Song Xiaodong caught the probing look in Vice President Zhao’s eyes and said, "Vice President Zhao, if you have any questions just say them. As long as it’s sothing I can help with, I’ll definitely do my best to sort it out."
"Here’s the thing, Mr. Song. I was thinking, yesterday you requested to co to our hospital as a specially appointed doctor specializing in chickenpox, and then today our hospital suddenly gets a dozen or so chickenpox patients. And these patients all took part in that dical disturbance in our hospital a few days ago. So I’d like to presumptuously ask: is this really a coincidence?" Vice President Zhao asked Song Xiaodong.
"Vice President Zhao, I know you studied dicine, and I studied Traditional Chinese dicine. I believe in karmic retribution. Those dical troublemakers took dirty money, and ended up getting a nasty illness. Coincidence or not, I don’t know. I only know the two words: retribution." Song Xiaodong narrowed his eyes, tilted his head, and answered Vice President Zhao.
"Right, right, Mr. Song is absolutely right. These people exploit legal loopholes, extort our hospital; getting sick is exactly the retribution they deserve!" Vice President Zhao caught on and hurriedly nodded.
"Actually, their condition can be treated. It’s just that the treatnt thod is a bit complicated. We need to use Chinese herbal dicine, and the combination of the formula can’t be passed around. So right now, in the whole of Minghe City, I’m the only one who can treat this disease." Song Xiaodong continued to say to Vice President Zhao.
"I see..."
"Also, the dicinal ingredients used in my formula are all rather precious, so when it cos to the charges, you know what I an, right?" Song Xiaodong gave Vice President Zhao a aningful look.
"Got it, got it." After hearing this, Vice President Zhao nodded, turned, and walked out of Song Xiaodong’s office. The corner of his mouth twitched upward, revealing a smile he could hardly suppress.
Vice President Zhao walked out the door and took quick little steps toward the cashier on the first floor.
A few patients whose bodies were covered in spots were standing in line, waiting to pay.
Vice President Zhao quietly slipped in through the back door of the cashier’s office and said to the cashier on duty, "Keep an eye out. When you see a patient with chickenpox, let know."
The cashier nodded and said, "Okay, Vice President Zhao."
Vice President Zhao did a rough calculation. Professional dical troublemakers and patients’ families usually split the money either thirty–seventy or forty–sixty. This ti, Song Xiaodong had paid a total of 150,000 yuan in compensation for the hospital. The total number of people who took part in the disturbance was around 200, which ant that each of them probably only pocketed several hundred yuan.
But they’d only made a scene in the hospital for two or three days. Compared to the "labor" they’d put in, that inco was already quite generous.
Soon it was the turn of the four patients at the front of the line. Vice President Zhao pushed up the glasses on his nose, hunched over, and whispered into the cashier’s ear, "One dose of dicine, 1,200 yuan, one day’s worth."
"Huh? Vice President Zhao, is that right? These dicines can sell for that much?" The cashier stared in surprise and quietly asked Vice President Zhao.
"What are you babbling about? Don’t these people look familiar to you?" Vice President Zhao whispered again to the cashier.
"I recognize them. They’re the ones who ca to make trouble... Oh... I get it."
The cashier’s brain turned quickly. He nodded, then said to Vice President Zhao, "Vice President Zhao, I know what to do."
"As long as you know. Handle it your way. I’ve got other things to do, so I’ll go first. Try to make them spit back out everything they swallowed from us." Vice President Zhao patted the cashier’s shoulder and walked out.
The cashier faced the four patients and quickly put on a very serious expression. One hand flew over the keyboard, the other hand smacked at the calculator. Before long he had the total and looked up at the four patients. "You four, 1,542 yuan each."
The patients were a bit surprised at the price. After all, they were only getting one dose of decoction. But Song Xiaodong had already told them that the herbs used were extrely precious, so although they were taken aback, they didn’t question it. They obediently forked over the money and went to wait at the pharmacy.
After delivering the herbs to the pharmacy, Lin Su’er returned to Song Xiaodong’s office and said to him, "You really do know your Traditional Chinese dicine, huh—whatever tastes disgusting, you throw it in. Once this decoction is boiled, I don’t even know what it’ll taste like. I think you’re doing it on purpose."
"Good dicine tastes bitter." Song Xiaodong spread his hands, looking all innocent.
Just then, the phone on Song Xiaodong’s desk suddenly rang. The caller was Yang Chao, the guy they’d t last ti at the Beishan District Developnt Zone economic exchange eting organized by Deputy Mayor Han, the one in the electronics business.
"Hello, is this Mr. Song?" Yang Chao asked over the phone.
"Hello, yes, speaking. Is this Mr. Yang?" Song Xiaodong asked.
"Yes, yes, it’s , it’s ."
"What can I do for you, Mr. Yang?" asked Song Xiaodong.
"Here’s the situation, Mr. Song. Those outside investors who ca to Minghe, after going back yesterday had a discussion. They felt that with Deputy Mayor Han present yesterday, the communication was a bit constrained. So today they want to organize sothing in private, and it’d be perfect if Mr. Song could introduce us to the good food and fun spots here in Minghe City. I wonder if Mr. Song would be willing to honor us with your presence?" Yang Chao said.
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