Read Chapter 5: — THYROID STORM

Haiyang improved quickly once the emergency was recognised and treated.

His father improved more slowly.

Professor Zou still regarded Li with the suspicion of a man who disliked owing anyone a debt, especially someone he had publicly opposed.

Yet when Li finally came to the ward, Zou did not challenge him.

Haiyang almost sat upright too fast.

“My saviour!”

“Please don’t call me that.”

The Mystery Team, listening in the corridor, nearly collapsed with laughter.

Li reviewed the course with Qin and the other specialists. The immediate danger had passed. Cardiology had watched the strain on Haiyang’s heart. Endocrinology had controlled the endocrine crisis. Intensive care had carried him through the worst period. Nuclear Medicine contributed where appropriate.

Haiyang noticed the irony before anyone else.

“Dad, your whole fight with Doctor Li was about people staying in their own departments.”

“That is a simplification.”

“And now four departments are keeping me alive.”

“That is multidisciplinary care.”

“Which sounds like an expensive way of saying Doctor Li had a point.”

Mrs Zou turned away to hide a smile.

Li refused to enjoy the story publicly.

The Mystery Team enjoyed it enough for him.

The next morning, something stranger happened.

In theatre, Zou corrected a trainee who casually referred to an anaesthesiologist as support staff.

“They are a physician,” Zou said. “And your partner. If the patient becomes unstable, the person protecting the patient’s life may be standing at the head of the table, not holding the scalpel.”

By lunchtime, half the surgical department had heard about it.

Later that day, Zou called the hospital leadership.

“I believe the disciplinary action against Li Xiangyang should be reconsidered.”

There was a pause at the other end.

“You supported it.”

“I was wrong about some things.”

The emergency committee met. Li’s suspension was lifted. The hospital acknowledged that his cross-disciplinary work had value and granted him more flexibility to assist outside investigations as long as he fulfilled his clinical responsibilities.

When Qin handed him the formal notice, Li read it once and placed it beside his keyboard.

“That’s it?” Tang demanded. “No speech? No revenge? No dramatic return?”

“I have scans to read.”

“Your lack of theatre is personally insulting.”

The team laughed and returned to work.

But Li kept thinking about Zou.

The man who had opposed him so fiercely seemed different from the man who had stood in theatre that morning.

Gentler.

More measured.

Almost like another person.

Li dismissed the thought.

People were inconsistent. Illness changed families. Gratitude changed enemies.

There were a dozen reasonable explanations.

Years later, he would remember that moment as the first clue.