The director of Jiang'an Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Wang Xuewen, had graying hair and exuded a scholarly aura that made him seem more like a scholar than a doctor.
He hurried over, asking as he walked, "Has the emergency department recently admitted a girl knocked out by falling glass?"
"Yes, she has been treated, and the patient is currently stable," Cao Chong nodded repeatedly, aware that in front of Wang Xuewen, he was just a small attending physician.
"Lead the way," Wang Xuewen waved his hand, and Cao Chong swiftly guided him into the ward.
Upon seeing the girl lying in bed, Wang Xuewen sighed in relief. Emergency department director Jin Mingcheng quickly rushed up to examine her condition.
The girl was indeed safe, though still unconscious.
"Director, should we prepare a private room for Miss Luo? Arrange for a dedicated nurse to care for her?" Jin Mingcheng suggested.
"Mm, we need to arrange a single room," Wang Xuewen nodded solemnly and turned to Cao Chong. "Now, please tell me exactly what happened."
Cao Chong looked somewhat bewildered. He glanced at the girl and couldn't help but guess that her identity was likely significant.
He then recounted the events surrounding the girl's arrival via ambulance.
A glimmer of surprise sparked in Wang Xuewen's eyes as he nodded in understanding. "This young doctor is quite impressive."
"It seems he's stumbled upon good luck; this young lady, Miss Luo, is the daughter of Mayor Luo."
"What?!" Cao Chong exclaimed, utterly astounded.
Wang Xuewen continued, "What is the name of this young doctor?"
Cao Chong was about to answer when Jin Mingcheng quickly inserted himself in front of him, cutting him off.
"Director, given how capable this young doctor is, it must just be Gu Tao in our emergency department."
Jin Mingcheng declared, and Wang Xuewen paused, as if he had a recollection of that name.
"Oh? Is he your apprentice?"
"Yes," Jin Mingcheng nodded, turning to stare coldly at Cao Chong.
Cao Chong had intended to name Fang Zhiyan but hesitated at Jin Mingcheng's expression.
Suddenly feeling a shiver down his spine and his face paled, he recognized that Jin Mingcheng, as the emergency department director, held more power than he did. The glare in his eyes was suffused with thinly veiled threat.
Should he really risk offending him?
Cao Chong fell silent, grappling with conflicting thoughts.
Seeing that he had intimidated Cao Chong, Jin Mingcheng turned back to Wang Xuewen. "Director, you can rest assured. Miss Luo will be in very safe hands in our emergency department."
Wang Xuewen nodded. Just then, outside, further commotion sounded, suggesting other significant figures had arrived.
Wang Xuewen hurried out.
Taking advantage of the moment, Jin Mingcheng leaned closer to Cao Chong and whispered, "Old Cao, what's the name of that intern?"
Cao Chong's eyes flickered as he muttered, "Fang Zhiyan."
"Don't worry, I'll be rewarding him," Jin Mingcheng assured him.
"Just don't say anything you shouldn't. I'm the director, and I won't treat you unfairly, understand?" Jin Mingcheng threatened.
Cao Chong nodded, his expression still pale.
Meanwhile, Fang Zhiyan and the others stood outside, puzzled by the flurry of hospital leaders who had rushed in and out.
Zhu Zixiao glanced at the patient in the ward and remarked with a laugh, "Hey Fang, you didn't happen to save someone important, did you?"
Fang Zhiyan chuckled in response. "Zhihao, come on, do you really think the person I saved is some big shot? What are the odds?"
Zhu Zixiao shook his head, laughing. "I don't think it's likely either."
Just then, Jin Mingcheng, wearing a serious expression, exited the ward.
The atmosphere shifted, and Zhu Zixiao abruptly tugged at Fang Zhiyan, and they together greeted, "Good morning, Director Jin."
"Mm." Jin Mingcheng nodded curtly, then asked, "Who's Fang Zhiyan?"
The group turned to Fang Zhiyan, who also looked surprised as he replied, "I'm Fang Zhiyan, Director."
Without saying another word, Jin Mingcheng walked straight out, instructing, "Come with me."
Fang Zhiyan, confused, quickly followed him to the end of the hallway.
"Listen, the person inside wasn't saved by you; you know nothing, got it?" Jin Mingcheng spoke rapidly.
Fang Zhiyan paused, suddenly realizing the implication: the director was planning to take credit for his actions.
It seemed Zhu Zixiao's earlier speculation had hit the mark; the person he saved indeed was someone of significance.
Otherwise, Jin Mingcheng wouldn't need to act this way.
Fang Zhiyan found it a bit outrageous. He hadn't imagined that on his first day of work, someone would attempt to seize credit for his achievement.
In truth, such situations were not uncommon in the early 21st century among doctors—stealing credit, accepting bribes, violating regulations, and a myriad of other unethical practices were prevalent.
He just never imagined he would experience this firsthand.
When Fang Zhiyan remained silent, Jin Mingcheng continued, "If you agree to my terms, I'll double your internship salary."
"If you don't, you won't last long in this hospital, understand?"
Fang Zhiyan frowned. He needed this job and couldn't afford to lose it.
The emergency department director had the power to fire him, and that realization weighed heavily on his mind.
It seemed he had to acquiesce.
After a brief moment of thought, Fang Zhiyan nodded lightly, to which Jin Mingcheng's face bore a slight smile.
"You're quite sensible. Remember my words, your salary will be doubled."
Jin Mingcheng patted Fang Zhiyan's shoulder before hurriedly departing.
Fang Zhiyan remained behind, feeling a mixture of exasperation and resignation.
At that moment, the hospital had received notice and quickly began transferring patient Luo Yun to a private room.
Meanwhile, Jin Mingcheng's protégé Gu Tao assumed responsibility for caring for Luo Yun.
Before long, hospital leaders gathered once again at the entrance.
Fang Zhiyan stood at a distance, catching sight of a middle-aged woman in a black suit striding confidently out of an official car.
At the same time, the hospital officials greeted her with smiles, heading straight toward Luo Yun's ward.
Throughout this time, Fang Zhiyan's contributions went entirely unrecognized.
Zhu Zixiao, standing beside him, remarked with a strange look, "Hey Fang, this doesn't add up. You saved that girl—aren't you her hero?"
"Why is nobody looking for you?"
"Could it be that someone's stealing your credit?"
Fang Zhiyan turned to stare directly at Zhu Zixiao.
He felt it was uncanny how accurate Zhu Zixiao's observations were.
How could he have guessed so correctly?
"Zhihao, maybe it's better if you don't keep talking," Fang Zhiyan sighed, rubbing his forehead.
Meanwhile, the other intern, Yin Jing, rushed over, visibly excited, and said, "I found out who that girl is!"
"She's the mayor's daughter, Luo Yun! The woman who just came in is the mayor's wife and also the head of the Jiang'an City Health Bureau, Tang Ya."