Chapter 85: Crisis at Tuyu Hospital

Knock, knock, knock!

Even if the door is ajar, at least knocking is common courtesy.

“You must be Zhou Can?”

Vice Section Chief Yin’s sharp, phoenix-like eyes were intimidating.

“Mm!”

Zhou Can nodded.

“Come in, have a seat!”

Her tone was surprisingly gentle.

Zhou Can entered the meeting room and sat directly opposite her.

“Dr. Zhou, no need to be nervous. I mainly called you here to discuss something with you.”

“Please, go ahead!”

Remembering Qiao Yu’s advice to stay sharp, Zhou Can kept his wits about him.

He mentally ramped up his focus to full capacity.

“Yesterday on the subway, did you save that child whose airway was blocked by a foreign object?”

“Yes, that’s what happened.”

Zhou Can admitted it calmly.

“Uh… It’s like this. Saving the child was commendable, but after examination, the child was found to have three broken ribs. Now, the family is causing trouble at the hospital demanding answers.”

Vice Section Chief Yin’s tone grew heavier.

After hearing this, Zhou Can secretly let out a sigh of relief.

So that was the issue.

He had only used the Heimlich maneuver, which had a very low chance of fracturing a rib. It was that Dr. Shangguan from Tuyu Affiliated Hospital No.2—after two rounds of CPR without success—who had pressed harder, which most likely broke the rib.

That was the most probable cause of the fracture.

There have been many news reports about similar incidents, where some medical staff or even laypeople, during CPR, applied too much force and ended up fracturing the patient’s ribs.

This is considered a serious case of secondary injury.

It happened due to improper procedure.

“At the time, the child slipped into unconsciousness. The first responders were three medical staff from Tuyu Affiliated Hospital No.2. One of them, a Dr. Shangguan, performed CPR on the child, while I only applied the Heimlich maneuver. The broken ribs should be attributed to him.”

Zhou Can recounted the facts as best as he could.

“No, no, no. This is clearly your doing.”

Vice Section Chief Yin immediately contradicted him.

Zhou Can sensed that something was off.

Although Tuyu Main Hospital and Tuyu Affiliated Hospital No.2 were like family, when it came to direct benefits, there were clear differences.

It was like two brothers who broke away from the same family—each doing their own thing.

The elder might earn money and share a little with the younger, but that was unlikely.

Similarly, if the younger lost money and expected the elder to cover the gap, that was also improbable.

If Zhou Can didn’t state the truth, Vice Section Chief Yin would assume the broken ribs were his fault.

That was understandable.

Now that everything was laid out clearly—she might be an administrator, but she knew medical knowledge.

She would surely know which resuscitation method was more likely to break a rib.

Besides, she was adamant that it was Zhou Can’s doing—a clear case of dodging responsibility.

That was simply unacceptable.

“To determine responsibility, it’s simple. Look at where the child’s ribs are broken. If they’re near the heart, then it goes without saying. But if they’re closer to the abdomen, then it’s on me.”

Suppressing his anger, Zhou Can replied calmly.

Vice Section Chief Yin clearly anticipated that Zhou Can wouldn’t agree easily.

Her tone softened as she earnestly said, “Saving a child who might have died is a great deed. The hospital highly praises and supports proactive lifesaving actions like yours. Dr. Zhou, you’re still young—even if you admit that you broke the child’s rib, you won’t face severe punishment.”

This was the beginning of her effort to sway Zhou Can’s thinking.

“In today’s tense doctor–patient climate, the family coming to the hospital demanding an explanation will only tarnish the hospital’s reputation. All you need to do is go through the motions and apologize. The hospital will handle the subsequent compensation and fallout. Is that acceptable to you?”

Vice Section Chief Yin listed a series of assurances.

Hearing this, it was almost heartwarming to see the hospital shelter its own doctor.

Too bad Zhou Can had been raised in a wealthy family; he had learned early on to assess people and situations far better than most.

