My Medical Skills Give Me Experience Points Chapter 1249 - 492: The Acclaimed Doctor’s Path of Tempering—What’s Up with Dr. Du? (Part 2)

This particular ailment typically manifests through either intermittent, minor bleeding or a sudden, massive hemorrhage.

Another potential candidate is Meckel’s diverticulum.

Its primary symptoms mirror those of colonic diverticulosis, although it tends to occur more frequently within the terminal ileum.

The patient exhibits both fever and symptoms of severe, acute bleeding, which aligns well with the clinical presentation.

However, the complete lack of any indicators suggesting peritonitis is notable.

While both conditions remain possibilities, the statistical likelihood for each is relatively low.

Zhou Can had already identified four probable causes, yet none satisfied him, driving him to continue exhausting his mental resources.

Hi, Xiaolan! Fancy seeing you eating here too!

A resonant masculine voice interrupted, shaking Zhou Can out of his deep contemplation.

Yes! We were incredibly swamped this morning and just finished our surgery. Have you managed to grab a bite yet?

Ma Xiaolan responded with an effervescent smile.

It has been quite hectic on my end as well, so I was just about to find something to eat. Do you mind if I pull up a chair? Dr. Zhou?

The man who had greeted Ma Xiaolan chuckled and asked for Zhou Can’s input.

Please, feel free to sit. Have you and Dr. Du known one another for a long time?

Zhou Can was surprised to run into Du Leng in such a place.

Because his own schedule was so demanding, he usually just had food delivered to the operating theatre, making cafeteria visits a rarity. The number of times their paths had crossed could be tallied on one hand.

Furthermore, given that Zhou Can’s current professional standing had far eclipsed Du Leng’s, he maintained an air of regal indifference whenever they did meet.

Du Leng, in turn, usually went to great lengths to avoid direct interaction.

Why, one might ask?

Because for a man who boasted credentials from a prestigious overseas institution to be definitively surpassed by a mere graduate of a domestic 985 university was an absolute, stinging humiliation.

While Du Leng typically projected a gentle and refined persona, he was, in reality, reminiscent of Yue Buqun from wuxia novels—a man prone to deceit and obsessively protective of his public image.

The encounter that remained freshest in Zhou Can's memory occurred a few years prior, during a joint consultation at the Xinxiang Women and Children’s Hospital alongside Du Leng.

Zhou Can had emerged as a dark horse of unparalleled skill, while Du Leng’s reputation had suffered a sharp decline.

Ever since that consultation, Du Leng began to steer clear of him, retreating to the basics of clinical practice. Word had it that he was rebuilding his foundations from scratch—handling menial tasks like patient hygiene, dressing changes, and catheter insertions.

As for the extent of Du Leng’s current capabilities, Zhou Can remained entirely uncertain.

Even if Du Leng had taken flight, his raw surgical talent still couldn't hold a candle to Zhou Can.

Dr. Du and I have been acquainted for roughly three months. It’s actually quite serendipitous; I was leaving work late one evening during a torrential downpour and couldn't secure a ride, when Dr. Du kindly offered to take me home.

Ma Xiaolan recounted this detail with visible warmth.

She seemed, at that moment, somewhat shy.

Often, a woman’s tender emotions surface most prominently when she finds herself in a bind.

Whether it’s confronting bandits, dealing with rowdy troublemakers, or being ill and in need of assistance, when a gentleman provides aid during a moment of profound helplessness, it almost inevitably leaves a lasting mark upon their heart.

Many beautiful stories often find their origin in such trivial, humble moments.

Are you two currently seeing each other, or are you just friends?

Zhou Can asked with a curious, friendly smile.

Dr. Zhou, you are quite the attentive team leader, looking after your members with such care! Even inquiring about our personal lives with such dedication.

Du Leng interjected quickly, attempting to save Ma Xiaolan from the awkward spot.

Haha, everyone enjoys a bit of gossip, and I’m certainly no outlier in that regard. You flatter me too much, Dr. Du. Given your impressive pedigree and striking appearance, I’m sure you’ve had your fair share of romantic interests. Just ensure you don't break Xiaolan’s heart, or the rest of our surgical team will have a bone to pick with you.

Zhou Can stated this with a tone that straddled the line between playful banter and earnest warning.

His primary goal was to caution Ma Xiaolan to stay vigilant so she wouldn't be misled.

Du Leng’s reputation, after all, was less than stellar.

Within the hospital walls, he had been involved with at least ten different female doctors and nurses. Yet, one had to begrudgingly admire his finesse, as not a single public scandal had ever surfaced from those prior liaisons.

