Chapter 765 - 735: Countermeasures
At the request of the Qiao Family, Shu Yuanhang conducted a comprehensive explanation of Qiao Rulong’s surgery and subsequent treatment the morning after the surgery during his rounds. Almost all members of the Qiao Family were present.
Qiao Yuanjiang now had a clear understanding of Shu Yuanhang’s medical skills, and the expert team he had invited had already left Dongzhou.
After Shu Yuanhang finished speaking, he smiled and asked, "Does anyone have any questions?"
Qiao Yuanhong asked, "Dr. Shu, will Rulong be able to fully recover in the future?"
Shu Yuanhang answered truthfully, "He will need to take medication in the future. However, in terms of physical function, he should be able to recover quite well. According to research data, nearly 85% of patients can return to their previous work, and a large portion can still engage in sports activities such as swimming, cycling, and running."
Qiao Yuanlan asked, "This heart, after all, is someone else’s. Approximately how long can it last?"
Shu Yuanhang smiled and said, "You mean the survival rate, right? The one-year post-heart transplant survival rate is 88% for male patients and 77.2% for female patients. The five-year survival rate is 73.1% for males and 67.4% for females. Among them, 49% of patients have a post-transplant survival period of ten years. Based on the data I have, the longest post-heart transplant survival time in the country exceeds twenty years, and internationally, the longest is thirty-eight years. Of course, the survival period and quality are influenced by many factors, such as the health condition of the heart donor, the recipient’s age, general health, lifestyle, and adherence to medication. As things stand, I think it’s not impossible for the patient to challenge the world record."
The Qiao Family was quite satisfied with Shu Yuanhang’s explanation. Elder Qiao said, "Thank you, Dr. Shu. Let’s not delay his work any further."
Shu Yuanhang stood up to see them off. Once outside, he saw Xu Chunliang sitting there, and he walked over and patted him on the shoulder, "Why didn’t you go in?"
Xu Chunliang smiled and said, "I’m not part of the Qiao Family."
Shu Yuanhang sat down next to him, and Xu Chunliang handed him a bottle of water, "You’ve worked hard."
Shu Yuanhang said, "Actually, they don’t need to worry too much. With current medical standards, cooperating with treatment should surpass the average survival time without any problem."
"What’s the average survival time?"
"Fifteen years."
Xu Chunliang curled his lips. Qiao Rulong was still young; fifteen years definitely wasn’t enough.
Shu Yuanhang said, "By then, he can have another surgery to replace his heart. There might even be new technologies. By the way, does traditional Chinese medicine have any solutions for this?"
Xu Chunliang replied, "Yes, if you can ensure fifteen years, I can too."
Shu Yuanhang knew he wasn’t speaking without evidence, as it was Xu Chunliang who helped cure his father’s leukemia. Shu Yuanhang said, "The biggest problem organ transplant surgeries face is rejection. If the body can completely accept the transplanted organ, the survival time would no longer be affected."
Xu Chunliang said, "I heard Pei Lin committed suicide by poisoning. Can her heart be used?"
Shu Yuanhang said, "Of course it can be used. Do you think it’s like the poison invading the heart in martial arts novels? The body detoxifies through the liver, and excretion is usually through the kidneys. She was poisoned for a short time..."
Xu Chunliang interrupted him, "Pei Lin couldn’t be saved?"
Shu Yuanhang said, "Before taking the heart, she was already brain dead, which in medical terms means true death. Oh, you mustn’t mention this matter again; Dean Zhao specifically instructed to keep it confidential, as a respect to the organ donor’s privacy."
Xu Chunliang nodded.
Shu Yuanhang raised his wrist to check the time, "I have to go; I need to visit Dean Zhao’s house soon."
Xu Chunliang asked him to wait, planning to go together.
Xu Chunliang informed Mei Ru Xue about his visit to Zhao Feiyang. Considering Pei Lin’s heart saved her brother, Mei Ru Xue immediately told her grandfather and planned to go with Xu Chunliang. After some thought, Elder Qiao decided to send Qiao Yuanjiang as a representative.
Qiao Yuanjiang’s arrival was unexpected for Zhao Feiyang, proving the Qiao Family acknowledged this favor.
Qiao Yuanjiang held Zhao Feiyang’s hand and said, "My condolences, please don’t hesitate to ask if you encounter any difficulties in the future." This was arranged by the old gentleman, knowing that the Qiao Family owed Zhao Feiyang a huge favor.
Zhao Feiyang said, "Thank you, thank you."
Qiao Yuanjiang didn’t stay long, leaving after exchanging contact information with Zhao Feiyang.
Shu Yuanhang and Xu Chunliang visited the mourning hall to pay respects. Xu Chunliang looked at Pei Lin’s portrait and sighed silently, thinking that if he had found Yang Mufeng immediately after accepting Pei Lin’s request, the subsequent tragedy might not have happened. Looking back now, he thought, this woman’s fate was indeed pitiful.
Zhao Feiyang, dressed all in black today, stood there with a gloomy expression.
Xu Chunliang came up to him: "Dean Zhao!"
Zhao Feiyang said, "You’re here!"
Xu Chunliang extended his hand to him, and they shook hands. Zhao Feiyang quickly let go, looking into Xu Chunliang’s eyes, said, "I didn’t expect you to come."
Xu Chunliang could sense his indifference towards him and sighed softly, "If there’s anything you need help with, just let me know."