An ordinary employee might have foolishly agreed.

After all, he was facing the deputy head of the Medical Department.

But Zhou Can was not one to be easily swayed.

“No! This wasn’t my doing. Why should I take the blame?”

Zhou Can shot straight to the heart of the matter.

If he hadn’t done anything wrong, there was no need to apologize, nor should the hospital offer him protection.

Vice Section Chief Yin’s expression darkened noticeably.

This stubborn trainee was not so easily manipulated!

“Dr. Zhou, whether you did it or not, you must think of the greater good and the hospital’s reputation. If the family continues to make a fuss, it will damage the hospital further. If you feel wronged, the hospital will offer appropriate compensation.”

Seeing that persuasion was failing, she resorted to bribery in her own way.

She wanted him to carry this burden of blame.

“Sorry, I don’t need any compensation—just a clear record.”

Zhou Can refused once more.

He wasn’t short on money; he didn’t even want to hear the compensation offer.

He wasn’t considering it at all.

“Dr. Zhou, this decision was reached after extensive discussions among the Medical Department leaders. We understand your feelings, but in the interest of the hospital’s reputation, we hope you will accept this decision.”

Her tone grew sterner and her expression serious.

This was an outright show of authority.

“You keep saying you’re protecting the hospital’s reputation by clearing my name in front of the family. But I just can’t understand—what’s the point of forcing me to take all the blame?”

Zhou Can no longer held back his candor.

He understood that hospital leaders could not be easily offended, for he was but a small cog in the machine.

Yet even a small man had his dignity and limits.

No one should be forced to confess to something they never did.

Deep down, he realized this matter was far more complicated than it appeared.

“You don’t agree? If you refuse to abide by the hospital’s decision, according to employee regulations, all your duties will be suspended. Go home and think it over. When you’re ready, come find me.”

Vice Section Chief Yin’s tone was unwavering, her presence commanding.

This issue was neither trivial nor insignificant.

She didn’t seem afraid of Zhou Can making a scene.

It suggested she had powerful backing.

Who could be pulling the strings behind the Medical Department’s deputy?

It had to be someone with hospital-level authority.

The thought made Zhou Can’s blood run cold.

The bigger the institution, the deeper and more complex the politics.

Even a trainee like him—or an attending physician—was unlikely to stir any significant waves.

The hospital wouldn’t suffer much from losing one or two trainees.

Vice Section Chief Yin had now cornered him, leaving him no room to maneuver.

Zhou Can stood up, his eyes coldly fixed on Vice Section Chief Yin.

Until she looked a little nervous, a flicker of unease visible in her eyes.

Then Zhou Can spoke firmly, “You all can have your decisions, but I refuse to take the fall. And if this decision comes from just one hospital leader, you can tell him that I won’t be pushed around. In fact, it might even backfire on him. If it’s from several leaders, then Tuyu is rotten to the core—I’ll find my own way out.”

Zhou Can made his stance crystal clear.

Vice Section Chief Yin’s face turned ashen; anger and fear flickered in her eyes.

It was clear that this trainee was far tougher and more unpredictable than they had expected.

“A final word of advice: what goes around comes around. As long as you do right, you need not fear any consequences.”

With that, Zhou Can left without any hesitation, leaving behind a visibly shaken Vice Section Chief Yin.

He was determined to see how dark this world really was.

His solid family background and strong financial support gave him immense confidence.

Besides, if the truth came to light under the sun, no one could cover it up, which only bolstered his resolve.

He could bear some grievances.

He wouldn’t accept any injustice without a fight.

A man of integrity would rather stand and fall than crawl in humiliation.

After leaving the Medical Department, Zhou Can never returned to the Emergency Department.

Instead, he bought ten White Mice and went back to his apartment.

You must be strong if you want to forge your own path.

Only by mastering his craft could he gain a true voice and authority.

Someday, when his skills reached the pinnacle, he would be able to openly defy any oppressive force.

