Every industry has its own unwritten rules, and hospitals are no exception.
If the little girl was not admitted, her death would have been the responsibility of her family, but if the hospital attempted resuscitation and the girl still died, the family could make trouble, causing not only a significant compensation from the hospital but also a serious stain on the attending physician's record, not to mention Bai Man's ambition to run for the position of deputy director.
Just then, a bout of dry coughing was heard.
An old man in a white coat with a balding head walked over.
A group of people hurriedly cleared a path.
The newcomer was none other than the head of the hospital, Zhang Haitao.
Zhang Haitao glanced briefly at the little girl on the verge of death before turning a stern gaze towards Bai Man.
Bai Man guiltily lowered her head.
Then, Zhang Haitao addressed the woman kneeling on the ground and crying.
"Family member, the child is beyond help and there is no need for resuscitation. If you insist on resuscitation, then you must first pay a deposit of five hundred thousand..."
"Five hundred thousand?"
The woman kneeling on the ground was first stunned, then broke into begging.
"Doctor, I don't have five hundred thousand right now, please save her first, by tomorrow, even if I have to sell my kidney, I will gather the money."
The woman's clothing was very plain, without even a touch of makeup, clearly indicating a modest financial situation, and five hundred thousand was definitely an astronomical sum for her.
The other patients around evidently empathized more, all feeling indignant for the kneeling woman.
"You guys are too ruthless, asking for five hundred thousand just like that, why don't you go rob someone?"
"Yes, human life is crucial, you are too heartless."
Director Zhang remained unmoved, his expression growing even colder.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the hospital is not a charity organization. If you need to make complaints, go to the Red Cross or the Civil Affairs Bureau."
"Who can assure, if the child is pronounced dead, the family won't make trouble with our hospital? Who will pay the compensation? And the resuscitation fee, if this woman doesn't pay, who among you will help foot the bill?"
Immediately, the crowd fell silent.
Director Zhang snorted coldly, speaking indifferently to the kneeling woman.
"Enough, stop causing a scene, go on now."
The kneeling woman's eyes brimmed with tears as she looked around, beseechingly scanning the faces of the doctors in white coats, hoping someone would stand up.
But as her gaze passed over each one, they all lowered their heads, no one daring to meet her eyes, no one bold enough to speak out for justice.
The despairing woman let out a long sigh, clearly having lost all hope.
As if talking to herself, she addressed her unconscious and bloodied little girl.
"Sweetie, it's Mommy's fault for not having enough money, for not being able to save you."
"Let's go, wherever you are, Mommy will be with you, so you won't be alone."
The woman stood up, holding her child, her figure trembling as she left.
Clearly, she had thoughts of suicide.
"Director Bai, after so many years in medicine, do you still not understand the rules of the hospital?"
"With this attitude, how can you qualify for the position of deputy director?"
Director Zhang adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, looking at Bai Man with dissatisfaction.
"With this attitude, how can you qualify to be the director? I think you're not even fit to be an ordinary doctor."
Right at that moment, an angry shout startled everyone present.
Scolding the director of the big hospital in public?
A wave of shocked gazes turned towards the source of the voice.
There, at the back of the crowd, stood a young man, nearly six feet tall, with clenched fists and gritted teeth, glaring furiously at Director Zhang.
His demeanor was like that of a tiger descending the mountain, ready to devour its prey.