ALL NOVEL Chapter 8 - What's Wrong with Having Some Glucose Water?
Chapter 8: What’s Wrong with Having Some Glucose Water?
After fully grasping the entire situation, Lu Ming prepared a new prescription for Huang Lingjia and meticulously double-checked it with her to ensure everything was accurate before permitting her to take it with her.
With Huang Lingjia’s issue resolved, Lu Ming returned to the hospital.
The following morning, Lu Ming met with Tang Xiaorou, who was starting her shift. Simultaneously, the female police officer who had taken Tang Xiaorou’s statement earlier approached them.
The criminal who had been stabbed had regained consciousness. He was under tight police guard in his hospital room to prevent any escape attempts. Once he had recuperated from his injuries, he would be taken into custody for further investigation. The specific charges, whether for attempted rape, attempted robbery, or something else, would be determined by the relevant authorities. However, it was certain that the criminal would face severe consequences.
When the criminal saw Tang Xiaorou again, he trembled in fear, pulling the blanket up to his neck and clutching it tightly. He looked like a lamb encountering a wolf. All three parties diligently reconstructed the events of the previous day, documented everything, and then parted ways.
“How about going out for something tasty tonight?” Lu Ming suggested to Tang Xiaorou as they left the hospital room.
Tang Xiaorou nodded, “Why not.”
“As long as you’re fine, I’m fine,” Lu Ming shrugged, understanding Tang Xiaorou’s intention.
Due to their work in the emergency department, emergency nurses had an easier time. Still, emergency doctors, especially those performing surgeries, often did not expect to leave work on time. Sometimes, even after their shift ended, they would be called back to perform surgeries. So, those who understood the profession knew that while doctors may earn high salaries, it wasn’t as glamorous as it seemed.
“I’ll do my best,” Lu Ming chuckled awkwardly.
However, reality soon had Lu Ming yielding. As soon as he returned to the emergency department, he learned that three critically ill patients had been admitted. One of them had even been given a priority channel and required immediate surgery. After the initial surgery, it was already well past 2 p.m. Two more surgeries remained on his schedule for him to perform personally.
Thoughts of dinner plans were pushed aside as it seemed improbable to have supper. Lu Ming had no option but to send a message to Tang Xiaorou, expressing his regrets for canceling their dinner arrangements. Tang Xiaorou had grown accustomed to such situations.
When Lu Ming completed his final surgery, the clock ticked past 1 AM. Feeling parched and a bit feeble, he asked a nurse to bring him a bottle of glucose water. He tilted his head back and consumed it in one go.
“Doctor, are you drinking this water…”
Just then, an old woman approached. She was the family member of the patient for whom Lu Ming had just finished the last surgery.
“Hmm?” Lu Ming was a little perplexed.
What’s the issue with me having some water?
“Is this medication? Shouldn’t it be included in my son’s surgical bill?” The old woman’s eyes held a hint of suspicion.
Lu Ming burst into laughter once he understood the woman’s concern. Nonetheless, he couldn’t help but sigh. Had the tension and lack of trust in doctor-patient relationships reached such a point?
“Auntie, how could you think that?” An upset nurse who was nearby defended Lu Ming. “Isn’t this just groundless suspicion? Accusing a doctor of this without any reason is disheartening. He just saved your son’s life, and you treat him like this?”
Lu Ming, however, raised his hand to halt the nurse’s argument. He patiently explained to the old woman, “Auntie, don’t worry. This bottle of glucose water is on us. It’s deducted from our department’s budget. It only costs a few bucks, and the hospital will provide it to the doctors. In the end, the hospital appreciates the hard work of surgical doctors. Spending several hours, or even over a dozen hours, performing surgery and saving a life – what’s wrong with having some glucose water?”
Upon hearing this, the old woman felt somewhat embarrassed. She had indeed thought poorly of both the doctor and the hospital.
Because it was already very late, Lu Ming didn’t bother returning to his dormitory. Instead, he unfolded a folding bed in his office and spent the night there.
The next morning, when Lu Ming woke up, he discovered a few fruits and several hard-boiled eggs on his office desk.
A handwritten note with a slightly crooked message: “Doctor, you’ve worked hard.”
He inquired with the on-duty nurse and learned that it was the old woman from the previous night who had brought these items for him. Lu Ming picked up one of the eggs, smiled, and felt a warm sensation in his heart.