In ancient times, society was divided strictly into classes—the emperor, scholars, officials, doctors, monks, soldiers, peasants, craftsmen, and merchants.

Merchants were considered the lowest of the low.

But today, in a society governed by law, those with true ability can challenge common power.

After today’s setback, an idea began to take root in Zhou Can’s heart.

One day, he would establish his own medical team and perfect his skills.

He would break free from the stifling grip of hospital authority.

Even if the Hospital Director got involved, it wouldn’t matter.

Back at his apartment, he calmed his mind and began practicing medicine.

His movements were measured and focused, as if untouched by the earlier turmoil.

No wonder Dr. Xu once said he possessed a rare calmness.

Even someone in their forties or fifties might have lost their composure under such pressure.

Around four in the afternoon, his apartment door opened.

“Please come in!”

Jin Mingxi pushed the door open and stepped aside to invite him in.

A not very tall figure entered.

“Teacher!”

Zhou Can turned and saw Dr. Xu arriving. He quickly set down the Electrocautery Knife and went to greet him.

Dr. Xu was as stern as ever.

His gaze locked onto Zhou Can.

“Dr. Xu was worried when he saw you hadn’t returned to the Operating Room, so he asked me to bring you here.”

Jin Mingxi explained from the side.

Zhou Can’s nose tingled; having just endured the cold indifference of the hospital leaders, Dr. Xu’s concern felt especially warming.

There is still true kindness in the world.

This teacher truly cared for him.

“Kid, didn’t you add me on WeChat? I expected at least a message. Instead, you said nothing and simply went back to your apartment. What happened to treating me like a teacher?”

Dr. Xu’s tone carried a note of rebuke.

Zhou Can motioned for him to sit. “It’s a complicated matter, beyond what you could resolve, which is why I kept it from you.”

If Dr. Xu, still revered as one of Tuyu’s top doctors and often called one of the Three Mighty Blades of the hospital, had acted, he might have helped.

But now, Dr. Xu was like a stranded dragon—unable to save himself.

“What exactly happened?”

Dr. Xu’s severe gaze fixed on him.

Jin Mingxi looked at him with concern.

People are naturally empathetic.

Seeing someone close in trouble stirs compassion.

“Yesterday on the subway, I saved a child whose airway was blocked by a foreign object, right? Now the family has come to the hospital making trouble…” Zhou Can explained the sequence of events.

After listening, Dr. Xu’s slender hands gripped the armrests tightly, the veins on his arms prominently visible.

His face was set in anger.

“This is utterly outrageous. Don’t worry, I’ll investigate and see if there’s a solution,” Dr. Xu said. Though furious, the experienced doctor kept his composure.

He would not act rashly.

“I believe the hospital leaders are clearly trying to protect that Dr. Shangguan from Tuyu Affiliated Hospital No.2—making the real rescuer take the blame is just not fair.”

Jin Mingxi said angrily.

“As long as you, little Zhou, don’t agree, their plan to pin this mess on you might not succeed. It could even rebound on them. Dr. Shangguan isn’t very old—around thirty-eight or forty— and if I’m not mistaken, he is Tuyu Affiliated Hospital No.2’s rising star.”

Dr. Xu, a veteran at Tuyu Hospital, knew a lot about both the main and the affiliated hospitals.

Zhou Can had already suspected as much in the Medical Department.

Vice Section Chief Yin was trying hard to force him to take the blame to protect the one who really caused the problem—Dr. Shangguan.

But Zhou Can knew nothing about Dr. Shangguan’s background.

That’s why he pressed Vice Section Chief Yin for answers.

Unfortunately, as a leader, she maintained her composure throughout, not revealing a single bit of the truth.

“So, does Dr. Shangguan have any noteworthy background?” Zhou Can asked curiously.

