Chapter 1: For the Sake of Thirty-Six Children's Lives!

  "There is no doubt that this is one of the most serious medical accidents in China!"

  A woman host wearing a gray professional suit spoke to countless audiences in front of the TV. The background of the picture is the golden signboard of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated First Hospital.

  "Thirty-six infants in the neonatal ward collectively reported critical illness, thirty-six fragile lives that had just arrived in this world were in danger at any moment."

  "The condition was discovered this morning. Thirty-six infants simultaneously showed symptoms of fever and vomiting, according to the case records, all thirty-six newborns had varying degrees of lung infection. The hospital said that the cause of the infection is still under investigation, reportedly due to an invasion of a new type of virus."

  The beautiful host's face was full of worry, she looked up at the towering hospital building and said: "The hospital has set up an emergency rescue team consisting of many medical experts. Hopefully, they can bring these 36 delicate but resilient young lives back to life."

  "Dear audience friends, let's pray together for these thirty-six lovely kids!"

  Bang!

  The president of the Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine University, Lin Qingyuan, turned off the TV and said to everyone present:

  "We are all aware of the severe situation we are facing. If this becomes a reality, it will be a shame in medical history and the biggest medical scandal worldwide. The hospital's reputation will no longer exist, and the renowned Traditional Chinese Medicine University Affiliated Hospital in Yanjing will completely lose patients' trust."

  "Ladies and gentlemen present here are all experts in this field. Some have affiliated hospitals, while others are high-caliber personnel dispatched from other hospitals. They have shouldered the expectations of the government and the people at a critical moment. I won't say more unnecessary words, let's discuss and see if there is any way to save the lives of these 36 children."

  "The results of the bacterial culture have not come out yet, and we don't have a good solution for now. How can we prescribe medicine if we can't even diagnose it?" said the middle-aged doctor with glasses in an unfriendly tone.

  It's really a stroke of bad luck, being assigned to do this lousy job.

  If it's successful, that's great. Fame and fortune will come together, not to mention being widely reported by the newspaper. Even after returning, there may be a chance to receive recognition from the hospital.

  If it fails, one's own future will be ruined.

  Thirty-six children - just thinking about taking responsibility for this medical accident makes one's back run cold.

  "Observing his pulse, it seems like a lung infection. But all antiviral medications have been used. Still no improvement, this is worth considering." An old Chinese doctor spoke up.

  After the two finished speaking, the conference room fell silent.

  This is exactly what everyone present has been thinking in their hearts.

  Besides, even if they have suggestions in their hearts, they don't dare say them out loud.

  If these children can be rescued, there will naturally be no lack of rewards and commendations.

  If it's ineffective in treating and can't save these children, wouldn't that make oneself the culprit?

  Who is willing to take this blame?

  "What does everyone else have to say?" Lin Qingyuan's gaze swept across the doctors present, urging them to speak up.

  No one answered, and everyone who made eye contact with him unconsciously avoided him.

  Sighed softly in her heart.

  It seems that my career is about to come to an end.

  "I have some ideas." Someone suddenly spoke up and broke the dead silence in the conference room.

  When someone was willing to make a suggestion, the eyes of more than 20 doctors present focused on the speaker.

  He sat in the corner of the conference room at the edge, and if it wasn't for his sudden voice, he would have been ignored by almost everyone.

  Even if someone occasionally shifts their gaze onto his face, they would assume he was the disciple of that old Chinese doctor or a driver's secretary.

  His hair was black and smooth, covering half of his eyes. His cheeks were delicate, his eyes bright and spirited, and he looked like a young handsome boy.

  His complexion was pale as paper, as if he had just recovered from a serious illness.

  What's even stranger is that he's so young, yet wearing a black robe that doesn't match his image at all.

  A bespectacled old academician in a worn-out gown looked nothing like the young people of this internationalized metropolis, Yanjing.

  He smiled and sized up the experts and professors present, his slender fingers, which looked like a woman's, lightly tapping on the table. The corners of his mouth were slightly raised, and the pride on his face was restrained and subtle, as if he were an officer inspecting soldiers.

  What made some people on the scene feel uncomfortable was that in his eyes, he seemed to have become a soldier waiting for inspection.

  Recalling this young man's family background, Lin Qingyuan's face lit up with joy, and a thread of hope rose in his heart.

  How could I have forgotten him?

  Looking at the young man, he asked: "Qin Luo, is there anything you want to say?"

  "There is." The young man said.

  "Go on then. Don't be afraid. Say whatever you want, we're brainstorming now." Lin Qingyuan still managed to squeeze out a stiff smile on his face.

  He is afraid of young people being timid and dare not say anything.

  Qin Luo didn't know what fear was at all, and said loudly: "I think this is cholera."

  BOOM!!!!!

  The whole audience was in an uproar!

  If it weren't for the solemnity of the occasion, I'm afraid many people would have burst out laughing.

