Seeing everyone staring at him, Guan Xing had no choice but to stand up. He didn't particularly mind others, but since Spennty himself had asked, he had to show sufficient respect.
In truth, this was only a hypothesis. Without personally examining the patients, Guan Xing did not dare claim one hundred percent certainty.
"I've only learned about this case through reports on the internet," Guan Xing said calmly. "As for the two viewpoints everyone has been insisting on, I believe neither is really possible. If the meridians were blocked, it wouldn't result in just water retention in the body. Blood flow and nutrient transport would also be obstructed, making normal circulation impossible. Not to mention a month—even within an hour, the patient would already be dead."
"As for the theory of water poisoning, it sounds mysterious, but it's absolutely impossible. There is no poison whose components cannot be identified. Even toxic gases in the air can be analyzed. Even if a new toxic element appeared that we had never encountered before, there would still be ways to detect its existence. It wouldn't be a case where a patient shows severe edema, poisoning is suspected, yet no toxic substance can be identified."
"For such a strange yet obvious condition, where all conventional methods fail to find the cause, perhaps everyone has overlooked one thing—the patient's mental state itself can cause physical harm. Mental force is powerful. Why not try consulting a psychiatrist?"
After Guan Xing finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room became somewhat quiet. The idea that mental abnormalities could cause bodily edema was indeed difficult to accept at first hearing. However, since Guan Xing had clearly stated that this was only a hypothesis, no one argued with him. Instead, many began to consider whether they should immediately try psychological treatment methods.
Spennty also fell silent for a moment, clearly deep in thought. He then raised his head and said, "This kind of case has truly stumped me. When we've reached this point, every treatment method is worth trying. I'll notify them to give it a try right away."
He picked up his phone and called the Alliance headquarters, instructing them to conduct psychological treatment attempts on the two edema patients. Patients with such strange and untraceable conditions were usually sent there for in-depth evaluation, after all, the International Medical Alliance was the gathering place of the world's top doctors.
Many people said nothing, each silently pondering the implications. After finishing the call, Spennty smiled lightly at Guan Xing and said, "I hope your method works, Star. I hope our eyes have merely been blinded by smoke—otherwise, I'll truly have a headache on my hands."
Any newly emerging human disease had to be analyzed by the Alliance to determine effective treatments. This was Spennty's responsibility and obligation, a heavy burden carried for the health of all mankind.
For this edema case alone, he had gone an entire month without sleeping well. That was precisely why he had hoped to uncover the true cause during this symposium, with so many elite doctors from around the world present.
"Don't worry, Chairman," Bores spoke up immediately to comfort him. "There's always a way to counter any disease. Everything will pass."
Spennty gave a bitter smile, then straightened his expression. "All right. Let's move on to the second topic—our Alliance's framework for bilateral medical cooperation with China."
This was a collaboration between the Alliance and the Chinese government. As Alliance doctors, everyone was free to propose opinions and demands. Only Guan Xing remained outside the discussion—these matters were beyond his authority and would ultimately depend on Mu Changxin's decisions.
It was likely that Mu Changxin had already obtained a cooperation baseline from higher authorities before coming. He answered questions very proactively and offered considerable concessions. For China, this was also an opportunity—not only to share the Alliance's latest medical achievements, but also to engage in medical exchange and cultivate outstanding medical talent for the future.
After a round of discussion, doctors from various countries seemed quite satisfied. All proposals were carefully recorded, and contracts could be signed after the meeting. Guan Xing felt relieved as well, hoping that this cooperation would allow China's medical field to reach a higher level.
The third topic—the work plan for the coming year—was Spennty's report, focusing mainly on global disease prevention. It took the least amount of time. By the end of the symposium, it was already past six in the evening. The meeting had lasted over three hours, yet some doctors still felt it was too short and not quite satisfying enough.
Once the conclusion was announced, people naturally broke into small groups of three or four, chatting animatedly. Guan Xing, however, was kept behind by Spennty. One reason was the upcoming signing ceremony, and another was to wait for feedback on the experimental treatment of the edema patients.
Unlike the symposium itself, the signing ceremony involved many journalists and cameras. Guan Xing hadn't wanted to stay, but with the chairman insisting and Mu Changxin strongly urging him as well, he had no choice.
