14
Our Hospital Will Take Care of It
“How about letting me give it a try?”
Doctor Xu and the young nurse simultaneously turned to look at Lin Jianchun, who nodded at them.
“You know how to operate this machine?”
Lin Jianchun instinctively straightened her posture. As a university physics teacher, she considered X-ray machines to be entry-level equipment.
Back when she was working on an X-ray research project, her supervisor had specifically acquired a decommissioned CT machine from a hospital.
“Last time I accompanied my family member here, probably because my relative kept complaining about that foreign doctor, he let me assist nearby. I ended up picking up some knowledge accidentally. But I might need to familiarize myself with it again.”
Doctor Xu frowned. This young woman was making outrageous claims – this CT machine was the latest imported diagnostic equipment from abroad, the first of its kind in the country, specifically designed for cranial disease examination. The machine was indeed highly effective for brain examinations, otherwise why would they tolerate that so-called Li Yuehan?
The young nurse, who had also suffered enough from Li Yuehan’s demands, whispered: “Why not let this female comrade try?”
Lin Jianchun’s mind raced as she immediately understood that CT technology was being monopolized by foreign countries. To protect their technological advantage, foreign manufacturers had specifically sent technical personnel to prevent knowledge theft.
“If I break it, I’ll pay for it.”
Doctor Xu snapped: “You can’t afford it! Do you know how much foreign currency this machine cost?”
“Let her try! If it gets damaged, our Beijing Medical Hospital Group of six hospitals will take responsibility!”
Lin Jianchun turned to see a doctor in a white coat with scholarly demeanor leading a medical team toward them.
Director Xu said: “Dean Hu, we’ve already sent for Doctor Li Yuehan. From the residential compound to here, it should take no more than five minutes.”
Five minutes passed, but Li Yuehan didn’t arrive.
Ten minutes passed, and Li Yuehan still hadn’t come.
“How many ten-minute intervals do we have? We can wait, but the patient can’t, and all the hospitals in our country can’t afford to wait like this.”
Dean Hu raised his hand to stop Doctor Xu from speaking further, kicked open the examination room door, and invited Lin Jianchun inside.
Dean Hu’s clear voice carried from outside the door: “If we keep being timid and overcautious, our necks will forever remain in others’ grasp! The country allocated foreign currency to purchase imported equipment so we could break through technological barriers, so that one day we could achieve domestic production – not so we could operate according to foreigners’ whims! We shouldn’t have to beg repeatedly even when saving lives!”
After just two minutes of tinkering, Lin Jianchun understood how this primitive CT machine worked.
“Dean Hu, you can bring the patient in now.”
Lin Jianchun put on the lead suit. “X-ray radiation is strong and harmful to the body. There’s only one lead suit – everyone else should step out.”
Dean Hu shook his head. “I’m old enough and have lived my life. I’m not afraid of death.”
Lin Jianchun glanced at the others, who all shook their heads. “We’re not afraid either. We want to see one of our own operate the equipment.”
Even Doctor Xu, who had been opposing Lin Jianchun’s operation of the machine, stood firmly in place.
Lin Jianchun felt deeply moved. It was precisely because of this era’s collective drive for progress that later generations would achieve such remarkable advancements.
Lin Jianchun could only ask everyone to stand in the control room separated by lead shielding as she operated the equipment.
The medical staff watched with bated breath as Lin Jianchun operated the machine. Her movements were fluid as the gantry rotated around the patient while simultaneously performing linear translation. After five minutes, she confirmed a skull fracture with multiple bone fragments requiring removal.
“Prepare for immediate craniotomy.”
Upon receiving the definitive report, the operating room doctors swiftly transferred the patient to surgery for the procedure.
As Lin Jianchun removed her lead suit, she noticed Dean Hu looking at her with eager eyes.
Pretending not to notice, she carefully instructed, “After returning, you should consume more foods rich in vitamin C and protein to help eliminate radiation. It’s best to avoid pregnancy for six months.”
The medical staff acknowledged in unison.
“You’ve worked hard, comrade. Come to the office for some tea and rest,” offered Dean Hu.
Lin Jianchun nodded appropriately. “Drinking more water also helps eliminate radiation. I’ll gladly accept your offer of tea, Dean.”
Upon reaching the office, she learned that Dean Hu was from Jingyi General Hospital, while the dean of Jingyi Fifth Hospital was Dean Su.
Dean Su personally brewed premium tea while Dean Hu made small talk with Lin Jianchun.
