a heavy object. Multiple fractures, including the femur, tibia, and fibula, showing comminuted changes, uneven fracture ends, vital signs unstable.”
The young doctor muttered softly, “With this kind of injury, he might need an amputation.”
“Less nonsense, let’s save his life first.”
As soon as Zhong Yan finished speaking, the patient went into cardiac arrest.
The survival rate for this condition was very low, and the key to successful resuscitation was to perform CPR and defibrillation as soon as possible.
Fortunately, it was discovered in time. Zhong Yan immediately initiated the emergency protocol: chest compressions, airway opening, non-invasive positive pressure ventilation.
Resuscitation was urgent, and the nurse was establishing intravenous access.
Zhong Yan instructed Shi An, “One milligram of epinephrine, intramuscular injection; one thousand milligrams of amiodarone, zero point three milligrams of esmolol, intravenous drip.”
Intravenous access was established, but Shi An didn’t move.
Zhong Yan called his name again. Shi An reacted belatedly, pulling at his sleeves, “Here.”
Zhong Yan suppressed his anger and repeated the instructions.
The syringe slipped from Shi An’s hand three times.
“Get another one, don’t dawdle!”
After two more attempts, Shi An still couldn’t hold it steady.
“Get out of the way!”
Resuscitation was critical, and Zhong Yan had someone else take over Shi An’s task.
The patient still showed no vital signs. Zhong Yan gripped the defibrillator paddles, “Charge, everyone clear.”
A powerful current surged through the patient’s heart, but there was no sign of resuscitation.
Zhong Yan continued chest compressions, constantly adjusting the medication dosage. After several attempts, the heartbeat finally returned.
Zhong Yan breathed a sigh of relief, having snatched another life from the jaws of death.
He left the follow-up treatment to the other doctors and returned to the office. Shi An was standing alone in the same spot, his head drooping.
Zhong Yan threw his stethoscope on the desk, “What were you doing just now?”
Shi An was still clutching the syringe in his hand, “I’m sorry.”
“This is the emergency department, not a first aid class at school,” Zhong Yan erupted like a volcano, “Making repeated mistakes in the resuscitation room, do you know the consequences?”
Shi An was ashamed, the syringe digging into his palm was a mockery, “I know.”
It would delay resuscitation, affect the attending physician, and in more serious cases, it could cost a life.
“Seven years of medical school, what have you learned?”
“Do you know the mission of a doctor?”
“If there’s a next time, get out and go home!”
Shi An didn’t explain or argue, admitting all his mistakes and accepting all criticism.
Zhong Yan’s gaze shifted downwards, landing on the red pen on his chest. The cap was exposed, as if he could still feel the sensation of it on his chin.
There was still chocolate on Shi An’s lips. Zhong Yan handed him a tissue, his tone softening slightly, “Go reflect on yourself. This won’t happen again.”
After Shi An left, Zhong Yan held the pen cap, his thumb rubbing against the top.
Was he too harsh? Did he scare him?
When Shi An rang the doorbell, Uncle Niu was startled. It had been less than half an hour since he was last here.
“Why are you alone?” Uncle Niu asked.
Shi An looked distraught, “Just me.”
“I can’t entertain the living here.”
Shi An clenched his fists, “Uncle Niu, can you let me stay here for a while?”
Uncle Niu led him inside. The young doctor’s face was even paler than before, as if he had been greatly wronged.
He didn’t ask for details, taking two little snowman popsicles from the “safe.”
One for himself, one for Shi An.
Medical equipment couldn’t be thrown around carelessly. Shi An wrapped the syringe in the tissue Zhong Yan had given him and put it back in his pocket.
As Shi An tore open the popsicle wrapper, a song started playing from Uncle Niu’s phone.
“Tian Mi Mi, you smile so sweetly, like flowers blooming in the spring breeze.” [Note 1]
Shi An: “…”
How ironic.
One song after another, Shi An listened silently. They were mostly Teresa Teng’s songs, which his grandmother also loved to listen to.