Rumor held that when selecting a partner, Du Leng required only a pleasant face, but remained notoriously particular about figure.

Different strokes for different folks, as they say.

Ma Xiaolan had only known him for three months, and it remained a mystery how far they had progressed in their relationship.

As the team lead, Zhou Can could only fulfill his responsibility to offer a warning; interfering in the personal romantic affairs of his subordinates was beyond his purview.

Is that meant as a compliment or a critique, Dr. Zhou? I am not nearly as flighty as you suggest; I hold to the principle of ‘drinking from but one stream of water.’ Should I find a woman who truly resonates with my soul, I would aspire to be as loyal as a swan for the remainder of my days.

It remained ambiguous whether Du Leng was anxious about Zhou Can jeopardizing his relationship or if he was simply being dramatic.

He delivered this declaration with intense sincerity.

It felt as though he was directing his philosophy of love specifically toward Ma Xiaolan.

He clearly wanted to avoid the label of a shallow playboy in her eyes.

His fervent need to explain confirmed that they were indeed involved.

Judging by his guarded behavior, he likely hadn't fully won Ma Xiaolan’s heart yet. Of course, it was equally possible he genuinely held deep affection for her, hence his protective stance.

Both men and women tend to become utterly spellbound when they encounter someone who meets their ideals.

Every master has a rival, and every heart finds its own conquest.

Just finish your food before it gets cold!

Ma Xiaolan interjected to smooth over the tension.

As they neared the end of the meal, Du Leng performed a curious gesture; right as they were about to conclude, he stood up and walked to the counter, returning with several bottles of yogurt.

He placed one in front of each person.

Zhou Can felt a sense of disbelief—what was this man playing at? Was he trying to bribe them?

Thank you for the treat, Dr. Du, but we’re running a bit late and need to head back to the operating wing. Take care.

As the team lead, Zhou Can felt obligated to acknowledge the gesture.

You’re most welcome! In truth, I have great respect for you. They say your surgical proficiency in various specialties matches that of a seasoned veteran, which is nothing short of miraculous. I firmly believe you must be favored by the divine.

At that moment, Du Leng did not sound sycophantic; his tone carried a genuine weight.

Hehe, I am honored by your respect, Dr. Du, though I find you even more admirable! Graduates from top-tier international institutions—that is a rare feat indeed. That said, I’ve never been one for foreign doctrines; my own faith aligns with the traditions of Yan and Huang.

Zhou Can had never been one to blindly worship foreign influences.

When compared to our own, how could myths involving Athena or Western deities ever overshadow the richness of Chinese mythology?

Within the Chinese pantheon, from the Three Pure Ones and the Jade Emperor to the various Celestial Lords and the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas, every deity possesses a clearly defined role, status, and hierarchy.

Why did Du Leng express such admiration so suddenly? What was his ulterior motive?

Was he attempting a reconciliation?

In days past, he and Zhou Can had been bitter rivals.

As he exited the cafeteria and navigated the path back to the Emergency Department, Zhou Can returned his focus to potential causes for the patient’s gastrointestinal bleeding.

Intestinal malignant histiocytosis.

He mentally crossed off yet another disease that shared symptomatic similarities with the case.

Such conditions are often accompanied by fever and gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and standard antibiotic treatments typically prove futile.

The patient’s condition mirrored this diagnosis with alarming accuracy.

The gold standard for confirmation would be a gastrointestinal barium study or an emergency endoscopy.

However, the patient had only recently stabilized after shock and remained extremely fragile, and any residual blood within the intestine would likely render these diagnostic imaging tests ineffective.

Perhaps conducting a routine bone marrow examination would yield better results.

By this stage, Zhou Can had arrived at the Emergency Department lobby.

Dr. Zhou, Director Han would like you to join the consultation room as soon as possible to review the patient's case.

The nurse signaled him urgently as soon as she spotted him.

Upon stepping inside, Zhou Can found Deputy Director Han, Director Shang from Digestive Internal Medicine, and their respective students already in deep discussion.

Ah, Dr. Zhou, it has been quite some time!

Director Shang stood up immediately upon seeing him, rushing over to shake his hand with enthusiasm.

One only had to look at Director Shang’s treatment of Zhou Can to see that he no longer viewed him as a mere resident, but as a respected peer of equal standing.

Haha, indeed, it’s been a while. You look to be in excellent health, Director Shang.

Zhou Can responded with an affable warmth, skillfully reciprocating the professional courtesy.