Two days later.

Inside the hospital conference room.

A medical conference addressing the treatment of patient Sun Xinxin is in progress.

On either side of the long table in the conference room sit two distinct groups of people.

On one side are Gao Jun, Zhao Heng, and Liu Ziang, while on the other side are the director and another deputy neurosurgeon, Ning Yunhao.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the conference room is exceptionally tense.

Just now, Zhao Heng presented the prepared plan for treating Sun Xinxin with neural stem cell therapy. Initially expecting it to be approved as a mere formality, he was met with differing opinions from Ning Yunhao, the other deputy neurosurgeon.

"I believe Sun Xinxin's condition can no longer wait. The brainstem aneurysm in the patient's skull is essentially a ticking time bomb that can explode at any moment. If surgery isn't performed immediately, once the brainstem aneurysm ruptures, even if surgery is timely, survival prospects are bleak."

Neurosurgical Deputy Director Ning Yunhao spoke with a somewhat agitated tone.

As the deputy director of neurosurgery, he has been closely watching the situation with the director planning to step down. To say he has no ambitions is impossible, though most people, given Liu Ziang's overwhelming brilliance, have subconsciously overlooked him as a deputy director.

The director, meanwhile, is in particular need of support within the hospital lately, which is how these two have teamed up.

"The brainstem aneurysm in the patient's skull needs surgery for sure. However, if we don't first awaken the patient and restore consciousness, the chances of regaining consciousness post-operation are very slim. At that point, even if the patient survives, but without consciousness, the surgery is meaningless."

Zhao Heng argued earnestly.

Ning Yunhao's argument simply doesn't hold water.

Before Sun Xinxin was sent back, she was treated at Mayo for three months, during which there were no signs of the brainstem aneurysm rupturing. This indicates that Sun Xinxin's brainstem aneurysm is currently in a stable state.

Since it's in a stable condition, there is time to perform neural stem cell transplant to repair brain tissue cells and thus restore consciousness.

"If surgery isn't immediately performed, and the brainstem aneurysm in the patient's skull ruptures, who will bear the responsibility if the patient's life is endangered? The director made assurances to the sports committee to have Sun Xinxin transferred to our hospital. Are you not thinking about the director's predicament? Moreover, with Sun Xinxin under such scrutiny, if something goes wrong, what will happen to the reputation of Eastern Hospital?"

Ning Yunhao spoke with an air of justification and righteousness.

To an outsider, he appears to be deeply concerned about the director and Eastern Hospital's reputation!

"Director Ning, as the director, I must bear this responsibility, it's nothing new. But having been the director for so many years, I have an attachment to Eastern Hospital. I, more than anyone, don't want to see the reputation we've painstakingly built be affected by this incident."

The director spoke with an expression of deep distress.

Observing the back-and-forth between Ning Yunhao and the director playing sleight of hand, Gao Jun and Liu Ziang exchanged a glance.

Clearly, Ning Yunhao and the director have coordinated their efforts to pressure Gao Jun's group.

Hearing this, Zhao Heng, unable to suppress the anger in his heart, stood up to argue further.

As Zhao Heng couldn't control his urge to stand up, Liu Ziang caught him, giving him an assuring look.

Caught by Liu Ziang and seeing his eyes, Zhao Heng didn't know what Liu Ziang intended but chose to trust and hold back.

"Director Ning, in that case, this surgery is yours. I believe, with your skills, handling a brainstem aneurysm should not be an issue. Besides, once the patient awakens post-op, not only is the hospital's reputation secured, but I am sure, Director Ning, you will also become the most authoritative neurosurgeon at Eastern Hospital."

Liu Ziang calmly and precisely addressed Ning Yunhao.

"Yes, indeed. If Director Ning is confident, then let's leave Sun Xinxin to Director Ning. We in anesthesia won't intrude on this excitement."

Hearing Liu Ziang's words, Gao Jun immediately understood and followed suit with a detached demeanor.

"Uh... I..."

This isn't right!

Hearing Liu Ziang's remark, it entirely didn't match with Ning Yunhao's anticipated reaction.

In his view, Liu Ziang and Gao Jun would desperately vie for the chance to awaken the patient, at which point, he and the director would impose pressure and set a deadline for them.

In this scenario, regardless of how things unfold, he and the director remain undefeated.

Him performing this surgery?

What a joke.

In Eastern Hospital, only Liu Ziang has the expertise to perform such a highly challenging and risky brainstem aneurysm surgery!

Thinking of this, Ning Yunhao's face alternated between pale and flushed, and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

He couldn't take on this surgery!

If it has to be done, it's to provoke Liu Ziang into doing it.

Seeing the alternation of fear and hesitation on Ning Yunhao's face, Zhao Heng's eyes lit up.

Impressive!

This is turning the tables, cutting the Gordian knot!

Incompetent fool!

Seeing Ning Yunhao's trembling state, the director silently cursed and steadied himself before speaking, "Director Liu, Director Gao, even if awakening is done, there should be a deadline, shouldn't there? Sun Xinxin's condition is indeed precarious. We don't know when the brainstem aneurysm will rupture, so awakening can't be indefinite. The patient can't wait, and neither can the sports committee."

The pressure they jointly exerted with Ning Yunhao didn't achieve the expected effect, leaving him to take a step back and negotiate with Gao Jun's team on a timeline.

If Gao Jun's side had been goaded into proposing a timeline, the responsibility could be entirely evaded no matter the outcome.

But now, the responsibility must still be borne by the director's side.

This time, the director ended up paying the price for a failed maneuver.

"Xiao Zhao, what do you think the awakening period should be?"

Seeing the goal achieved and having gained the upper hand, Gao Jun asked Zhao Heng.

Upon hearing this, both the director and Ning Yunhao turned their attention to Zhao Heng, eager to know the timeline he would propose.

"Two weeks."

After contemplating briefly, Zhao Heng stated a number.

"Two weeks? Xiao Zhao, are you joking?!"

Ning Yunhao was the first to speak; this number was much shorter than the one-month timeline he and the director had discussed.

Completing the awakening in two weeks is an impossible task!

"Yes, if awakening isn't achieved in two weeks, the brainstem aneurysm in the patient's skull cannot wait any longer, and surgery must be performed immediately."

Zhao Heng spoke slowly.

This timeline was strictly calculated based on Sun Xinxin's situation.

Sun Xinxin's condition is indeed dangerous. If consciousness isn't regained in two weeks, the surgery cannot be delayed.

"Xiao Zhao, I trust your judgment. Let's set it at two weeks."

Gao Jun felt a bit surprised by Zhao Heng's statement, but trusting Zhao Heng, he nodded.

Upon hearing these words from Zhao Heng and Gao Jun, Ning Yunhao and the director's faces turned extremely sour, especially the director, who looked livid.

Had they known that Zhao Heng's timeline was two weeks—half of what they'd settled on—Ning Yunhao and the director wouldn't have wasted efforts here, engaging in petty tricks.

Now, the director and Ning Yunhao completely lost the upper hand, rendering their planned series of moves entirely futile.

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