I'd like to thank our new Patreon Diamond member, "melonpan," for recommending this novel for translation. I've read up to chapter 50, and it's a truly engaging read. It boasts a 4.4 rating on NovelUpdates. So you know it's going to be good.
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Fu Shiwu was genuinely worried!
He hadn't expected that after solving the most difficult issues, he'd be stumped by this most basic problem.
"You don't know, and I don't either! What are we going to do?!" Fu Shiwu exclaimed in frustration.
If Tang Xuhai were to perish due to not being able to administer the IV properly, it would drive Fu Shiwu to the brink.
Wen Zhaoming's mouth twitched slightly as he pondered before suggesting, "You could try locating his thickest blood vessel."
"Even if it's the thickest, I might not be able to penetrate it." Fu Shiwu lacked this skill entirely; it was completely outside his expertise!
Fu Shiwu pulled up Tang Xuhai's sleeve, feeling the slightly raised vein on his arm. "So thin!"
Comparing it to his own arm, which was mostly soft with a layer of fat under the skin and had flat veins visible, Tang Xuhai's arm was robust and muscular, devoid of excess fat, with just a thin layer of skin, and the veins were slightly protruding.
But being more prominent didn't mean he could accurately puncture it in one go.
Numerous news reports detailed medical disputes arising from nurses failing to puncture veins properly. Considering even professional nurses might struggle, let alone someone like him, not associated with this profession.
"What if we don't puncture the vein directly but the muscle?" Fu Shiwu consulted with Wen Zhaoming.
Wen Zhaoming shook his head. "This is for intravenous infusion, not subcutaneous injection. It would cause swelling, just like a missed injection, and it won't infuse under the skin."
Fu Shiwu removed the thermometer from Tang Xuhai's mouth and, upon checking it against the light, was instantly alarmed. "41 degrees!"
He put down the thermometer, turning frantic. "He needs the IV!"
Wen Zhaoming reassured him, "Don't panic. You can practice first."
"Where do I start?" Fu Shiwu immediately looked at him.
Wen Zhaoming quickly shook his head, saying, "Take the IV set, find the thinnest tube. I've seen nurses practice with that kind, similar to blood vessels!"
Hearing this, Fu Shiwu immediately rummaged for the IV set, opening a pack to extract the equipment.
Indeed, a section of the IV tubing connected to the needle was notably thinner.
Fu Shiwu wiped his hands, detached the needle head, and began attempting to pierce the thin tube with the needle.
Piercing the needle into it and then sliding it into the tube was no easy task. Fu Shiwu several times failed to puncture with force.
His movements became gentler, learning to tilt the needle while inserting it. After about a dozen attempts, he became more proficient.
"Nearly there! This should work!" Fu Shiwu said.
With confidence, Fu Shiwu fetched disinfectant and used a cotton swab to sterilize Tang Xuhai's elbow pit.
Usually, the back of the hand was the easiest for needle insertion, allowing the patient more movement. However, Fu Shiwu felt that the blood vessels in this particular elbow crease were more prominent and slightly thicker. It should work there, even if he needed to immobilize Tang Xuhai's arm.
Fu Shiwu inserted one end of the IV set into the saline bag, hung the saline using the practice tubing on the lamp stand, and took out the needle from the other end.
"Here goes!" Fu Shiwu took a deep breath, focusing intently, and aimed the needle at Tang Xuhai's elbow pit.
Perhaps his practice had paid off, or luck was on his side—either way, it was a success in one go.
"It's in!" Fu Shiwu exclaimed joyfully, pressing the plastic head of the needle.
"Adhesive tape!" reminded Wen Zhaoming.
As non-professionals, they realized they couldn't keep holding the needle by hand; it needed to be secured with tape.
"I forgot to grab it!" Fu Shiwu was shocked, unable to believe his mistake.
However, he quickly remembered having brought adhesive bandages. He hurriedly searched with one hand, and when he found them, Wen Zhaoming helped him take one out and peel off an end.
One end stuck to Tang Xuhai's arm, while Fu Shiwu, tearing the plastic film off the other end, applied it firmly over the needle, securing it in place.
With the IV set at its maximum flow rate, saline immediately flowed into Tang Xuhai's body through the tubing.
Finally, they successfully administered the IV to Tang Xuhai, allowing both of them to breathe a sigh of relief.
But the task wasn't finished yet. Fu Shiwu fetched two disposable syringes and injected two fever-reducing medications into the IV's medication port.
"It'd be better to add some anti-inflammatory too," suggested Wen Zhaoming, observing his actions.
"I know." Fu Shiwu took out the emergency kit Tang Xuhai had prepared, ground the anti-inflammatory and antibiotic medications into powder, then used a syringe without the needle to draw the powder and injected it through the medication port.
