Dan Hongfei exclaimed, "What? You mean this unknown virus is transmitted through contact?"
Zhao Qiang said, "Yes, so Senior Brother Shan, you need to notify the working group sent by the Ministry of Health to immediately upgrade the level of the incident, put the city on alert, release the information about the illness to the media, and remind all citizens to pay attention to their own condition and self-isolate immediately if anything seems amiss."
Shan Hongfei said, "Where is the patient you mentioned? I'll send an ambulance there immediately."
Zhao Qiang gave the address, and Shan Hongfei said, "Wait outside, I'll be there right away."
Dan Hongfei was the fastest; the ambulance arrived five minutes after he got there and carried the three exhausted patients into the ambulance. At this time, the medical personnel from the Ministry of Health's working group arrived. The leader was an expert named Sun Zhongxi, and there was also a vice minister of the Ministry of Health named Tong Yuan. As soon as Sun Zhongxi got out of the car, he shouted, "Where are the patients?"
Shan Hongfei pointed to the ambulance lane: "In the ambulance."
Sun Zhongxi said, "Everyone, make way so I can take a look."
So the ambulance, which had already started its engine, was turned off. The paramedics got out of the vehicle. Everyone was fully equipped, making getting in and out of the vehicle very inconvenient, but they had to do as their superiors said. Sun Zhongxi peeked inside, then, wearing gloves, examined the eyelids of the three patients and pressed their stomachs before getting out of the vehicle and taking off his mask.
"Who said they contracted it through contact?"
Zhao Qiang stepped forward and said, "It's me."
Sun Zhongxi glanced at Zhao Qiang: "How do you make your judgment? You can't just say things carelessly, or it could lead to a serious chain reaction."
Zhao Qiang said, "I'm not entirely sure, but based on the current situation, this is probably the case."
Sun Zhongxi jumped up: "You're just speculating? Do you know that your speculation will completely disrupt the economic order of Dongyang City? Can you take responsibility for the consequences of this? With a population of over a million, do you know what the serious consequences would be if panic and unrest broke out? Can you maintain the stability of this city?"
Zhao Qiang said, "I really didn't think about those things. All I was thinking about was preventing this virus from spreading further."
When it was Tong Yuan's turn to speak, he didn't have Sun Zhongxi's fiery temper. He said slowly, "Secretary Shan, you've oversimplified this matter. I agree to upgrade the infection level, but it absolutely cannot be made public."
Dan Hongfei said anxiously, "If we don't disclose the infection information and enforce mandatory and voluntary isolation, those who have been in contact with the infected person may also be infected, and they will then infect others. At that time, no one will be able to control the situation."
Tong Yuan asked calmly, "Did Professor Sun say that this virus can be transmitted through contact?"
Zhao Qiang said, "I deduced this from the onset of their illnesses, and I'm sure I'm right."
Tong Yuan said, "What if we're wrong? What right do you have to take responsibility for that mistake?"
Zhao Qiang was so angry that his teeth ached. He pointed at the three patients in the car and said, "You and Professor Sun ask them if they were infected through contact."
Sun Zhongxi waved his hand and said, "No need to ask anymore. Let's go back to the hospital. This matter needs to be decided by the expert group. Since the Party Central Committee has entrusted us with this task, we must take full responsibility. We must not only treat the patients, but also stabilize the lives of the people in the city. Whether or not to implement large-scale isolation is up to our expert group."
Zhao Qiang nearly rolled his eyes in anger, but upon closer examination, he realized Sun Zhongxi's cautious attitude wasn't without reason. For example, during earthquakes in China, when have any experts ever given advance notice of evacuation? Nobody can bear that responsibility. If an earthquake occurs beforehand, the commander might become a hero, but if not, congratulations, your career is over. Therefore, every official, expert, and professor doesn't seek merit, but rather to avoid mistakes.
The ambulance drove away with its lights flashing, and the medical team's vehicle also left, leaving only Shan Hongfei, Zhao Qiang, and the others. Shan Hongfei said to Zhao Qiang, "Junior brother, we were too impulsive just now. Such a big matter is really not something that you and I can decide on our own."
