On Standby - Chapter 14

Given that the close contacts exhibited identical symptoms, Tang Feihuan suspected a contagious disease and immediately requested isolation treatment, consulting with both the infectious disease and respiratory medicine departments.

In the isolation ward, a nurse drew bl00d from Zhou Wenyun while Tang Feihuan, Lin Ye, and several other doctors convened in a small conference room outside to discuss the case. They began by reviewing the patients’ medical histories. Zhang Yan’s attending physician from general internal medicine spoke first: “None of our staff have reported illness, suggesting the contagiousness is likely low.”

The Deputy Director of infectious diseases asked, “Have the patients had any contact with birds?”

The general internal medicine attending physician replied, “We ruled that out during the initial examination. Zhang Yan is a clean freak and doesn’t keep pets. She hasn’t been near any birds recently.”

The respiratory medicine attending physician brought up an unusual case: “Last winter, we admitted a patient with no history of bird contact. We treated them for typical pneumonia until we finally diagnosed ornithosis. Guess what we discovered?” He paused for two seconds before continuing, “The patient loved the smell of duck feathers and enjoyed watching ducks being slaughtered.”

The chief physician of internal medicine raised a doubt: “But with just ornithosis, the patient’s white bl00d cell count wouldn’t be this high, would it?” One of the reasons he initially ruled out ornithosis was the patient’s extremely high white bl00d cell count of 17 x 10^9/L, suggesting bacterial pneumonia as the primary concern.

Lin Ye suggested, “Let’s do an mNGS?”

The infectious disease and respiratory medicine doctors agreed.

Tang Feihuan, however, said, “I called the patient’s family, but they refused.”

“Is it about the cost?” Lin Ye asked. He had overheard part of the earlier argument between Zhou Wenyong and Tang Feihuan and understood the family’s concerns.

Tang Feihuan nodded. “Yes. They’re even considering transferring her to a community hospital, claiming they can treat her there too.”

The Deputy Director of infectious diseases exclaimed angrily, “Isn’t that gambling with their own family member’s life?”

Lin Ye turned to Tang Feihuan, noticing her furrowed brow. “Is Zhang Yan still conscious?”

“She’s conscious, but she hasn’t urinated since this morning, and her kidneys are failing.”

Lin Ye pondered for a moment. “First, have Zhou Wenyong come to the hospital for a face-to-face discussion. If that fails, we’ll communicate directly with the patient.”

The doctors discussed a treatment plan, deciding to focus on stabilizing Zhang Yan’s vital signs with targeted therapy. As for Zhou Wenyun, they would wait for her test results to come back.

Around 4 PM, Zhou Wenyun’s bl00d test results arrived. A nurse brought the report to Tang Feihuan’s office. “Doctor Tang, Zhou Wenyun’s report is here.”

Lin Ye moved closer as well. Tang Feihuan took the report, glancing sideways at Lin Ye as she approached, but didn’t linger before focusing on the results.

The white bl00d cell count was normal, as was the neutrophil count. However, Zhou Wenyun was experiencing severe chest pain and had a fever exceeding 39 degrees Celsius. Tang Feihuan had also ordered a cardiac enzyme panel, which revealed significantly elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK), several times higher than normal.

This indicated myocardial damage caused by an acute infection. Without timely intervention, Zhou Wenyun was at risk of developing fulminant myocarditis. Considering the girl’s rapidly deteriorating condition, Tang Feihuan suddenly pushed herself up from her office chair, grabbed the report, and hurried out. Lin Ye, watching her from behind, felt a strange sense of déjà vu, as if he were seeing her younger self again.

Back then, she had been fiercely ambitious in her studies and work, driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence.

She shook herself out of her daze, her rationality returning as she hurried to catch up with Tang Feihuan’s brisk pace.

Before they reached their destination, a nurse rushed over from the isolation ward. “Doctor Tang! Zhou Wenyun in the isolation ward is experiencing ventricular fibrillation!”

Tang Feihuan and Lin Ye immediately sprinted toward the ward. Fortunately, the resuscitation efforts were timely. Two or three doctors performed chest compressions and defibrillation, and after three minutes, Zhou Wenyun finally stabilized. Tang Feihuan immediately examined the girl, issued orders for the attending physician and nurses to closely monitor her, and then left the ward.

Outside the ward, she removed her mask and leaned against the wall, gasping for breath.

This was the reality of being a doctor—constantly facing death. They tried to suppress their emotions and avoid excessive empathy, but they weren’t cold-blooded. Tang Feihuan couldn’t fathom how a life that had been vibrant just hours ago had nearly slipped away before her eyes.

“Here.” A bottle of mineral water appeared before her. Tang Feihuan took it without looking up, knowing it was Lin Ye standing beside her, trying to comfort her. But her mind was still consumed by the patient lying inside, so she only murmured a quiet, “Thank you.”

“Zhou Wenyong is in the consultation room. Let’s go talk to him.”

