The Enhanced Doctor

It has to be said, the dishes at the restaurant Xu Chengjun led them to were truly exceptional. The sizzling Pork Belly, in particular, was a hit; even Liang Xiaolin enjoyed it immensely. It looked somewhat greasy, but it wasn't at all cloying to eat. In fact, the more one chewed, the more amazing it tasted.

"This place is an old establishment. When I first came to Jinshui County years ago, my first meal was here. They might not have the grand, bright entrance of a large, upscale restaurant, but their food is top-notch," Xu Chengjun said with a smile.

"Chief Director Xu, you should have brought us here last time. Now this is what I call a proper restaurant!" Liu Banxia said.

"Haha, wasn't I trying to win you over last time? Now that you're hooked, I don't need to be so serious about it," Xu Chengjun teased.

"Well... Chief Director Xu, now that I've become the chief resident, these first one or two months might not be too bad. But once the emergency department of our Second Hospital is fully operational, I really can't say if I'll be able to take time off," Liu Banxia said. "But rest assured, this is also for writing my thesis; I need more cases to support my data. If I can come, I definitely will. It's just that we'll have to coordinate the timing on the fly. I can give you three days' notice at most."

Xu Chengjun nodded. "I understand. This year is pivotal for you. Work hard. We'll have plenty of chances to collaborate in the future."

Xu Chengjun wasn't going to let this connection with Liu Banxia go. To enhance Jinshui District Hospital's capabilities, he needed not only to work on internal improvements but also to bring in outside experts.

Given the current situation, the hospital had more or less reached its limits for self-improvement. Those with real skills generally wouldn't stay; any chance they got, they'd head for larger hospitals.

Although his interactions with Liu Banxia hadn't been very long, it seemed Liu was easy-going, much like Shi Lei. This was excellent; in the future, they could perform higher-level surgeries and also enhance their own hospital's capabilities.

Liu Banxia had eaten his fill. Seeing that they were about done, he picked up his drink.

Before he could say anything, a loud BANG! erupted, and his body swayed with the force of it.

"My goodness, what was that? Surely someone didn't set off fireworks?" Liu Banxia asked in surprise.

"Dr. Liu, something might have happened. Don't leave just yet. If something did occur, it's likely a major incident," Xu Chengjun said, his expression serious.

Liu Banxia nodded. The commotion just now had been no small thing. This isn't good.

After less than five minutes, Xu Chengjun's phone rang.

"Speak," Xu Chengjun said after answering the call.

As Xu Chengjun's expression grew increasingly grim, Liu Banxia knew the situation was dire.

"A gas canister exploded at a restaurant in the shantytown. There are at least twenty injured at the scene. Dr. Liu, Doctor Liang, come with me," Xu Chengjun said after hanging up.

"Alright, let's go now," Liu Banxia nodded.

As they left the restaurant, they could see a thick plume of smoke billowing in the northwestern sky. Estimating the distance, it was clear the fire over there was significant.

"What's the situation?" Xu Chengjun asked upon arriving at the scene.

"All deployable vehicles from our hospital and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital have been dispatched. We've already transported four critically injured patients," a doctor at the scene replied.

"Moreover, there are too many illegal structures here; fire trucks can't even get in. We can only try to find a way in from the periphery. There are still injured people who haven't been brought out yet."

"Then why aren't we going in?" Liang Xiaolin demanded anxiously.

"Doctor Liang, it's still dangerous inside. We can only wait for the firefighters' orders. They are the ones helping to transport the injured out," the doctor explained.

"Chief Director Xu, could you discuss with the fire department leaders about letting a few of our people go in with them? I'm worried that even if some victims are rescued by them, improper handling during extraction might cause further harm," Liu Banxia suggested.

DING! Task issued: Emergency Aid at a Fire Scene.

Open-ended Task: Rewards will be issued based on the host's performance in providing emergency aid at the fire scene.

Xu Chengjun nodded. The fire here was currently very large, and Liu Banxia's suggestion was indeed a good idea.

After detailed discussions with the fire department leader on scene, they finally obtained permission. However, the number of people had to be limited because the fire inside was still burning; only three people were allowed in.

"Chief Director Xu, count me in. Please prepare more intubation kits and cervical collars for me. Did we bring triage tags?" Liu Banxia asked.

Xu Chengjun looked at the doctor who had spoken earlier. The doctor shook his head, embarrassed.

"That's alright. Help me find some lipstick. Three lipstick marks will indicate a critical patient," Liu Banxia said.

Xu Chengjun nodded. Even he had never experienced such a major incident before. The fire was now beginning to spread. From the periphery, they could hear terrified screams from within and see people continuously fleeing.

"I admire your courage, but you must not act recklessly," the fire department's battalion chief said as he approached them.

"Rest assured, we just want to do our part to rescue the injured as quickly as possible," Liu Banxia said with a nod.

"You must prioritize your safety. If you sense anything wrong, retreat immediately. According to the latest information we've received, some of these buildings were being used as warehouses. We currently cannot determine what exactly was stored inside," the battalion chief added, emphasizing his point.

Liu Banxia picked up a towel, soaked it in a nearby bucket of water, and then tied it around his nose. Seeing him do this, Liang Xiaolin also reached for one.

"What do you think you're doing? You stay put here and focus on providing further treatment for the injured." Liu Banxia quickly seized the towel from her hands.

"But, I..."

"Enough about 'I'! More injured are being brought out! Everyone, pay attention! These are fire victims; be sure to protect their airways. For explosion victims, watch their cervical spines!" Liu Banxia snapped at her, then turned and said to the doctors around them.

"Liang Xiaolin, you're very good at airway protection. Go with them to examine the injured. If it can be done non-invasively, avoid cricothyroidotomy as much as possible."

Liang Xiaolin felt a bit wronged, but she nodded anyway.

"This victim here! Respiratory distress, needs intubation!" Liu Banxia shouted, looking at an injured person being carried out.

"We found him near the explosion site. He was already having trouble breathing when we found him," a firefighter reported.

Liu Banxia approached and saw the injured person had a bluish complexion, their eyes wide with panic as they stared at him. The whites of their eyes were prominent, with little of the iris visible. One hand clutched their chest.

He quickly took out his stethoscope to examine the patient.

"Pneumothorax! Get me a large-gauge needle!" Liu Banxia ordered after slinging the stethoscope around his neck.

Xu Chengjun jumped, realizing Liu Banxia intended to perform an on-site needle decompression.

Taking the syringe and needle from Liang Xiaolin, Liu Banxia performed a quick disinfection on the patient's chest, at the second intercostal space in the midclavicular line, and then inserted the needle directly.

Closing his eyes, he slowly felt for the right spot. When he felt a sudden release of resistance through the needle, he stopped advancing it and slowly pulled back the plunger.

"GASP... GASP..."

When the plunger had been pulled back more than halfway, the patient finally managed to take a proper breath.

DING! Rescued Patient 1. Received 30 Experience Points, 50 Diagnostics Skill Proficiency Points.

"Quick, get him to the hospital! I suspect internal bleeding; his abdomen was somewhat rigid on percussion," Liu Banxia said.

Xu Chengjun nodded, motioning to the hospital's doctors to take over.

This made Xu Chengjun regard Liu Banxia with even greater respect.