Chapter 368: Controversy Over Surgery

**Chapter 368: The Surgery Controversy**

"Don’t be shy about asking for help if you need anything. And before you’re hospitalized, stay at my place—think of it as doing me a favor by keeping me company.

After your surgery goes well, I’ll pick you up and we’ll celebrate the New Year together."

Zhang Runxin was Jiang Yi’s college classmate and dormmate. Back in school, Jiang Yi had looked out for him a lot.

Now that Zhang Runxin was going through a rough patch, Jiang Yi was willing to do everything he could to help.

Zhang Runxin: "I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you for letting me stay with you."

Jiang Yi: "What kind of brothers would we be if you said that?"

Seeing that Jiang Yi was genuinely upset, Zhang Runxin dropped the subject.

"I think I’ve got some new inspiration for that painting I was working on earlier."

Jiang Yi looked up. "Really? Then let’s go home and paint."

Zhang Runxin nodded.

The tension between them had eased, no longer as heavy as when they arrived, as if things were finally looking up.

...

Word hadn’t gotten out about Ye Xiaoxiao operating on Zhang Runxin.

However, since the surgery would take place at First Hospital, some oncological surgeons inevitably found out.

Compared to Director Li’s support, Deputy Director Jiang Yuanshan was vehemently opposed.

"Director Li, this is insane!

Are you seriously entrusting such a critical surgery to a rookie surgeon just because she wrote a good proposal?

And she’s fresh out of TCM school!

I know she’s cured many people before, but that was all herbal medicine and acupuncture. Surgery involves cutting open a body—if she botches this, whose head will roll?"

Director Li took a step back. Jiang Yuanshan was known for his stubborn temper.

He probably wouldn’t listen to any explanation now.

Besides, there were things Director Li couldn’t say outright—like how he’d approved Ye Xiaoxiao’s plan just to see what this kid was capable of.

If the surgery failed, the hospital wouldn’t catch any flak for it.

But if it succeeded, it could be a game-changer for medicine.

The one thing he wasn’t considering was the patient on the operating table.

That’s why he didn’t dare voice his thoughts too loudly.

"Easy there, Jiang. This patient isn’t even ours—we’re providing the OR as a favor."

"A favor?" Jiang Yuanshan snapped. "You’re playing with a human life! Count me out of this surgery."

Director Li replied, "The dean’s already signed off on this. Take it up with him if you have a problem."

Jiang Yuanshan: "..."

December arrived quickly.

Zhang Runxin was admitted to First Hospital three days in advance.

Director Li also performed a comprehensive physical examination for Zhang Runxin to establish a baseline for tracking his recovery.

The hospital where Zhang Runxin had previously stayed was also a top hospital in the capital city, and its treatment plan was consistent with current medical practice.

After Zhang Runxin began recuperating under Ye Xiaoxiao’s care, his color had improved markedly, and even the hair he had shaved off earlier had started growing back.

Now that the weather was cold, he wore a black knitted hat, which didn’t diminish his handsome appearance at all—in fact, it looked like a fashionable accessory.

Walking down the street, no one could tell he was a cancer patient.

Jiang Yi accompanied Zhang Runxin during his hospitalization and, worried about his own clumsiness, even hired a caregiver to assist.

It seemed Jiang Yi was more nervous than Zhang Runxin himself.

Director Li came over with the scans and said to Zhang Runxin, "You don’t need to worry too much. The surgical success rate has increased significantly now. Your body has been in excellent condition this past month, and the gastric tumor hasn’t spread."

Zhang Runxin could feel the improvement in his own body. After a month of daily acupuncture, he no longer experienced debilitating stomach pain.

Were it not for the occasional symptoms, he would have truly believed he was a healthy person.

"Thank you, Director."

Director Li waved his hand. "Don’t thank me. It’s Dr. Ye who has been working around the clock, and she is the primary surgeon for this operation. You know that, right?"

Zhang Runxin: "I know."

Director Li smiled. He was genuinely looking forward to this surgery.

Meanwhile, Ye Xiaoxiao was looking puzzled at the man standing before her.

"Director Jiang, you are…"

Although Jiang Yuanshan was just an associate director, reaching such a position in a major hospital like First Hospital meant he was already among the foremost medical experts in China.

But Ye Xiaoxiao couldn’t recall any previous disagreements with him—so why did Director Jiang seem to have an issue with her?

Jiang Yuanshan decided to make one last attempt to persuade this young doctor who had gone astray.

"Dr. Ye, I know you’re Mr. Song’s disciple and have a high opinion of yourself, but the most important thing for a doctor is medical ethics—not misleading patients simply because you have some reputation.

Sometimes patients aren’t fully aware that surgery carries significant risks. It’s the doctor’s responsibility to disclose these beforehand, rather than conceal them."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "I haven’t concealed anything."

Seeing her unwillingness to acknowledge it, Jiang Yuanshan immediately pointed out, "Your treatment protocol indicates that if the surgery is completed successfully, the patient’s gastric cancer treatment success rate reaches 98%."

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded.

That was correct. She had originally wanted to write 100%, but thinking it might appear unrealistic, she revised it to 98%.

Jiang Yuanshan glared at Ye Xiaoxiao and continued, "But you didn’t mention that not a single surgeon in China can currently perform the surgery you’ve proposed, and the likelihood of the patient dying on the operating table is extremely high."

Ye Xiaoxiao suddenly understood—Director Jiang took issue with her because he believed she was exaggerating.

But Ye Xiaoxiao couldn't convince him that she actually had what it takes.

"Director Jiang, since I came up with the treatment plan, I naturally have full confidence in completing the surgery."

"Confidence doesn’t mean a thing!" Jiang Yuanshan roared. "We must answer for the patient’s life! Answer for it!"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Director Jiang, I talked it over with the patient ahead of time. Before meeting me, he was ready to quit treatment. In the end, he agreed to my plan and was willing to accept the risks.

If you still have any concerns, I hope you can raise them after the surgery."

Jiang Yuanshan looked at Ye Xiaoxiao with deep disappointment.

Bringing it up after the surgery? That’d be way too late.

He had initially thought Ye Xiaoxiao was a solid up-and-comer, someone who could keep the tradition of traditional Chinese medicine alive. But now, it seemed she lacked medical ethics.

Disappointed, Jiang Yuanshan left.

Over the next three days, he even tried to persuade Zhang Runxin.

Of course, he didn’t outright say the surgery would fail, but he dropped hints about the risks.

Unfortunately, Zhang Runxin was dead set on going through with the surgery, and there was no talking him out of it.

Three days later, Jiang Yuanshan showed up in the OR right on time.

He only hoped that if any emergencies arose during the surgery, he could jump in and lend a hand if needed.