He Chaochao, new to the scene, knew little about Chen Xiao, relying almost entirely on two nurses who tried to curry favor with him, even flirting.
These same nurses had once been involved with Bao Xinlai and still maintained ambiguous ties with him. They detested Chen Xiao and had a very one-sided view of him. They had even received harassing texts from Li Bingxue framing Chen Xiao. Naturally, when the opportunity arose, they spared no effort in slandering him maliciously.
However, Song Wanliang, having just received a life-saving favor from Chen Xiao, didn't believe a word He Chaochao said. He frowned and stated,
"Nonsense! With Doctor Chen's incredible medical skills, why would he need to rely on connections or pull strings? Xiangyu, this shifty-eyed fellow doesn't look like a good person at all. We should hurry and beg Doctor Chen for help, lest we delay the old man's treatment!"
As he spoke, he made a move to push Song Kaichao, who was on the mobile stretcher, away.
But at a crucial moment, Song Xiangyu leaned in and whispered a劝阻 to Song Wanliang:
"Brother, as the saying goes, you can't judge a person by their appearance, nor can you measure the sea with a dipper. I regretted missing the chance to recruit Doctor Chen earlier because I underestimated him! Although the way this He Chaochao looks at me is disgusting, what if he really has the ability to cure Grandpa? And from what I know of Doctor Chen, Grandpa insulted him so badly before. Even if we knelt until our knees bled, he probably wouldn't help."
She paused, then took out a check from her pocket and stated directly:
"Doctor He, if you can truly save my father, this check, redeemable for one million yuan, is yours. But if you can't, I want your life. Deal?"
"O-one million?"
He Chaochao's eyes widened, his breathing quickened, and his heart leaped into his throat.
Although he had realized at first glance that Song Xiangyu's family was wealthy, he never expected Song Xiangyu to casually produce a check for over a million.
Stunned, he quickly patted his chest with confidence and guaranteed:
"Beautiful lady, please rest assured. In my medical career, I've treated at least eighty to a hundred cases of sudden syncope in elderly patients, and I've never failed."
Fearing Song Xiangyu might change her mind, he immediately urged the two stunned nurses to prepare for a series of emergency procedures. He then ostentatiously dialed the landline for examination room eight and imperiously said:
"Xiao Chen, is that you? I'm Doctor He from examination room two. The elderly patient who just collapsed in the waiting hall and whom you were treating, please hand him over to me. Please transfer his registration information to my name, as your medical skills are clearly insufficient."
After saying this, He Chaochao hung up without waiting for Chen Xiao's bewildered response. He then confidently put on his stethoscope to further examine Song Kaichao's condition.
Based on his clinical experience, Song Kaichao's sudden syncope was likely due to underlying age-related conditions. After all, Song Kaichao's age was evident. While a complete cure might be impossible, with the aid of medical equipment and various Western medications, he would surely awaken soon.
However, after personally examining Song Kaichao, he was dumbfounded. His initial diagnosis indicated no heartbeat and no pulse, yet his temperature was normal and his breathing was even.
"What the hell?"
He subconsciously wiped the cold sweat from his brow and muttered. He then re-examined Song Kaichao, only to be even more bewildered. This time, the results were the opposite: Song Kaichao had a fever of at least forty degrees Celsius, his breathing had almost completely stopped, yet his heartbeat and pulse were normal.
Subsequently, when the two nurses connected the electrocardiograph monitor for auxiliary diagnosis, He Chaochao was horrified to discover that Song Kaichao's vital signs were plummeting at a terrifying, cliff-like rate. The monitor continuously emitted a "beep, beep, beep" critical alarm.
He Chaochao's scalp tingled, and his heart pounded. He finally realized, albeit belatedly, that Song Kaichao's sudden syncope was not simply due to underlying age-related conditions. He stammered,
"I... I'm sorry, the patient's condition is too unusual. I... I'm unable to help. You... you wanted to find Doctor Chen, right? Hurry! You must hurry! Because... because the patient is in critical condition. If you delay any further, he could die at any moment."
Although he was captivated by Song Xiangyu's beauty and dreamed of something developing from this consultation, and also desired the million-yuan check in her hand, he dared not think of anything else now except to quickly get rid of this hot potato.
"W-what?"
Song Xiangyu was struck by lightning. She never imagined that He Chaochao, after wasting nearly twenty minutes, would be so helpless. Her face instantly turned icy cold. She raised her hand and delivered a sharp, fierce slap that sent He Chaochao spinning like a top. She then roared hysterically:
"Bastard, if you were incompetent, why did you volunteer and waste my father's treatment time? Do you know he is Song Kaichao, the richest man in Juxian City? If anything unfortunate happens to him, can you afford to compensate?"
Song Wanliang was also completely enraged. As soon as Song Xiangyu finished speaking, he had already drawn a fine pistol from his pocket and menacingly pressed it to He Chaochao's head. His eyes were red, and his voice was chilling:
"If my father doesn't survive, you'll be the first to be buried with him!"
"..."
He Chaochao never dreamed that the person lying on the mobile stretcher before him was the renowned richest man in Juxian City, Song Kaichao. He also never imagined he would one day have a pistol pressed to his forehead. His pants instantly became wet, and he soiled himself.
If he could do it all over again, he would never have provoked Song Xiangyu's family.
But unfortunately, there was no "if." His immediate priority was to do everything he could to save his own life and property.
"You... you two esteemed figures, please calm down. I... I'll go and ask Doctor Chen to help right now."
Stuttering, he uttered these words and then, disregarding everything, bolted towards examination room eight. The moment he entered, he fell to his knees with a "thump" and cried out with all his might:
"Doctor... Doctor Chen, save him! Save him! The richest man Song's condition is truly bizarre. I... I am completely helpless. Please... please, you must help..."
As he spoke, he desperately kowtowed, completely disregarding his dignity.
Chen Xiao, feeling both exasperated and amused, said without politeness:
"You're Doctor He who called me earlier, aren't you? On the phone, you said my medical skills were inadequate, didn't you? Since you look down on me so much, why are you now begging me with such a pathetic face? Do I owe you anything?"