Zhao Feiyang shook his head, "No need, you’re busy with work too."
Xu Chunliang felt a little awkward, silently pondering if Zhao Feiyang was blaming him for Pei Lin’s death? This person never seems to reflect on his own issues.
Xu Chunliang didn’t want to talk to him any longer, and after a word of caution about his health, he left first.
Outside, he saw Fu Guomin, who also came to pay his respects, and Fu Guomin asked him to wait for a while.
Xu Chunliang waited by the car for a few moments before Fu Guomin hurriedly came over, "How is Qiao Rulong’s situation?"
Xu Chunliang said, "It’s okay, his life has been saved."
Fu Guomin said, "This situation is a bit troublesome. We’re suddenly facing a lot of criticism, and I don’t know what’s going on."
Xu Chunliang said, "It’s not surprising. Dongzhou Barbecue’s popularity rose too quickly, making others envious. Also, we weren’t well-prepared ourselves, so we can’t blame others for criticizing us. Those problems truly existed; they’ve just erupted all at once this time."
Fu Guomin said, "There are quite a few dissenting voices internally now. Some people are starting to make snide remarks, saying they’ve known for a long time that the influencer economy wouldn’t last. They argue that cultural and tourism work should focus on culture and not follow trends."
Xu Chunliang said, "People will talk; it’s impossible to stop them." He understood Fu Guomin’s concern. The Dongzhou Culture and Tourism Bureau had finally gained some traction through Dongzhou Barbecue, and now it seemed it might fall apart. As the head of Dongzhou Culture and Tourism Bureau, how could he not worry?
Fu Guomin said, "Is there any way to mitigate the negative impact?"
Xu Chunliang said, "Once the fire’s burning, putting it out is difficult, but I don’t think it’s all bad. Even negative attention is attention. This morning, I went to grab breakfast and saw long lines still forming. Maybe the negative news hasn’t dampened the tourists’ enthusiasm. It might even have an unexpectedly positive effect."
Fu Guomin said, "How could it be possible? I’ve been seeing this negative buzz since last night and into today."
Xu Chunliang said, "I’ll contact Three Two Three later; he should have more experience handling these situations."
Fu Guomin said, "Then I’ll trouble you. You already have so many things to deal with, and I’m adding more to your plate. I hope you don’t blame me; you know, the more capable, the harder they work."
Xu Chunliang couldn’t help but laugh.
Shu Yuanhang drove him over and waited in the car for quite some time before seeing him return, "What were you talking about for so long?"
Xu Chunliang got in the car and told him about the conversation he just had. Shu Yuanhang said, "I saw it too; you can’t blame people for complaining. I took my kid to eat barbecue a couple of days ago, and I saw with my own eyes how the barbecue joints cheat outsiders. We ordered less, yet our bill was higher than others. This shows you’re not doing a good job; cultural and tourism work isn’t a one-off deal. If you let such situations occur, who would want to come in the future?"
Xu Chunliang said, "These types of people exist everywhere—a bad apple spoils the bunch."
Shu Yuanhang said, "In my opinion, you guys need to do something concrete. Stop saying ’Welcome to Dongzhou’ all the time when people get ripped off by taxis as soon as they arrive. No one would be happy, especially at places like the train station or airport, which are the face of Dongzhou. These situations must be stopped. People come to spend money. Even if it takes a lot to invite them, it’s worth it. How much would it cost for Dongzhou Culture and Tourism to arrange a few cars for free shuttles? Nothing beats maintaining a good image."
Xu Chunliang thought about it, and Shu Yuanhang’s words made sense, giving him significant insight. Free shuttles—why hadn’t he thought of it before? After a bit of consideration, Xu Chunliang first called Ding Si, thinking to set a small goal, no matter what.
Ding Si, who also noticed the recent negative news about Dongzhou, despite not being highly educated, had a strong sense of hometown pride and angrily scolded over the phone, "These idiots are a disgrace to Dongzhou! Haven’t they ever seen money before? Making dirty money to buy medicine, and who are these idiots anyway? If they have issues, they should raise them. We own up to our mistakes. What do they mean by posting it online? Obviously, they’re smearing us."
Xu Chunliang said, "I have an idea. Could we mobilize some cars to the train station to do some promotion to counteract the negative impact?"
Ding Si said, "Sure, I’ll immediately dispatch all the company’s cars there. Or how about this, I’ll mobilize the car owners’ group. Mobilize as many cars as we can; we must regain Dongzhou’s dignity one way or another."
Just as Xu Chunliang reached Changxing Hospital, Ding Si called back, extremely excited, to report to Xu Chunliang that even he hadn’t expected such a response. The car owners’ group responded enthusiastically, with fifty Mercedes S-series and Maybach owners willing to join the event. He was immediately arranging car stickers to launch the free shuttle service for out-of-town visitors that afternoon.
Ding Si asked Xu Chunliang what slogan to put on the car stickers. Xu Chunliang thought for a moment and decided to use: "Enjoy Dongzhou’s Scenic Views, Taste Dongzhou’s Delicacies, Dongzhou’s People, Free Shuttle Service for All Visitors."
Xu Chunliang hadn’t anticipated such a large response. Since the event was set up, the greater the impact, the better. He also contacted Sheng Chaohui from Enheng Pharmaceutical, who immediately expressed his full support for the event and promised to contact other members of the Dongzhou Enterprise Union to join in.