Chapter 148
They followed Lin Enyang to the laboratory and completed all the necessary tests. The head of the laboratory enthusiastically followed behind them, collected all the test reports, and then said with a smile, “Doctor Lin, you can take General Zhang back to the consultation room. We’ll send the test results to you shortly.”
Grandpa Zhang nodded politely but distantly and said, “I’m really sorry for the trouble.”
“No trouble at all!” The head of the laboratory waved his hand hastily.
However, as Grandpa Zhang and his group left, the head of the laboratory regretfully sighed. He hadn’t had the chance to speak with Grandpa Zhang at length, so he had missed an opportunity to curry favor.
Outside Lin Enyang’s consultation room, there was a line of emaciated patients waiting. These people were so weak that they needed to support each other just to stand up when they arrived.
“Doctor Lin, is there still a cure for our condition? We heard there’s a new treatment for our illness, and the medication is quite affordable,” one of the patients asked with excitement.
Upon hearing this, Lin Enyang’s brow immediately furrowed, and he said, “Who told you that?”
“Doctor Lin, never mind who told us. Just tell us, is there really such an effective medication?” another impatient patient shouted.
“Yeah, is there a cure? Why aren’t you giving it to us? We’ve received notifications from the hospital that we won’t live for more than a month,” a woman in her thirties pleaded bitterly.
Lin Enyang was somewhat helpless, but he finally shook his head and said, “You shouldn’t listen to those who have ulterior motives. If there is a medication, we will announce it as soon as it’s proven to be effective.”
However, this statement seemed to enrage the patients further.
“You’re deceiving us! You clearly have the medication, but you won’t give it to us! Are you just trying to make us spend a lot of money on treatment? Is the hospital trying to profit from us?” They angrily shoved Lin Enyang, their fierce and frenzied appearance as if they wanted to tear him apart.
Lin Enyang tried to explain, but the patients’ voices were too loud, and his words were completely drowned out.
Jiang Yexun watched Lin Enyang’s predicament and, without hesitation, grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him behind himself.
The patients tried to grab him, but Jiang Yexun stepped forward, blocking their way.
“Who are you, and why are you interfering in our affairs?” the leader of the group angrily challenged Jiang Yexun.
However, when he saw Jiang Yexun’s dark, snake-like eyes, he took two steps back in fear.
Jiang Yexun’s icy gaze swept over the crowd, causing them to gulp and lower their voices.
After a dozen seconds, one man in the crowd defiantly said, “Doctor Lin, you must give us an explanation today. Why do you keep such a good and affordable medication from us? Don’t say you don’t have it. Just look at Old Zhang, who was in a condition similar to ours before. He was practically gasping for breath after taking a few steps, and now he can walk without any trouble.”
Lin Enyang was somewhat puzzled as he massaged his temples and, with a controlled temper, said, “I don’t care who told you this, but I can assure you that this person has malicious intentions. Anyone who works in a hospital should know that before any medication is given to the public, it undergoes extensive testing, and the results are unpredictable. General Zhang is a man of great righteousness. He was willing to risk his own life to help the country test the medication, and this is how you repay him, with accusations?”
“You can say whatever you want, but we only know that you have the medication, and you only give it to people with power and influence. We’re on the brink of death, but he’s perfectly fine,” one of the patients argued angrily.
“It only means the medication is effective. However, it’s not that simple,” Lin Enyang tried to explain.
“Effective or not, why don’t you give us the medication? If Old Zhang can have it, why can’t we? You’re practicing favoritism and class discrimination,” an indignant voice protested.
Su Xiaoxiao listened to their conversation and slightly furrowed her brows. She found it somewhat amusing to see them arguing like this.
She still hadn’t submitted the prescription for this medication. Not to mention giving it to these people, they hadn’t even reached the clinical trial stage yet.
Lin Enyang was now trapped, unable to face Grandpa Zhang, who might be affected by the commotion, or Su Xiaoxiao, who could potentially be frightened or harmed by these nearly crazed patients.
But at this moment, Su Xiaoxiao unexpectedly spoke up. “If you want to use the medication, it’s possible, but you’ll have to bear all the costs yourself. You’ll also need to sign a liability waiver, acknowledging that you are willing to take full responsibility if any adverse effects, including the risk of death, occur before this medication is proven to be suitable for everyone.”
“Why could Old Zhang be fine but we couldn’t?” one man in the crowd protested angrily.
Su Xiaoxiao’s gaze subtly passed over the crowd, landing on a man who was probably only about 5’7″ tall, with an utterly ordinary appearance, the kind who would blend into a crowd and disappear.
However, she didn’t meet his eyes before retracting her gaze.
“Grandpa Zhang confirmed before using the medication that life and death are up to fate. We will not hold anyone responsible,” she emphasized in a detached tone.
The patients’ faces turned grim as they struggled with a mix of fear, reluctance, and hope.
Su Xiaoxiao didn’t want to listen to their argument, so she quickly continued, “If you don’t want to agree, that’s perfectly fine. After all, it’s not easy for a new medication to reach the testing stage. Many patients nationwide are waiting for a life-saving medication. Someone will agree eventually. You can wait until the clinical trials are successfully completed.”
The patients fell silent. They weren’t reckless; they understood that the young lady in front of them was making sense.
But who had the courage to stake their own lives on an experimental drug?
They were afraid of death, which was why they had gathered here to create a commotion.