novelraw Chapter 189
Chapter 189
The smell of disinfectant in the military hospital hung thick in the air.
For three days, the light in Pei Zhengnian's ward had not been switched off.
The man on the sickbed was as pale as paper, his breathing shallow with only the faintest rise and fall of his chest.
Through the IV line in his arm, a pale yellow antidote fluid dripped slowly, yet it remained powerless against the hidden toxin within his body.
The chief physician removed his stethoscope, his brow furrowed into a tight knot, his voice heavy as if weighed down by a stone.
"The toxin has begun to affect the nervous system. If we cannot identify the specific type of snake venom soon, we will have to resort to the final treatment plan."
He looked at Xiong Lei and Sun Xuelin, his eyes filled with helplessness.
"But that plan carries significant risk. It would cause irreversible damage to bones and muscles. In the future... he would likely never be able to endure high-intensity training again."
"What?"
The water cup in Sun Xuelin's hand clattered to the floor, water splashing everywhere, but he didn't even notice, his eyes wide and bloodshot.
"But the Regimental Commander's military career..."
Xiong Lei's fists clenched so tight they creaked.
"Is there really no other way? Even the slimmest hope..."
"We have contacted the nation's top snake venom experts, but so far, there are no results."
The doctor sighed.
"Regimental Commander Pei's condition... I'm afraid he cannot wait much longer. This decision requires a family member's signature."
The ward instantly plunged into a deathly silence.
Xiong Lei and Sun Xuelin stood with their backs to the bed, their shoulders trembling slightly.
They couldn't imagine the despair it would bring to their iron-willed Regimental Commander, who always charged ahead, if he were to learn he could never lead troops or train again.
Just as the two men were caught in this impossible dilemma, the ward door was pushed open gently.
A young woman in a white lab coat walked in. Her short, ear-length hair was neatly combed, and a pair of thin-framed glasses rested on the bridge of her nose. It was Jiang Shuyi, who had just returned from advanced studies at medical school.
"I heard about Regimental Commander Pei's situation."
Jiang Shuyi's voice was soft, yet carried an air of undeniable confidence. She walked to the bedside and deliberately flipped through the medical chart with a professional air.
"I've researched this type of snake venom in the literature. Although rare, if you give me three hours, I'm certain I can identify the venom source and prepare a targeted antiserum."
Xiong Lei and Sun Xuelin looked as if they had grabbed a lifeline, their eyes instantly lighting up.
Sun Xuelin was so agitated he became incoherent.
"Comrade Doctor, really? You have a solution? That's wonderful! Please, you must save the Regimental Commander!"
"Don't worry, I will do my best."
A barely perceptible smile tugged at the corner of Jiang Shuyi's mouth, a flash of triumph in her eyes.
She had learned of Pei Zhengnian's attack through her connections and had deliberately timed her appearance.
She already knew the snake venom type through a special channel but had intentionally held back, waiting for everyone to fall into despair before making her grand entrance as a savior.
She imagined Pei Zhengnian's grateful gaze upon waking, pictured the praises from the entire military unit, and even began calculating how to subtly hint at her feelings for him.
Just as she was immersed in this self-spun fantasy, a cool voice suddenly came from the doorway, like a bucket of ice water poured over her head.
"Educated Youth Jiang, it's been a while."
Jiang Shuyi's smile froze instantly on her face. She whipped her head around to see Shen Nanchu standing at the door. The dust of travel could not obscure her striking beauty.
Yet, her gaze was as cold as icicles in the depths of winter, beautiful yet sharp and severe.
"Shen... Shen Nanchu? What are you doing here?"
Jiang Shuyi's voice wavered slightly. She subconsciously straightened her back, trying to maintain her professional doctor's demeanor.
Shen Nanchu ignored her question. Her eyes swept over the sickbed, and her heart gave a painful twist upon seeing Pei Zhengnian's pale face. She then turned to Jiang Shuyi, a mocking smile curling her lips.
"In just a few short months, Educated Youth Jiang has transformed from a production team member into an expert capable of treating rare snake venom?"
"The speed of your medical advancement would surely make even Hua Tuo himself feel ashamed, were he alive today."
The barbed words left Jiang Shuyi pale.
But Xiong Lei and Sun Xuelin seemed to have found their pillar of support and hurried over.
"Sister-in-law! You're finally here!"
"If I hadn't come, was I supposed to stand by and watch certain people here delay your Regimental Commander's treatment?"
Shen Nanchu walked over and sat by the bedside, glancing at Pei Zhengnian.
"Doctor Jiang says she can treat the snake venom? May I ask which type of snake venom it is? What are the toxin components? And what is the principle behind preparing the antiserum?"
A string of professional questions tumbled out, throwing Jiang Shuyi into a panic.
She only knew the generalities; how could she answer in detail?
However, after only a few seconds of fluster, Jiang Shuyi composed herself again.
"Medical matters are complex. Even if I explained, you wouldn't understand. I need a quiet environment to conduct my research. Don't cause trouble here."
"Cause trouble?"
Shen Nanchu let out a cold laugh, her voice suddenly rising.
"My husband is lying on this sickbed between life and death, and you're here putting on airs and wasting time. Just who is causing trouble?"
"You say you've researched this venom, yet someone should have sought your help three days ago. Why only appear now?"
"Were you waiting for us to beg you? Or were you waiting for Zhengnian..."
She paused deliberately, her eyes sharp as knives.
"...to never wake up?"
"How dare you spout such nonsense!"
Jiang Shuyi, her secret motives exposed, retorted with a voice trembling from agitation.
"I am a doctor! Saving lives is my duty! What do you know!"
"I may not understand your tactics of delay, but I do know that saving a life is a race against time."
Shen Nanchu did not yield an inch, taking a step forward to press closer to Jiang Shuyi.
"If you truly had the skill, you should produce a solution immediately, not stand here making empty boasts."
"You said you needed three hours just now? Yet, from what I know, real snake venom experts have already narrowed it down to three possibilities. Your so-called 'research' is just an attempt to claim the credit for yourself!"
Jiang Shuyi's face turned ashen. She hadn't expected Shen Nanchu to have done her homework.
Xiong Lei and Sun Xuelin also caught on, their eyes now filled with suspicion as they looked at Jiang Shuyi.
Sun Xuelin couldn't help but ask, "Doctor Jiang, is what Sister-in-law said true?"
"I... I was just ensuring there were absolutely no mistakes!"
Jiang Shuyi stammered in defense, her eyes darting away.
"Different people's constitutions react differently to serum. I needed time to observe..."
"Unnecessary."
Shen Nanchu cut her off directly. She took a document, forged with the system's help, from her bag and handed it to the chief physician.
"This is the latest report I had someone obtain from a research institute in Hong Kong. It clearly identifies the type of snake venom in Zhengnian's body and the corresponding antiserum model. You can retrieve the medication now."
The doctor took the report, glanced at it, and his eyes immediately lit up.
"That's it! This is the one! One of the three types we previously suspected was this model! Go to the pharmacy and get the medicine, now!"
The nurses sprang into action.
The atmosphere in the ward instantly shifted from despair to hope.
Jiang Shuyi stood rooted to the spot, her face livid.
Her carefully laid plans had been disrupted by Shen Nanchu once again.
No. This wouldn't do.
She refused to accept it.
Just you wait.
...