“In recent years, Tuyu Affiliated Hospital No.2’s Oncology Department has been the only one progressing well. This Dr. Shangguan, whose full name is Shangguan Yan, holds a postgraduate degree and specializes in gastrointestinal oncology. He even published an academic paper on gastric cancer ablation in an SCI journal, which caused quite a stir. He is well-known both domestically and, to a degree, internationally. He is a young star heavily promoted by Tuyu Affiliated Hospital No.2.”

Currently, the highest level of academic papers is considered to be those in SCI journals.

Although SCI journals are divided into several tiers, domestic doctors generally score low academically.

There is a huge gap compared to the United States.

There’s no helping it—America is a gathering place for top talent, and there are many giants in the field.

In domestic reviews for top professorial titles, one important metric is the number of SCI journal publications. As for impact factors, often there’s some leeway.

Only a very few exceptional individuals have SCI papers with impact factors exceeding 5.

That Dr. Shangguan’s SCI paper caused a stir suggests his score isn’t low.

Moreover, Tuyu Affiliated Hospital No.2 is determined to promote him as a leading doctor, so his abilities are certainly strong.

“Dr. Shangguan’s surgical skills are exceptional too. I heard that his minimally invasive surgery for gastrointestinal tumors is on par with that of a deputy chief physician. With his academic and surgical abilities, there’s no obstacle for him to be promoted to associate senior level. He’s destined to become the head of the Gastrointestinal Oncology Department at Tuyu Affiliated Hospital No.2.”

Dr. Xu revealed the key details about Dr. Shangguan.

A doctor this outstanding could hardly allow even a speck of scandal.

Thus, little Zhou, a mere trainee, became the unlucky scapegoat.

In the adult world, interests come first.

Sacrificing Zhou Can to protect Dr. Shangguan’s immaculate reputation benefits both the hospital and Shangguan himself.

As for Zhou Can, being only a trainee, any mishap during a rescue is somewhat forgivable to the public.

They planned it so the situation would resolve perfectly.

But did they ever consider Zhou Can’s feelings?

It was like the night of a wedding when the bride spends the night with another man—seemingly minor, but no man could easily accept it.

“Little Zhou, I saw you calmly practicing surgery when I arrived. It shows your inner calm. I’ll check with the hospital and let you know when there’s any progress,” Dr. Xu said before leaving.

After gathering all the facts, Dr. Xu got up and left.

……

A whole day passed without any word.

Zhou Can’s demeanor remained calm.

Even if he had to leave Tuyu, he would do so dramatically; he wouldn’t let those despicable people off easily.

He had already devised a few ways to handle this.

If he were forced out of Tuyu, he’d spend money to expose the truth on trending news—dragging all the hospital leaders involved into the fiery spotlight—and see Dr. Shangguan’s reputation crumble.

Things hadn’t reached their worst yet.

So he maintained a calm façade and waited patiently for the outcome.

Besides, he still had one ace up his sleeve.

That was Cao Zhengguo.

With his keen insight, Zhou Can believed Cao Zhengguo had at least a 50% chance of coming to his rescue.

But once an ace is played, it’s gone.

So he wouldn’t use it until the critical moment.

At that moment, his phone buzzed.

A WeChat message arrived.

Only familiar people—friends and family—could add him on WeChat.

His heart skipped a beat. Could it be from Dr. Xu?

He opened it and was surprised to see it was Nurse Qiao Yu.

“I heard something happened to you. Are you alright?”

Even she knew about Zhou Can’s troubles.

It meant that news of his predicament had spread through the Emergency Department.

Who would have thought that after something went wrong, the third person to check on him would be her?

“I’m fine! It’s just those White Mice that took a hit!”

Zhou Can replied.

“What’s with you? Are you taking your anger out on the White Mice?”

“Violence won’t solve anything. How about I buy you a milk tea so we can relax?”

“Practicing surgery skills, you dummy!”

Zhou Can’s typing was slower, and her second message had already arrived.

She took the initiative to invite Zhou Can out for a milk tea—a request Dr. Lu had made several times, which he had always turned down.

