Chapter 39: Cardiac Arrest!

Tang Donghai was stunned by Lin Nan’s statement. This young doctor actually claimed an eighty to ninety percent success rate for this surgery? That was incredibly high. Even Department Director Liu Zhengming only boasted a maximum success rate of twenty percent. It was preposterous. This young doctor must be bluffing! He shook his head inwardly, quickly dismissing Lin Nan’s words.

Tang Wanqi and Tang Zhenglong were equally shocked. Such a high success rate? Yet, they were quickly overcome with joy. Unlike their father, who distrusted Lin Nan, the siblings held absolute faith in him.

Liu Zhengming looked at Bai Yunxiao and said coldly, "Old Bai, the doctors in your Emergency Department are certainly confident. But confidence is one thing; you shouldn't spout nonsense. People should be realistic."

Seeing Liu’s attitude, Bai Yunxiao realized the man didn't believe in Lin Nan’s capabilities. He offered no defense, instead looking at Lin Nan, signaling for him to handle it himself. He had brought Lin Nan to Liu; the rest was up to Lin Nan to resolve.

Lin Nan, undeterred by the skepticism, smiled. "Director Liu, I am not speaking nonsense; I am being entirely realistic."

"Hmph. Forget about our department—go ask around at any other hospital. Which doctor would dare claim a success rate of over twenty percent for Mr. Tang’s surgery?" Liu, seeing Lin Nan’s persistence, grew annoyed.

Lin Nan, realizing Liu would not be swayed, stopped trying to convince him and turned to Tang Donghai. He asked Tang Wanqi, "Miss Tang, this is—?"

"This is my father," Tang Wanqi quickly introduced.

Lin Nan nodded and said to Tang Donghai, "Mr. Tang, your daughter specifically sought me out, hoping I could save her grandfather. As a doctor, acting in the patient’s best interest and possessing the necessary skills, I agreed. I have reviewed the case, and your father’s condition is not optimistic. If we continue to delay, I fear things will only worsen."

Tang Donghai shook his head. "I appreciate your good intentions, Dr. Lin, but by comparison, I trust Director Liu more." Even if Liu’s success rate was only twenty percent, it was something. If he handed his father over to this young, arrogant doctor, the success rate would likely be zero.

Lin Nan frowned slightly at the rejection.

Tang Wanqi grew anxious. "Dad, Dr. Lin is truly capable. Before, when my head was stuck in that exhaust pipe and no one could get it out, it was Dr. Lin who solved the problem."

Tang Donghai said sternly, "Wanqi, those are two completely different matters. Don't confuse them. Just because he could help you out of an exhaust pipe doesn't mean he can perform this surgery on your grandfather."

Tang Zhenglong chimed in, "Dad, Director Bai is the Deputy Director of the Emergency Department. Since he personally brought Dr. Lin, it means Dr. Lin’s medical skills have been vetted and approved by him. He must be the real deal."

Tang Donghai hesitated for a moment. As his son noted, Director Bai’s involvement served as a personal endorsement of the young doctor’s reputation. However, he remained firm in his preference for Liu Zhengming. Liu was the head of the Cardiovascular Department—a position of greater authority—and he trusted specialized departments over emergency medicine.

"I still choose to let Director Liu perform the surgery," Tang Donghai insisted stubbornly.

"But—" Tang Wanqi tried to argue.

"No more 'buts.' I have decided. Director Liu will perform the surgery," Tang Donghai said, waving his hand with finality.

Tang Zhenglong felt helpless; he couldn't change his father’s mind. Seeing that Tang Donghai was set on his path and completely distrusted him, Lin Nan ceased his efforts. As a doctor, he had fulfilled his responsibility and had a clear conscience; if the family refused his help, there was nothing more he could do.

Bai Yunxiao also shook his head at the refusal. If Tang Donghai insisted on excluding Lin Nan, he would have to bear the consequences himself.

"Dr. Lin, I’m so sorry for making you come all this way for nothing," Tang Wanqi said apologetically.

Lin Nan shook his head. "It’s no problem, it was just a short walk." He turned to Bai Yunxiao. "Director Bai, let’s go."

Bai Yunxiao nodded, exchanged a brief greeting with Liu, and left the office with Lin Nan. Liu immediately ordered the nurses to prepare for surgery. As Liu grew busy, Tang Wanqi felt a deep sense of unease, a premonition that something terrible was about to happen that night.

Seeing his sister’s anxiety, Tang Zhenglong sighed. "Are you worried?"

"A little," Tang Wanqi admitted.

"I’m worried too. I have a bad feeling about this," Tang Zhenglong whispered.

Tang Donghai glared at his children. "Can’t you two have some faith in Director Liu?" The siblings exchanged a look and fell silent.

After leaving the Cardiovascular Department, Lin Nan returned to the emergency building. About half an hour later, his phone rang. It was Tang Wanqi. Lin Nan’s heart sank; he had a feeling he knew what this was about. He answered.

"Dr. Lin, while Director Liu was operating, my grandfather went into cardiac arrest! His condition has deteriorated instantly, and he is in critical danger. Can you come immediately?" Tang Wanqi’s voice was frantic, filled with fear and trembling.

"Cardiac arrest?" Lin Nan exclaimed.

"Yes! Director Liu can’t stabilize him. He’s trying to perform resuscitation, hoping to restore his heartbeat," she said, her voice breaking into sobs. "I’m so scared. Please, come and save him. Maybe you still have a way."

"Understood. I’m on my way," Lin Nan said. He hung up and sprinted toward the Cardiovascular Department. Even though Tang Donghai had mistrusted him, he could not stand by and watch a patient die.

Outside the operating room, Tang Wanqi and Tang Zhenglong paced frantically. Tang Donghai sat on a chair, his face ashen, filled with the very terror he had hoped to avoid. The thing he feared had happened. Cardiac arrest during surgery was lethal; one slip, and his father would die on the operating table.