Zhao Qiang said, "Senior brother, I suggest you reserve the opinion of large-scale isolation at the municipal standing committee meeting. I'm afraid this matter could really be very serious. You should leave yourself a way out."
Shan Hongfei said, "Okay, I'll listen to you. But if the expert group concludes that this virus is not transmitted through contact, then there's nothing I can do."
Zhao Qiang said, "Those three patients didn't seem to be lying, so my deduction is most likely true. There might be an increase in patients like this by tomorrow morning. You must tell the hospital's emergency department to keep an eye out. If any more cases appear, I think you should implement mandatory isolation, otherwise the infection will spread more and more severely, and then it will be impossible to control."
Dan Hongfei wiped the cold sweat from his forehead: "If that's really the case, the entire Dongyang city area will have to be quarantined. Tonight I will notify all stations and airports to strengthen the registration and management of people coming and going, so that we can have a trace if such a thing really happens."
Zhao Qiang said, "Hopefully the infection won't be that serious, otherwise this will be no less than a battle."
Dan Hongfei pointed at Zhao Qiang and the two girls behind him and said, "You two also had contact with the patient from earlier, could it be...?"
Zhao Qiang shook his head: "Theoretically speaking, the chances of the three of us being infected are not high, because several of my classmates and I ate seafood together before, and they were all infected, but we were fine. So we should be immune to contact infection with patients."
Shan Hongfei said, "That would be best. Otherwise, if something happens to you, I won't be able to explain it to the teacher. It's getting late, and I need to go back to the municipal government to discuss the quarantine issue. You should all get some rest."
Han Qiming booked three rooms for Zhao Qiang and the other two. The three rooms were adjacent to each other and connected by a door. When they returned to the guesthouse, it was already past midnight. Zhao Qiang took off his coat and pants and collapsed onto the bed. He was indeed a little tired, especially after being scolded by Sun Zhongxi and Tong Yuan. Zhao Qiang was both angry and aggrieved, thinking to himself, "What do I care if you two are quarantined or not? I'm really meddling in other people's business."
The sound of running water came from the bathrooms on both sides of the room. It must be two girls taking a shower. Zhao Qiang put aside the anger he had just suffered and began to think about the problems that would happen tonight. He wondered if the two girls would come to his bed willingly. There was still plenty of time before dawn. Should he let the night slip away or do something else?
Chen Xinyu was the first to finish showering. She entered Zhao Qiang's room while drying her hair. Before she could even sit on the edge of the bed, Luo Xiaowei also finished showering and came out, similarly drying her hair as she entered Zhao Qiang's room. The two girls sat on either side of Zhao Qiang's bed. The faint scent of shower gel stimulated Zhao Qiang's nose. The two girls' raised arms revealed their fair and tender breasts, and Zhao Qiang felt a surge of desire.
Volume 2 [398] The Situation Has Become Serious
[398] The situation has become serious.
Luo Xiaowei glanced at Chen Xinyu, who gave her a knowing smile. Luo Xiaowei then said to Zhao Qiang, "Let's go to sleep, it's too late."
Zhao Qiang chuckled and said, "Okay," then he lay down on the bed, closed his eyes, stretched out his arms, and prepared to hug his left and right arms.
*Snap* The lights went out. Because it seemed to be a bit cloudy, it was pitch black outside, making it impossible to see anything inside the room. Zhao Qiang stretched out his arm and waited for a good half minute, but there was no movement. Zhao Qiang opened his eyes in surprise, and what he saw startled him. There wasn't a single girl left in the room.
Zhao Qiang immediately put on his glasses. A scan revealed that they were in the room on the right. Two girls were already on a bed, whispering together. Unfortunately, Zhao Qiang's glasses didn't have super hearing, otherwise he would have been able to hear them clearly. Now he could only guess from their lip movements, but because there were so many things in between, it was extremely difficult to read their mouths. Zhao Qiang angrily threw down his glasses and ordered the super biochip to shut down and go to sleep.
