Electronic Nezha

Chapter 152 Risk
Before I even knew the character "勒" (le), I had already read Maupassant's "My Uncle Jules". I understood the "mother's" actions in the story. Who wouldn't be afraid of being clung to by poor relatives? Don't be fooled by the sympathy the "I" in the novel has for Jules. When he has a family and a career, he might be even worse than his mother.

Huang Jiaoming shouldn't be considered a poor relative at all; in some ways, he should be considered one of those wealthy people who have distant relatives even in remote mountains. But in my eyes, he's more terrifying than a poor relative. He doesn't know my background, but he knows I have secrets. In other novels, someone like him would be the kind of character the protagonist would kill to silence.

"Then why don't you hurry back and perform the surgery? There's nothing I can do to help you." What could I say? I just don't believe that such a renowned expert would be helpless. Don't you know that I used to run to the fruit market when I encountered similar situations?

"Teacher Liu!"

"Don't call me teacher!" In my life, I've been called Lao Liu, Xiao Liu, not-so-close friends call me Brother Liu, closer friends call me Brother Feng, and some people even call me Boss Liu, but this is the first time someone has called me teacher. I have a feeling that a seed is about to follow me...

"Mr. Liu, only you can help me now, the patient can't wait."

"You know you can't wait, huh? Why are you so concerned? Is this person a relative? Rich? Or a celebrity?"

Huang Jiaoming said calmly, "You underestimate me. The patient is a 50-year-old middle-aged man who was riding an electric bicycle against traffic when he was hit. His head hit the curb. I know many people will say he deserved it, but he also has a life."

"No, stop it." I finally managed to pull my hand away and said, "Don't try to morally blackmail me. Tell me, what would you have done in this situation before?"

"Open the brain immediately."

I waved my hand and said, "Go ahead." I wished he would turn around and leave like a believer who had an epiphany with a Zen master, but obviously, a big shot like Huang Jiaoming had also been a Zen master. Not only did he not leave, but he also tried to grab my hand.

I used two quick teleports to hide behind a bunch of apples: "What don't you understand?"

Director Chen glanced at his watch and called out from a distance, "Teacher—"

Huang Jiaoming waved his hand and suddenly said to me, "Boss Liu, your small act of kindness can save two families. The patient has elderly parents and young children to support, and the whole family depends on him for their income. Although the person who hit him wasn't entirely at fault, someone died, and he will never have peace of mind for the rest of his life. There is a 70% chance that the patient will not survive this surgery, and even if it is successful, there will be 100% chance of lasting sequelae—I need a diagram right now!"

I was stunned for a moment. This was clear enough. This patient was even more unlucky than Chen Zihan. He was older and his recovery ability was far inferior to Chen Zihan's. He had no money or connections. Liu Zhenhua's picture could be considered icing on the cake for Chen Zihan, but for this middle-aged man with a family to support, not producing this picture would be adding insult to injury.

I just finished talking to Liu Zhenhua about ability and responsibility a few days ago. The only principle was: don't do things that aren't your responsibility, otherwise it will backfire. I can't even contribute missile technology to the country. Is it worth me risking my life to let Liu Zhenhua help someone who was hit by a car while driving against traffic? Was this guy not wearing a helmet?

But as an ordinary person, seeing another ordinary person's life hanging in the balance—you can pull it up and maybe save it, or you can let it slip away—that's the problem with being ordinary. If I were a cold-hearted savior, I could be completely indifferent, but the problem is I'm not. This doesn't even require great mental fortitude; all you need is enough selfishness.

At that moment, I hesitated.

After listening to the entire conversation, Jinli asked, "Brother Feng, what should we do?"

I countered with, "What would you do in my situation?"

Jinli said, "Don't ask me, I'm a sniper. My method of saving people is to kill." Unwittingly, he managed to show off a bit...

Huang Jiaoming noticed that I was wavering, and the old man suddenly shoved his phone in my face and said, "This is the patient's X-ray. The injured area is at the back of the head—" He began to explain the condition to me.

I stared blankly at those pictures that I couldn't understand at all for a while, then realized I was wasting my time. I pushed his phone away and said, "Don't talk to me about this."

Huang Jiaoming's face showed a hint of despair. I said to him, "Go to the side and wait for news."

What's the most subtle change in facial expression you've ever seen? At this moment, Huang Jiaoming's expression was like it was being rapidly blended by a blender. It took him less than a second to go from despair to anticipation. If this old man didn't become a doctor but an actor, given his hard work of performing over 7000 surgeries, he would definitely be a national treasure as an actor.

I turned off the walkie-talkie on my chest and called Liu Zhenhua. "Dad, what's up?" Liu Zhenhua's voice sounded furtive. I could hear other students talking and walking around nearby; it must have been during break time.

I recounted how Huang Jiaoming had come to my door.

"The old man is right in front of me now."

Liu Zhenhua said, "So you've already decided to help him?"

"I……"

"It's alright, then I'll help."

What do you think of the patient's scans?

"I only need a computer. We have PE class next period. After free time, I'll try to sneak into the computer lab. It should take about 20 minutes. You can have Huang Jiaoming head to the hospital now and be ready to perform surgery at any time. Just keep an eye on the messages on his phone."

"Okay... son, I won't cause you any more trouble?"

Liu Zhenhua sighed and said, "I understand, but there's nothing I can do."

These two words perfectly encapsulate my current feelings, and I'm even a little touched.

Liu Zhenhua said, "However, this matter is risky."

"I know, Huang Jiaoming also said there's a 70% chance he won't make it off the operating table, so don't feel guilty—"

“It’s not that kind of risk, it’s the risk of being caught by the teacher. Returning to the teaching building for PE class is Wang Aili’s current key rectification project. If I get caught, you’ll have to come and pick me up calmly.”

"No problem, just be careful."

I hung up the phone and waved to Huang Jiaoming: "Let's go!"

Huang Jiaoming's expression turned to despair again: "You still won't help me?"

“You have 20 minutes to get back to the hospital. Keep an eye on your phone.”

Huang Jiaoming looked at me and then at his phone: "You... don't even have my number."

"Trust me!" I'm going to play the role of a Zen master today!
Huang Jiaoming knew he had no choice, so he patted Director Chen, who was standing there in a daze, and the two of them left in a hurry.

Twenty minutes later, I didn't get a response from Liu Zhenhua. Instead, Ma Chaoran called and asked me directly, "Did you draw Huang Jiaoming's picture?"

I asked in surprise, "How did you know?"

"Not only do I know about this, but the whole world is now paying attention to this surgery—Huang Jiaoming's mind map is trending again."

(End of this chapter)