Her response, tinged with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance, came with a string of hammering-head emojis.

Then she sent a spitting emoji.

Zhou Can couldn’t help but smile warmly.

Chatting with her was always entertaining.

“Haha, thank you, beautiful Qiao. Your concern is far from needless. In my plight, it’s like a beam of light warming my heart,” Zhou Can replied, not wanting to disappoint anyone who cared.

Her kindness must be appreciated.

“Smooth talker! Since you’re so upbeat, I’m off to work on my paper!”

After sending that message, she went silent.

It seemed she was really busy writing her paper.

After all, whether doctor or nurse, academic work was a crucial part of their credentials, with papers being key indicators of achievement.

After chatting a bit, Zhou Can felt much better.

Sometimes, having a few genuine friends was a true blessing.

Around half past five, Jin Mingxi returned from work.

Normally, their early shift ended at four.

Today, Jin Mingxi was over an hour late—likely due to a tricky surgery.

“Dr. Zhou, do you know what just happened?”

“Don’t keep me in suspense. I’m in no mood for riddles right now.”

Zhou Can, who had been suspended for a day and stuck at his apartment, surely felt the weight of pressure.

Yet his strong ability to withstand stress kept him calm.

Vice Section Chief Yin probably intended to pressure him by stalling.

They were silently competing to see who would lose their composure first.

Zhou Can lived in comfort, coming from a rich family with a house and savings—he could afford to wait it out.

“Dr. Xu went on a rampage at the Medical Department over your matter. Then he even went to the hospital office and sought the leaders’ help. Honestly, I was stunned. It’s not just the treatment for a disciple—it’s like that for a beloved child!”

Jin Mingxi said with envy.

Zhou Can’s heart skipped a beat.

He never imagined that Dr. Xu would go so far as to cause a scene at the Medical Department and even get hospital leaders involved on his behalf.

Such care and support were truly worthy of the title ‘Master’.

There’s an old saying that once a teacher, always a teacher.

Dr. Xu’s effort for Zhou Can today would be forever remembered by him.

Someday, he would repay that immeasurable teacher’s kindness tenfold.

Around seven in the evening, Zhou Can’s phone rang.

He expected it to be from Dr. Xu, but it turned out to be from Yang Chan.

Why would the Class Monitor call him at this hour?

“Hey, Class Monitor!”

“What? No word from you about this incident? If I hadn’t heard from Director Zhang, I wouldn’t even know that Dr. Xu from your Emergency Department caused such a ruckus at the Medical Department and that you were suspended.”

The Class Monitor was always so domineering—no small talk, just a barrage of criticism from the moment the call connected.

“Can’t you handle this? You want to make things worse for yourself?” Zhou Can was not intimidated.

Deep down, though, he could feel the Class Monitor’s genuine concern.

“What exactly happened? You’re normally so steady—I’d heard you were excellent in the Emergency Department. How did things go so wrong in the blink of an eye?”

It was obvious she had been quietly keeping an eye on him.

That came as a mild surprise to Zhou Can.

“Can’t I say anything?”

Zhou Can asked.

“No way!” Her tone was firm. “If you don’t talk over the phone, I’ll come get you at your place.”

“Do all women have such nosy curiosity?”

Zhou Can retorted.

“Hurry up and tell me!”

She pestered him, threatening to come over if he delayed further.

“Okay, fine. I’ll satisfy your curiosity. But heed this—the matter is none of your business.”

Zhou Can quickly outlined the basic events.

“It wasn’t your force that broke the ribs, so why should you take the blame? Their actions are downright shameless. Later, I’ll talk to Director Zhang and see if I can persuade him to speak up for you. But ultimately, it depends on Director Lou of the Emergency Department. If he doesn’t agree, the hospital leaders will have their reservations.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than he heard busy sounds on the other end.

She hung up immediately.

The Class Monitor was truly a whirlwind.

