Even Director Yuan Hai couldn’t figure out where Gao-Yuan’s confidence came from. Yet, seeing the young doctor so assured, and observing the calm and collected expressions of the county medical staff, he couldn’t help but feel a sliver of trust.

Recalling the report submitted by Wang Hanzhang, Director Yuan finally said, “If that’s the case, I think we should give Dr. Gao another try. What do you all think?”

The others, however, shook their heads in disapproval.

Seeing this, Director Yuan decided not to ask further and instead turned directly to Gao-Yuan, “Are you sure about this?”

Gao-Yuan smiled faintly. “Don’t worry.”

“Alright.” Yuan Hai nodded, granting approval.

Gao-Yuan immediately drafted a new prescription.

Old Dr. Wan, however, remained skeptical. “We’ve always advocated integrating traditional Chinese medicine with Western medicine. But let’s hope this doesn’t end in chaos, with the Western doctors stepping in to rescue the situation.”

Passing the prescription to a nurse, Gao-Yuan calmly replied, “Don’t worry. When it comes to saving lives, I know a thing or two as well.”

Dr. Wan frowned deeply. This young man spoke with such brazenness—as if he knew everything.

Unbothered by Wan’s attitude, Gao-Yuan proceeded with the treatment.

The medicine was prepared, boiled, and administered.

Gao-Yuan stayed by the patient’s bedside, closely monitoring their condition. None of the other doctors left either; they were all eager to see if the critical extraction of sweat—a key part of the treatment—would cause any complications.

Even Director Yuan felt a growing sense of unease. Gao-Yuan’s experience was crucial to the city’s battle against pneumonia. If his methods proved ineffective, it would discredit Wang Hanzhang’s entire report and become a significant issue.

More importantly, the city was facing a severe outbreak, with numerous children’s conditions worsening daily. The mounting pressure was unbearable. If Gao-Yuan’s approach failed, it would mean the entire crisis had no viable solution.

Unable to sit still, Director Yuan paced back and forth, longing for a cigarette to calm his nerves. But surrounded by children with pneumonia, smoking was out of the question.

After several laps around the room without any noticeable changes in the patient, he finally headed to the courtyard on the ground floor. Finding a secluded corner, he crouched down and lit a cigarette in frustration.

“Director Yuan, mind sharing one with me?”

Startled, Yuan Hai looked up to see Wang Hanzhang standing there. Annoyed, he pulled out his pack of cigarettes and tossed it to him.

Wang Hanzhang took one, lit it, and puffed leisurely.

Seeing Wang’s relaxed demeanor, Yuan Hai couldn’t help but snap, “You grassroots fellows always like to exaggerate in your reports. Be honest with me—how much of that report you submitted is exaggerated?”

Wang Hanzhang chuckled, “Director Yuan, that’s unfair. Every word in my report is accurate and backed by evidence.”

Yuan Hai scrutinized him for a moment before nodding. “Alright then. But what’s your take on the city’s traditional medicine experts opposing Dr. Gao’s plan?”

Wang Hanzhang replied bluntly, “What’s there to say? If they were truly capable, you wouldn’t have needed to rush us here from the county. If they all agreed with Dr. Gao’s prescription, now that would be strange.”

Yuan Hai was momentarily stunned but had to admit there was some truth to Wang’s words.

He sighed, “You’re aware of the challenges we’re facing. Tell me honestly—can that child upstairs be saved?”

Wang Hanzhang took a drag from his cigarette and said, “Why not go see for yourself?”

Confused, Yuan Hai asked, “What do you mean?”

Wang casually shrugged. “The child’s fever has already subsided, and his breathing has stabilized. If you want to know if he can be saved, just go take a look yourself.”

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“What?” Yuan Hai exclaimed, stunned. Losing his composure, he tossed his matchbox at Wang. “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

Wang Hanzhang laughed but didn’t deny it.

Without wasting another second, Yuan Hai hurried back upstairs. Outside the ward, he found a group of doctors standing around, their expressions a mix of disbelief and intrigue.

Old Dr. Wan looked troubled, while Gao-Yuan appeared calm and collected. Hospital Director Li could only shake his head repeatedly.

“What’s going on?” Yuan Hai asked, perplexed by their reactions.

Director Li glanced at Wan, then sighed, “Why did you have to provoke him?”

Dr. Wan’s expression darkened further. For the first time, he empathized with the struggles of his counterparts in remote counties.

Seeing no one willing to explain, Yuan Hai decided to enter the ward himself.

Gao-Yuan tried to stop him but couldn’t match Yuan’s speed.

“Ah!” A startled scream came from inside the ward.

Yuan Hai quickly retreated, his face flushed with embarrassment. He hadn’t expected the child’s mother to be breastfeeding.

Gao-Yuan chuckled, “I wanted to stop you, but my mouth wasn’t as quick as your feet.”

