Chapter 89: Indignation

Chapter 89: Indignation

Qiong Cang felt like she was basking in the glow of righteousness, as if those four characters were a beacon of justice. She decided to linger outside, letting everyone admire her quirky and unexpected appearance.

He Jueyun, without a shred of guilt, first went to San Ya to collect the relevant documents and equipment, then drove straight to the destination.

D University’s affiliated hospital, a well-established and renowned institution, was unusually busy even on a rest day. The lobby was crowded, and the air felt heavy with the scent of antiseptic. The receptionist, who was supposed to be guiding visitors, was swamped by a group of people and couldn't get a moment's peace.

The building, built many years ago, showed its age with yellow stains on the walls and dirt in the floor cracks. The strong smell of medicine in the air made people slightly uncomfortable.

He Jueyun asked Qiong Cang to wait nearby while he went to inquire. Qiong Cang found a blue bench in the rest area and sat down in a corner against the wall.

She sat upright with her waist and abdomen straight, her gaze slightly raised, focused on the TV screen playing a cartoon on the wall. Her unblinking pupils might give others the impression that she was engrossed in the show. However, this didn’t mean she couldn’t sense the girl next to her secretly observing her.

At first, the girl’s gaze was discreet, glancing subtly at her neck.

Perhaps because Qiong Cang’s expression was too righteous, the girl also felt enveloped by the aura of socialist light, which emboldened her. Eventually, her gaze became quite bold.

Qiong Cang couldn’t ignore it anymore and turned her head to look over.

The girl, receiving a response, felt encouraged and immediately moved to the next seat, striking up a conversation. "Hey, that necklace you’re wearing is pretty cool. The symbol on it looks really unique."

Qiong Cang smiled.

The girl pursued, "Where did you buy it? How much was it?"

Qiong Cang said, "It’s from a place that studies human anatomy and provides custom services based on scientific research. Most of their staff are highly experienced."

"Wow, that sounds impressive! What company is that?" the girl asked, not fully understanding but clearly impressed.

Qiong Cang lightly replied, "Hospital."

Girl: "……?"

"Sorry to have bothered you."

When He Jueyun returned, he found the girl sitting dejectedly, her back to Qiong Cang, while Qiong Cang remained calm, watching a children’s show.

He Jueyun said, "What are you doing? Did you bully her?"

Qiong Cang replied, "Don’t talk nonsense. I’m always a gentleman with others."

He Jueyun chuckled, "Alright, gentleman. Let’s go to the second floor."

San Ya had already contacted the hospital and obtained a list of the medical staff involved in the surgery where Tian Zhaohua was accused of malpractice. They headed to the second floor to find a nurse who had been in the operating room with Tian Zhaohua.

When He Jueyun found the target, the nurse had just finished dispensing medication with a newbie and was standing by the stair door waiting for them.

When she saw them, she looked surprised, especially at Qiong Cang, probably not expecting them to be the interviewers from San Ya. Having worked at the hospital for decades, she quickly composed herself, her expression returning to its usual calm.

He Jueyun pointed to the recording equipment on his chest, indicating he was recording. The nurse nodded, showing she understood. The three of them found a relatively quiet storeroom to talk.

He Jueyun took out a notebook—he still had the habit of writing down key information with a pen. "Do you remember Doctor Tian?"

"Of course, it was such a big deal that no one could forget," the nurse replied, a hint of confusion in her wrinkled eyes. "But so much time has passed. What do you want to inquire about now?"

He Jueyun said, "The medical malpractice back then. Liu Chen accused Dr. Tian of being negligent during his nephew’s treatment, which led to the boy developing a severe limp after the surgery."

Nurse shook her head, sighing helplessly, "Surgical accidents are normal. We explained the risks to the family before the surgery, and they expressed understanding and signed the consent form. Even the best surgeons in the world cannot guarantee 100% success. Besides, the patient's condition was already critical at that time, and too much time was wasted between the injury and receiving medical treatment. The doctor's goal was to save his life. Coming out with just a limp is already a positive outcome. If patients expect doctors to be perfect, no one can shoulder that responsibility."

"So, you believe that Tian Zhaohua did not make any mistakes during the surgery?" He Jueyun flipped to the previous page, looking at the records and asked, "Liu Chen said that he overheard the medical staff talking about this. Someone involved in the surgery must have leaked the information. Do you have any idea who it might be?"

