Sent to the countryside, I turned the health center into a top-tier hospital.

After arranging the ward and letting the child receive intravenous fluids, Chen Ping gave the young woman a few more instructions before turning back to his clinic.

Back in his consultation room, Chen Ping continued to see patients.

Around 10 o'clock, Chen Ping's cell phone suddenly rang.

He took it out and saw the words "Su Meng" popping up on the screen.

His finger hovered above the answer button for a moment. He couldn't explain what thoughts had crossed his mind at that instant, and he subconsciously glanced up at the door of the consultation room.

Wang Tao was greeting patients waiting in front of the clinic.

He didn't know why he was looking towards the clinic door; perhaps he was afraid someone would see him talking to his ex-wife on the phone, or perhaps he was afraid Cui Ying would see him.

Chen Ping pressed the answer button, held the phone to his ear, and whispered, "Feed?"

"Chen Ping, it's me."

Su Meng's voice came through the receiver, "I need to tell you that there has been a change in my situation."

Chen Ping's grip on his phone tightened slightly. "What changes?"

"My resignation hasn't been approved by the higher-ups."

Su Meng paused for a moment, as if organizing her thoughts, "Minister Zhang from the Organization Department contacted me and said that the organization has made new arrangements for my work, and that I shouldn't rush to resign."

"They say they're going to transfer me to the municipal health school as principal. They're going through the standing committee meeting process, so it should be done soon."

Chen Ping was stunned for a moment, unsure how to respond.

He originally thought that Su Meng would pursue a doctorate or study abroad after resigning, but he didn't expect that after going around in circles, this would be the final result.

But thinking about it carefully, the position of principal of the health school is actually quite suitable. She doesn't have to deal with those scheming people in the health bureau, and she can make good use of her professional skills. It's much more comfortable than being the deputy director.

"That's good."

Chen Ping said, trying to keep his tone even, "You're familiar with the nursing school; you've given lectures there before, and the students like you. It's better than working at the health bureau."

Su Meng chuckled softly on the other end of the phone, a laugh tinged with an indescribable sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of mixed emotions or reflections), "I never expected things to go this way."

"When I submitted my resignation, I genuinely didn't want to continue. I was even willing to go back to clinical practice as a resident. But the organization suddenly changed my career path, and I couldn't even find a reason to refuse."

"Then let's do a good job."

Chen Ping's voice softened, "You were born to be a teacher. Back in medical school, you were better at leading internships than anyone else. It's just that you were pulled into an official position later, and you went astray. It's a good thing you've come back now."

There was a two or three-second silence on the other end of the phone. Chen Ping heard Su Meng take a breath and then slowly exhale. "Chen Ping, thank you. If it weren't for your connections, I wouldn't have been able to get this out of this."

"I know this arrangement is only made because of you. I..."

"Don't say that," Chen Ping interrupted her. "Your own background is solid, and you can withstand investigation, which is why you were able to get out of trouble. I won't help you find connections; you're completely innocent, and you'll be out sooner or later."

"Mmm!" Su Meng hummed in response, paused for a few seconds, probably thinking of a topic, and then asked, "How have you been these past few days?"

"It's great. Every day is spent treating patients and saving lives. It's quite fulfilling," Chen Ping replied.

Su Meng stopped talking, but didn't hang up the phone.

And so, neither of them spoke again, nor did they hang up the phone.

The most familiar strangers seem unable to find a topic to talk about.

Just then, a sharp scream suddenly came from outside the examination room, followed by a woman's urgent, shrill cry, tinged with sobs: "Doctor! Doctor, come quick! My child is having a seizure!"

Chen Ping's heart skipped a beat. He said into his phone, "I have something to do here," and hung up before Su Meng could reply. He shoved his phone into his pocket and ran out.

Several patients waiting in the corridor stood up and looked towards the ward. Wang Tao also stopped writing in his registration book and ran over there.

Chen Ping rushed to the ward door in three strides. The young woman was standing by the bed, covering her mouth with both hands, her face full of terror.

The boy on the bed was curled up and convulsing, his limbs stiffly arched backward, his mouth tightly closed, making muffled breathing sounds in his throat, and his eyes rolled upward, revealing most of the whites of his eyes.

The IV tubing was pulled askew to one side, and the medicine was still dripping down.

Chen Ping quickly went over, first slowing down the IV drip rate, then supporting the child's shoulder with one hand to turn him to the side, tilting his head to one side to prevent vomit from blocking his airway.

With her other hand, she pressed on the child's philtrum, pinching it lightly with her thumb, while simultaneously calling out towards the door, "Zhou Jie! Bring the tongue depressor and the tranquilizer injection!"

Zhou Jie ran in from the other end of the corridor, carrying a treatment tray with a tongue depressor and a dose of diazepam injection already placed on it.

Chen Ping took the tongue depressor and gently pressed it against the corner of the child's mouth to prevent him from biting his tongue. He then had Zhou Jie push the tranquilizer in.

After the medication was administered intravenously, the child's convulsions gradually stopped after about a minute. The stiff body relaxed, the eyes closed, and the breathing became much more stable than before.

The young woman knelt beside the bed, clutching the sheets in her hands, her face streaked with tears, her lips trembling as she asked, "Dr. Chen, what happened to him? Is it...?"

"Febrile seizures. His fever got too high, and his nervous system couldn't handle it, so he had a seizure. The tranquilizer injection he just received will calm him down, but his temperature hasn't completely gone down yet, so we need to give him another dose of antipyretics."

He turned to Zhou Jie and said, "Add one dose of lysine aspirin, intravenously, and slow down the flow."

Zhou Jie responded and turned to leave.

"Xiaoyan, have the child's blood test results come out yet? Bring them to me right away," Chen Ping shouted towards the outside of the ward.

"Understood, Dr. Chen!"

Sun Xiaoyan agreed and jogged over from the other end of the corridor, clutching the lab report in her hand, the edges of the paper slightly wrinkled.

She was still panting when she handed the report to Chen Ping. "Dr. Chen, the results of the blood routine test and C-reactive protein test are in."

Chen Ping took the order and scanned it from top to bottom.

The white blood cell count was 22,000, with neutrophils accounting for 85%, and the C-reactive protein level was several times higher than the normal range.

Salmonella infection is no longer limited to the gastrointestinal tract; signs of bacteremia have emerged, and the bacteria are spreading into the bloodstream.

No wonder the child had such a high fever; even after IV fluids and medication, the temperature kept rising.

He frowned slightly and unconsciously pressed his finger on the edge of the form.

This reaction was noticed by the young woman squatting beside the bed. She abruptly raised her head, her face still wet with tears, her voice trembling violently, "Dr. Chen, what did the report say? Is it very serious? What's wrong with the child?"