Chapter 643: The Meeting of Titans

Not only had his diagnostic skills in neurosurgery improved dramatically, but his expertise in medication, surgical knowledge, and technique had leaped ahead as well. Many of his surgical abilities were progressing at breakneck speed.

Among these, suturing, ligature, hemostasis, and incision—the four core surgical basics he used most—had all reached Chief Physician level and were closing in on level seven.

If any skill was likely to break through to level seven first, it’d be his medical diagnosis.

After all, when it came to diagnosis, he’d always had extraordinary talent.

On top of that, his higher-level techniques—anastomosis and debridement—were advancing leaps and bounds, too.

Most surgeries called for tough debridement or intricate anastomosis work.

Nerve grafts and cardiovascular anastomosis especially had him racking up experience fast.

Successfully repairing an important nerve might earn him 100 experience points, which was nothing compared to the biggest rewards.

At his peak, he’d even earned a thousand.

That day, just as Zhou Can stepped out of the operating room, he got a notice from the director’s office: every department head and deputy director was to attend a meeting in the main conference room.

Director Lou took the lead, with Deputy Director Han—soon to retire—Zhou Can, Dr. Xu, Head Nurse Niu Lan, and two other head nurses from the Emergency Department. They marched together toward the grand hall, almost like they were putting on a show.

The Emergency Department had more than doubled its staff compared to before.

Director Lou had always dreamed of modeling the Emergency Department after General Surgery, splitting it into several specialized sub-units.

To make it happen, he’d dragged Zhou Can into the role of deputy director, whether Zhou Can liked it or not.

But there had always been huge resistance. He could never find the right moment to make his move.

Fierce competition between departments kept things tense. Everyone’s income was on the line—and even a bit of honor, too.

Just look at the Cardiology, Neurosurgery, Cardiothoracic, and Orthopedics teams. When they visited other departments, their heads were high, brimming with confidence. Where did that pride come from?

From their department’s elevated status in the hospital.

The single most important factor for any department aiming for true power within the hospital? Results.

If one department brought in two million a month, while another raked in fifty or sixty million, there’s no question which came out on top—you didn’t even have to think about it.

So why had the Emergency Department been so weak in the past?

Low revenue, no research achievements, no academic standing—all these meant it stayed at the bottom, taking flak from everyone else.

You could put it this way: money is king. If a department boosts its numbers, everything else—talent development, research, academic success, recruitment—will fall into place.

“Isn’t this the first time the new director has ever gathered all the hospital management for a meeting?”

Deputy Director Han nudged his glasses up his nose.

His hand had been broken by a patient—not long ago. Though the bones had healed, there were lingering aftereffects.

Even lifting his arm was now a struggle.

His entire movement seemed stiff, awkward.

Being a doctor was honestly a high-risk job—it wasn’t just the threat of collapse from exhaustion. Patients or family could lash out at any moment, ruining your health or even ending your life.

“Right after he took office, all he did was call a quick ten-minute session with department heads. This is only his second meeting, and frankly, I like it. We’re busy—we’d rather spend our time treating patients.”

That was Director Lou’s take.

Even Zhou Can hadn’t been allowed into the first meeting.

Only the heads themselves had attended.

No one really knew what had been discussed.

Director Lou hadn’t spoken about it afterward either. He’d probably just gotten everyone acquainted in person with the new director.

As for their newly instated Director Gao Zongyou, Zhou Can found him downright mysterious.

Before long, the group reached the grand conference room.

Since it was the director’s first time formally assembling the management team, everyone showed up extra early.

No one wanted to get on the new director’s bad side because of being late.

At the entrance, a man in his late thirties wearing a suit stood with four hospital security guards, checking everyone’s ID before they came in.

That was pretty much standard procedure.

During meetings, logging who attended kept tabs on lateness and absences.

But Zhou Can didn’t recognize this man in the suit at all.

After all, he knew most of the staff from Administration and the director’s office these days. His own position meant people would usually greet him by name.

Honestly, more often than not, they’d be the first to say hello.

Eventually, after enough encounters, he’d learned all their names.

