"Alright, I shall go and diagnose immediately," Li Changsong nodded.
The respectful manner in which he spoke astonished everyone present.
The esteemed Doctor Li, who had just berated Director Wang as if he were a mere subordinate, was now showing such deference to a young man dressed in ordinary clothes. It was truly unbelievable.
For a moment, all eyes turned to Ling Feng, silently speculating about his identity.
Upon seeing Li Changsong's reaction, Wang Qing shot a furious glare at Zheng Guofeng.
Though he didn't know the specifics of what had transpired, the current situation clearly indicated nothing good.
Zheng Guofeng's face instantly turned ashen, and his legs felt weak.
Led by Li Changsong, everyone then gathered around Old Uncle Bai.
Old Uncle Bai's condition was indeed serious, but by modern medical standards, it was by no means a terminal illness.
Zhang Jingxuan had been diligently performing emergency procedures on Old Uncle Bai, significantly alleviating his pain. So engrossed was he in his work that he hadn't noticed the recent events or Li Changsong's arrival.
"Young man, please pause for a moment. Let me examine him," Li Changsong said, looking at Zhang Jingxuan with evident approval. He was fond of such kind-hearted young individuals, and his expression softened considerably.
Upon seeing Li Changsong, Zhang Jingxuan's face lit up with excitement and admiration. He exclaimed, "Professor Li, is that… is that you!"
He was so overwhelmed with emotion that he could barely articulate his words. This was his idol, the person he admired most.
Li Changsong smiled slightly, patted his shoulder, and said, "Young man, well done. Keep up the good work!"
Pleased with Li Changsong's praise, Zhang Jingxuan chuckled happily, like a child receiving a reward from his teacher.
After Zhang Jingxuan stepped aside, Li Changsong began his meticulous examination of Old Uncle Bai.
His diagnosis was thorough and detailed.
The scene fell into a profound silence, so quiet one could hear a pin drop.
As time ticked by, everyone's hearts grew heavy with anticipation.
This was especially true for Aunt Bai and Zheng Guofeng.
Aunt Bai was naturally worried about Old Uncle Bai's condition, while for Zheng Guofeng, it was an agonizing wait.
It was akin to the moments before an execution; he knew his fate was sealed but was powerless to change it.
His complexion grew increasingly grim, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
He could only hope that Li Changsong would make a misdiagnosis, which might offer him a sliver of hope for escape.
After a period of examination, Li Lao's brow began to furrow.
Just as Zheng Guofeng thought he saw a glimmer of hope, Li Changsong suddenly turned his head, fixing Zheng Guofeng with a cold stare. "You said he was beyond saving?"
"I…"
Zheng Guofeng, drenched in sweat, opened his mouth to offer a defense, but the words caught in his throat, unable to escape.
In Li Changsong's presence, he had no ground to stand on for any rebuttal.
"Quack!"
Li Changsong rebuked him unceremoniously, then turned to Wang Qing. "Director Wang, this patient's condition is not severe. How could he be beyond saving? Does your hospital employ people like this to treat patients?"
Director Wang's face contorted with displeasure. He glared fiercely at Zheng Guofeng before attempting to placate Li Lao with a smile. "Doctor Li, there must be some misunderstanding. Perhaps Director Zheng was not feeling well today and made a misdiagnosis."
"Feeling unwell is an excuse for misdiagnosis? Is this some kind of rare and complex disease? With such obvious signs of life, not only a chief physician but even an intern would not make such a mistake."
"I consider this to be a reckless disregard for human life. If one is unwell, they can take leave or find someone else to diagnose. If one lacks the competence, why should they hold such a position?"
With the esteemed figure of the medical community speaking so definitively, the surrounding crowd had no room for doubt.
They immediately turned their attention to Zheng Guofeng, unleashing a torrent of condemnation.
"Fortunately, his family insisted, otherwise, it could have cost a life!"
"Indeed, I used to think Director Zheng was a highly skilled physician, but now it seems he was likely overhyped."
Zheng Guofeng's face flushed crimson as he heard these words.
Meanwhile, Zhao Chundan, sensing the unfavorable turn of events, had quietly slipped away at some point.
Ling Feng slowly approached Zheng Guofeng and stated calmly, "His diagnosis differs from yours!"
Zheng Guofeng, finally understanding that he had hit a dead end, immediately fell to his knees.
"Sir, esteemed elder, please spare me this once. I was blinded by my own ignorance, my eyes were deceived, I am no human…"
Ling Feng turned away. His single statement was enough; someone else would handle the rest.
"Immediately escort the patient to the operating room and prepare for surgery!" Li Changsong commanded, and everyone sprang into action.
This time, he intended to perform the surgery himself, much to the excitement of all the doctors in the hospital.
Witnessing the renowned Doctor Li in action was considered a great fortune in their lives.
Director Wang did not enter the operating room. Instead, with a fawning smile, he approached Ling Feng.
"Mr. Ling? It's rather chaotic here. Would you care to sit in my office?"
Ling Feng ignored his words, his gaze fixed on the operating room door.
Old Uncle Bai's condition was his primary concern. As for a mere hospital director, in his eyes, he was no different from the onlookers gathered in the distance.
Wang Qing's attempt to engage Ling Feng was met with silence, but he didn't seem offended. He stood there, offering a few awkward smiles, before respectfully moving to the side.
After a short while, a young nurse approached and quietly asked, "Director, shall I fetch you a chair?"
"Are you blind? In this situation, do you think I can sit?" Director Wang snapped.
The nurse, inexplicably reprimanded, dared not express her displeasure and turned to leave with a sheepish smile.
"Wait, come here."
Wang Qing suddenly called out to her. "Tell me exactly what happened here, from beginning to end. Do not omit anything."
The young nurse immediately recounted everything that had transpired to Wang Qing in a hushed tone.
As she spoke, Wang Qing's face grew increasingly pale. By the time she finished, he was drenched in sweat.
Wang Qing then trembled as he approached Ling Feng, his expression one of utmost respect. "Mr. Ling, I am truly and deeply sorry. I was unaware of what had happened earlier, which is why I spoke so carelessly."
Recalling his earlier defense of Zheng Guofeng, Wang Qing was petrified.
How could I have been so foolish, unable to discern the situation?
Seeing that Ling Feng still paid him no mind, Director Wang's eyes darted towards Zheng Guofeng. He then coldly reprimanded, "Zheng Guofeng, how dare you!"
Zheng Guofeng was now numb. Facing the director's scolding, he could only plead for mercy.
However, Director Wang remained impassive, his voice filled with authority as he berated, "You are a key member of our hospital. How could you declare a living person beyond saving? Are your eyes blind, or is your conscience corrupted?"
"Director, I was wrong. I… I was instigated by someone."
"Instigated? By whom?"
Zheng Guofeng suddenly turned, but Zhao Chundan was nowhere to be seen.
"I… she…"
Zheng Guofeng stammered for a long time, unable to provide a coherent explanation.
Wang Qing grew even more enraged. He knew that if this matter was not handled properly, he would not only offend Doctor Li and the mysterious Mr. Ling but might even lose his position as director.
He immediately roared, "Zheng Guofeng, for your medical malpractice, effective immediately, you are no longer a doctor at our hospital. As for your misjudgment of life and death, which nearly resulted in a fatality, the court will deal with you accordingly."
Director Wang's voice was loud, as if he were intentionally ensuring Ling Feng could hear him.
Zheng Guofeng's face turned ashen, and he collapsed to the ground, utterly defeated.