Ye Qiu’s heart jolted, and he hurriedly asked, “Old man, what’s happened?”
“Come back and we’ll talk.” After saying this, Master Ye hung up the phone.
Ye Qiu felt a weight in his chest. The old man knew he was with Tangtang, yet still called him back, so something must have happened.
What could it be?
Ye Qiu didn’t have time to dwell on it and said apologetically, “Tangtang, I can’t stay for dinner. The old man wants me home now.”
Tangtang felt a pang of disappointment. She had finally found a chance to be alone with Ye Qiu, only for it to be interrupted.
Still, she said understandingly, “If the old man needs you, it must be important. Go quickly!”
“What about you?” Ye Qiu asked.
“I’ll take a taxi back,” Tangtang replied.
Ye Qiu added, “When I’m free, I’ll take you to a movie.”
Tangtang smiled and nodded, “Alright.”
After parting ways, Ye Qiu rushed back to the Ye family.
Upon entering, he saw, besides Master Ye, an old general in military uniform with three gold stars on his shoulders in the living room.
Stepping into the room, Ye Qiu asked, “Old man, why did you call me back?”
“Doctor Ye, I’m the one who asked for you,” the old general spoke up.
Ye Ye looked puzzled at the general.
“Ye Qiu, let me introduce you. This is General Zhu Chengyu, who guards the southwest,” Master Ye said.
Zhu Chengyu added, “I heard Doctor Ye was here, so I rushed over.”
“I came specifically for you.”
“Doctor Ye, I’m in trouble. Please, you must help me.”
Ye Qiu didn’t agree immediately but asked, “General Zhu, what help do you need?”
Zhu explained, “My son is injured, badly. I’d like you to treat him.”
Ye Qiu glanced at Master Ye, clearly seeking his opinion.
He didn’t know Zhu Chengyu or the man’s ties to the Ye family.
If he were an enemy, Ye Qiu wouldn’t lift a finger.
Master Ye sensed his hesitation and said, “Ye Qiu, help General Zhu!”
Ye Qiu then asked, “General Zhu, where is your son now?”
“He’s at 303 Hospital,” Zhu replied.
“General Zhu, give me a moment to change, and I’ll go with you to the hospital.” Ye Qiu went to his room, changed into clean clothes, grabbed his golden needles, and then joined Zhu in his car to head to 303 Hospital.
On the way, Ye Qiu said, “General Zhu, I know nothing about your son’s condition. Please tell me more.”
Zhu explained, “My son, Zhu Xiongying, is a soldier. He was injured saving a comrade during a mine-clearing mission. His right leg is badly hurt. The southwest field hospital couldn’t treat him, so I transferred him to the capital.”
“After the experts’ consultation, they said amputation is needed.”
“Worse, there are shrapnel fragments in his lungs.”
“I had no other choice but to find you. Doctor Ye, I’ve heard your medical skills are unmatched. Please save Xiongying.”
“He’s my only son. If he dies, the Zhu family line ends.”
Tears welled in Zhu’s fierce eyes as he continued, “Doctor Ye, if you can save Xiongying’s life, name any request. If it’s within my power, I’ll do it, no matter the cost.”
Ye Qiu said, “You’re too kind, General Zhu.”
“Your son is a hero. Treating him is my honour.”
“Rest assured, I’ll do my utmost.”
Zhu said gratefully, “Thank you, Doctor Ye.”
Soon, they arrived at 303 Hospital.
Zhu led Ye Qiu hurriedly to the special care ward.
Outside the ward stood a plainly dressed elderly woman with white hair, looking over sixty.
Her eyes were red, her face deeply weary.
“Yulian, how’s Xiongying?” Zhu asked as he approached.
“The doctors are checking him inside. They haven’t come out yet.” The woman’s gaze fell on Ye Qiu. “Chengyu, who’s this?”
“This is Doctor Ye, whom I brought to treat Xiongying,” Zhu introduced. “Doctor Ye, this is my wife, Feng Yulian.”
Upon learning Ye Qiu’s identity, Feng Yulian said, “Doctor Ye, please save my son, I beg you…”
She started to kneel, but Ye Qiu quickly stopped her, saying, “Madam Feng, there’s no need for that. Healing is my duty. I’ll do everything I can for your son.”
“Thank you, thank you,” Feng Yulian said, wiping tears.
“General Zhu, let’s go in,” Ye Qiu said, pushing open the door.
Inside the ward, several doctors in white coats stood, one of whom was Ye Qiu’s old acquaintance, the renowned physician Li Chunfeng.
“Little Ye, you’re here?” Li Chunfeng’s eyes lit up upon seeing him.
The other doctors also turned to Ye Qiu.
Ye Qiu nodded slightly, then glanced at the bed.
A dark-skinned man in his thirties lay there, face bruised, unconscious, his right leg wrapped in thick gauze.
“Old Li, how’s the patient?” Ye Qiu asked.
Li Chunfeng quickly handed him the medical chart.
Ye Qiu reviewed it briefly, then asked, “Old Li, what’s your treatment plan?”
Li glanced at Zhu, then pulled Ye Qiu to a corner and whispered, “Zhu Xiongying’s injuries are severe. I and a dozen experts diagnosed him and, after much discussion, concluded amputation is the only option.”
“The amputation is straightforward, but the shrapnel in his lungs is the real problem.”
“The explosion sent tiny fragments, some smaller than rice grains, into his lungs in large numbers. The surgery is extremely risky.”
“I consulted two top experts in this field, but after reviewing the reports, they refused to operate.”
Ye Qiu frowned, “Why?”
Li sighed, “They’re afraid of ruining their reputations.”
It was like a legendary general, victorious in countless battles, refusing to lead a risky campaign to protect his legacy.
Ye Qiu understood but was still angry.
Put politely, they feared tarnishing their name; bluntly, they were cowards.
In any era, if doctors or soldiers shrink from risk and lack courage, what future does a nation have?
Especially when the patient is a hero!
Without such heroes, how could there be peace?
Ye Qiu said, “If they won’t do the surgery, I will!”
