Free Web NovelChapter 187: Chapter 186: Spiral Fracture_1
Orthopedic doctor’s office.
After all, it was an office, not a meeting room with its tense atmosphere; everyone took their seats separately.
Xia Momo still opened her laptop and played the video of the spiral X-ray recording, and there was another video which Zhou Ning had taken while holding the tibia, displaying the spiral fracture on the bone in full detail.
A doctor in his forties, who looked quite authoritative, pushed his glasses up and raised his foot clad in crocs, pondering as he spoke:
"The spiral nature of the fracture line is mainly due to opposing forces at both ends of the fracture causing a twisting effect—in plain terms, one end of the tibia turns inward while the other turns outward, resulting in a spiral fracture line.
Last year, I had a patient who rolled down the stairs, and his humerus was spiral fractured. The good thing about this type of fracture is that it generally doesn’t cause a large hematoma around the tissue; some even remain in place, and can be treated conservatively with manual reduction and proper fixation."
Other doctors nodded in agreement, and a white-haired elderly doctor, as though reminiscing, raised his hand and said:
"Now with all kinds of detection equipment available, back before 1990, there were only about thirty CT machines nationwide, and the quality back then can’t compare to now.
I remember it was either in ’89 or ’90, the Qindao Theater was rehearsing some play, and there was a set of movements that are commonly used by Peking Opera actors, which involved twisting the body from one end of the stage to the other."
The middle-aged doctor who had spoken first interrupted the old doctor.
"In Peking Opera, that’s called ’small somersault.’
The old doctor nodded.
"Somewhat like that, yes. But these movements are what Peking Opera actors professionally train in. They hadn’t been trained, and without professional guidance, only some stage designer joining them, suddenly five actors couldn’t move their legs after practicing.
We received them at the central hospital and discovered that all five had tibia and fibula spiral fractures to varying degrees, one of which was the most severe with bilateral fractures of the tibia and fibula.
My mentors were all called back to collectively perform manual reductions on these people, but the one with bilateral fractures of the tibia and fibula still ended up with a slight issue with walking afterwards."
Zhou Ning kept nodding; it was understandable for adults not professionally trained to come into occasional contact with these activities, but considering the deceased’s skeletal state, she had sustained such fractures and fissures continuously during her childhood. Could it be that she was often involved in such activities?
"Gentlemen, I would like to inquire, for a case like the deceased, based on her healing traces, we can determine these two fractures and fissures likely occurred around the age of ten. Could a child be involved in such intense training?"
"Yes, the city’s Peking Opera troupe recruits a few kids every year, and the provincial team also scouts here for children with special talents, such as in gymnastics or other sports."
A younger doctor added:
"And kids who dance, we’ve had quite a few of them sent to orthopedics recently."
The middle-aged doctor clicked his tongue.
"That’s different; kids in Latin dance suffer more lumbar spine injuries. It’s a different nature of injury altogether. If you put it that way, many kids training in ballet might also face similar situations. After all, children in their developmental stage can easily sustain different levels of injuries from overly vigorous activities. Ballet dancers may look graceful onstage, but their feet are all scarred."
Zhou Ning paused, then suddenly thought of the deceased’s severed foot. She had been suspecting the deceased’s line of work and thought maybe her feet could provide a clue; this direction seemed to hold some possibility.
"Doctor, based on what you know, besides ballet dancers, are there any other professions where one could tell from their feet what they do for a living—where the changes to the feet are very noticeable?"
The doctor pondered for a moment.
"I feel you’re limiting yourself, because regardless of the sport or industry, foot injuries can vary, but changes can also be seen in other parts of the body, such as the lumbar spine in dancers, the knees in sprinters, and the elbows in tennis players."
Zhou Ning had an epiphany and stood up, bowing respectfully to the doctor.
"Thank you for the clarification. We won’t disturb you any further!" ƒreewebɳovel.com
The middle-aged doctor waved his hands eagerly, his face showing great interest.
"I tell you, Doctor Zhou, when the case is over and if convenient, talk to Mr. He and ask him to share the details with us to satisfy our curiosity. After all, you encounter a case even when you go camping; you’re that lucky."
Zhou Ning’s cheeks quivered as she struggled to hold back a smile, glancing at Mr. He, who was sporting an ashen face. He had truly embarrassed himself by seeking a professional consultation to protect his own dignity.
"Certainly, we’ll take our leave now. Mr. He, do you need me to give you a ride back?"
Mr. He gave her a look and mouthed a word that meant ’leave.’
Zhou Ning raised her hand, aware that Mr. He was indeed embarrassed. It was, after all, through his own mishap that they had managed to foster a closer relationship with the orthopedic department—something others wouldn’t believe if told.
"All right, I’m off then. You’re on the night shift, right? Later, someone will bring you food to the emergency room—remember to accept it!"
Having said that, Zhou Ning didn’t look back as she walked out, even raising her hand in a wave.
Mr. Zhao stared at Mr. He, who appeared somewhat guilty, barely holding back his laughter. He hurried a few steps to catch up with Zhou Ning, poking her in the lower back.
"Zhou Xiaozhou, just keep teasing Mr. He. His intelligence isn’t the sharpest to begin with; it’s diminished from being overworked every day, and here you are, tricking him about bringing him food. That’s just heartless."
