1st patient

The doctors and nurses at the scene were visibly relieved when they saw Liu Ruihui arrive.

One of them, a male doctor around thirty years old with glasses, had sweat beading on his forehead. Song Zhiyao glanced at his name tag—He Qingyang.

"Director Liu, please take a look at this child," He Qingyang said anxiously. "He's been crying nonstop. I examined him earlier today and found nothing abnormal."

Liu Ruihui studied He Qingyang. Despite his seemingly honest appearance, Liu had long seen through his calculating nature. He wanted to say something, but now wasn't the time.

Surrounded by people and with the child in distress, the priority was clear.

He squatted beside the boy, his expression kind and gentle.

"Little one, why are you crying?" he asked softly. "Tell Grandpa where it hurts. If you do, Grandpa will buy you something you like to eat."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of candy. The boy's eyes lit up, his small hand reaching out before pulling back. After a brief internal struggle, he took the candy.

Just when everyone thought the child had only been crying because he was hungry, he finished the candy—and continued to sob.

The atmosphere changed. Everyone realized now: the child was really in discomfort.

His parents grew even more frantic. The father stepped forward, clasping Liu Ruihui's hand tightly.

"Director Liu, please… please help us find out what's wrong. If something's really wrong with him, my mother won't be able to handle it."

Thinking of his sick mother at home who adored her grandson, the father's voice quivered. If she learned that the child was also ill, it would surely worsen her condition.

Though Liu Ruihui couldn't yet determine the problem, he remained calm. As a seasoned doctor, he first worked to settle the parents' emotions.

"Please don't worry," he reassured them. "The child doesn't show any other alarming symptoms besides crying. Once we find the cause, it should be easy to resolve. Please wait here—I'll take the child for further tests."

After a series of thorough examinations, the results still showed nothing wrong.

Song Zhiyao, who had been silently observing, noticed something: the child kept reaching for the lower part of his thigh. Teacher Liu had noticed it too, but the exams hadn't revealed anything there.

Still, Zhiyao's instincts told her the issue lay precisely where the boy kept touching.

Determined to uncover the truth, she decided to try listening to the child's inner voice.

Though it would consume her energy—especially after a full day of testing—it was a risk she was willing to take. Unlike the voices of her own family or the Luo family, which required little effort to hear, listening to patients in the hospital was far more draining.

At least she can try one patient today. Seeing the boy in tears for so long, she resolved to try.

I'll just sleep well tonight and buy some traditional medicine to restore my energy when I get my next paycheck, she thought.

With that decision made, she walked over and gently held the child's hand. To the others, it looked like a comforting gesture. Since she was a doctor, no one questioned her.

[Huhuhuhu, am I going to die? It's all swollen and itchy and there's pus there!] the boy's voice echoed in her mind.

She saw his hand again—scratching the same spot.

It all made sense now. The adults had asked him repeatedly where it hurt, but he hadn't answered.

Because he was just eight years old, too shy and too young to describe such an issue. Her heart softened.

She quickly walked over to Liu Ruihui and said, "Teacher, Doctor He, I have a guess about the child's condition."

Liu Ruihui didn't hesitate. He trusted Song Zhiyao's judgment.

"Come," he said, nodding. "Let's talk outside."

He Qingyang's expression soured. Seeing Liu Ruihui trust a freshly graduated young woman over him made his blood boil.

He had already heard the rumors: that Song Zhiyao was Director Liu's prized student, a graduate of the nation's top medical school, and the rumored successor of their pediatrics department.

He had scoffed at the idea.

[A mere girl with textbook knowledge, becoming our department's successor? ]he thought bitterly.

Now, watching her interfere with his patient, He Qingyang could no longer hold his tongue.

"Doctor Song, you're just an intern. Today's your first day on the job. All you know is from your textbooks. Just stand quietly and observe."

Because He had some relationship with the hospital's dean, his words found support among a few others.

"Doctor Song, take this time to learn from your seniors."

But Liu Ruihui frowned deeply. "Enough. This is a hospital, not a vegetable market. Keep your voices down— patients need to rest well."

His sharp gaze silenced the room. No one dared speak further as he led Song Zhiyao outside.

Once they were out of sight of the family, Song Zhiyao explained her suspicions in detail.

As she spoke, Liu Ruihui's eyes lit up.

"Zhiyao, you're sharp. I can't believe I overlooked that. At this age, these issues aren't uncommon."

He turned to He Qingyang.

"Doctor He, let's re-examine the child. If Zhiyao's right, we'll need to operate immediately."

Without another word, Liu Ruihui strode back into the ward. Ignoring He Qingyang's scowl, he calmly made arrangements for another examination.

Sure enough, the results confirmed Song Zhiyao's diagnosis.

He Qingyang felt the burn of humiliation. Still, he told himself bitterly, She just got lucky.

Liu Ruihui said nothing to him. Now was not the time for blame—only the child mattered.

He carefully explained the diagnosis to the boy's parents, who had been asked to stay while others were cleared from the room, to protect the child's privacy.

"The condition requires minor surgery immediately," he said gently. "But please don't worry—it's common for boys his age. After surgery, just make sure he stays clean and hygienic."

The parents had been terrified, fearing long-term consequences like getting married and having children. But hearing Liu Ruihui's calm explanation reassured them. They hadn't known such a condition could affect children.

The boy's father, immensely grateful, couldn't help but sing praises.

"That young lady doctor is amazing! The child cried for so long and no one found the problem—thank goodness she spoke up. Who knows how long it would've gone on otherwise?"

Liu Ruihui smiled warmly and replied, "This is what being a doctor is about."

Still, he couldn't help feeling proud.

After speaking to the family, he stepped outside to prepare for the operation. Seeing Song Zhiyao still waiting by the door, he glanced at his watch.

"Zhiyao, you've done enough for today. You must be tired. Go home and rest."

It was her first day as an intern—there was no need to involve her in surgery just yet.

Understanding his meaning, Song Zhiyao nodded and left, walking briskly to catch the last bus. If she missed it, she'd have no choice but to walk home.