“It’s true that there’s a problem based on my pulse reading this illness has been misdiagnosed.”
Su Ruan had expected her to copy answers, but instead, Xu Zhixia did something even more foolish: she openly challenged someone else to prove her superiority.
Her expression was serious, as if speaking something sacred and untouchable:
“That’s impossible. Grandpa Lu’s primary physician is a professor at Jing University and a leading expert at our hospital.”
“I also graduated in medicine. How could Comrade Xu, with only a high school education and no medical training, say the word ‘misdiagnosis’?”
Xu Zhixia raised an eyebrow:
“Interesting Comrade Su seems to care about me, even knows my educational background, and yet I didn’t even know you before.”
Su Ruan was momentarily speechless. It was true she had investigated Xu Zhixia curious what kind of woman was worthy of Lu Xiuyuan.
But she was deeply disappointed.
This woman had only relied on her good fortune and some family connections with Grandpa Lu to obtain this marriage.
Moreover, she had long heard that Xu Zhixia was difficult, often causing chaos in the household.
She felt sympathy for Lu Xiuyuan.
That’s why today she couldn’t contain her expression and argued she wanted to see Xu Zhixia embarrassed.
So arrogant, thinking she knew everything.
A look of disdain flashed across Su Ruan’s eyes.
Xu Zhixia maintained a serious expression, but her words carried unwavering certainty:
“It is a misdiagnosis. Grandpa doesn’t have one illness he has two illnesses acting simultaneously. You overlooked his hyperthyroidism.”
Grandpa Lu’s current symptoms included weakness, bone pain, irritability.
The hospital had prescribed treatment assuming it was just his old rheumatism.
They ignored his palpitations, significant weight loss, and neck thickening.
Su Ruan sneered at her:
“How could that happen? You don’t know how skilled our experts are.”
Xu Zhixia frowned at her:
“I don’t know what titles are supposed to impress people. I see you’re the attending physician… oh, the ‘college graduate’ in your words. Couldn’t you even notice such basic issues?”
“You!”
At that moment, a group of people suddenly arrived outside the door. Su Ruan saw them and smiled:
“Our director is here.”
At the front was an elderly man, energetic and benevolent, with gray hair, surrounded by many doctors a person clearly respected and authoritative.
It was their routine morning ward round. For a private room like this, no other doctors could enter; only the director would come in.
Su Ruan saw her savior:
“Director Lin, someone here claims you misdiagnosed Grandpa Lu’s illness.”
Director Lin’s smile disappeared, replaced by an icy demeanor, and the air around him felt heavy:
“Who said that?”
Su Ruan wanted to see if Xu Zhixia could withstand Director Lin’s anger.
Lin was known for being unpredictable: smiling one moment, frowning the next.
Everyone said his time in rural hospitals had exhausted people’s spirits, and even now his temper remained peculiar.
Yet his medical skills were unparalleled, so the school and hospital rehired him with excellent treatment.
Grandpa Lu, seeing Director Lin arrive, quickly said:
“This is my granddaughter-in-law. Control your temper; don’t scare her.”
Xu Zhixia noticed Grandpa’s kind attitude toward the doctor, a gentle smile on his face.
They knew each other.
She suddenly realized how difficult this situation was was the doctor being deliberate?
“It’s me. I suspect Grandpa Lu has a thyroid problem. A blood test for endocrine function will clarify.”
Her voice was calm and confident, meeting the elder’s piercing gaze.
Lu Xiuyuan watched her closely, impressed by her certainty.
She didn’t seem to be lying. Could she really know medicine?
Earlier, while taking his pulse, she had been completely focused, letting a few stray hairs fall on her face without distraction very professional.
He took a couple of steps toward her, signaling his stance. His tall frame completely overshadowed her.
Xu Zhixia looked up at him, a slight curve at the corner of her eyes, and subtly slipped her hand into his.
Director Lin squinted at her words:
“This is the first time anyone has dared to challenge my medical judgment.”
His fingers twitched slightly. Success was within reach but some impudent young girl had interrupted.
He could have insisted on his theory, but seeing how protective the family was toward their granddaughter-in-law, they would surely order the blood test.
Then everything would be exposed.
Before she could speak further, Su Ruan piped up:
“Ah, a daughter-in-law like this… I really worry for Brother Xiuyuan.”
Xu Zhixia raised an eyebrow at Lu Xiuyuan, gently probing his palm with her pinky.
Why let his messy love life cause trouble when he could cut it off himself?
Lu Xiuyuan’s face remained cold. He first addressed Su Ruan:
“Comrade Su, please choose your words carefully.”
Su Ruan had never seen him so icy, with a hint of disgust in his eyes, forcing her to step back.
Lu Tiantian quickly stepped in front of her:
“Brother, why are you so harsh? She’s still a girl.”
Lu Xiuyuan ignored her and looked at Director Lin:
“I trust my wife won’t speak recklessly. Please examine him again.”
Director Lin reconsidered, then examined Grandpa Lu. After checking, his face showed regret:
“This elder has a wise granddaughter-in-law. I did overlook this. Xiao Su, get a nurse to draw blood.”
Su Ruan was stunned Xu Zhixia had actually gotten it right by chance.
She glanced at the woman, hiding behind Lu Xiuyuan, smiling triumphantly.
Annoying, but she could only obey and fetch the nurse.
The nurse quickly completed Grandpa Lu’s tests. When the results came, the Lu family’s expressions changed.
The thyroid indicators were already poor. Even with a top-tier hospital and top doctors, they had missed it.
While waiting for results, Lu Xiuyuan made a call to verify Director Lin’s records.
Lu Tiantian hadn’t expected her sister-in-law to be right by luck.
Now she studied her carefully no more exaggerated makeup.
Without cosmetics, her skin was fair and soft, like a peeled egg irresistibly touchable.
She even felt an urge to ask her skincare routine.
Mrs. Lu’s expression was also complex.
The youngest, seemingly incapable daughter-in-law had actually detected Grandpa Lu’s illness a condition even experts missed.
Suddenly, she remembered the purpose of coming to the hospital: “Xiao Xu, you know medicine? I never knew. You’ve been married to Xiuyuan for some time; why not have a check-up to see why you’re not pregnant yet?”