Learning that Lin Jianchun had recently married, Dean Hu expressed admiration. “Comrade Lin, since you just performed a CT scan, does that mean you can’t have children for six months?”
“Yes,” Lin Jianchun replied with an expression of self-sacrifice, pressing her lips together in a slight nod.
Her relationship with Lu Xuanzhou had only progressed to hugging while sleeping – having children within six months was impossible. But she kept this to herself, wanting Dean Hu to feel indebted and compensate her.
“If you encounter any difficulties, our hospital will publicly clarify matters for you,” Dean Hu assured.
Lin Jianchun silently apologized to the Lu family in her heart. “Thank you. If needed, I won’t hesitate to trouble Deans Hu and Su.”
“There’s one more thing I must shamelessly mention,” Dean Hu continued, feeling somewhat embarrassed about taking advantage of a young woman. “Could you teach our medical staff how to operate the CT machine?”
Lin Jianchun agreed immediately. “Since I’m currently unemployed, I can fully accommodate your hospital’s teaching schedule.”
Catching her implication, Dean Hu extended an offer. “If you don’t mind, would you consider working at our hospital?”
Dean Su interjected to recruit her: “Comrade Lin lives in Laomaoer Hutong, which is closer to our Fifth Hospital. Why not work here? Besides, the CT machine is located here, making practical training more convenient.”
Before Dean Hu could respond, Dean Su summoned the logistics department director.
“Don’t worry, Comrade Lin. Our hospital won’t discard you after use. After teaching our staff, we’ll arrange a comfortable position in the logistics department for you…”
To persuade Lin Jianchun, Dean Su first assigned her to the logistics department with a monthly salary of 23 yuan, promising annual increases. During the training period, she would receive the highest technician grade-10 salary of 86.5 yuan per month.
Lin Jianchun inquired, “What comes after technician grade 10?”
“Starting from grade 9, that would be engineer level, which requires certain professional technical achievements.”
Lin Jianchun understood. A monthly income of 86.5 yuan was enough to buy high-priced grain and occasionally enjoy good meals.
“When do I start work?”
Dean Su pondered for a moment: “Once I’ve made the arrangements here, I’ll send someone to notify you at Laomao’er Hutong.”
Lin Jianchun knew the foreigner was still at the hospital. Before they could start the technical training class, Dean Su and the others needed to get rid of the foreigner first.
After leaving the hospital, Lin Jianchun went to the State-run Restaurant to retrieve her lunchbox. Zhou Ying had left her some fried sausage and a mixed cold dish with beef.
Coincidentally, since Lu Xuanzhou’s return date was uncertain, the cold dishes wouldn’t spoil if stored.
When Lin Jianchun arrived home, Little Lu was already sitting eagerly on the doorstep, watching intently.
“Mom, my sister-in-law is back! We can eat now!”
After shouting, he stared eagerly at the lunchbox in Lin Jianchun’s hand.
Seeing his expression, Lin Jianchun knew Little Lu must have worked hard all morning. She couldn’t resist picking out two slices of beef from the lunchbox to feed him.
Little Lu chewed a couple of times, his eyes lighting up: “Sister-in-law, is this beef?”
Lin Jianchun nodded, “We’ll save the rest for when your brother returns.”
Little Lu was at that growing age where he could eat his parents poor. Although the Lu family could afford meat two or three times a month, he still felt constantly hungry. These days, thanks to his sister-in-law’s treats, he finally felt less starved.
By dinnertime, Lu Xuanzhou still hadn’t returned.
Mother Lu couldn’t help frequently glancing outside: “I wonder what’s delaying him that he still hasn’t returned. I hope he doesn’t miss our visit to your parents’ home the day after tomorrow.”
Lu Xuanzhou returned to Beishi at three in the morning. Luo Jianzhang, who had hitched a ride with him, yawned: “Come on, let’s go to the dormitory and catch some more sleep.”
Lu Xuanzhou refused: “I’m going home to take a shower.”
“If you go home now, it’ll be dawn by the time you arrive. You won’t even get an hour of sleep before having to return to the factory for handover. Wouldn’t it be better to just sleep in the dormitory? You can shower there too.”
“No need. Being a day late, my family will be worried.” Besides, he needed to go home to do laundry. Being a day late, he wondered if Lin Jianchun had enough panties to wear.
Watching Lu Xuanzhou’s retreating figure, Luo Jianzhang muttered in confusion: “Isn’t being one day late normal? Before, you’ve been up to four or five days late and never seen you so eager to get home.”