Chapter 144 - 143: Belonging to Neither Side

Chapter 144: Chapter 143: Belonging to Neither Side

Sometime after five in the afternoon, Yu Zhiming was in the main office studying the medical records of a handsome young patient when he was interrupted by the sudden arrival of Ding Ye, a beautiful doctor from the gynecology department.

She plopped right down on Yu Zhiming’s desk, showing not a shred of ladylike decorum.

"Dr. Yu, for the breast cancer research, Jiaoda Affiliated Hospital is taking the lead while we’re just assisting. Our Boss Liu is very unhappy."

Yu Zhiming shot her a sideways glance.

"You can’t complain to me about that."

"Who the hospital partners with, the terms of the partnership... I don’t have any say in it. I just get told what’s happening."

Just then, the ever-observant Qiao Lei brought over a cup of hot tea and pulled up a chair.

"Doctor, please have some tea. You can sit here!"

Ding Ye slid off the desk, stood up, and took the teacup, her eyes sizing up Qiao Lei with great interest.

"Dr. Yu, is this a new intern at your center? This physique, these looks... he’s not bad at all!"

"He’s my new work assistant, Qiao Lei."

Yu Zhiming gave a simple introduction, then urged, "Did you need something? If you do, spit it out. If not, leave."

"Can’t you see I’m busy?"

Ding Ye quickly sat down, pulling her chair even closer to Yu Zhiming.

"Our Boss Liu knows this was the hospital leadership’s decision, and that we had to give a big slice of the pie to Jiaoda Affiliated Hospital."

Ding Ye added resentfully, "But whenever they get something good, they never think about sharing even a little bit with us."

"And yet we’re always the ones giving up the good stuff. We’re such suck-ups."

After her complaint, she saw Yu Zhiming’s icy gaze fall on her and quickly plastered on a smile.

"Our Boss Liu said that you, Dr. Yu, are a friend and a trustworthy partner, and that you’ll surely continue to work closely with us, as always."

Yu Zhiming rolled his eyes and retorted, "Every single time I’ve gone over to your department, it’s because you all dragged me there, isn’t it?"

Ding Ye giggled. "You’re a grown man. If you really put up a fight, a few weak women like us wouldn’t be able to drag you anywhere."

"Isn’t that right, Dr. Yu?"

The corner of Yu Zhiming’s eye twitched uncontrollably.

’You call yourselves weak women?’

’Every last one of you has a stronger grip than I do!’

Ding Ye then quickly got to the point. "To thank you for all your enthusiastic help, Dr. Yu, our Boss Liu has decided to host a thank-you banquet tonight at the Youyou Grand Hotel. Please, you must grace us with your presence!"

Yu Zhiming immediately shook his head in refusal.

"No, really, there’s no need. Director Liu is being too kind; a dinner is unnecessary. Besides, Teacher Qi just took on a new patient, and we have a case conference for it tomorrow."

"I haven’t made any headway on it yet, so I really don’t have time tonight."

’Attending a banquet hosted by Director Liu is like walking into the lion’s den. Only an idiot would go.’

Besides, his excuse was no lie.

In the past few weeks, Yu Zhiming had either been too busy and missed the difficult case conferences held by Teacher Qi, or he had attended but failed to make any meaningful contributions.

He was determined. ’I can’t always be getting recognition for things outside my own department. I need to prove myself on my own turf too.’

That was why Yu Zhiming was studying this handsome young man’s case so diligently, hoping to make a discovery.

Seeing that Yu Zhiming wasn’t just trying to get out of it, and knowing how strict Director Qi was, Ding Ye didn’t press the invitation.

"I’ll explain things to Boss Liu. Next time, we’ll send the invitation a few days in advance to give you time to prepare."

After this moment of consideration, Ding Ye leaned in and said mysteriously, "That little patient Qiu Yi snatched from you guys..."

"Do you know what diagnosis Qiu Yi came up with?"

Yu Zhiming shook his head, then asked, "You know?"

"Munchausen syndrome by proxy!"

Yu Zhiming paused, startled. "So you’re saying the one who’s actually sick is the mother?" he asked, seeking confirmation.

Munchausen syndrome by proxy is a rather rare psychological disorder where a caregiver, most often a parent, fabricates or induces illness in a person under their care—typically a child, younger relative, or sibling.

The purpose is to gain attention from others.