But her words did hold merit. Dr. Xu’s standing might not be high enough, yet if Director Lou were to step in on Zhou Can’s behalf, that would carry a lot more weight.

In terms of rank, a head of a major department was second only to the Vice President.

Though the Emergency Department was modest, its administrative level was on par with other departments.

Whether Director Lou would support him was still uncertain.

After all, it risked offending many, including at least one hospital-level leader and Dr. Shangguan from Tuyu Affiliated Hospital No.2.

Remember, Dr. Shangguan might well be the future head of a major discipline. With his academic background, surgical skill, and reputation, he was a formidable contender for an administrative position.

Director Lou would definitely have to weigh the pros and cons.

……

Until the next morning at seven, when Zhou Can went out for a morning run, he still hadn’t received any word from Dr. Xu.

It was as if Dr. Xu had forgotten all about him.

If it weren’t for Jin Mingxi telling him what Dr. Xu had done on his behalf, he might have believed it.

Now, he was certain:

Dr. Xu, despite his feeble position, risked much to fight for Zhou Can’s justice. In the end, though, it might all fall apart.

Power in higher ranks crushes the little guy.

As a suspended attending physician, Zhou Can was powerless against decisions made by behind-the-scenes hospital leaders.

That was the cruel reality.

He’d thought today would be another day of wildly practicing on White Mice.

But near eight o’clock, Zhou Can received a text message.

It wasn’t from Dr. Xu.

It was from Section Chief Xin of the Medical Department.

“Hello, Dr. Zhou, please come to Meeting Room 2 of the Medical Department around 8:00 today. Signed, Section Chief Xin Wanshan.”

Receiving a message directly from the Section Chief indicated that Dr. Xu’s uproar at the Medical Department had yielded results.

Normally, only when a matter had a solid resolution would the top boss step in.

Otherwise, it was usually handled by a deputy or an interim representative to test the waters.

If they could secure the case, that was ideal; if not, there was room to maneuver.

Zhou Can’s misfortune partly stemmed from his low academic credentials. Otherwise, with his stellar performance in the trainee exams and in the Emergency Department, hospital leaders would have handled the situation far more cautiously.

They certainly wouldn’t have used him as a mere scapegoat like before.

His low academic degree and limited growth potential meant he was easily disregarded, with little fear of reprisal.

Had he held a postgraduate or doctoral degree, Vice Section Chief Yin’s tone would have been far less severe.

They certainly wouldn’t have suspended his duties and applied maximum pressure.

Zhou Can first went to the hospital cafeteria to grab breakfast.

Truly, his mental state seemed far more stable than Vice Section Chief Yin’s—the longer this dragged on, the more pent-up frustration the family would develop, and then things could get much worse.

He walked unhurriedly toward Meeting Room 2 of the Medical Department.

“Ah, good morning, Dr. Zhou!”

Dr. Lu, who had been sprinting toward the Emergency Department, slammed on the brakes when he saw Zhou Can.

“Morning!”

Zhou Can replied curtly.

“I heard you were suspended. Is there any chance you can go back to work?” Dr. Lu’s eyes held a self-satisfied smirk of a petty man.

But he forced a display of fake sympathy on his face.

“So, do you want me back or not?”

Zhou Can retorted.

“Ahahaha… Of course I hope you come back! But I’ve heard your mess is huge—Dr. Xu’s intervention didn’t work. I’m afraid the situation is precarious.”

Dr. Lu, who thrived on gossip and hearsay, was always curious about every little detail.

“Heh, whether my case is precarious or not remains to be seen. But look at your phone—it’s 7:59. Even if Dr. Lu flew in, he couldn’t reach the Operating Room before 8 in any case.”

Zhou Can glanced at his phone screen.

It was already 7:59. Dr. Lu, no matter how fast he was, couldn’t possibly arrive before 8.

“Ah… I must go. And about my 100 bucks…”

Only then did Dr. Lu realize he was late, having wasted time mocking Zhou Can.

He made a mad dash toward the Emergency Department.

