Chapter 561: Confession and a Rescue Plan

Without a doubt, Zhou Can kept his mouth shut, safeguarding her reputation. This only deepened her gratitude and admiration for him.

It showed in her work too.

She grew noticeably more proactive on the job.

Four days passed like this. Zhou Can knew about the massive high-interest loan she owed, so he took extra care of her at work, creating as many opportunities as possible for her to earn more.

After their shift, Jiang Wei accompanied Zhou Can on his ward rounds.

“Jiang Wei, I haven’t seen you taking on any side gigs lately!” Zhou Can brought it up casually.

Side gigs could bring in a decent chunk of extra cash.

Take the surgery at First Hospital last time—Zhou Can received a three-thousand-yuan red envelope, and Jiang Wei likely got around a thousand. The next day, Zhou Can even slipped a thousand to Zhong Ming.

After all, Zhong Ming was an Associate Chief Physician. Playing the role of a junior doctor at Zhou Can’s request for such a pitiful consultation fee deserved some compensation.

Giving Zhong Ming a thousand felt just right.

Though Zhong Ming initially refused, he couldn’t resist Zhou Can’s insistence and eventually accepted it. After taking the money, his gratitude was obvious, a bright smile spreading across his face.

Such was the charm of money.

It could bridge gaps between people and bring a deep sense of satisfaction.

“I… this letter is for you. I’m sorry. If I could choose again, I’d treasure everything properly.”

She handed Zhou Can a letter she’d prepared long ago and walked away without another word.

He could tell she was holding back tears as she left.

Zhou Can held the triangular-folded letter, utterly baffled.

All he did was ask why she hadn’t taken side gigs lately. How did that make her cry?

And her tone—it felt off somehow.

The letter was folded with delicate care. Zhou Can struggled a bit to unfold it.

“Dr. Zhou, I’m sorry. I’ve deceived you from the very start. I was desperate for money, and someone approached me. They wanted me to get close to you, gain your trust, and find a way to bring you down. After spending time with you, I saw how dedicated you are to your patients, how skilled you are as a doctor—there were no flaws to exploit. You’re kind to colleagues, always teaching and helping without hesitation. There’s nothing to attack there either. And your indifference to money makes it impossible to trap you with bribes.”

“You’re the most upright male doctor I’ve ever met. Your integrity makes me feel ashamed of myself. The two times I invited you for side gigs were arranged by that person. They promised me fifty thousand if I could ruin you. I needed that money so badly, so I kept inviting you until I succeeded. Next, that patient will sue you in court. First Hospital will fully cooperate, presenting a mountain of evidence against you. And I… I’d be the key witness.”

That side gig a few days ago was indeed a setup.

Luckily, Zhou Can had been cautious and kept some safeguards in place.

During the surgery, he followed every protocol to the letter, leaving no room for criticism.

The only thing that could bring him down was performing a surgery beyond his rank.

A low-ranking resident doctor like him was supposed to handle only level-two surgeries at most, or even just level-one by standard rules. But the surgery he performed was a level-three major operation—a clear overstep.

However, if an Associate Chief Physician from the Surgical Department was present to guide the surgery, this conspiracy would crumble instantly.

“That night, when you rushed into the neighborhood to save me, fighting off those thugs without a care for your own safety, I felt an indescribable warmth. Even my parents have never done something like that for me. Later, when you insisted on walking me upstairs and didn’t leave until I’d locked the door, I watched your figure disappear through the peephole and cried until I couldn’t see straight. You’ve been so incredibly kind to me.”

“Also, I eagerly helped Qiao Yu with her study abroad preparations to gain her trust. Through recordings, I’ve collected evidence of you overstepping by leading level-three surgeries during routine operations.”

“If I’m a snake with a cold heart, you’ve managed to warm it. I’ve decided to abandon this plot against you. I’m resigning and leaving this city. That fifty thousand—I wanted it desperately, but my conscience aches. Scheming against you in the shadows has already torn me apart. Testifying against you in court, attacking you, destroying a doctor as good as you—I’d carry that guilt for life. I can’t do it. I’m sorry, so sorry. Please forgive the harm I’ve caused.”

