Ning Qingwan's heart sank upon hearing this, and her mind went blank for a moment. She bit her lip hard, trying desperately to control her emotions.
Ziying clenched her teeth, trying to reassure her. "Qingwan, don't panic. The critical window for resuscitation after cardiac arrest is five minutes. We still have three minutes left; there's still a chance."
Ning Qingwan nodded, her face pale, then suddenly remembered something, turning as if grasping at a lifeline. "Doctor Xiao…"
"I see."
While they were talking, Xiao Li had already been observing the patient being resuscitated.
The condition matched the medical records: a fifty-five-year-old woman, previously healthy, who had recently begun experiencing sudden cardiac arrests.
Modern medical examinations had found no issues with her heart or even her blood vessels.
While the medical team continued CPR, Xiao Li stepped forward and placed his fingers on the patient's wrist.
This action immediately made Ziying frown, her voice low and serious. "Qingwan, your mother is in the middle of resuscitation. This is not the time for Traditional Chinese Medicine."
Ning Qingwan looked conflicted. "Ziying, I know, but…"
"TCM is only suitable for recovery and conditioning. It has no place in emergency resuscitation. Our priority right now is saving her life. Feeling her pulse won't do that," Ziying's tone was sharp, tinged with anger. "Qingwan, please ask this gentleman to leave. He can examine her after we successfully resuscitate her."
"This…" Ning Qingwan felt torn. Ziying was her best friend, a Ph.D. graduate from one of the world's top medical schools, a future leader in medicine. She knew Ziying looked down on TCM.
But Doctor Xiao was recommended by the richest man. What if he really could save her?
As they spoke, Xiao Li finished taking the pulse. He withdrew his hand and said calmly, "She doesn't need resuscitation."
Hearing this, Ning Qingwan's mind went blank again, and she almost fainted.
A cold glint flashed in Ziying's eyes, her anger rising. "What do you mean she doesn't need it? She's only been in shock for less than three minutes; there's still hope to revive her. You feel her pulse for a moment and declare her dead?"
Tears welled up in Ning Qingwan's eyes as she trembled. "Doctor Xiao, is my mother really beyond saving?"
Xiao Li turned, his expression still calm. "I only said she doesn't need resuscitation, not that she will die."
Ziying's face darkened further, her voice rising. "Without resuscitation, she will die…"
"Intermittent cardiac arrest. No resuscitation needed. The heartbeat will resume on its own after seven minutes of cessation."
Ziying was stunned. The other medical staff paused, equally astonished. Quickly regaining their composure, they looked at Xiao Li with scorn.
Ziying was nearly furious. Struggling to control her temper, she snapped sharply, "You're nothing but a quack. You don't even understand basic medical common sense. For a normal person, cardiac arrest lasting over five minutes means certain death."
"Qingwan, he's a fraud. Make him leave."
Ning Qingwan was stunned as well. Her mother's heart had stopped beating for three minutes already, and there were only two minutes left for resuscitation. Yet Xiao Li was now saying they should stop the rescue efforts—it was unbelievable.
But seeing Xiao Li's calm and composed expression, a glimmer of hope flickered in Ning Qingwan's heart.
If it were a doctor recommended by anyone else, she would have been furious at this moment. However, this person was recommended by Ling Qingming, the wealthiest man in the city.
Could it be true? Was it really possible that no resuscitation was needed?
Ning Qingwan steeled herself, gritting her teeth. "Ziying, listen to Dr. Xiao. Stop the resuscitation."
Ziying was shocked. "Qingwan, no. If we stop now, your mother will never come back…"
"Listen to Dr. Xiao," Ning Qingwan insisted, her beautiful eyes welling up with tears. "At worst, let my mother go peacefully. This is too painful."
Ziying was seething inside, but she knew the decision ultimately lay with the patient's family.
She shot a glare at Xiao Li before turning to her colleagues with a helpless sigh. "Let's stop for now."
The white-coated doctors reluctantly halted the resuscitation, their eyes filled with anger.
Xiao Li remained expressionless throughout, showing no intention of performing any rescue procedures. He simply stood by the bed, watching calmly.
Beep… beep…
The medical instruments continued to emit increasingly shrill sounds, but the EKG showed no signs of activity.
Ning Qingwan bit her lip, clenched her fists, and gazed with determination. She still believed that the person recommended by Ling Qingming couldn't be wrong.
Time ticked by. The patient's heart had been in cardiac arrest for over four minutes, with only a few dozen seconds left in the golden window for resuscitation.
Ziying couldn't bear it any longer. Even if it meant upsetting her friend, she couldn't betray her professional ethics!