Of course, the powder got stuck inside the syringe due to liquid residue, making it impossible to inject. Finally, they had to extract some saline from the IV drip tubing, shake it for a while to dissolve the powder, and eventually succeeded, but the comical incident of struggling to inject it due to residual powder was something he'd rather not recount.
After finishing these tasks, even in the cool shelter, Fu Shiwu was drenched in sweat.
Despite the perspiration, Fu Shiwu couldn't help but acknowledge his surprisingly good mood. If his efforts and actions could aid Tang Xuhai's recovery and fever reduction, it would be even better.
Feeling relaxed, Fu Shiwu realized he was famished.
"It's already past 1 o'clock!" Fu Shiwu looked at his watch in surprise. "No wonder I'm so hungry."
He turned to Wen Zhaoming. "Aren't you hungry?"
Wen Zhaoming smiled faintly. "I'm fine. Probably haven't moved much; didn't feel hungry. You've been busy, so, definitely hungry."
Without dwelling on it much, Fu Shiwu decided to cook noodles.
"Which flavor?" Fu Shiwu held a bunch of seasoning packets, hesitating as he asked Wen Zhaoming.
"You decide. Tang Xuhai probably won't be responsive; no need to consider his taste," Wen Zhaoming remarked.
"Alright! Braised beef it is!" Fu Shiwu took one packet from the middle and returned the rest.
Solid alcohol was quite durable, and Fu Shiwu was only making boiled noodles, not requiring much heat.
As Fu Shiwu busied himself, Wen Zhaoming absentmindedly rubbed his arms.
He gazed at Fu Shiwu, contemplating his own thoughts. Given his current physical condition, in such an unpredictable and perilous situation, it was best to rely on someone else. Tang Xuhai was strong but not a good companion. Fu Shiwu, although not physically robust, was extremely caring and decisive.
The future was uncertain. However, for now, it seemed Tang Xuhai and Fu Shiwu were the two people he needed to stick close to as his talismans for survival. No one liked being a burden. The next step was figuring out how to make both of them see his value.
"What's wrong?" Fu Shiwu asked him worriedly. "You look very pale."
"Hmm?" Wen Zhaoming straightened up, dropped his arms, and forced a smile. "I'm fine."
"Your complexion is terrible, you know?" Fu Shiwu's face immediately darkened, his eyes sharp as he stared at Wen Zhaoming.
Tang Xuhai was someone who pushed himself to extremes; Fu Shiwu didn't want Wen Zhaoming to emulate him.
"If you feel uncomfortable anywhere, don't hide it! You must speak up, understood?" Fu Shiwu's tone was slow and oppressive, emphasizing each word.
Wen Zhaoming, not knowing what crossed his mind, turned even paler. His voice trembled, "I'm sorry!"
Maintaining his usual impassive expression, Fu Shiwu looked at Wen Zhaoming, perplexed by his intense fear. What did he say wrong? Wasn't he just trying to help?!
Before Fu Shiwu could express his confusion, Wen Zhaoming's eyes rolled back, and he fainted!
Fu Shiwu was dumbfounded!
"Am I... that scary?" Fu Shiwu felt unjustifiably wronged but abandoned the cooking and rushed over.
Wen Zhaoming sat slouched in the electric wheelchair, looking like something out of a scary movie where someone suddenly choked. Fu Shiwu lifted his head, tapped his face.
His hand was covered in Wen Zhaoming's sweat, but Wen Zhaoming's body was chillingly cold.
"Wen Zhaoming! Zhaoming!!" Fu Shiwu shook him vigorously, and at that moment, Wen Zhaoming shivered.
Fu Shiwu understood; it wasn't fear that caused this, but Wen Zhaoming was ill!
"Darn it!" Fu Shiwu cursed his luck and lifted Wen Zhaoming from the wheelchair, placing him on his bed.
Inside the shelter, it was very cool, almost a bit chilly. Sleeping directly on a cushioned floor, neither Wen Zhaoming nor Fu Shiwu had blankets like Tang Xuhai did; they only had their clothes.
Wen Zhaoming's health hadn't been great since the accident. Unlike Tang Xuhai, a fitness fanatic with a body full of muscles, he couldn't withstand the chill on the ground.
In the morning, Wen Zhaoming felt a bit cold, but he didn't pay much attention. As Fu Shiwu busied himself with Tang Xuhai's situation upon his return, Wen Zhaoming felt increasingly unwell but refrained from mentioning it.
Normally, these minor health issues could be managed with water and medicine. However, in this environment, how could he possibly cope!
After giving Wen Zhaoming some cold medicine and water, when Fu Shiwu finished his meal and wiped the metal cup clean, he checked Wen Zhaoming's temperature. 38.7°C!
He was also running a fever!
Kneeling between the two patients, Fu Shiwu looked left and right, feeling utterly helpless!
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