“Mm.” Tang Feihuan twisted open the cap of her mineral water bottle, tilted her head back, and took two small sips.

The consultation room was a space in the Emergency Department specifically designated for private discussions with patients’ families. As they pushed open the door, they saw Zhou Wenyong sitting in a chair, legs crossed, his face etched with impatience. Noticing their arrival, he looked up and stated bluntly, “Doctor, I want to discharge my mother and sister.”

Tang Feihuan thought she’d misheard him. “What?” She had just explained the severity of Zhou Wenyun and Zhang Yan’s conditions minutes ago. Why was he already talking about discharge?

Zhou Wenyong: “Oh, I already called the Community Hospital. The doctor there said they can transfer them over. A couple of IV drips and they’ll be fine.”

Tang Feihuan’s anger flared. “Five minutes ago, Zhou Wenyun suddenly went into ventricular fibrillation and nearly died in her hospital bed. Now you’re telling me you want to transfer her to the Community Hospital?”

Zhou Wenyong’s lips twitched into a mocking smile. “You’re just trying to scare me to make money, right? My sister’s always been perfectly healthy.”

Lin Ye handed him the medical report, his tone calm but firm. “As physicians, we must inform you of the patient’s condition without reservation. The final decision rests with you. However, I must emphasize that our hospital bears no further responsibility for any complications arising after the patient is transferred. We have fulfilled our duty according to standard medical protocols.”

Zhou Wenyong immediately challenged, “I can’t understand this report, but if you’ve done everything you should have, why haven’t you diagnosed her after six or seven days?”

Tang Feihuan slid Zhou Wenyun’s report closer to him. “We’ve made a new discovery today and need your consent.”

“What discovery? Another test?”

Tang Feihuan patiently explained, “Your mother, Zhang Yan, has a high fever, elevated white bl00d cell count, and inflammatory cells in her sputum samples obtained via fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Combined with the CT imaging, these findings align with bacterial pneumonia. However, your sister, Zhou Wenyun, also has a high fever, but her white bl00d cell and neutrophil counts are normal. The CT scan shows mild pneumonia, indicating limited lung damage. Yet her cardiac enzyme tests reveal severe myocardial injury, and she recently experienced a malignant arrhythmia. We suspect an infectious disease and recommend mNGS testing for a definitive diagnosis.”

Zhou Wenyong grew increasingly impatient. “Didn’t I say I don’t understand the report? I still don’t get it now. Just tell me straight—how much does the test cost?”

Lin Ye, having spent more time at the Second Affiliated Hospital, knew the prices. He replied, “The mNGS test is a bit more expensive than other tests…”

Zhou Wenyong seized on the word “expensive” and jumped to his feet. “I knew it! You’re just trying to make money!”

Seeing him shouting at Lin Ye, Tang Feihuan’s protective instincts kicked in, and her demeanor shifted 180 degrees. Her voice turned icy. “You want a transfer? Fine, we’ll transfer you immediately.” She stood up, signaling Lin Ye to follow her out, then turned back to add, “I’ll get the transfer form from my office. Once you’ve paid, you can take the patient.”

“Doctor Tang,” Lin Ye said, glancing up at her sharp gaze beneath her glasses. Clearly angry, he tugged at her sleeve.

Tang Feihuan was indeed furious at Zhou Wenyong’s rude behavior, but she still prioritized the patient’s well-being. Thinking quickly, she shifted her approach. Lowering her voice, she said, “I’m counting to three.”

“Huh?”

“One, two…”

Before she could reach three, Zhou Wenyong stopped her. “Alright, Doctor, do whatever test you said.”

Tang Feihuan turned back, her tone grave. “mNGS—Pathogen Metagenomic Sequencing.”

Zhou Wenyong rubbed his hands together, making his decision. Like other patients’ families, he wanted to know if the money would be well-spent. “What if the tests still can’t give us a diagnosis? You need to give me a guarantee.”

“I’m sorry, but medicine is full of uncertainties,” Lin Ye replied with a slight nod. “Doctors can’t give patients guarantees, not even highly skilled surgeons can promise a 100% success rate for their operations. However, we will do everything in our power to save the patient.”

Back in the office, Lin Ye belatedly realized Tang Feihuan’s earlier tactic. “Was that a challenge?”

“Yes,” Tang Feihuan admitted. “I noticed that while Zhou Wenyong values money, he still cares about his family. For example, he paid the 20,000 yuan for Zhou Wenyun’s art training.” She bent over to organize the reports on her desk, accidentally knocking over a green sketchbook.

“What’s this?” Lin Ye asked.

“Zhou Wenyun’s sketchbook. She was drawing in the ward just a couple of days ago while keeping watch.” Tang Feihuan crouched down to pick up the sketchbook and the scattered pages, her gaze suddenly freezing. Lin Ye followed her line of sight and saw a dozen sketches of birds scattered across the floor…