Life Plan

Chapter 21, Patient Enrollment

When Liu Chichi saw Shen Shuyi again that morning, she was shocked. She had never seen Shen Shuyi so listless.

She looked as if she hadn't slept in a long time; two huge dark circles were hanging on her smooth face, almost touching her nasolabial folds, which were particularly prominent due to puffiness. To exaggerate, her entire face had a bluish-gray tinge, as if she had lost too much blood, or as if her energy had been drained, or as the saying goes, she had lost her soul.

Several times, Liu Chichi hesitated and lingered in front of her, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't. Usually, at such times, Shen Shuyi would take the initiative to see through her thoughts, tell her about recent events, and share the information she had heard.

But this time, Shen Shuyi pretended not to see it.

She didn't mention a word about herself or Chen Bin's parents. She just stayed in front of the computer, busy with her work. Near the end of the workday, she took the documents to Director Jiang's clinic, and knocked on the door just after the last patient left, before Director Jiang was about to wash his hands.

Liu Chichi remembered this opportunity—when researchers were seeing patients, she made sure to pay attention to the information on the triage desk. It would be even better if she could strike up a conversation with the triage nurse and find out about their appointments for the day, which could save some waiting time.

Of course, this isn't entirely accurate; for example, someone just returned. Shen Shuyi and Liu Chichi stood on either side of Director Jiang, like door gods.

According to the company, they should try to keep a low profile during this period, but Shen Shuyi seems very anxious and has a strong sense of urgency about her work.

Liu Chichi felt she might have truly lost her soul, needing to fill her time with a massive amount of work. She pulled back the work that had been slowed down due to the Phase I trial and pushed it forward to the group enrollment. She efficiently printed out relevant forms and documents, called the authorized research physician, and scheduled an outpatient appointment for the day after tomorrow.

A dazzling array of tasks suddenly rushed towards Liu Chichi, and for the first time, she tried to create a work plan to ensure that each project was on schedule.

The hospital opens at 8:00 AM, but the actual shift handover time is usually between 7:00 and 7:30 AM. Doctors will be in their consultation rooms ready before 8:00 AM. Since it was her first time assisting with an outpatient visit, Liu Chichi decided to arrive early to avoid making a bad first impression on the research doctor, as there would be many areas for future collaboration.

She got up very early, got off the bus at 7:50, and was ready to rush into the examination room as soon as the hospital doors opened.

As soon as she arrived at the station, she saw Shen Shuyi, who was carrying two breakfasts and smiling at her. Overnight, Shen Shuyi's complexion had regained its rosy hue, recovering so quickly it was as if she had been revived from the ashes. Only when Liu Chichi got closer did she realize that it was her blush.

Shen Shuyi skillfully made her way to the side entrance, greeted the security guard on duty, handed him another breakfast, and then led Liu Chichi into the outpatient department. She glanced at the empty patient information display screen, then knocked with satisfaction on the door of the authorized research doctor and handed him her documents.

The outpatient clinic greatly shocked Liu Chichi.

This is the outpatient clinic for hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery. Dr. Li is a senior and experienced doctor. Most of the patients who register are already diagnosed and come to seek medical advice and treatment.

Some patients transferred between multiple hospitals, repeatedly registered, and refused to believe the diagnosis, even cursing the doctor before leaving in anger. Others cried and wailed upon receiving the pathology results, while still others looked ashen-faced.

Dr. Li, in his early forties, calmly observed the patients coming and going, his tone almost unchanged regardless of their reactions. Even Shen Shuyi was indifferent to him.

Only Liu Chichi's eyes welled up with tears after seeing a minor patient.

The boy held his mother's hand, sat obediently in the chair, still wearing his school uniform, answered the doctor's questions clearly and logically, and even comforted his tearful mother.

Too well-behaved and too young, Liu Chichi couldn't help but tear up, trying hard to hold back her tears.

The next patient had barely sat down when he caught sight of Liu Chichi's red eyes. After a brief moment of surprise, he abruptly stood up from his chair, his voice booming, "Am I very ill?"

Dr. Li was unaware of the situation and was still in the consultation process. He probably didn't say anything about the results, right?

He tentatively asked, "Have your symptoms worsened?"

"I think she's about to cry!"

That finger, pointing like an arrow at Liu Chichi, drew the attention of both Shen Shuyi and Dr. Li. The stinging in her eyes vanished instantly, and her face began to burn.

Shen Shuyi pulled her outside: "You're wearing a white coat now, and in the eyes of the patients you're seeing is a professional from the hospital. They can also see your test results. Any emotion you have could mislead them."

Liu Chichi awkwardly clasped her hands together, silently vowing in her heart that she would also try her best to become a person without expression.

There are many patients at the outpatient clinic, but based on the current situation, none of them meet the inclusion criteria.

Until the last number was taken today, the people who came in were a middle-aged couple, with the woman following behind the man.

The patient, Ms. Jiang, 42 years old, was transferred to this hospital with stage III liver cancer. She had undergone a resection surgery six months ago, but the cancer recently recurred. Compared with the previous examination results, the lesions have begun to metastasize.

They came from another district with many large factories, carrying the test results. Jiang Xiaonv had underdeveloped vocal cords and was mute. The doctor had difficulty with the consultation, relying mainly on her husband, Sun Qiang, to relay the information.

Sun Qiang brushed aside the doctor's questions, instead grumbling about how expensive the medicine he had taken last time was, how it hadn't worked at all, and whether there was no cure. He said he had a child in school, lived in a self-built house in the village, and couldn't afford treatment. He said he had wasted so much money and time since his wife fell ill, and coming to the hospital today meant another day of lost income.

The implication was that they wanted to give up.

Liu Chichi knew that these words weren't spoken in vain; they were meant for both the doctor and the woman. Perhaps if Dr. Li hinted even slightly that the condition was incurable, he would immediately leave with the woman.

Jiang Xiaonv sat silently in the chair, her eyes gazing out the window. She had very calm eyes. The light and shadow outside the window seemed to melt the colors within her pupils, but even her blinks were slow.

She was wearing a fuchsia T-shirt and jeans, with side-swept bangs, a round face, a slightly puffy body, and a slight hunchback. The knuckles of her fingers, crossed on her thighs, protruded slightly. She would disappear into the crowd the moment she stepped out of that door, almost unnoticed.

Liu Chichi has always felt that human society is like a giant green belt.

Some people are towering, like trees; some are exceptionally capable, like shrubs; some are handsome, like flowers; but most people are grass.

Grass fills every crevice of the land with overwhelming numbers, but no one notices the grass in the green belt.

Jiang Xiaonv is just a blade of grass.

She couldn't speak, but her hearing was normal. She could hear her husband rejecting all the treatment options the doctors offered and complaining about the trouble her illness had caused.

Perhaps this wasn't the first time she'd heard it, which explained her calmness. But she didn't get up to leave, meaning she still retained the will to live.

Dr. Li carefully reviewed her medical records and examination reports, and for the first time today, he turned to look at Shen Shuyi. The latter understood and immediately produced the informed consent form.

Dr. Li stepped past the rambling man and handed the informed consent form to Jiang Xiaonv, her voice still calm and gentle: "There is a new targeted drug that has not yet been marketed and is undergoing clinical trials. You can consider it."

Jiang Xiaonv's usually calm eyes suddenly lit up. Instead of taking the informed consent form, she reached out and grabbed her husband's arm.