Zhou Can watched his retreating figure with amusement.

Everyone is different; all sorts of people exist.

Dr. Lu, now outdone by Zhou Can, seethed with envy—delighted to see him in trouble.

But he would soon be disappointed.

Section Chief Xin’s personal message now signaled a major turning point.

At any rate, Zhou Can had made up his mind—he would never bear the blame.

He refused to shoulder any unwarranted burden.

After all, a trainee signs a full contract: after one year of work and obtaining a practice certificate, one is considered a doctor—just under an intern.

With no apparent fault on his part, dismissing him wasn’t something any leader could decide lightly.

After arriving at Meeting Room 2, Zhou Can knocked on the door.

“Dr. Zhou, you’re here. Please come in!”

Medical Department Section Chief Xin Wanshan waved him in.

Inside, several people were already seated.

Familiar faces included Director Lou, Section Chief Xin, and Vice Section Chief Yin.

It seemed Director Lou had finally come forward.

“Little Zhou, please sit here!”

Director Lou gestured for Zhou Can to sit beside him.

By then, conversations had been underway for some time and the tea cups in front of them had been emptied, leaving only some tea leaves at the bottom.

“Everyone’s time is precious, so I’ll be brief,” said a middle-aged man with large ears and fair, rosy skin.

His hair was impeccably groomed, glossy and smooth.

His attire was equally refined, marking him as a man of high living.

In the presence of Director Lou and Section Chief Xin, he sat in the chair of honor, his identity unmistakable.

He was very likely a hospital-level leader, perhaps a vice president or someone with similar authority.

There was only one hospital director—Director Zhu, whom Zhou Can had once seen in the Emergency Department. This man was certainly not him.

Thus, one could deduce that he was a vice president or another important hospital-level official.

Possibly an assistant director, head of the Party Committee, or the union leader—positions reserved for hospital-level management.

Vice presidents often oversee administration, medical affairs, logistics, research and teaching…

“Dr. Zhou, first, we must criticize your disregard for the collective interest, wasting the valuable time and energy of so many hospital leaders. This is a severe misuse of administrative resources.”

What an ironic charge—blaming him in retaliation.

It was known that leaders often preferred to chastise rebellious subordinates or curb their arrogance before discussing matters further.

Zhou Can’s face turned cold as he prepared to retort, but Director Lou quietly tugged at his sleeve and shook his head, signaling him not to talk back.

“This is Mr. Bai Ziran, the Administrative Vice President. Now, let’s hear what he has to say.”

Director Lou whispered to Zhou Can.

“Now that things have escalated, I won’t hold anything back. Dr. Shangguan is the chosen leader for the Gastrointestinal Oncology Department at Tuyu Affiliated Hospital No.2. If that department is well-established, it would not only boost the hospital’s reputation but also greatly benefit the main hospital.”

Vice President Bai Ziran was laying out his cards openly.

“If a single mishap ruins his reputation and tarnishes his status as a top doctor, the consequences could be catastrophic. Dr. Zhou, your sacrifice for the hospital will be duly recognized. In return, you can expect preferential treatment in evaluations, further studies, promotions, and even in choosing key departments.”

The Administrative Vice President’s authority was immense.

Such public commitments were likely to be honored.

It wasn’t impossible for Zhou Can to receive special favors occasionally.

“Dr. Zhou, I ask you one last time: Are you willing to make a small sacrifice for the sake of the hospital’s development?”

Vice President Bai’s method was much more formidable than Vice Section Chief Yin’s.

He struck first with sheer intimidation, then appealed to emotion and reason, and finally dangled a series of incentives.

In such circumstances, even the most stubborn rebel had no choice but to relent.

Moreover, he was conducting everything openly, with no sneaky maneuvers.

All eyes were on Zhou Can.

“I refuse.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Zhou Can flatly rejected the proposal.

Such resistance made Vice President Bai’s face turn extremely dark, his brows furrowing as anger gathered like storm clouds.

