Chapter 71: No Anesthesia Allowed

“I can go to the hospital, but I’ll cover the medical expenses myself.”

“It’s not that serious anyway.”

Hearing this, the accompanying soldier grew anxious.

“That won’t do. The deputy regiment commander said injuries sustained by comrades are work-related, and work-related injuries must be covered by the organization.”

“If we don’t do anything, it would seem…”

Amid the ongoing debate, the three of them quickly arrived at the hospital nearest to the train station.

They reached an agreement regarding medical expenses: the soldier would fully cover hospitalization, surgery, and medication costs, while Shen Yi’an would be responsible for meals for all three of them.

Although the soldier was extremely reluctant, his poor debating skills—especially when arguing with female comrades—left him with little choice.

Thus, the final cost arrangement was settled.

With the relevant documentation provided by the soldier, the hospital cooperated fully.

The systematic examination confirmed the same diagnosis as the accompanying doctor had given. Once the condition was confirmed, the medical staff announced that the suturing procedure could proceed immediately.

The wound appeared small, but the persistent bleeding was quite severe.

Shen Yi’an had no say in the matter—as the patient, she had to follow the doctor’s orders.

However, just before the anesthesia was to be administered, she asked, “Doctor, will the anesthesia affect the baby in my womb?”

“You’re pregnant?” the surgeon exclaimed in surprise.

If the patient was pregnant, extreme caution was required when administering anesthesia.

During the second trimester, it was relatively safer since the fetus was mostly developed.

But during the early stages of pregnancy, anesthesia was absolutely contraindicated.

This was a critical period for fetal organ formation, and a dose of anesthesia could cause serious complications.

Considering this, the surgeon asked directly, “How long have you been pregnant?”

“Have you had any medical checkups before?”

Shen Yi’an replied promptly, “Just over a month. I had a checkup right before boarding the train.”

“The doctor at the Staff Hospital said everything was fine and reminded me to come for monthly prenatal checkups.”

Hearing that the examination was conducted at the Staff Hospital, the surgeon nodded in understanding.

“If it was the Staff Hospital, then there shouldn’t be any issues.”

He continued, “We don’t recommend anesthesia during the first month of pregnancy.”

“This is a crucial period for fetal organ development, and anesthesia could interfere with the baby’s growth.”

After a pause, he added, “For the sake of your unborn child, you’ll have to endure some discomfort during the procedure.”

Without hesitation, Shen Yi’an agreed, “Then I won’t take any anesthesia, Doctor.”

“I would never do anything that could harm my child.”

“Just please be gentle!”

Hearing her last remark, the surgeon’s lips curved into a faint smile beneath his mask.

“Alright, I’ll be as careful as I can.”

“But you must try your best to stay still, even when it hurts.”

“If the suturing is affected, it might leave a scar on your neck.”

Shen Yi’an nodded earnestly in response.

From then on, the atmosphere in the operating room grew exceptionally quiet.

Only the occasional soft breaths indicated that someone was present.

With each stitch, sharp pain coursed through her, especially in the sensitive neck area.

Though the pain made her frown and clench her teeth, the thought of her unborn child gave Shen Yi’an the strength to endure it to the end.

When the surgery concluded, not only did the lead surgeon heave a long sigh of relief, but she lying on the operating table was also drenched in sweat.

As the operating room doors swung open, the accompanying doctor and soldier waiting outside grew frantic.

“Doctor, how is the patient’s condition?”

“Yes, was there some complication? Why did the surgery take so long?”

Seeing their expressions, the lead surgeon realized they were unaware of the patient’s pregnancy.

He promptly told them the truth.

“The patient is perfectly fine, and the wound has been sutured.”

“However, she is pregnant—just about a month along. We didn’t administer anesthesia.”

“She endured the entire surgery relying solely on sheer willpower.”

“Once the surgery finally ended, she drifted into a hazy sleep right there on the operating table.”

Hearing the lead surgeon’s words, the accompanying doctor and soldier were utterly stunned.

Pregnant?

Who?

The comrade they had brought?

Good heavens!