Moreover, he suddenly remembered something important. Xingran Pharmaceutical was set to begin operations next week, yet he still hadn't fulfilled the promise he had made to Yiran. With top doctors from all over the world gathered here, he couldn't afford to miss this opportunity.
"Bores," Guan Xing said, "China is severely lacking in Western medicines. Many special-effect drugs are restricted from export by various countries. I'm preparing to start a pharmaceutical company to import Western medicines. Could you help me communicate with people in your country?"
Bores was momentarily stunned, then couldn't help laughing. "What, Star—are you short on money now? Thinking of doing business? That's such slow money. Why not just travel around the world? With the knife in your hand, you could save a few wealthy tycoons and have them give you half their fortunes."
Guan Xing felt a wave of embarrassment. That line had actually been something he once said to Bores. Back then, Guan Xing had been carefree, homeless, and penniless. When Bores invited him to return home together and asked how he planned to survive in the future, that was exactly what Guan Xing had replied. He hadn't expected Bores to remember it so clearly.
Spennty also couldn't help grinning, teeth showing. "Star, this is a good idea. Special-effect drugs are strictly controlled by every country, but they're also the most practical. How about this—I can provide you with ten special-effect drugs from several countries, at cost price. But you alone will be the agent, and they can only be used within China."
"Well, since the chairman has spoken, I can't just sit back either," Bores added with a laugh. "Take a look at my country—whatever drugs you need, give me a list and I'll help communicate when I get back. It shouldn't be a big problem. The condition is the same as the chairman's: only you in China. I'm not a drug dealer."
As he spoke, Bores laughed again. Doctors of their caliber had no interest in doing business. In their home countries, they were revered, enjoyed supreme honor, and had more money than they could ever spend. Their only concern was improving their medical skills—unlike Guan Xing, who hadn't even been rewarded for performing a dual-organ surgery and had instead gotten himself into endless trouble.
"No problem. We can absolutely meet these conditions. With these special-effect drugs, patients will have a better chance of recovery. Thank you both."
It was Mu Changxin who spoke. He was even more excited than Guan Xing. No one understood better than he did how difficult it was to import special-effect drugs—no easier than importing advanced military equipment. Yet these doctors wielded such influence and showed Guan Xing such care.
Guan Xing, on the other hand, felt somewhat embarrassed by their teasing. He was never a natural businessman. This time, for Yiran and Xingran Pharmaceutical, he had truly put aside his pride.
The contract had already been drafted, with all terms clearly listed. Mu Changxin carefully reviewed it, nodded in agreement, and reached a consensus with Spennty. Then came the lively signing ceremony. Camera flashes went off nonstop, and Guan Xing was pulled onto the stage by Bores, gaining more attention than he had expected.
Mu Changxin was ecstatic. After signing, he hurriedly excused himself to report the symposium's outcome to higher authorities.
At seven-thirty in the evening, everyone gathered in the restaurant for dinner. Laughter and conversation filled the air. Just then, Spennty received news that the Alliance headquarters had followed the psychological treatment approach and finally seen initial results. After months of uncertainty, a breakthrough in the edema cases had finally been found, instantly making the atmosphere even more jubilant.
While Guan Xing was in the spotlight, Bores quietly helped spread the word about Guan Xing's plan to import special-effect drugs into China. Soon, many people主动 approached Guan Xing, eager to help him establish drug supply channels in their own countries. Naturally, they weren't doing it for profit, but rather in hopes of befriending him.
Guan Xing's extraordinary medical skills inspired awe and admiration. Everyone wanted to get a little closer to him.
Although the symposium itself wasn't particularly long, it was extremely successful. Beyond achieving medical cooperation with China, the most important outcome was identifying the cause of the edema cases. Spennty drank quite a bit of wine in celebration. The fatigue etched into his face from months of stress was finally replaced with a healthy flush.
In the end, Spennty proposed that any doctors willing could accompany him back to the Alliance headquarters to personally oversee the treatment of the edema patients. Guan Xing, in particular, received an almost commanding invitation. Since the psychological treatment theory had been proposed by him, the honor belonged to him—and he had to go.
Guan Xing couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time. He had only offered a hypothesis, yet now he was saddled with this responsibility. Still, being in the capital, constantly caught between Yiran and Hua Rubing, had been rather exhausting. Taking a few days at the Alliance could be considered a chance to relax, so he didn't refuse.