“Good people deserve peace, and I hope you’ll have a peaceful life. If that patient’s family sues you, I’m willing to testify on your behalf to clear your name.”

“From now on, my heart will stay warm because you are a light.”

After reading the letter, Zhou Can let out a long heavy sigh.

Doing good deeds often resolves crises in unexpected ways.

It seems good people do get their just rewards.

At least in this world, most hearts are warm, and most blood runs hot.

Jiang Wei could have earned fifty thousand by bringing Zhou Can down, but at the last moment, she chose to walk away.

That brought him some comfort.

You can guard against outsiders day and night, but it’s hardest to protect against a traitor within.

She’d infiltrated Zhou Can’s surgical team, earned everyone’s trust, and plotting against him would have been far too easy.

This served as a wake-up call for Zhou Can. He needed to be more cautious moving forward.

He had to minimize legal risks.

Only then could he go further.

“Fifty thousand—just to take me down. Who could this person be? Someone capable of making First Hospital willingly cooperate is no ordinary figure.”

After a moment of thought, Zhou Can suspected the mastermind might be tied to Third Hospital.

Only Third Hospital had such a burning desire to see him fall.

If they couldn’t have something, they’d rather destroy it.

Such narrow-minded thinking was terrifying.

And utterly despicable.

Third Hospital was like a dying beast, thrashing in its final moments. It believed that ruining Zhou Can would drag Tuyu Hospital’s Cardiothoracic Surgery Department down with him, giving it a chance to survive.

Yet it never looked at its own flaws.

Its poor service and subpar medical standards were the root of its crisis.

And now, they pinned the blame on Zhou Can.

“Director Zhang, you might not know this, but I love nothing more than dealing with traitors. Spending fifty thousand to destroy me? If I don’t make you regret that investment, I’d be letting down the IQ my parents blessed me with.”

A sly smirk crept across Zhou Can’s face.

They’d already drawn their blade. He had no reason not to strike back.

And he’d make it hurt.

Third Hospital couldn’t even pay its staff’s wages, yet it scraped together fifty thousand to ruin Zhou Can. He couldn’t help but admire the ‘brilliant’ decision-making of the two Director Zhangs. If this hospital didn’t collapse, justice itself would be offended.

With a plan forming in his mind, Zhou Can dialed Jiang Wei’s number.

After two rings, a busy tone buzzed through.

“Sorry, the number you’ve dialed is temporarily out of service. Please try again later.”

Calling again, it went straight to voicemail. Her phone was off.

Her emotions must be in turmoil right now. She was probably too scared to even talk to Zhou Can.

This silly girl—offered a chance to turn things around and earn that fifty thousand, and she wouldn’t even pick up the phone.

To turn the tables on the mastermind, she was a crucial piece.

Beyond that, her exceptional nursing skills impressed Zhou Can. He didn’t want to lose such a talented asset.

To keep her, he needed a way to help her earn that fifty thousand and clear her high-interest loan.

A heart-to-heart talk was long overdue.

Zhou Can hopped into his car and drove straight to her place in Century New City.

If he waited at her doorstep, he’d surely catch her.

On the way, he debated whether to bring Su Qianqian along. After all, meeting alone—man and woman, late at night for a deep conversation—could easily spark misunderstandings or unexpected emotions.

But this was her dark past. Bringing a third person into it could deeply wound her pride and dignity.

A tree lives by its bark, a person by their face.

Preserving her dignity and reputation was paramount.

With that in mind, Zhou Can dropped the idea of involving Su Qianqian.

Arriving at her neighborhood, he spotted the same security guard as last time on duty.

Smaller communities like this often hired just two guards to alternate shifts.

After all, security wages came from the property fees paid by residents. With only a hundred households, the collected fees were limited, barely enough for more than a couple of guards.

“Hey boss, it’s you again!”

The guard greeted him warmly.

Since Zhou Can drove a Mercedes, in the eyes of ordinary folks, that screamed wealth. Calling him ‘boss’ wasn’t out of place.