The comrade who had accomplished such a great feat was actually pregnant—since when did this happen?

Had they known the female comrade was pregnant, their deputy commander (train chief) would never have allowed her to assist in the operation, fearing any potential mishap.

Although no such mishap occurred, the entire situation had been perilous enough!

Overwhelmed by this shock, the accompanying doctor instinctively grabbed the lead surgeon’s arm.

“Doctor, is she really just asleep from exhaustion?”

“Not for any other reason?”

Though puzzled by their reaction, the lead surgeon responded calmly.

“Yes, she truly fell asleep due to exhaustion.”

“If you don’t believe me, you can go in and see for yourselves.”

Upon hearing this, the accompanying doctor and soldier hurried into the operating room.

Once they heard her even breathing, they knew the lead surgeon hadn’t lied—the female comrade had indeed fallen asleep from exhaustion.

After all, the state of unconsciousness is clearly different from that of sleep.

With nothing else to attend to, the two then wheeled Shen Yi’an into a private room.

Coincidentally, the hospital had an available room, and given the patient’s special circumstances, placing her in a private ward was entirely reasonable.

Once everything was settled, it was nearly dinnertime.

Uncertain when Shen Yi’an would wake, the accompanying doctor suggested going to the cafeteria first and bringing back some congee upon return.

Since the wound was located on her neck, regular meals were out of the question, but liquid food would be manageable.

However, no matter how much she tried to persuade him, the soldier refused to go, insisting that his orders were to protect the patient’s safety.

Left with no choice, the accompanying doctor went alone, promising to bring back food for both of them.

After she left, only the soldier remained quietly guarding the doorway of the ward.

Thus, Shen Yi’an was the only one inside, sleeping peacefully.

When she finally awoke, she found that the bright, sunny day had transitioned directly into a clear, starry night.

The ward was dimly lit by a soft yellow glow, and neither the accompanying doctor nor the soldier who had escorted them to the hospital was present.

After a quick scan of her surroundings, she realized she had been moved from the operating room into a ward.

Moreover, it appeared to be a private room.

Had there been other patients, there wouldn’t have been only the bed she was lying on.

As her gaze shifted, she noticed the bedside table beside her, on which sat an aluminum lunchbox.

Seeing the towel placed beneath the lunchbox, she understood it was meant to keep the food from cooling too quickly.

With just one glance, Shen Yi’an knew this meal was prepared for her.

Feeling hungry, she decided there was no need to greet anyone and simply sat up to fill her stomach.

But before that, she first drank a cup of Spirit Spring Water to alleviate the pain in her neck.

Good grief—the memory of that suture needle piercing her unanesthetized neck still made her shudder involuntarily.

Ugh!

Shaking her head to dispel the image, Shen Yi’an sat up and reached for the meal box.

Just as her fingers brushed the edge of the box, she caught movement in her peripheral vision: the tightly shut hospital door creaked softly and opened a narrow gap.

Immediately after, a small but agile figure darted swiftly into the room, spinning around in the same motion to close the door behind them.

The figure then pressed against the door, panting in short, hurried breaths.

Next, their eyes met Shen Yi’an’s as she turned to look.

Time seemed to freeze in that instant.

The silence was broken by restrained cursing from outside the ward.

“That little brat runs fast! Did they really think they could shake us off that easily?”

“You few, check the wards over there one by one—but keep it down.”

“The rest of you, follow me. We’ll search this side room by room.”

“If you find them, don’t waste time. Get them out of the hospital first.”

“There are too many eyes and ears here. We might run into someone we can’t afford to cross.”

Perhaps in response, faint, shuffling footsteps soon followed.

Hearing the footsteps drawing closer to the ward, the slender figure leaning against the door stiffened, then after a brief pause, turned and locked eyes with Shen Yi’an.

No words were spoken, but the figure’s hands clasped together in a clear, pleading gesture.

Something about it struck a chord in Shen Yi’an, who had initially intended to stay out of it. She pointed silently under the bed.

Understanding instantly, the slender figure scrambled to hide beneath it.

No sooner had they concealed themselves than hushed, angry muttering arose just outside the ward door.