Surgeons Episode 10 Recap
> Surgeons Recap
Zhuang Shu was in the archive room late at night, reviewing medical records related to Lidocaine. He found Lu Zhong He's death diagnosis, which stated Lu Zhong He, a 33-year-old male, died on June 3, 1984, in Renhe Hospital's Thoracic Surgery department due to a penicillin allergy leading to multiple organ failures.
The document also noted that this case involved medical malpractice and that all related files had been handed over to the Health Bureau and sealed on July 10, 1984. Director Zhong appeared behind him, remarking, "In the end, you still returned." Zhuang Shu affirmed, "I am back. I must be here." He asked Director Zhong if he would help him, but Director Zhong expressed reluctance, stating that as an E. R. doctor, he couldn't help with Thoracic Surgery matters.
Zhuang Shu praised Director Zhong's skill, suggesting he should be an outstanding surgeon, but Director Zhong replied that his career had been spent mostly in the E. R. He then criticized Zhuang Shu for hurting Lu Chen Xi, who is a natural surgeon, by collaborating with Yang Fan to remove her from Thoracic Surgery.
Director Zhong reminded Zhuang Shu that Lu Chen Xi is Lu Zhong He's daughter and a casualty of the same incident, questioning why Zhuang Shu continued to hurt her. Zhuang Shu couldn't answer his question but reiterated his plea for help. Director Zhong said that Zhuang Shu had become frightening and quietly left, asking Zhuang Shu to return the files to their original position to avoid inconveniencing staff. Zhuang Shu stood alone, looking lost.
Later that night, Zhuang Shu returned home to find Lu Chen Xi watching an old animated film. He sat beside her, and she explained it was a 23rd birthday present from her ex-boyfriend, Xue Luan, when they were both fifth-year clinical interns.
She had found it funny at the time as she preferred Doraemon, but then realized it was a romantic story about a kindhearted young lady adventuring with her dreams, silently protected by a man who gives her space to grow. Lu Chen Xi shared that in reality, Xue Luan eventually gave up on her and their shared path. Zhuang Shu asked if she was considering reconciliation after encountering him that day, but she dismissed the idea.
Their conversation then shifted to their medical careers. Lu Chen Xi recounted her first patient, a girl who attempted suicide after failing college, whom she saved, and who later became a teacher and mother. Zhuang Shu then shared his own first patient experience; a car accident victim he cared for for 27 days before pronouncing his death. His mother, also his patient, died last year, telling him she was happy to be reunited with her son.
Zhuang Shu stated his belief that the most important thing for a doctor is "to not let death strike you down." Lu Chen Xi directly asked if he had ever been struck down, to which Zhuang Shu paused but didn't reply. The evening concluded with Zhuang Shu cooking noodles for Lu Chen Xi and Chen Shaocong, who both helped prepare ingredients, leading to a joyful dinner. The next day, patient Xu Fang Yin suddenly fainted.
Zhuang Shu and other medical staff rushed to her side. After stabilizing her condition, Zhuang Shu learned from a nurse that Xu Fang Yin, whose husband Ge Shu Xin had been buried that day, learned of his death and organ donation from a television interview. The nurse had turned on the TV to alleviate Xu Fang Yin's boredom, unaware of the content.
Zhuang Shu then witnessed Fu Bowen's televised interview where he took full credit for the difficult lung transplant surgery, claiming he persevered and completed it independently despite challenges. Zhuang Shu, visibly upset, instructed the nurses not to play that channel in the patient's room again. Shortly after, Lu Chen Xi's resident, Dr. Fang Zhiwei, approached her, hesitantly relaying rumors that Fu Bowen was not the actual lead surgeon for Xu Fang Yin's lung transplant.
Dr. Fang claimed to have spoken to Dr. Liu, a participant, who stated that Zhuang Shu had independently completed the critical part of the surgery. Dr. Fang also suggested that Chief Yang, aware of Fu Bowen's inability to perform the surgery, brought in Zhuang Shu to replace Lu Chen Xi, ostensibly as an assistant, but actually to protect Fu Bowen's reputation.
Lu Chen Xi adamantly rejected these claims, asserting that her mentor, Director Fu, would not seek fame, and Zhuang Shu was not one to spread rumors. She suspected Yang Fan was behind the gossip. Lu Chen Xi decided to confront Zhuang Shu about the surgery rumors. Upon entering his office, she saw Zhuang Shu and Chu Jun sitting together, appearing emotional. Chu Jun had brought a drawing for Lin Sen and another for Zhuang Shu.
Chu Jun thanked Lu Chen Xi for her earlier help in dealing with her incident, but Lu Chen Xi bluntly stated her actions were not out of kindness, but out of opposition to Yang Fan, whom she disliked for bringing Chu Jun in through connections and then trying to push her out to avoid trouble. Zhuang Shu intervened, stopping Lu Chen Xi from continuing. Chu Jun then left.
Lu Chen Xi, misinterpreting the scene and Chu Jun's presence, accused Zhuang Shu of admiring Chu Jun. She criticized Chu Jun for using "irregular interactions" to gain undeserved resources from male colleagues and superiors, first with Yang Fan, and now with him. Zhuang Shu defended Chu Jun, stating that not everything is black and white and that Lu Chen Xi's judgment was based on prejudice and excessive jealousy.
Their argument escalated, with Lu Chen Xi accusing Zhuang Shu of closing the door to freely lecture her. She declared she no longer needed to ask him anything, having already found her answer, and stormed out, leaving Zhuang Shu bewildered. Lu Chen Xi was later asked to consult on Xue Luan's teacher, who had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer and had heart attacks. She mentioned that she was no longer in Thoracic Surgery and could only offer her opinion.
Lu Chen Xi reflected on a past boast to Xue Luan, saying she would use her scalpel to make him regret it, and mused on how ironic it seemed now that she might not even get to hold a scalpel. As she turned to leave, Xue Luan called out to her, expressing his regret. He admitted to regretting not only giving up clinical practice but even more so, giving up on her back then.
Zhuang Shu then confronted Yang Fan about Fu Bowen's TV interview. Yang Fan tried to downplay the situation, but Zhuang Shu revealed he knew Yang Fan had arranged both the reporter for the interview and Dr. Liu Changhe to spread gossip within the department. Zhuang Shu clarified that he was not interested in Yang Fan's power struggle or merely having Fu Bowen step down.
He desired for Fu Bowen, while still in his position as hospital director, to stand before everyone as a doctor and admit to his past wrongdoings. Yang Fan dismissed this as a naive idea, calling Zhuang Shu crazy for holding such an unrealistic expectation. He then presented Zhuang Shu with a document—a reply from Professor Blake, an American drug allergy research expert, whom Yang Fan had consulted regarding the old medical incident. Zhuang Shu opened the document, his expression turning serious as he read it.
