Chapter Fifteen: Three Slaps

Director’s Office of the Hospital.

When Jiang An and his companions pushed open the door, the room was bustling. Director Yang and several others surrounded a spirited, white-haired elder, discussing the patient’s condition. Everyone’s demeanor was deeply respectful.

“Oh, Xiao Jiang and Xiao Lin, you’re here! Come over, come over,” Director Yang Hanmin beckoned as soon as he saw them, and introduced, “This is the renowned master of Chinese medicine, Elder Lu Huazhang, my teacher and our honorary director.”

“Hello, Elder Lu.”

“Elder Lu, I’ve heard so much about you,” Jiang An and Dr. Lin greeted him.

Elder Lu smiled warmly, nodded at Dr. Lin, but his gaze lingered on Jiang An. “You two are truly remarkable, far surpassing an old man like me. Especially you, Dr. Jiang. Director Yang has mentioned you many times. I hope I’ll have the chance to witness your extraordinary skills.”

At his words, the attending chief physicians and professors turned to scrutinize Jiang An. Was Elder Lu implying this young doctor possessed genuine ability? Yet, seeing his youthful appearance—barely in his twenties—they remained somewhat skeptical.

“You flatter me, Elder. Compared to your expertise, my modest skills are hardly worth mentioning,” Jiang An replied politely.

“Haha, the young and the old should learn from each other! We must exchange more in the future!” Director Yang Hanmin chuckled, then his expression grew serious as he addressed Elder Lu. “Teacher, let’s focus on the case. The patient can’t wait.”

“Indeed, the patient comes first,” Elder Lu stroked his snowy beard with calm composure.

“We’ve discussed the treatment plan—there are only two options: surgery or medication. But the key is identifying the parasite in the patient’s brain. Xiao Jiang, Xiao Lin, please review the patient’s reports and medical records before sharing your thoughts,” Yang Hanmin said.

Lin Xihe, a top graduate from the University of California, San Francisco, swiftly flipped through the stack of documents. Before long, her brow furrowed. “This is strange. Judging from the brain scans and clinical symptoms, it’s not a tapeworm, nematode, or schistosome—none of the common parasites. Especially this symptom: every six hours, bluish-purple patches appear all over the body. I’ve never heard of such a thing!”

“Exactly. When the patient was at the First Hospital, we tried several medications, but none worked. In fact, the symptoms worsened,” explained an expert, his attire revealing he was from the First Hospital as well.

Jiang An took the medical file, focusing on the description of symptoms. Something caught his eye. He examined the brain scans again, noting the shape of the parasite, and felt nearly certain of his diagnosis.

Director Yang Hanmin, who had been observing Jiang An’s expression, quietly pulled him aside and asked in a low voice, “Xiao Jiang, did you discover something?”

Jiang An lowered his gaze, flipping through the patient’s personal information. He replied in a calm tone, “I did notice a few things. But Director, I agreed to assist you only once a month. Are you planning to use that chance now?”

“Yes. We must. Didn’t you notice the experts from the First Hospital came along? If not for approval from above, would they have sent people? This shows how seriously the higher-ups take this.”

“So the patient’s status must be high,” Jiang An guessed.

“No, the patient is not of high status—just an ordinary old man. But his reputation is immense. He participated in the Vietnam War, a hero in battle. After returning, he refused official posts and volunteered to guard his comrades’ graves for forty years. He lived his whole life without wife or children, surviving by collecting scrap, and supported hundreds of poor students. He’s called the ‘Model of China’ and has been received by state leaders many times. So curing him is a political task; if we fail here, he’ll be transferred to the capital. Tell me, isn’t such a person important?”

“He’s a remarkable soul,” Jiang An praised upon hearing the patient’s deeds. “What’s Elder Lu’s opinion?”

“Elder Lu favors medication, since the patient is elderly and surgery is too risky. But even he’s only fifty percent confident. The worst would be for things to worsen, as happened before. Tell me, if you take the case, how confident are you?”

