Such harsh words imdiately changed Du Heng’s expression. It’s normal for people to have different opinions and ideas when discussing a patient’s condition objectively, and having argunts and debates is completely normal. But now, with such a subjective and malicious assumption, it was clear that Director Chen was putting himself in a superior position. From his words, Du Heng could hear the strong contempt—not only contempt for his age but also for his professional characteristics, despising him from the very core, not taking him seriously at all. Du Heng was still young; even if he usually acted mature, he hadn’t developed the kind of profound composure Wu Shengnan’s father possessed, who could hide his emotions. Although the conversation between Du Heng and Director Chen was full of sparks, the people who invited both of them—Wu Shengnan’s father—didn’t say a word and just watched quietly. Du Heng was getting angry and couldn’t help but want to speak up again, but unexpectedly, Li Jianwei, who was next to him, spoke first.
At this mont, Li Jianwei’s face was also filled with anger. "Director Chen, you need to apologize to Deputy Director Du."
Hearing Li Jianwei’s righteous words, Director Chen imdiately turned his gaze to Li Jianwei. "Apologize? Why should I apologize?" It seed like he was even angrier, and he said shakily, "I haven’t even ntioned you, Director Li. You’re a director of a Class A hospital, yet you’re so indiscriminate! Why did you bring such an ignorant young man to interfere? This is irresponsible towards the patient; it’s a cri!"
Li Jianwei was also angry and let out a sharp laugh. "Director Chen, you’re not qualified to criticize . However, since you called this young man in front of you ignorant, I’ll give you four words: blind as a bat."
"How can you insult people like that?" Director Chen was also furious.
"Insulting you is letting you off easy!" Li Jianwei was also burning with anger. When they ca in, he had introduced Du Heng as the Deputy Director of the Chinese dicine Departnt at Provincial First Hospital. But Director Chen had shown no respect from beginning to end. His words were sarcastic and condescending in every sentence, a direct disregard for Li Jianwei’s dignity, the Chinese dicine Departnt, and Provincial First Hospital. Could he bear this?
"Wipe your dog eyes and take a good look! And while you’re at it, clean out those donkey ears of yours and listen carefully!" Li Jianwei pointed directly at Du Heng. "This is Doctor Du Heng, currently the Dean of Central Lake Health Clinic. After taking over as Dean, it took him only one year to bring a bottom-ranked health clinic to the standard of a second-level hospital. Director Chen, in terms of positional contributions, what qualifications do you have to look down on Doctor Du?"
Director Chen’s face turned red and his ears burned from Li Jianwei’s tirade. Just as he tried to speak, Li Jianwei cut him off, continuing, "He is now thirty years old, already a Deputy Chief Chinese dicine Doctor. He’s an externally-appointed Deputy Director of our Chinese dicine Departnt at Provincial First Hospital and, at the sa ti, the Deputy Director of our Digestion Departnt 1. Of all the patients Doctor Du has treated—excluding those with late-stage cancer and a very small number who didn’t trust him—his cure rate is as high as 99.3 percent! Throughout the year, our two departnts have received the highest evaluation scores thanks to him. Furthermore, his health clinic and our Provincial First Hospital’s Chinese dicine Departnt have a provincial-level cooperative project that has already received comndations from our hospital and the province. Director Chen, I ask you, in terms of clinical competence, what qualifications do you have to look down on Doctor Du?"
After Li Jianwei finished, Director Chen suddenly swallowed, no longer as dismissive as before. He knew that since Li Jianwei had just said these things in front of so many people, they had to be true. But this made him even more skeptical of the young man before him. How could soone so young achieve all this? He must have a strong background, powerful support, a combination of all available channels and resources—a concerted effort to cultivate an ’industry star.’ Such things weren’t unheard of in the dical industry. In fact, he himself had done similar things and was currently doing so; he believed every hospital and departnt engaged in such practices. However, given the special nature of the dical profession, everyone was cautious not to rush things, allowing the person to gain fa while ensuring gradual, steady progress. So, he now concluded that Du Heng was precisely such an ’industry star,’ propped up by a multitude of resources. Moreover, traditional Chinese dicine, more than other fields, needed such a ’poster boy.’ What he couldn’t understand was why the people behind Du Heng were so aggressive, not taking it slow like everyone else.
As Director Chen racked his brain, Wu Shengnan’s father, who had been silent all along, found his eyes brightening, once again sharp and focused.
Li Jianwei didn’t care what these people thought; he just wanted to vent his frustration. "Furthermore," he continued, "in the past year, Doctor Du was rated as an Outstanding Individual in Shanghu District, and the health clinic he leads was nad an Advanced Collective. In the upcoming city-level selection in mid-March, Doctor Du has been nominated as one of the Top 10 Outstanding Young People in the Health System and as an Outstanding Young Cadre. If all goes well, Doctor Du will also be present at the provincial health comndation conference in April. Director Chen, considering Doctor Du’s age, what qualifications do you have, in terms of honors, to look down on him?"