Chen Xinyu asked Luo Xiaowei somewhat nervously, "Will Zhao Qiang be angry?"
Luo Xiaowei said, "Definitely."
Chen Xinyu hurriedly tried to get up: "Then let's go over there. It's not good for him to be left alone in a room."
Luo Xiaowei asked, "You want to give it to Zhao Qiang tonight?"
Chen Xinyu glanced around the dark room and said, "I don't really want to. This isn't my ideal romantic place for our first night together."
Luo Xiaowei said, "Isn't that settled? Besides, his plan is to kill two birds with one stone: to make you have sex with Zhao Qiang in front of me, or to make you have sex with him while I'm at it. Can you do that?"
Chen Xinyu blushed and shook her head, saying, "I definitely can't do it."
Luo Xiaowei said, "Yes, I can't do it either, which is why I don't dare to go to his room tonight. Otherwise, we'd be playing with fire and hurting ourselves. We should find a more suitable time to accomplish this important life event."
Chen Xinyu huddled her head in her chest: "If he tells me to go, I have to go in. I can't care about anything else."
Luo Xiaowei hadn't expected Chen Xinyu to be so afraid of Zhao Qiang, but perhaps that was what attracted Zhao Qiang to her, so Luo Xiaowei didn't say anything. She patted Chen Xinyu's hand and said, "Okay, actually, if he told me, I would go in too. Neither of us can refuse any of his requests."
However, what kept the two women almost awake all night was that Zhao Qiang didn't contact either of them until dawn; they had both fallen asleep with their phones to their ears. When Chen Xinyu woke up, Luo Xiaowei had already finished washing up. Actually, it wasn't that Zhao Qiang didn't want to, but rather that he preferred to continue this ambiguous relationship. Firstly, he was considerate of Xu Xiaoya's feelings, and secondly, even if he did get both girls, happiness wasn't guaranteed. With too many women, there would be competition and he wouldn't be able to handle it all.
"Up so early?" Chen Xinyu also got up. Her breasts were bigger than Luo Xiaowei's, so they swayed up and down when she got out of bed, which was very alluring. This was something that Luo Xiaowei was rather insecure about. Xu Xiaoya was even more voluptuous than Chen Xinyu.
Luo Xiaowei said, "I'm used to it. I'll go outside and see if there's anything for breakfast. Also, Zhao Qiang plans to cook for himself at the guesthouse, so I need to buy some kitchen utensils and ingredients."
Chen Xinyu quickly changed out of her pajamas: "I'll go with you."
Before Chen Xinyu could even put on her shoes, Zhao Qiang pushed open the door and entered. "Senior Brother Shan called. There's a new patient at the Central Hospital. We need to rush over there immediately and get firsthand information for Xinyu."
They didn't even have time for breakfast. The three of them hurriedly hailed a taxi on the street. Dan Hongfei was so busy that he forgot about Luo Xiaowei's impounded car. Since there were taxis everywhere on the street, Zhao Qiang didn't bother with it either.
The emergency room at the Central Hospital was noisier than usual, which shouldn't be the case so early in the morning. Zhao Qiang peeked inside and saw that the entire emergency room was full of patients; he couldn't see a single doctor or nurse.
Zhao Qiang immediately called Shan Hongfei. The call was answered after only one ring, and Shan Hongfei said decisively, "We're having a quick meeting in the dean's office. Come up here."
Zhao Qiang led the two women up the stairs. The door to the dean's office was open because there were many people inside, and some were smoking, so the door couldn't be closed. As Zhao Qiang walked in, he looked around at the people in the room. The entire medical team was there, along with several members of the municipal government's standing committee. The treatment team was led by Sun Zhongxi, the on-site command from the Ministry of Health was led by Tong Yuan, and the Dongyang municipal government was led by Shan Hongfei.
