Chapter 55: Diagnosis

As the voice faded, President Zhou shifted the tone of the conversation and spoke,

"However, since Secretary Liang has personally brought people here for the evaluation, handling it by the book is only proper."

"Coincidentally, we are discussing a tricky case right now. Since Comrade Little Zhou is here, why not listen in and share your thoughts?"

President Zhou raised his head to look at Zhou Yichen, his gaze carrying a hint of testing.

"Consider it part of the practical evaluation."

"Having an extra perspective is always a good thing."

This proposal solved the immediate dilemma while seamlessly integrating the evaluation into actual work. It was entirely reasonable, leaving no room for criticism.

Secretary Liang flashed a look of surprise when he realized President Zhou already knew Zhou Yichen.

He had not expected this young man to actually have some connections and even be acquainted with President Zhou of the health center. It seemed Old Gao wasn't just blowing hot air after all!

The smile on Secretary Liang's face became a bit more genuine.

"Oh? President Zhou thinks highly of Comrade Little Zhou as well?"

"Then it seems Old Gao's judgment is still quite good!"

He gave Zhou Yichen an approving nod before giving a decisive wave of his hand to finalize the decision.

"Alright! Since President Zhou has suggested it, let Comrade Little Zhou join the discussion!"

"Let's see the insights of our young comrades!"

Secretary Liang's tone carried both encouragement and a sense of scrutiny.

Standing nearby, Gao Jianjun had been somewhat nervous, but upon hearing this, he froze completely.

He never imagined that Zhou Yichen actually had ties with President Zhou!

And by the looks of it, President Zhou quite appreciated him.

A broad smile broke out across Gao Jianjun's face, exposing his gums in delight.

He felt a surge of strength throughout his body, straightening his back like a victorious general.

Unable to resist, he reached out and patted Zhou Yichen on the shoulder.

Everything went unsaid, yet everything was understood.

However, the expressions of the other doctors in white coats inside the office were not nearly as pleasant.

One of the older doctors, wearing thick-rimmed glasses, furrowed his brow so deeply it could have crushed a fly.

Another younger doctor, with his chin slightly tilted up, curled the corners of his mouth in undisguised disdain.

"Is this... really going to work?"

"We've been discussing for ages without any results, what could a mere kid possibly understand?"

The scattered murmurs, like the buzzing of flies, clearly reached everyone's ears.

Finally, a middle-aged doctor who appeared to be the vice president could no longer hold back. He stepped forward and raised his doubts in a tone that remained somewhat polite.

"President Zhou, Secretary Liang, the situation with this case is extremely complicated."

He pointed at the medical record with a serious expression.

"The patient suffers from sudden dizziness and vomiting. We initially suspected an issue within the inner ear labyrinth, but treatments have yielded zero response. This involves highly specialized neurology knowledge..."

He paused and cast a glance at Zhou Yichen.

"For Comrade Little Zhou to be so young and completely unfamiliar with the case, isn't it... a bit too rash to have him get involved?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the office instantly froze.

Zhou Yichen keenly captured the skepticism and rejection lingering in the air.

Yet, he remained unhurried, his expression maintaining a calm and effortless composure.

First, he offered a modest, polite smile to the doctor who had raised the objection, then turned to President Zhou and Secretary Liang, speaking with neither servility nor arrogance.

"The senior doctors are right; my experience is certainly far less rich than everyone's here."

With a single sentence, he lowered his stance, greatly easing the tense atmosphere.

"However," he pivoted, his gaze revealing a confidence and poise well beyond his years, "what President Zhou said is also true: one more person means one more perspective."

"I am willing to do my best and analyze the condition from my own angle."

"Even if I ultimately cannot be of much help, providing a humble reference for all the seniors here would still be worthwhile."

This response was airtight, demonstrating a humble attitude while preserving his own stance and confidence.

As his voice trailed off, the expressions of the doctors who had just been skeptical softened somewhat.

The middle-aged doctor who had initiated the doubt blinked, then rubbed his nose awkwardly and said no more.

For such a young man, this fellow spoke and acted quite magnanimously.

Secretary Liang looked at Zhou Yichen, the admiration in his eyes growing even deeper.

Capable yet free of arrogance, knowing when to advance and when to yield.

He was truly a talent!

President Zhou nodded with even greater satisfaction, the smile on his face growing warmer.

The more he looked at Zhou Yichen, the more he felt the young man was an uncut piece of jade.

"Good!"

President Zhou slapped the desk and directly beckoned to Zhou Yichen.

"Comrade Little Zhou, don't just stand there."

"Come over here and take a look at the patient's case records first!"

Zhou Yichen nodded calmly and stepped forward to the desk under the scrutiny of numerous complex gazes.

He picked up the medical record. The handwriting was quite scrawled, detailing the patient's basic information and medication history over the past few days.

Name: Wang Guixiang, Female, 35 years old.

Chief Complaint: Sudden dizziness and vomiting for three days.

Medication History: Diphenhydramine, Scopolamine...

Zhou Yichen's gaze swept past the Western medicine names, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.

These were all conventional sedative, anti-emetic, and vestibular-suppressing medications.

Judging by the outcome, the treatment was clearly off target.

He put down the medical record and looked up at President Zhou.

"President Zhou, aside from what is written in the chart, does the patient have any other symptoms?"

"For instance, does she mention feeling as though her head is wrapped in heavy damp cloth, a feeling of tightness in her chest, or how is her appetite? What about her tongue coating and pulse?"

A rapid series of questions, professional and precise, cut straight to the core like a surgeon's scalpel.

The expressions of the doctors who had moments ago been watching as mere spectators shifted subtly.

Amateurs watch the spectacle, while professionals watch the craft.

These few questions alone were enough to prove that the young man before them possessed genuine expertise.

The appreciation in President Zhou's eyes intensified once more.

Recalling the details, he replied, "The patient did mention feeling as though her head was drowsy and heavy, as if wrapped in a wet cloth, alongside a congested sensation in her chest and a complete lack of appetite."

"As for the tongue coating, it is greasy and white."

"And the pulse... is slippery."

Zhou Yichen nodded in understanding; everything matched up.

President Zhou looked at him, his gaze brimming with anticipation.

"Comrade Little Zhou, now that you understand the situation, do you have any thoughts?"

Upon hearing this, everyone present focused their attention squarely on Zhou Yichen, eager to hear his perspective.

Even if some among them felt Zhou Yichen was too young, it did not mean they wished the patient's condition to remain unresolved.

Gao Jianjun clenched his fists tightly, feeling a trace of nervous tension.

Secretary Liang observed everyone's expressions impassively before finally looking back at Zhou Yichen.

Faced with a room full of evaluating eyes, Zhou Yichen remained completely unruffled.

He cleared his throat and spoke in a steady, unhurried cadence.

"President Zhou, fellow doctors."

"If my judgment is correct, the root cause of this patient's condition lies neither in her head nor in her ears."

What?!

As soon as these words were uttered, the entire room was astounded!

The vice-president who had previously raised objections could no longer restrain himself and blurted out on the spot,

"Nonsense!"