The child suffering from leukaemia ultimately passed away.

As Gao-Yuan had predicted, saving a critically ill patient was already a stroke of fortune; there was no guarantee that every case would end successfully. In his previous life, Gao-Yuan had treated numerous critical cases, yet many slipped away despite his best efforts.

By all accounts, he should have been accustomed to such outcomes.

Yet this time, he felt deeply disheartened.

His relentless efforts were thwarted by a single moment of indulgence—a small, preventable mistake.

Could it really be that destiny was insurmountable?

Once again, Gao-Yuan climbed onto the roof of the clinic, gazing at the sunset-streaked sky.

The doctors at the clinic sighed quietly.

From a distance, the health workers of Huo Township also observed Gao-Yuan. A young man among them asked, “Will we end up like this someday?”

No one answered.

Wan Jinliang looked up at Gao-Yuan on the roof, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. “Maybe this is what it means to be a doctor.”

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The county convened a meeting to discuss the progress of preventative healthcare efforts across various clinics.

News of the leukaemia child’s death had spread, and all attendees were aware of it. Previously, many had assumed Gao-Yuan had successfully saved the child; the news of the child’s passing came as a surprise.

The room buzzed with murmurs.

When Gao-Yuan pushed open the door and entered, all eyes turned to him. The previously noisy conference room fell silent in an instant.

Zhao Huanzhang, aware that Gao-Yuan was under immense scrutiny, had originally planned to attend the meeting himself. But Gao-Yuan insisted on coming, arguing that the prevention plan was his brainchild and he needed to hear firsthand about its implementation across the county.

Unable to dissuade him, Zhao Huanzhang sent the burly Li Shengli to accompany Gao-Yuan, ensuring his safety. Li Shengli’s formidable presence alone was often enough to deter troublemakers.

When Gao-Yuan entered, the room felt as if a ladle of cold water had been poured into a pot of boiling water—everything calmed down immediately.

Gao-Yuan scanned the room with a composed gaze.

Behind him, Li Shengli was already rolling up his sleeves, ready to deal with anyone who dared provoke trouble.

The room remained still.

But not everyone was willing to let things lie.

A junior doctor trailing behind Li Runyu broke the silence. Glancing around, he smirked and said, “Oh, isn’t this Doctor Gao? You’re not busy today, arriving so early?”

Li Shengli frowned, asking, “What are you trying to say?”

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The junior doctor grinned mischievously. “Nothing much. I just wanted to ask Doctor Gao for some medical advice, especially on treating critical illnesses.”

A younger man following Yan Qiao chimed in, “Oh, are you referring to leukaemia?”

The room grew even quieter as all eyes focused on the two juniors.

Realising they had become the centre of attention, the duo grew more animated.

The junior doctor continued enthusiastically, “You’ve come to the right person! Doctor Gao is a specialist in critical care, especially in treating leukaemia.”

The younger man added, “Oh, really? Then, as long as Doctor Gao takes on the case, success is practically guaranteed.”

“Of course! Doctor Gao is a renowned physician. He doesn’t make mistakes, let alone turn a success story into a personal liability.”

Their banter was clearly planned.

Li Shengli clenched his fists, ready to strike, but Gao-Yuan stopped him with a hand on his arm.

Li Runyu turned to glare at the junior doctor.

The junior, noticing Li Runyu’s gaze, interpreted it as encouragement. He nodded eagerly as if to assure him, Leave it to me; I’ll handle this for you.

“Leave,” Li Runyu said coldly.

The junior froze.

“Get out!” Li Runyu barked.

The junior doctor was stunned. He couldn’t understand why Li Runyu, whom he was trying to support, would reprimand him.

“Out!” Li Runyu repeated, his voice rising in anger.

The junior doctor was dumbfounded. He felt the hostile stares from everyone around him, his face paling in realisation.

Yan Qiao also scolded the younger man behind him, “Didn’t you hear? Get out! Don’t embarrass yourself here!”

Both men stood in stunned silence, suddenly realising they had become the villains of the room.

Li Shengli sneered at them. “Scram, didn’t you hear? Or do you want me to throw you out myself?”

Terrified, the two young men quickly lowered their heads and scurried out of the room.

Yan Qiao sighed and hobbled forward with the help of his cane. He stopped in front of Gao-Yuan and said, “Doctor Gao, I, an old man, deeply admire you. Your medical expertise is remarkable, but your medical ethics are even more extraordinary—you disregard personal gain and loss entirely.

“If the same had happened to me, I’m not sure I could have handled it as gracefully. You’re a doctor worthy of respect. If you agree not to interfere in my affairs with Shen Congyun, we can bury our grievances. From now on, I won’t trouble you. What do you think?”

Everyone heard Yan Qiao’s words. No one was willing to offend the prominent Yan family over someone as inconsequential as Shen Congyun.

Li Shengli also looked at Gao-Yuan.

But Gao-Yuan didn’t hesitate. He shook his head and replied, “Doctor Shen is my friend.”

Yan Qiao’s face darkened. After a long pause, he turned and left without another word.

Li Shengli, on the other hand, broke into a wide grin.

Li Runyu glanced at Gao-Yuan, sighed softly, and refrained from commenting.

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The death of the leukaemia patient didn’t tarnish Gao-Yuan’s reputation. Everyone understood what had caused the child’s passing.

Instead of criticism, Gao-Yuan received praise for his high ethical standards and deep compassion for patients and their families.

Even the grieving parents of the child came to thank Gao-Yuan once more after the burial.

As a result, Gao-Yuan’s reputation soared to new heights.

Li Runyu, once the county’s top physician, found his position increasingly precarious.

One day, a woman visited Li Runyu for treatment. She took her prescription but hesitated to leave.

“Is there something else?” Li Runyu asked.

The woman replied, “Doctor Li, I’ve taken this medicine before, but it wasn’t very effective. You’ve only prescribed two maces of Sichuan aconite—don’t you think that’s too little?”

Li Runyu frowned. “It’s a toxic herb.”

“But I’ve heard that Doctor Gao from Zhang Village prescribes one tael per dose,” the woman countered.

Li Runyu’s face darkened. In all his years of practice, he had never encountered a patient asking for more poison. Exhausted, he snapped, “Why don’t you go to Gao-Yuan for treatment then?”

The woman explained, “Zhang Village is too far, and we haven’t signed a contract with their clinic.”

Li Runyu’s expression soured further.

Handing the prescription back to him, the woman pleaded, “Doctor Li, I need to recover quickly to return to work. My family’s struggling. Can you increase the dosage? This gentle treatment won’t cut it.”

Speechless, Li Runyu scribbled a new prescription, doubling the Sichuan aconite to four maces, and handed it back to her. “Three doses. Go get your medicine.”

Only then did the woman leave.

Frustrated, Li Runyu tossed his pen aside, exasperated. Ever since Gao-Yuan arrived, everything had changed. Had Gao-Yuan started this reckless trend?

His irritation lingered all day, but he thought the matter was over.

The next day, to his dismay, the woman was carried back to his clinic on a stretcher.