Chapter 177: In a Rush to Go Back

Chapter 177 -176: In a Rush to Go Back

Yu Zhiming knew a thing or two about human chimeras.

The word “chimera” comes from Greek mythology.

In Greek mythology, there was a fire-breathing beast with the body of a lion, the head of a goat on its back, and a serpent for a tail.

While human chimeras weren’t so dramatic, some did have recognizable physical traits.

For example, some people are born with large red or black patches of skin, or like a Persian cat, have two different-colored eyes.

Of course, there was another type: intersex individuals who possess both male and female reproductive organs.

These traits are all typical of biological chimerism.

Typically, human chimerism occurs early in a twin pregnancy.

It happens when two separate eggs are fertilized at the same time.

The two fertilized embryos accidentally get too close, leading to a competition for nutrients between them.

As a result, one absorbs the other.

In this situation, a single organism ends up containing two different sets of DNA sequences.

This, of course, isn’t the only way biological chimerism occurs.

In fact, bone marrow transplants, organ transplants, and even blood transfusions are also forms of chimerism.

This is because the recipients then carry two different sets of DNA within their bodies.

In reality, there have been some strange and rare cases of human chimerism.

For example, a mother gave birth to a child, but a DNA test showed their DNA didn’t match—the child wasn’t hers.

This was because the organ in her body that produced eggs actually came from her fraternal twin sister.

In another case, a wife was faithful, but the child she bore was, biologically speaking, not her husband’s but his brother’s.

Yu Zhiming had always read these bizarre human chimera cases as curious tales.

Therefore, Yu Zhiming’s memory of what a human chimera was remained quite clear and profound.

‘But to actually encounter such a rare case of a human chimera in my own medical career?’

Yu Zhiming glanced again at the child on the large bed, who was as thin and frail as a bean sprout.

He lowered his voice and asked, “Teacher, how sure are you?”

“At least ninety-nine percent!”

Qi Yue’s voice was filled with absolute confidence.

“Zhiming, the other medical experts aren’t just hacks. They are all truly great medical authorities.”

“Before we arrived, they already helped us by ruling out every other possibility, one by one.”

“Therefore, your discovery now means it’s the only correct answer.”

Yu Zhiming thought about it and realized that was indeed the case.

Just as Sherlock Holmes said, when you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.

More importantly, Yu Zhiming was also quite confident in his own examination findings.

The feeling that this child was pieced together from two different people, one upper and one lower half, couldn’t be wrong.

Yu Zhiming also clearly remembered another case of a human chimera.

It was an American model and singer.

The skin on the left and right sides of her body had a distinct demarcation, one side darker and one lighter.

She was a chimera whose left and right sides had different DNA.

‘If a person can be a left-right chimera, then it’s not impossible for this child to be an upper-lower chimera.’

Yu Zhiming thought of something else and asked for confirmation, “Teacher, has this child been frail and sickly since he was young because the two immune systems in his body are conflicting and interfering with each other, resulting in low immunity?”

Qi Yue nodded with a “Mm,” and added, “Since we’ve found the root of the illness, let’s go out…”

The two walked out of the room, took off their sealed sterile gowns, and noticed Ge Yunlun, along with the child’s grandparents and a dozen or so other family members and friends, all gathering around.

Facing their expectant gazes, Qi Yue announced in a clear voice, “We have not failed your trust. We’ve found the cause.”

“Your child is a chimera…”

Next, Qi Yue gave a brief and concise explanation of what a human chimera was.

He then said with a serious expression, “Although human chimerism is rare, it is considered a natural phenomenon.”

“However, your child’s situation is a bit more special. The conflict and interference between the two immune systems in his body have led to low immunity, which is why he has been frail and sickly since he was young.”

“But…”

Qi Yue raised his voice slightly. “As long as the child is cared for properly, with increased exercise and improved adaptability, his own immunity will gradually improve.”

“By the time he reaches adolescence, his physical condition should be no different from his peers!”

“However…”

Qi Yue paused deliberately before continuing, “Due to your excessive pampering, his immunity has not only failed to improve, but has actually declined.”

“A large part of the reason the child has reached his current, almost irreversibly poor physical state is because of your excessive pampering and coddling.”

As he said this, Qi Yue noticed that only a few of the people before him showed any shame.

Most of them, however, had looks of ridicule in their eyes.

Qi Yue knew that in their hearts, these people didn’t actually believe he had found the correct cause.

After all, they had been disappointed too many times.

‘How could they know that I’m not just making up some obscure medical term to fool them?’

‘And then, just like the other medical experts, blame the child’s problems on their pampering and coddling?’

And most importantly, Qi Yue and Yu Zhiming had been in the room for less than half an hour.

‘What could they possibly do in such a short time?’

‘Such a shoddy pretense, they’re not even trying to be convincing!’

Understanding what they were thinking, Qi Yue stated his opinion and didn’t bother explaining further. Instead, he turned his gaze to Ge Yunlun.

“Mr. Ge, two things!”

“Dr. Qi, please just tell me what you need!” Ge Yunlun replied respectfully.

Qi Yue said slowly, “Our diagnosis needs to be confirmed by hard evidence.”

“We need to do a DNA test.”

“We need to take samples from multiple parts of the child’s body to verify if he really has two sets of DNA, as we’ve determined.”

Ge Yunlun said in a low voice, “Dr. Qi, that’s easy to arrange. I’ll contact the hospital right away and have them come over to take samples for testing.”

“Dr. Qi, and the second thing?”

Qi Yue continued, “The second thing is the child’s treatment. The priority is to control the interference and conflict within his immune system and boost his immunity.”

“In this field, my skills are average at best.”

“Mr. Ge, let me recommend a true immunology expert to you. He is Dr. Lin Zai Xue from your own Jingcheng Xiehe Hospital.”

“Dr. Lin Zai Xue?!”

Ge Yunlun repeated the name, then said solemnly, “Dr. Qi, I will go and invite Dr. Lin personally.”

After a brief pause, he made a welcoming gesture.

“Dr. Qi, Dr. Yu, let’s move to another room to sit down, rest, and talk.”

“Some light refreshments have also been prepared.”

Qi Yue waved his hand and chuckled. “Mr. Ge, please don’t trouble yourself.”

“To be honest, I didn’t expect to diagnose your son’s problem so smoothly on this trip.”

“Since we have so much time to spare, there’s no need to adjust my afternoon work schedule.”

“If we head back now, we’ll make it in time.”

As soon as he said this, Ge Yunlun’s expression changed.

“Dr. Qi, Dr. Yu, how can we let you leave immediately without even having a sip of water?”

“That would make our Ge Family seem like terrible hosts…”

But no matter how Ge Yunlun and his family tried to persuade him, Qi Yue insisted that his afternoon patients were also very important.

Since he could make it in time, it was best to hurry back.

Faced with Qi Yue’s persistence, Ge Yunlun felt a sense of respect amidst his helplessness.

Moreover, his confidence in their diagnosis grew considerably.

Ge Yunlun took out his checkbook on the spot, ready to write out their payment, but was stopped by Qi Yue.

“Mr. Ge, there’s no rush for that. The child’s health is what’s important. It would be best to get to those two things I mentioned right away.”

As if he understood something, Ge Yunlun put away his checkbook.

He said slowly, “You’re right, Dr. Qi. The child’s health cannot be delayed.”

“Dr. Qi, Dr. Yu, once the child gets through this current crisis and his health has recovered a little…”

“I will, I will definitely go to Binhai personally to express my most sincere gratitude to you both…”