“…Now no doctor is willing to stay in the outpatient department. They would rather resign than treat patients. Although I am the hospital director, my abilities are really limited.” This was the director of the Central Hospital, and his expression was somewhat helpless.
When Shan Hongfei saw Zhao Qiang, Luo Xiaowei, and Chen Xinyu arrive, he nodded in acknowledgment, then pointed to a corner against the wall. There was really no room to sit; it was impossible. They could just stand against the wall for a while.
Sun Zhongxi said, "I deeply regret that the medical ethics of Dongyang Central Hospital are simply not comparable to the spirit of not fearing hardship or death during the battle."
The dean said, "Yes, Professor Sun is right. I admit that our hospital's usual quality education is not good enough. But right now, we need to get the treatment team up again. We can't let the hospital shut down. So many patients are still crowding the emergency room. If we don't divert them, I estimate that it will become a toilet in no time."
Some patients didn't have time to run to the toilet and could only relieve themselves against the wall. What did they care about saving face? They were about to die from relieving themselves, so who cared about such things? Besides, even if you got into the toilet, you might not be able to get a number. The entire toilet floor was covered with traces of feces and watery stools. The first floor of the Central Hospital reeked. Chen Xinyu and Luo Xiaowei would never have wanted to come in if it weren't for Zhao Qiang.
Sun Zhongxi glanced at the expert team and said, "Since we can't rely on the people from the Central Hospital, I think we can only rely on everyone else."
An elderly professor in his fifties said, "Oh, I've been working too hard these past few days, and my back is hurting so badly that I'm thinking of taking a day off."
An expert in his forties said, "My wife is sick and I need to go home to take care of her. I'm planning to withdraw from the expert group..."
Sun Zhongxi slammed his fist on the table and said, "What do you mean by this? What do you mean by this, Minister Tong? You saw it all. There's a deserter in the expert group. You'd better handle this."
Tong Yuan stood up and said, "I know everyone is scared, but the situation is serious, and no one can back down. Otherwise, even if you're planning to quit, you'll be severely punished."
An expert doctor stood up and said, "Why should we do this? Can't we just quit if we can't cure their illness? This kind of bacteria can't be detected by current instruments. If we don't even know what kind of bacteria they are infected with, let alone treat them. Once they get infected, who knows if they will die from diarrhea? We would rather be severely punished than continue doing this."
Although joining the medical team is a dangerous undertaking, since they were already there, and since they were doctors dedicated to saving lives, to try to shirk their responsibilities at such a critical moment is truly despicable, even more contemptible than the doctors and nurses at the central hospital.
Sun Zhongxi was furious. He berated the experts and professors who wanted to back down, and his manner was indeed in line with his fiery temper. He showed no respect to these experts and professors.
Zhao Qiang whispered to Shan Hongfei, "What exactly happened? I'm still in the dark."
Shan Hongfei asked, "Have you seen the patients in the emergency room?"
Zhao Qiang nodded: "I saw it. I also saw that there wasn't a single doctor or nurse in the emergency room, and I couldn't even find anyone to maintain order."
Shan Hongfei said, "You guessed it. Two-thirds of the diarrhea patients who came to the emergency room this morning had never eaten seafood."
Zhao Qiang's expression was somewhat grave: "It seems that the situation is really developing in an uncontrollable direction."
Shan Hongfei said, "Last night, two patients with diarrhea died in succession. These two cases should be the first deaths since the onset of this disease. We have reported them to the provincial, ministerial and central governments."
Even if the strongest person could withstand such a strain, these two deaths are probably just the beginning. If a treatment plan cannot be found soon, more deaths will occur.
Shan Hongfei continued, "This morning, two emergency room doctors and five nurses developed diarrhea. Half of the doctors and nurses in the entire hospital have run away. They would rather lose their jobs than be infected. This incident is deeply rooted in the lack of quality education in the entire central hospital."
Zhao Qiang said, "Now is not the time to discuss this matter. Since the conjecture has been confirmed, we must immediately carry out large-scale isolation, isolate all people who have been in contact with the patient, and block all train stations, airports, and highways in and out of Dongyang City. We must immediately request the dispatch of military doctors to Dongyang Central Hospital to assist in the treatment. Ordinary doctors dare not go into battle; only military doctors can complete this task."