Still flustered, Yuan Hai asked anxiously, “How’s the child?”

Gao-Yuan replied calmly, “After taking the medication, the child broke out in a full-body sweat, and all symptoms have subsided.”

Hearing this, Director Li glanced at Dr. Wan, recalling how the latter had been visibly moved when the child first started sweating.

“Wonderful!” Yuan Hai clapped his hands in excitement. With Gao-Yuan’s methods validated, the crisis could finally be addressed. His admiration for Gao-Yuan was evident as he exclaimed, “Dr. Gao, you truly are bold and brilliant. This method of inducing sweat is remarkable!”

Gao-Yuan only smiled in response.

Even Zhu, the hospital’s internal medicine chief, was much more respectful now. “Dr. Gao, your medical skills are truly impressive. Witnessing your approach today has been eye-opening. I’m particularly intrigued by your emphasis on integrating traditional and Western medicine.”

Yuan Hai cast a sidelong glance at Zhu. This was the same man who had left the earlier meeting early, now suddenly professing interest.

Unfazed, Gao-Yuan replied, “Indeed, integrating traditional and Western medicine can yield excellent results. We’ve already seen this proven in the county.”

“Oh?” Zhu raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “How exactly should this integration work?”

"Western medicine provides various life-support treatments, such as suctioning phlegm and administering oxygen. Traditional Chinese medicine, on the other hand, analyzes and diagnoses based on the patient's specific condition and ultimately cures the disease," Gao-Yuan explained.

Hearing this, the hospital staff from the city frowned. Director Zhu questioned, "So, according to Dr. Gao, we're just assisting you?"

Gao-Yuan quickly clarified, "Of course not. Without your life-support measures and various treatments, it would be difficult for us to buy time for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. You are our strongest support."

Director Zhu waved dismissively. "So, in the end, we're just the logistics team, right?"

Gao-Yuan was momentarily at a loss for words.

Initially, the traditional Chinese medicine practitioners also harbored some dissatisfaction toward Gao-Yuan. However, upon hearing his response, they all displayed amused expressions instead.

Observing the two groups, Gao-Yuan realized that the tension between traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine in the city was just as complicated as it was in the county.

In the county, he had managed to suppress conflicts through his exceptional medical skills, strong personal charisma, and persistent efforts, barely smoothing things over before the adenovirus pneumonia outbreak. He hadn't expected to face a similar situation in the city.

Director Yuan Hai voiced his dissatisfaction. "What kind of talk is this? 'Assisting' and 'being assisted'—aren’t we all here to serve the people? If none of you want to assist, I'll do it myself. Whether it's wiping tables, sweeping floors, preparing medicine, or boiling it, just give the word, and I'll handle it."

Yuan Hai’s remark silenced everyone.

Yet, judging by their expressions, it was clear that the underlying tensions remained sharp. When actual collaboration began, these conflicts would likely erupt, potentially delaying treatment and saving lives.

One of the traditional Chinese medicine practitioners interjected, "When it comes to pneumonia, your methods are just the same three moves: oxygen therapy, suctioning, and antibiotics. But your antibiotics are ineffective against viruses, so of course, you can only assist."

This comment was like throwing a grenade into the room.

Immediately, the two groups began quarreling.

Even Yuan Hai was momentarily stunned.

Seeing the conflict erupt, Gao-Yuan realized he didn’t have the time to manage it diplomatically. He decided to take a more aggressive approach. Raising his voice, he declared, "Enough! Stop arguing! Will arguing bring the critically ill children back to life?"

Intimidated by Gao-Yuan's commanding presence, the room fell into a brief silence, though angry glares continued to be exchanged.

Surveying the crowd, Gao-Yuan felt his frustration boil over. What kind of dedication did these people have?

He said, "Isn’t everyone here to see how we save critically ill children? Aren’t you all skeptical of our methods? Well, everyone’s here now, but arguing won’t solve anything."

"You don’t want to assist, right? You want to determine who’s better, right? You think you're all exceptional, don’t you? Fine. If you don’t want to collaborate, then step forward and save a child on your own. Use your method, revive the child, and let their parents walk out of this hospital, full of gratitude and joy!"

The room fell into silence.

If they had such abilities, this meeting wouldn’t even be necessary.

Director Yuan Hai looked at Gao-Yuan in amazement. He suddenly realized that Gao-Yuan’s skills extended beyond medicine—his words were equally sharp.

Seeing their reactions, Gao-Yuan continued, "If you can’t do that, then open your eyes wide and watch how I do it. I’ll demonstrate how traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine can work together to save a child. Now, bring me the most critical, most difficult cases you have—those you think are beyond saving!"

The room fell completely silent.

Even Old Wan was momentarily stunned. Suddenly, he felt that Gao-Yuan’s earlier attitude toward him had actually been rather polite.