Feeling a little better, Shi An spoke, “You play these in the morgue?”
Uncle Niu tapped his foot to the rhythm, “What’s wrong? Don’t you like them?”
“It’s not that.” Shi An thought of the room next door, “At least play some requiem music.”
“They’ll hear plenty of that at the funeral home. Now is the time to play what they liked.”
Shi An: “…”
I think you’re the one who likes them.
Seeing that he was feeling better, Uncle Niu asked, “Did your teacher scold you?”
Shi An bit the popsicle stick, “You can tell?”
“Almost all of you interns go through this. As humans, who doesn’t make mistakes? You’ll grow.” Uncle Niu said, “Maybe your teacher was even worse than you back then!”
Although Shi An felt that the possibility was very low, he felt a little better.
Uncle Niu was curious, “Who’s your mentor?”
“Zhong Yan.”
“Xiao Yan? That’s even more normal.” Uncle Niu said, “Many kids can’t stand him and cry on their first day. You’re doing great.”
Shi An: “It’s only my second day.”
“You’ve lasted one more day than them, and you haven’t cried, you’re a very strong young man.”
The reasoning was far-fetched, but Shi An accepted it.
Uncle Niu’s eyes twirled, “That’s not right, I remember Xiao Yan hasn’t taken an intern in over a year, why did he suddenly take you?”
“I’m unlucky, that’s why.”
What they said in the residency group was right, he was the unluckiest person in the universe.
“Why not think positively? Maybe he thinks you’re talented and values you.”
“Uncle Niu, thank you,” Shi An said with a forced smile, “When you retire from this job, you can become a comedian, the straight man in a crosstalk duo.”
Uncle Niu laughed heartily, “I heard that the students Dr. Zhong has mentored, besides those he scared away, are all very capable, all independent doctors.”
Shi An scoffed inwardly, “How many became independent doctors, and how many were scared away?”
“Maybe you’ll be one of those independent doctors.”
“I wouldn’t dare to hope.”
Shi An just wanted to be a normal person and live a good life.
“If you’re still feeling down, I have a suggestion. Go next door and curse him to your heart’s content. It’s nice and cool there, and no one will tell on you. After cursing for a while, you’ll feel better.”
No matter how big the setback, it was insignificant in the face of death.
Shi An thought the idea was absurd, but he still went. Wrapped in Uncle Niu’s military coat, he stayed there for two hours.
He cursed until he was hoarse.
Refreshing!
There were waves of critical patients today. By the time Zhong Yan finally had some free time, it was already 9 PM.
He passed by Resuscitation Room 3. The lights were off, and a yellow figure was huddled in the corner, muttering pathological principles.
Zhong Yan stood at the door and said to the figure, “The pathophysiological mechanism of cardiac arrest.”
Shi An was startled at first, then responded reflexively, “The most common is ventricular tachycardia, followed by bradycardia or ventricular standstill, and less commonly, pulseless electrical activity.” [Note 2]
Zhong Yan asked again, “Diagnostic criteria.”
Shi An answered fluently, “Loss of consciousness, absence of carotid and femoral artery pulses, absence of heart sounds. Dilated pupils, weakened or absent pupillary light reflex.”
Zhong Yan: “Treatment principles.”
“Immediately identify cardiac arrest and initiate the emergency protocol, focusing on early CPR with chest compressions, rapid defibrillation, and advanced life support.”
Shi An’s answers were flawless.
“Since you know all this, what are you still doing here?”
Shi An knew the reason, but he didn’t know how to answer.
Zhong Yan walked in, hands in his pockets, tilting his head, “Have you eaten?”
Shi An hugged a “Practical Emergency Manual,” “I have.”
At the same time, Zhong Yan heard his stomach growl.
Zhong Yan: “…”
He wasn’t as honest as he was when he was younger.
“Come with me,” Zhong Yan said.
Shi An blinked, “Where to?”
“To eat.”