Shan Hongfei said, "But whether or not to implement a city-wide quarantine is up to the Ministry of Health and the expert group to decide; I can't make that decision."
At this point, the expert group was still arguing. Sun Zhongxi wasn't an official; he was merely the head of the expert group appointed by the Ministry of Health. He wasn't in a superior-subordinate relationship with these experts and professors, so his words carried little weight. While officials from the Ministry of Health could decide the fate of these experts and professors, they had already decided not to become expert doctors anymore—what could you do to them?
Zhao Qiang slammed his hand on the table, making the expensive executive desk creak loudly. He roared, "What the hell are you arguing about? The place downstairs is already in chaos, and you're just making a scene here. If you don't have the ability, don't just occupy the position without doing your job. Immediately ask the higher-ups to send someone else. Our country's affairs are all being delayed because of people like you."
Sun Zhongxi was already furious, and Zhao Qiang's words only added fuel to the fire. He jumped even higher, pointing his finger at Zhao Qiang's forehead: "Who do you think you are? You have no place to speak here. Get out, get out!"
Chen Xinyu suddenly rushed forward and slapped Sun Zhongxi across the face. The crisp, loud slap stunned everyone in the room. Luo Xiaowei was not to be outdone. She stomped on Sun Zhongxi's foot with her high heel. Sun Zhongxi covered his face and jumped up, crying out in pain. His shoe had been torn by the heel of Luo Xiaowei's high heel, and bright red blood was seeping out.
Volume Two [399] Dispute
[399] Dispute
Sun Zhongxi was a leading expert in the gastrointestinal system, which was why he was trusted by the Ministry of Health to head the expert group. His high position, coupled with his temperament, made him arrogant and condescending. But now, this arrogant Sun Zhongxi had been provoked—no, this was no longer a provocation, but a blatant slap in the face, an insult and contempt for his position. Enraged, Sun Zhongxi felt his stomach acid rise and vomited.
At this point, Tong Yuan had no choice but to step forward. He wasn't a general leading troops, so he had no soldiers to command. He could only yell at Shan Hongfei, "Why aren't you getting someone to drag them out and lock them up? I'm not letting this go! These three will be dealt with seriously, and we'll make sure they can never recover!"
Chen Xinyu said coldly, "Vice Minister Tong, you have no right to do this. I will report everything you say and do here truthfully. The spread of the disease has reached a critical point, and you bunch of so-called experts are still doing nothing. Last night, you already delayed the best time for isolation. If you delay any longer, the people of Dongyang City will be ruined. Cursing you is too lenient; I really want to slap you in the face."
"How dare you!" Tong Yuan had never felt his dignity trampled upon like this before. At this moment, he wouldn't care even if the sky were to fall. He wouldn't die in peace if these three didn't know the mistakes they had made. "I...I'll report this to the Central Committee. What are your three names? Secretary Shan, give me their information."
Dan Hongfei was in a difficult position. He hadn't expected Zhao Qiang and his two companions to escalate things to this point. He regretted letting Zhao Qiang into the dean's office; he should have known Zhao Qiang's temperament. Zhao Qiang couldn't tolerate people with such a strong bureaucratic style. Actually, Zhao Qiang hadn't even taken action yet; if he had, the outcome would have been very different.
Dan Hongfei looked at Zhao Qiang with pleading eyes. After all, he was a man of officialdom, and in officialdom, a higher rank could crush a lower one. He couldn't refute or ignore Tong Yuan's orders like Zhao Qiang did. Although he wasn't directly under a department, he was still a minister. If he said something to someone above him, his future would be over.
Zhao Qiang stepped forward and said, "My name is Zhao Qiang, a graduate student at Donghai University of Science and Technology. Please report this."
Chen Xinyu said, "My name is Chen Xinyu, and I am a reporter from CCTV."