“Eighty percent. Though I haven’t actually seen the patient yet.”

Eighty percent without even seeing the patient? Yang Hanmin was speechless, but he knew Jiang An wasn’t boastful. His eyes lit with joy. “Then it’s settled. Now we…”

Before he could finish, a commotion broke out outside, interrupting their conversation.

“I told you, you can’t go in! Hey, what are you doing? Don’t push people! Security, security!”

“Step aside! We want to see the director and the national master directly!” A shrill voice rang out, and the door was thrust open. A heavily made-up middle-aged woman barged in, followed by a sweating, obese man.

“Which one of you is the director? Arrange the best room for my son—he must be admitted. And who’s the national master?” the woman demanded arrogantly.

Everyone in the room was stunned. Who was this oddity, acting as if the hospital belonged to her? Yang Hanmin’s face darkened, his tone cold. “I am the director. We are in a critical meeting. Please leave and follow proper admission procedures.”

“So you’re the director? Not bad. My son is precious—how could he queue with those paupers? Director, arrange for the national master to treat him. If he’s cured, I’ll donate imported equipment to your hospital. Oh, and do you know Director Zhang from the Health Bureau? He’s my cousin, so I trust you’ll show some respect,” she said, arms folded, exuding confidence.

Yang Hanmin’s expression soured. He’d seen many fools, but rarely one so arrogant and brainless. He shook his head. “Heh, the bigger the forest, the stranger the birds. I don’t need your equipment, nor do I know Director Zhang. Leave now, or I’ll call security!”

“So you’re refusing to show me respect?” The woman’s face turned grim. “Do you know my surname?”

Yang Hanmin had no patience left. He called towards the door, “Is security here? Remove them, now!”

Instantly, three or four security guards rushed in to drag the pair out. The man was sullen but didn’t resist. The woman, however, was fierce—her long, sharp nails slashed at faces, leaving bloody marks on two guards’ cheeks.

“Get lost! Whoever dares touch me, I’ll scratch them to death!” the woman shouted, wild and vicious. She turned to the fat man and snapped, “Are you blind? Didn’t you see I’m being bullied? Call someone!”

The fat man, meek and fearful, fumbled for his phone. Just then, more young people burst in from the corridor. “Aunt Qi, Uncle Liu, Liu is awake—haven’t you found the ward yet? Ah! You, you, you…”

One youth, scanning the room, suddenly spotted a handsome young man. His face changed drastically, finger trembling as he pointed, unable to speak, terror written all over him.

The heavily made-up woman glared at the youth, annoyed. “Such a little scene has you tongue-tied? Speak up!”

The youth leaned in and whispered, “That man is the one who injured Liu at the bar!”

Her expression twisted. Following his finger, her sharp eyes locked onto Jiang An. Shoving the youth aside, she strode over, rolling up her sleeves and cursing, “So you’re the bastard who hurt my son? Excellent. I’ll teach you a lesson!”

Her aggressive demeanor was intimidating. Lin Xihe instinctively tried to block her, but the woman slapped her hard without a word. Lin Xihe cried out, collapsing onto a nearby table, her face marked by a vivid red handprint.

“You little slut think you can stop me? Hmph. Now it’s your turn, you little bastard!” The woman raised her sharp nails, aiming for Jiang An’s eyes, heedless of consequences.

“Pa!”

Before she could touch him, Jiang An, expressionless, slapped her across the face. She spun twice before crashing to the ground. The fat man, panicked, lunged at Jiang An, trying to tackle him.

“Pa!”

Another loud slap—Jiang An sent the two-hundred-pound man flying, landing squarely on his wife. With a scream, the fat man scrambled up, only to see the woman clutching her mouth, blood streaming through her fingers. When she removed her hand, two bloodied teeth fell out—knocked loose when her husband’s elbow struck her.

Everyone stared. This was a serious matter!

(More to come.)