This man’s badge hung from a lanyard around his neck.

For context, in larger hospitals, there’s a rigid system. People with different roles wear their badges differently.

For regular staff—doctors, nurses, general employees—the badge clips to the left chest, above the pocket. For administrators and department heads, the badge comes on a lanyard around the neck.

If you got caught at work without your badge, you’d lose points and be fined.

So insiders could spot who was clinical and who was management just by the badge.

All you had to do was check how they wore it.

That hadn’t always been the case. Once, even regular staff could use a lanyard.

But over time, the supply office had put a stop to it—lanyards were only for leaders now.

“Which department are you from? State your name, I’ll check each of you off.”

The man’s voice was clipped, a little cold.

Director Lou frowned. He was hot-tempered to begin with and didn’t appreciate being treated like this by what was basically a doorman.

Zhou Can spotted him clenching his fists but holding back from lashing out.

“Emergency Department Chief, Lou Jingshan.”

The man checked the badge photo against his face, then ticked a box in his notebook.

“Go on inside.”

Next up was Dr. Xu. In terms of seniority, Dr. Xu had outranked Deputy Director Han by a mile.

Before his accident, Dr. Xu had been department chief.

But after the accident, his entire department had to be dissolved.

So by rights, he towered over Deputy Director Han.

His surgical skills were on another level entirely.

Dr. Xu still held the world record for the fastest surgery ever performed.

“Emergency Department, Xu Chen.”

Officially, Dr. Xu didn’t have a job title, but he wielded real power as a deputy director. Everyone in Tuyu Hospital already knew this, even if it wasn’t public.

Pretty much every manager was clued in.

“For this meeting, only department deputy directors or above are allowed. I don’t see your name here!”

The man checked the roster again before looking up at Dr. Xu.

“You’re new, right? Let me explain—Director Xu isn’t on the formal list because of special circumstances, but he’s one of our Emergency Department’s deputy directors.”

Even Director Lou had to step in, saving Dr. Xu from embarrassment.

“Sorry, I have to go by the official list. If your name’s not here, you can’t go inside. Please head back.”

The man insisted, not softening his stance a bit.

By now, a small crowd was waiting at the doorway.

Everyone queued patiently to get in.

But Dr. Xu’s face was flushed with awkwardness.

“Are you with the Administration or the director’s office?”

Director Lou, already unhappy, grew even more annoyed seeing Dr. Xu get given a hard time.

“Director’s office! I’m Director Gao’s special assistant.”

The man stared coldly, unfazed by Lou’s seniority.

“Why don’t you call Assistant Qin or another veteran in the director’s office—any of them know what’s up.”

“Sorry, I can’t make that call. If there’s a problem, take it up with the director’s office tomorrow. Right now, people are waiting to get in. You can leave, or stand off to the side and wait.”

He dismissed Lou and turned to Dr. Xu.

“Forget it, Lou. You should head on in. I might as well just go home early and spend some time with my wife and kid.”

Dr. Xu forced a smile.

Still, standing there getting stared at by so many people was humiliating.

“It’s just a dumb meeting, Teacher. Who cares if we skip it? Let’s go.”

Zhou Can, true to form, feared nothing and no one.

He was wealthy now, and his social status had climbed, too.

But the man’s lack of respect for Dr. Xu made Zhou Can furious.

Dr. Xu was his mentor.

There was a saying: ‘Once a teacher, always a father.’

Dr. Xu had shared every bit of his expertise with Zhou Can and always looked out for him at work.

Back when Zhou Can was just starting out, Dr. Xu had shielded him more than once.

Every little kindness was etched in Zhou Can’s memory.

To embarrass Dr. Xu was to make an enemy out of Zhou Can.

Even the old Director Zhu, before retiring, still showed Zhou Can a little respect.

“Watch your mouth. This is only the second official meeting since Director Gao took charge, not just any old meeting. If someone’s on the invite list but doesn’t show, they’ll be disciplined—200 yuan fine and one demerit the first time. Second time, penalties double. Third, it’s a direct warning or dismissal.”

The man’s tone was ice-cold.