Upon hearing this, Director Chen’s expression beca even more disdainful. A young man with so many resources and channels backing him? Of course, he’d win so awards. If he didn’t, he’d be completely useless, like mud that can’t be plastered to a wall. So, having awards isn’t surprising at all.
"Why so many awards, Director Li?" Director Chen retorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "You probably know better than I do. How many resources and favors were exchanged for them? Care to enlighten us?"
Li Jianwei chuckled, then looked at Director Chen with a mocking gaze. "Do you think everyone is like you? Just be quiet and keep listening. In the past year, Doctor Du has published two articles in core traditional Chinese dicine journals as the first author and corresponding author. One of them has been cited 2,432 tis in just half a year! Director Chen, do all your published articles combined, let alone a single one, have that many citations? Furthermore, Doctor Du has already secured a provincial-level research project. Before the New Year, he was invited by Professor Lan Changhua of Good Friend Hospital to visit and study there for two months. During that ti, in collaboration with Director Lan Changhua, he applied for a national-level research project, and the application process is already halfway complete. Use that muscle-filled brain of yours and think: can these achievents be bought with resources alone? You’re truly judging a gentleman by your own petty standards!"
Li Jianwei felt imnsely satisfied as he spoke, looking at Director Chen with utter contempt. "So, I ask you again, Director Chen: in the academic field, what qualifications do you have to look down on Doctor Du?"
Director Chen was stunned. Papers and such? Well, that’s just how things are; everyone knows the tricks of the trade. But thousands of citations within half a year, especially for traditional Chinese dicine—that was genuinely astonishing. He might look down on all the doctors in Jinzhou, but the chief doctors at Good Friend Hospital? He wouldn’t dare disrespect them even if he had ten tis the nerve. Could this young man truly be that skilled?
At the sa ti, a hopeful expression finally appeared on Wu Shengnan’s father’s face, and his gaze towards Du Heng beca much more eager. With such an impressive track record, a glimr of hope ignited within him: perhaps his daughter’s lower leg could be saved. He believed that with him, a deputy-ministerial level father, a mother who was a senior executive in a state-owned enterprise, and a brother working in the Provincial Departnt, his daughter could live comfortably even if she lost both legs. However, as a father, he simply couldn’t accept his daughter missing a leg. Even if it were just a nail, he couldn’t bear it. He couldn’t imagine what his fiercely competitive daughter would be like without one of her legs.
Initially, Du Heng felt quite gratified listening to Li Jianwei. He hadn’t realized he’d accomplished so much in just one year, and his anger had unknowingly subsided. However, as Li Jianwei continued, especially when he ntioned the collaboration with Lan Changhua, Du Heng’s face began to burn. He had returned a month ago, clearly signaling his intention to abandon the collaboration with Lan Changhua. If people found out later that Li Jianwei was boasting about a collaboration that no longer existed, it would be incredibly embarrassing. Thinking of this, he quickly and discreetly tugged Li Jianwei’s sleeve, signaling him to tone it down.
However, Li Jianwei seed oblivious and continued to stare at Director Chen. "Also, I want to tell you that I ca here today because I was invited by *your side*; otherwise, I wouldn’t have set foot in your hospital. Doctor Du, on the other hand, is here at the invitation of the patient’s family. You have no right to say anything unwelcoming to him. Are you trying to drive Doctor Du away now because you’re resentful that the patient’s family sought a consultation from soone else?"
Li Jianwei’s last sentence made Director Chen tremble; his bladder instantly tightened. Resentful? Am I tired of living?
Li Jianwei’s words also implicitly expressed his dissatisfaction with Wu Shengnan’s father. You invited him, yet now you sit there like a detached observer while he’s being belittled and mocked. That’s really not proper.
However, as soon as he finished speaking, Li Jianwei’s heart also did a little flip. He had just gotten carried away, and the words had tumbled out. Ordinarily, he wouldn’t have dared to express dissatisfaction towards a leader like Wu Shengnan’s father.
However, glancing at Du Heng beside him, his fluttering heart steadied. As long as you still need us to treat your daughter’s leg, you wouldn’t dare do anything to us. Besides, what I said is true. You can’t be *that* petty, can you?
Li Jianwei tried to reassure himself, though he still felt slightly uneasy. Director Chen, however, was thoroughly panicked. What Li Jianwei and Du Heng say doesn’t matter. I don’t rely on them for my livelihood. Even if I questioned them wrongly or my attitude was poor, they alone can’t really affect . But this man in the jacket in front of is different. A re sneeze from him could cause an earthquake for ! He hastily turned to Wu Shengnan’s father, about to explain.
But Wu Shengnan’s father suddenly spoke up; indeed, he felt he had to. Li Jianwei was right, he thought. Du Heng was invited by our family. If I continue to feign ignorance, it would indeed be going too far.
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