The nurse firmly replied, "Definitely not me. I have no idea where he heard it from. The hospital has held numerous review meetings about Dr. Tian's case. Since they eventually concluded that it was not a medical accident, I believe you should trust the authority."

He Jueyun looked up and said, "Of course. We are not questioning, just consolidating various opinions without making personal judgments."

The nurse nodded, calming down a bit, "Sorry, we deal with these things every day, it's just too sensitive."

He Jueyun said, "I understand."

Qiong Cang, standing behind, suddenly asked, "Is the competition among doctors fierce?"

The nurse was startled, then nodded, "Of course, it's fierce in every industry. Title evaluations, opportunities for advanced training, building resumes, and sometimes even competing for patients. It's the same everywhere."

He Jueyun asked, "Is it possible that another doctor guided Liu Chen in some way?"

"I wouldn't know, it's hard to say," the nurse said regretfully, "But during that time, Dr. Tian was indeed a strong candidate for associate chief physician. He was just a step away."

The two then asked her a few more questions, but since too much time had passed, she couldn't remember some of the finer details. In her impression, Tian Zhaohua was a very good doctor to his patients, good in a real sense.

For example, he would try to prescribe cheaper medications for patients; he was very patient with elders from the countryside who couldn't even speak proper Mandarin; during surgeries, he would choose suture methods that left fewer scars and prevented tearing, even though it increased the technical difficulty; and for patients with limited financial conditions, he would tell them about cheaper medications outside the standard medical guidelines.

Tian Zhaohua was soft-hearted, which ironically caused him to tread on dangerous grounds at work. Some of his actions carried risks. Even though his advice on medications was sound, when human nature is tested, people often forget his kindness.

The nurse added, "Nowadays, doctors and nurses have to be very careful with their words. If you're unlucky and encounter unreasonable patients, it becomes very troublesome. So, Dr. Tian was truly a good doctor, someone hard to come by these days. There are too many stories like the farmer and the snake; everyone has to learn to protect themselves."

Qiong Cang nodded in agreement, sighing, "It's the same for teachers. Sometimes, you don't know if your prized student, whom you've put so much effort into, is a disguised murderer. So, indifference is the safest stance in this society."

He Jueyun said, "..." Why do both of you have such deep life experiences?

He felt like giving Qiong Cang a negative pop-up warning.

Qiong Cang took a sharp turn and elevated the conversation, "That's why those who stay true to their original purpose deserve special respect. Without so many ordinary people, how can we highlight the greatness of a brave person?"

He Jueyun tilted his head, "Are you talking about yourself...?"

Qiong Cang, while appreciating herself, also didn't hesitate to appreciate others, "I think it includes you too, otherwise I wouldn't be friends with you."

He Jueyun was flattered, "Thanks."

Qiong Cang smiled, turning the topic back to the nurse, "I understand what you're saying. Dr. Tian was a good person, and there was no medical accident, right?"

"I'm just saying if, just if!" The nurse, after the banter between the two, seemed to loosen up and finally let out what she had been holding in, "Even if Dr. Tian had a small accident during the surgery, his surgical skills were truly remarkable. He saved the patient in the end and kept the outcome within a good range. If someone else had performed the surgery, they might not have achieved the same outcome. Should he be asked to pay with his life?"

He Jueyun raised his eyebrows and glanced at her.

Qiong Cang thought seriously about the question, "From my outsider's perspective, I should agree with you. But from the patient's perspective, few people can calmly accept being that small probability."

Many people would make the same choice, but the public tends to favor the underdog in such situations.

The nurse became indignant, "He did so much good and saved countless lives, yet one mistake seems to make him unforgivable. Why are capable people always held to higher standards? If people could spare even a little of the leniency they give themselves for others, Dr. Tian might not have encountered this."

Clearly, Tian Zhaohua's death was something that had been weighing on her for over a decade.

He Jueyun hastily scribbled a few lines in his notebook, his pen pausing at the end.

The nurse realized she had said too much and didn't know how to take it back, standing there with pursed lips, trying to find a reason to leave.

Qiong Cang took the initiative, "Go ahead and get back to work. If we have any more questions, we'll come find you."

The nurse nodded wearily and hurried away.