“No need, I’m not hungry.” Shi An had no masochistic tendencies and didn’t want to have dinner with the Big Devil.
“Stop talking nonsense,” Zhong Yan said without a hint of doubt, “Hurry up.”
Shi An followed, “To the cafeteria?”
Zhong Yan walked ahead, “The cafeteria is closed.”
“Then what are we eating?”
“Definitely not shrimp-flavored instant noodles.”
Shi An: “?”
What did shrimp-flavored instant noodles have to do with anything?
Shi An asked along, “You don’t like those? I think they’re quite good.”
The more nonchalant he was, the more annoyed Zhong Yan became, “Shut up.”
“…Oh.”
Shi An thought they were eating near the hospital, but Zhong Yan led him to a sports car.
A McLaren 570s, the lowest trim level cost nearly three million.
Shi An’s eyes lit up, “Your car?”
“Yeah.” Zhong Yan opened the driver’s side door, “Get in.”
No man didn’t love cars, and Shi An was no exception, especially since it was in his favorite color scheme.
Such a flashy yellow.
Shi An got into the passenger seat, his eyes darting around before finally landing on Zhong Yan, “So being an emergency doctor is this lucrative.”
Zhong Yan glanced at him, “Unless you want three to ten years.”
“Then have you been doing this for three to ten years?”
Zhong Yan turned the steering wheel, “I do things that start at ten years, with no upper limit.”
“Such as?”
“Heart transplants, lung transplants, kidney removals.” Zhong Yan smiled slightly, his eyes glancing towards him, “So, what do you say? Wanna join?”
Shi An pouted, “…”
He’s so childish.
Shi An changed the subject, taking out his phone from his pocket, “Can I take a picture?”
Zhong Yan: “Go ahead.”
At first, Shi An was cautious, but after realizing Zhong Yan didn’t mind, he became bolder, hoping to reach their destination quickly so he could take pictures of the exterior.
Zhong Yan chuckled at his easily impressed look, “You drive at the next intersection.”
Shi An put away his phone, a little sour, “I don’t have a license.”
“Get one when you have time.” Zhong Yan hadn’t expected this.
Shi An said okay, but inwardly he thought: I probably won’t have time before I rotate to another department.
The car stopped in front of a seafood restaurant.
Shi An mentally calculated the price of seafood and asked slowly, “You’re paying?”
Zhong Yan: “I don’t mind if you pay.”
Shi An: “I’ve only been working for two days.”
The implication was that he was still twenty-eight days away from his first paycheck.
Zhong Yan unbuckled his seatbelt, “Get out.”
Shi An wasn’t a picky eater, especially when he was about to eat such delicacies. His hands and mouth worked non-stop throughout the meal.
Seeing him eat so heartily, Zhong Yan took a sip of water and cleared his throat, “Still angry?”
“Huh?” Shi An looked up, a large piece of lobster meat hanging from his mouth, “Angry about what?”
“I was harsh on you this afternoon.”
Shi An had almost forgotten about it, “It was my fault, you were right to scold me.”
Shi An lowered his head and muttered, “Besides, I ate the lobster.”
Zhong Yan thought to himself, he’s easy to coax, “You like lobster?”
“Is there anyone in the world who doesn’t like lobster?”
If there was, it was because they hadn’t eaten enough!
Zhong Yan called the waiter, “Two Boston lobsters and two Australian lobsters, over two pounds each, two for takeout.”
When the lobsters arrived, Zhong Yan put them all in front of Shi An.
Shi An blinked, looking at the seafood that was bigger than his shoes, “Dr. Zhong, aren’t you eating?”
“They’re all yours.”
Shi An was flustered by his sudden attentiveness, “You’re being so nice to me all of a sudden, it makes me wonder…”
“Wonder what?” Zhong Yan was wearing disposable gloves, meticulously peeling the lobster shell for him, as precise as if he were performing surgery.
Shi An’s mouth was full of lobster meat, and he blurted out, “Don’t tell me you have ulterior motives?”