Zhou Ning shook his head.
"Later, you go to the entrance and find a spot to order two dishes, nothing too fancy, one meat and one vegetable will do. Also, get two bowls of rice. I will call Xiaoyu and have her pick them up and deliver them."
Mr. Zhao was instantly stunned.
"I mean, Zhou Xiaozhou, you’re going too far. Is this killing three birds with one stone? How come you never make such an effort with me? On one hand, you make Mr. He feel guilty, on the other, you let Xiaoyu know Mr. He is busy, and at the same time, you make Mr. He feel cared for by Xiaoyu. You’re using one expenditure for three different purposes."
Zhou Ning took out fifty yuan and handed it to Mr. Zhao.
"Can’t go over budget. I’m a person with a mortgage now, I need to cut down on my monthly living expenses. Remember to order from that Northeastern restaurant, half a portion of their iron pot stew will be fine. Of course, when I say two dishes, you don’t have to take it literally, they basically have everything. Mr. He has mentioned several times that their food is good."
Xia Momo glanced at the time; it was already past five.
"Don’t bother with all that trouble. Let’s just go together. I’ll treat you guys to dinner. We’ll prepare a portion for Xiaoyu to take to Mr. He. How does that sound?"
Just as Zhou Ning was about to refuse, Mr. Zhao stuffed the fifty yuan back into Zhou Ning’s hand.
"Stop fussing. Mr. Xia has spoken, so let’s get to that Northeastern restaurant quickly. May I ask Mr. Xia if I can order the iron pot stewed goose?"
Xia Momo turned to look at Zhou Ning and tugged at his sleeve.
"Could you call Zhu Xingxing and Mr. Yang and ask them to come over? I’ll call Doctor Liu and Doctor Lu. It’ll be nice for everyone to get together."
Without waiting for Zhou Ning to object, she was already dragging Zhou Ning into the restaurant.
Since they had called quite a few people, and they also had to take food to Mr. He, it naturally wouldn’t do to bring just a little bit. Xia Momo quickly arranged for two pots, one of iron pot stewed goose and the other of pork ribs stewed with green beans, with potatoes and sweet potato noodles added. Of course, she placed a steaming layer on top, one with big pork buns and the other with steamed pepper salt rolls.
In just over ten minutes, the aroma was wafting through the air. People gradually arrived one after another. Xiaoyu was among the earlier arrivals and looked at Zhou Ning with a puzzled expression.
"Brother, why are you making things so complicated for me? Even if dinner is delayed by a few minutes, nobody’s going to eat it all, right?"
Zhou Ning pulled her aside and whispered:
"The last time we went to Xiaofudao, we neither ate well nor had a good time. You and He Shancun were both so sick. He’s having a really tough day today.
We went to ask for his help only to find out that he has to take over a colleague’s night shift in the emergency department tonight, and that’s incredibly exhausting. Why don’t you first bring him some food? Then you can come back and we’ll eat slowly, right? Of course, you could also stay and eat there with him!
I’m not forcing you to do anything. After all, you both had a tough time together on the island, and it wouldn’t be right to ask Mr. Xia or my master to deliver the food, would it?"
Xiaoyu looked around. Zhu Xingxing and the others hadn’t arrived yet. Mr. Zhao was busy helping out, pouring water and arranging appetizers. Entertaining guests was not her forte. Xia Momo was the sister-in-law she recognized in her heart, so it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to run errands. As for Doctor Liu, he was her cousin’s master, which was even less suitable.
"Okay then!"
She said, picking up the two old-fashioned lunch boxes Mr. Zhao had prepared, and headed towards the Central Hospital.
Liu Yongxin came over and bumped Zhou Ning’s shoulder.
"My dear apprentice, you sure have a diverse range of services. You’re mediating matches now?"
Zhou Ning laughed. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
"My sister is not good at expressing herself and doesn’t meet many suitable people. Mr. He, despite his blunt mouth, is overall a great guy. I think they look good together. It’s good to create more opportunities for them."
Liu Yongxin nodded and leaned in close to Zhou Ning’s ear.
"Don’t just look after others, have you managed to win over Mr. Xia? That big house of yours needs a woman. Besides, with your grandfather gone, you need someone to ensure there’s food on the table, right?"
Zhou Ning just smiled without replying, as if Xia Momo had sensed something and looked over, handing Liu Yongxin a cup of tea.
"Doctor Liu, let’s sit down. Zhu Xingxing and Yang Xuetong have arrived."
Now that everyone was present, Xia Momo called for people to gather around the two big pots. With the steam rising continuously, and the weather having turned colder, sitting around the pots eating such hot food was simply too delightful.
Mr. Zhao swallowed his saliva, his eyes practically dropping into the iron pot stewed goose. It was then that Doctor Lu spoke up first, asking the waiter to set the buns aside to wait for Zhou Xiaoyu.
"Zhou Xiaozhou, I heard you guys have another case?"
Zhou Ning nodded and briefly described the case. Liu Yongxin looked up, seemingly surprised.
"This person has a strong awareness of counter-surveillance, discarding the head, sawing off limbs, and then stuffing them in suitcases and throwing them into the sea, aiming to destroy all evidence. Could this be the work of someone professional?"
As soon as Liu Yongxin finished speaking, everyone was stunned.