“If you want to fire me, you’ll have to take it up with the Health Commission. My records are there.”

Zhou Can gave a sardonic laugh.

This assistant was new here and probably didn’t know a thing about how the hospital worked.

“I’ve seen plenty like you—people who think their job is ironclad and refuse to listen to authority. Don’t think you can bully me; if I want to, I can take your credentials away, too. That’s the end of it—attend the meeting or don’t, up to you.”

With that, the man turned away, letting everyone else through.

He focused on checking the rest of the attendee list.

“Next in line, please. If you two have a complaint, kindly move aside—you’re blocking everyone else.”

Zhou Can really did leave, following after Dr. Xu.

A 200-yuan fine was pocket change to him.

Watching Zhou Can actually walk away, the assistant’s face turned green, and his eyes glinted with cold hostility.

Clearly, Zhou Can was publicly challenging his authority.

As the director’s special assistant, he was basically the secretary or assistant director—almost on par with Assistant Qin.

Yet his very first time running a meeting, someone had already undermined him, which understandably stung.

Dr. Xu looked at Zhou Can tailing after him and gave a wry smile.

“Why put yourself through this? Go back.”

“If they’re giving you trouble, that means they’re giving me trouble too.”

That was just how Zhou Can was.

Once he’d made up his mind, nothing could change it.

“Don’t bother, there’s no need for this. My face isn’t worth much anyway. Besides, I think the new director’s not someone to take lightly. If you skip this meeting, it might look like you’re challenging his authority—which could make you the first one he cuts loose to set an example.”

Dr. Xu spoke seriously.

“Go on, attend the meeting. Don’t be stubborn now.”

He waved a hand, urging Zhou Can back.

“If he wants to cut me, he can try. I spend my days cutting people up for surgery anyway! I’m not scared.”

That actually managed to make Dr. Xu laugh.

“Can’t you be serious for once?”

“How can I be serious when they started this in the first place?”

They hadn’t gotten far when Director Lou called.

“Xu, I’ve spoken with Assistant Qin and explained to Director Gao. The special assistant’s just not familiar with how things work yet. Director Gao told me your name’s been added. You’re both welcome to attend now.”

Both Dr. Xu and Zhou Can were among the Emergency Department’s star talents.

Between them, the mentor and student had carried the department’s operating room. Director Lou wouldn’t just let either of them get sidelined.

“Lou took care of it. Let’s go back to the meeting.”

When Dr. Xu looked at Zhou Can, there was a hint of rare affection in his eyes.

After all, Zhou Can was willing to offend even the new director’s right-hand man—just to stand by his mentor. That attitude and loyalty, for Dr. Xu, were enough to warm the heart.

The two of them returned to the conference room entrance.

This time, the man in the suit barely said a word. After a quick check, he let them pass.

Although, judging by his face, he was still fuming.

Zhou Can didn’t care at all.

Being the director’s assistant was impressive—so what?

Doctors in the clinical departments relied on real skills. If things ever got too ugly with the suits in management, they could always get another job.

There were plenty of hospitals out there if it ever came to that.

Inside, the hall was packed with hundreds of managers.

These were the backbone of Tuyu Hospital.

If the director was the ship’s captain, these were the engines that kept it moving.

The young Director Gao had already taken his place on the podium.

He was a handsome man—even past forty, he exuded style and presence.

But to Zhou Can, he lacked that masculine edge—more sly and enigmatic, like Sima Yi from the old tales. There was something cold about him.

Director Zhu had been the opposite: a force of nature, upright and open as a mountain, radiating authority and warmth.

Now they’d brought in someone totally different to lead Tuyu Hospital through the next decade. Who knew if that would prove lucky or not.

“Alright, it’s time for our meeting.”

Director Gao glanced at his watch. At exactly 6:40, right on the dot, the meeting began.

He had a strong sense of time.

“Let me introduce myself: I’m Gao Zongyou, and it’s an honor to take the helm here at Tuyu Hospital. I hope I’ll have everyone’s support going forward. Thank you.”

Short and to the point.

Not one to waste words.

That was the new label Zhou Can pinned on him.