Ding Ye nodded. "Qiu Yi claims that although the young patient is physically very weak, all the data from his physical examinations shows that there’s nothing medically wrong with him."

"It’s just that ever since he was a child, his mother has constantly drilled into him that he’s frail and sick. So, it’s become a deeply ingrained belief for him that he is, in fact, a sickly child."

"On top of that, the years of meticulous care have turned him into a hothouse flower, unable to withstand the slightest storm. As a result, any small change in his environment causes him to get headaches, catch a cold, or feel unwell."

"This, in turn, further reinforces his self-perception as a sickly child."

Ding Ye took a sip of tea and continued, "The mother supposedly comes from a less-than-prestigious background; she was a minor celebrity."

"After marrying into a wealthy family, she wasn’t particularly well-regarded by her in-laws, and the boy’s father is always flying around on business trips."

"That child is the mother’s entire world."

"The child’s frequent bouts of illness, and the mother’s subsequent devoted care, allow her to gain her husband’s occasional attention, as well as the approval and praise of his family."

Yu Zhiming nodded slowly. "Now that you explain it, that sounds very plausible."

"It’s just, so many medical experts have examined that boy. Even though Munchausen syndrome by proxy is rare, are you telling me not a single one of them figured it out?"

Ding Ye added, "Apparently, the boy’s grandfather is a staunch believer in traditional Chinese medicine. Most of the famous doctors he’d previously consulted for the child were renowned masters of it."

"Chinese medicine, you know, isn’t exactly the best for psychological problems. And besides, the kid really is frail and sickly."

"They kept treating him for physical deficiency and weakness, but that was only addressing the symptoms, not the root cause. That’s why they never saw much improvement."

Yu Zhiming let out a soft "Oh."

Ding Ye chuckled mischievously. "I heard that guy, Qiu Yi, was planning to use this case to make a big splash for his return—stage his own ’Return of the King’ moment."

"But who would’ve thought that, by sheer coincidence, you’d run into that reckless idiot who swallowed a live loach, and then perform that incredible life-saving puncture."

"The sensation from your emergency case was way more explosive than his Munchausen by proxy diagnosis."

"Plus, with this new ultra-early-stage cancer project, you’ve captured the attention of practically every medical bigwig in the hospital."

"So, you see..."

Ding Ye said with a touch of schadenfreude, "Qiu Yi’s return has been completely uneventful. Barely anyone is paying him any mind!"

"Usually, all the young doctors in the hospital would at least get together for a social mixer, something like a tea party, to welcome back those returning from advanced training."

"But as of today, there’s been absolute silence."

Yu Zhiming chuckled. "It’s probably because not all the young doctors from that training group are back yet, right?"

"Once they’re all here, someone will take the lead and organize something."

"Speaking of which, I’ve been at this hospital for a month now, and nobody’s invited me to any events, have they?"

Ding Ye shot him a flirtatious sidelong glance.

"Dr. Yu, your status is a little... special."

"You’re younger than the rest of us, yet you were recruited as an exceptional talent with a benefits package on par with a Chief Physician."

"Then, with everything that’s happened since, your fame has skyrocketed. You’ve basically been elevated far above us common folk."

"As things stand, we junior doctors don’t dare invite you to our things. And as for the gatherings of the more established doctors... my guess is you’re probably being subtly ostracized by them, aren’t you?"

Yu Zhiming couldn’t help but laugh.

"So in other words, I’m stuck in the middle. Can’t move up, can’t move down, don’t fit in with either group, and basically shut out by everyone."

Ding Ye said with a beaming smile, "Dr. Yu, if you were to take the initiative and grace us with your presence, we’d welcome you with open arms."

"If you’re really interested, the next time we do something, I can bring you along. How about it?"

’To be honest, I’m not a big fan of social events,’ Yu Zhiming thought, ’but considering Fourth Sister’s marriage prospects...’

He nodded and agreed. "Alright. If you have an event and I happen to be free, I’ll definitely come."

After a moment, Yu Zhiming changed the subject. "Dr. Ding, about your cousin, Yu Qiao...?"

Ding Ye’s face lit up in a smile. "Speaking of Yu Qiao, I really have to thank you again."

"I had a video call with him last night, and it was obvious he’s opened up a lot. It’s like a weight has been lifted from his shoulders."

"Whether he grows any taller or not, the most important thing is that he’s in good spirits and living a happy life..."