  "Young people, if you don't understand, then don't talk nonsense. How can it be cholera? Those newborns have been living in the NICU all along. They've never gone out. Do you know what NICU is? Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, completely isolated from the outside air."

  "You naive little fellow, do you know what cholera represents? If we make this news public, I'm afraid it will cause social panic."

  "Never mind. Let him go. We continue our discussion."

  "How did he get into the expert group?" someone questioned.

  "He is the grandson of a good friend of mine. That friend has made significant contributions to traditional Chinese medicine." Lin Qingyuan explained.

  Originally wanted to invite Qin Luo's grandfather to come out and resolve the situation, but unexpectedly that old man claimed he was ill and his body was not suitable. He said his grandson happened to be going to Yanjing on business, and anything could be handled by him.

  Lin Qingyuan had not planned to invite this young man into the expert group, but he came knocking on his door this afternoon, with a very enthusiastic and sincere attitude.

  For the sake of their old friendship, he couldn't drive him away after all.

  "It's come to this. Still relying on personal connections and relationships." Deputy Director Ma Yōucái muttered to himself, his voice low but audible to everyone in the conference room.

  What can a young kid like you learn with a good family background?

  And looking at his sickly appearance, it's really hard to trust him.

  Lin Qingyuan's face turned even darker, and after glancing at him, he said: "Everyone, please calm down for now. Let's see what Qin Luo has to say. Maybe he really does have some good suggestions."

  Qin Luo's face turned gloomy. Anyone would feel embarrassed being accused like that.

  "How can you be sure it's not cholera?"

  "Alright. Let's assume your hypothesis is correct. Then, how did the cholera spread? Why didn't others have a problem? Those nurses also entered the monitoring room. How come they didn't show any abnormal conditions?"

  "I'm not sure how I got infected." Qin Luo said.

  However, thirty-six infants had severe pneumonia with coarse breath sounds and increased tracheal secretions. Severe fever was accompanied by urinary tract infections, and the internal organs were at risk of failure. This is similar to a type of cholera bacillus that has been extinct in China for many years.

  "Qin Luo, are you certain?" Lin Qingyuan asked anxiously.

  "Confirmed." Qin Luo nodded seriously. After a moment of hesitation, he said: "This is a variant strain of Vibrio cholerae. There was a small-scale outbreak in Malaysia two years ago."

  "Is there a cure?"

  "Yes. Acupuncture. Assisted by Chinese medicine regulation. Of course. As soon as possible. If the baby's organs fail, then there is no way."

  "It's too chaotic." The deputy dean said angrily: "Director, you can't make fun of the lives of dozens of children. What does this young kid know?"

  "Do you have a better way?" Lin Qingyuan asked coldly, staring at the deputy dean. This guy relied on his strong backstage and was always arguing with himself.

  At this critical moment, he still didn't forget about class struggle. As long as he insisted on his own stance, he would take an opposing attitude.

  "No. But we can't easily try either. If we give those newborns Chinese medicine and their condition worsens, what then? You should be clear that those children's bodies can't take any more reckless experimentation." The deputy dean argued strongly.

  In his eyes, letting Qin Luo go for treatment was just 'muddling through'.

  Lin Qingyuan looked at Qin Luo, unsure whether he should believe him. But seeing Qin Luo's clear and determined eyes, it made people feel a strong sense of trust.

  Is he really relying on something?

  "Let him try." Lin Qingyuan finally made up his mind. Of course, he didn't have a better choice either.

  "Want to try? Easy for you to say. If something goes wrong, who's responsible?"

  "I'll take care of it." Lin Qingyuan and Qin Luo said in unison.

  The two exchanged a glance, and a sense of tacit understanding that they would share honor and shame together gradually grew.

  "Alright. You're the dean, whatever you say goes. But if anything happens, you'll be fully responsible." The vice dean said with a gloomy face, but was secretly delighted.

  Since there are fools willing to take responsibility, then go ahead and try it out.

  He doesn't care about the lives of those children, as long as he can keep his own position safe.

  "Don't worry, if anything happens, I'll just resign." Lin Qingyuan naturally knew what he was thinking and said with a look of disdain.

  If something happens to these children, as the principal, he will indeed have to take responsibility.

  "This is what you said yourself. Everyone can bear witness." Ma Youcai smiled gloomily with his eyes narrowed, his long face full of dark freckles making people want to go up and kick him hard.

  "Take care." Lin Qingyuan walked up to Qin Luo and patted his shoulder heavily.

  "Director, don't worry." Qin Luo said solemnly.

  Qin Luo stood up and looked at the old man with white temples in front of him, and sighed softly in his heart.

  In this era of lost faith, there are some things that need someone to stand up and take responsibility for.

  Although I can put it aside, however -

  "For those thirty-six innocent children, I'll be a fool just this once." Qin Luo said to himself.

  New book uploaded, thank you for your support!