“Just checking—did the lady who rode in my car a few days ago come back yet?”

Zhou Can asked the guard.

“Saw her this morning, but haven’t seen her return yet. Heard she’s planning to sell her place though. She’s not moving in with you, is she?”

The guard shot him a suggestive grin.

“Nothing like that. We’re just colleagues. Don’t spread rumors. Here, have a smoke. I’ll park inside for a bit and wait for her. Oh, and we had a fight—she doesn’t want to see me right now. If she comes back, don’t tell her I’m here, alright?”

Zhou Can handed over a pack of premium cigarettes worth over a hundred yuan.

Receiving such a fine gift, the guard beamed, showing off a set of dark teeth from decades of smoking.

“Heh, got it, got it! Go on in! Women, you know, need a bit of coaxing.” The guard pocketed the cigarettes, his attitude turning even warmer as he offered Zhou Can some unsolicited relationship advice.

“Thanks!”

Zhou Can drove into the neighborhood, parking far from her building.

Then he sat in the car, keeping watch.

Time ticked by slowly. Today, Zhou Can was supposed to assist in a level-four major surgery at Cardiothoracic Surgery. Now, he had no choice but to wait here patiently.

At the department, they’d either proceed with Director Xueyan leading the surgery or postpone it.

The sky darkened, nearing nine at night, and still no sign of her.

Anxiety gnawed at Zhou Can. Her phone was off, and it had been over two hours since her shift ended. She hadn’t come home. Maybe she was at a friend’s place, or drowning her sorrows at a bar.

Of course, there was also the chance she’d gone to a boyfriend’s house.

But from their daily interactions, Zhou Can sensed she wasn’t dating anyone. At least not right now.

That much was clear from little details.

Highly educated women often had high standards and focused on their careers, tending to marry later. Plenty of female postgrads hadn’t dated by thirty.

Rumor has it, with each level of education, the odds of staying single longer double.

Female PhDs were often dubbed ‘leftover warriors.’

Just as Zhou Can’s patience wore thin, a familiar graceful figure stumbled toward Building 3. Her steps were unsteady.

She’d really gone drinking to numb herself.

He could understand her anguish.

Her family pressured her over a seventy-thousand-yuan loan her brother owed. Work wasn’t going smoothly either, especially after confessing to Zhou Can.

Tomorrow, she’d likely need to hunt for a new job.

And that fifty-thousand reward—she’d given it up.

With so many blows piling up, even the strongest heart could shatter.

Drowning herself in alcohol was an escape, however fleeting.

Even knowing that drinking away sorrows only deepened them, many still turned to it.

Zhou Can stepped out of the car and hurried over.

Hearing rapid footsteps closing in, she sobered up a bit and turned to look.

Just days ago, three debt collectors had come after her at her door.

“Boss!”

Seeing it was Zhou Can, she relaxed visibly, though her gaze grew complicated and darted away.

Even drunk, her reaction showed she might have bolted if she were sober.

“I tried calling, but you didn’t pick up. Figured you might come home, so I’ve been waiting here.”

Zhou Can explained.

“Are you angry with me for scheming against you? Do you want to scold me?” Her body swayed, eyes hazy with alcohol.

“No, I want to help you. Everyone makes mistakes. The fact that you stopped yourself before it was too late is already commendable. How about we find a teahouse to talk?”

Zhou Can didn’t dare suggest going to her place.

She was a young woman, drunk like this, and he knew no one else was home. Suggesting they talk at her place could easily be misconstrued as having ulterior motives.

“A teahouse costs money. Let’s just go to my place.”

She, on the other hand, seemed to trust Zhou Can completely.

“Alright then.”

Considering her drunken state, a teahouse would be inconvenient. Plus, after talking, he’d still need to bring her back here.

Might as well go to her place.

They headed toward the elevator.

Her steps were wobbly.

“Careful!”

Seeing her nearly fall, Zhou Can quickly steadied her.

She didn’t react much, seemingly unbothered by his support.

It showed how much trust and closeness she felt toward him.

Helping her inside, he flicked on the lights. She casually shut the door behind them.