“Without a proper foundation, nothing can stand. Do you really want to see Tuyu Affiliated Hospital No.2 lose a top doctor, and lose what could be a groundbreaking department?”

Vice President Bai’s voice thundered like rolling clouds, filled with immense fury.

The oppressive force in his tone weighed heavily on Zhou Can, much like a mountain.

Even Director Lou beside him shared his troubled expression.

“I have a different opinion on this matter,” Zhou Can challenged Vice President Bai publicly.

“If Dr. Shangguan really has the potential to become a discipline leader, he should be able to handle these minor crises. Otherwise, if the hospital has invested heavily in him and he fails to pull through, the loss will be far greater. No great tree grows in a sheltered greenhouse. Without experiencing the storms, you’ll never see the rainbow. The more you try to protect him, the more you harm him.”

Zhou Can’s rebuttal was thoughtful and on point.

Listening intently, Section Chief Xin, Director Lou, and others nodded in agreement.

Vice President Bai’s face wavered as he fell into deep thought.

Finally, he seemed to reach a decision.

“Call in Dr. Shangguan immediately!”

He looked up and ordered the young woman serving tea to fetch him.

It was clear from her actions that Dr. Shangguan was nearby.

Soon, a visibly agitated Dr. Shangguan entered the room.

His eyes flickered nervously as he met Zhou Can’s gaze.

Burdened by his guilty conscience, he couldn’t meet anyone’s eyes.

“Director Bai, has a decision been reached?”

He looked toward the grave, somber Vice President Bai.

“After discussing this matter with Dr. Zhou, we’ve decided that you must frankly admit fault in front of the family,” Director Bai announced.

“Ah…”

Dr. Shangguan froze, nearly collapsing on the spot.

His face was etched with panic. “I’m at a critical juncture for my promotion to associate senior level. This incident will at least delay my evaluation by a year. And my reputation as a top doctor will be sullied. I had planned to be promoted this year so that next year I could lead the Gastrointestinal Oncology Department with confidence—now, all those plans are ruined!”

Dr. Shangguan never imagined that saving a child would lead to such dire consequences.

The loss was simply too great.

How could a noble deed turn into such a catastrophe?

“Take a seat and listen. What Dr. Zhou just said is very reasonable. From the moment this incident began, when you sought my help, my first thought was how to protect you and the budding reputation of Tuyu Affiliated Hospital No.2. Dr. Zhou said, ‘You must be strong,’ and indeed, this crisis is a real test for you.”

Vice President Bai, with the poise of a true leader, immediately corrected his own stance upon realizing the error, agreeing with the sensible suggestions from Zhou Can.

He expected Dr. Shangguan to handle this crisis himself.

After all, if he couldn’t manage even this minor setback, then forcing him upward would only lead to greater losses for the hospital if he later failed.

“But the family has already called in reporters. If you go and admit fault, it will immediately hit the headlines—your reputation as a top doctor will be in ruins!” Dr. Shangguan, nearly forty, stood there trembling, his face drained of color.

His hands even trembled slightly.

It wasn’t that his mental fortitude was lacking—it was the fact that one wrong step could plunge him into a bottomless abyss.

“This delay is my fault. The family assumed we wouldn’t give them an answer, and so they involved the media,” Vice Section Chief Yin, ever the consummate mediator, had stepped in to take the blame.

In reality, it was Vice President Bai who orchestrated everything behind the scenes.

But as a subordinate, stepping up in crucial moments to shield one’s superior and take the fall was a key survival skill in the corporate world.

Such actions easily won the favor and trust of the boss.

When an important position opened up, the superior would be the first to think of her.

Vice President Bai glanced appreciatively at Vice Section Chief Yin, then his gaze swept over to Zhou Can with a faraway look.

He had originally planned to pressure Zhou Can into submission.

He hadn’t expected to encounter such stubborn resistance.

What was more alarming was that after Dr. Xu had stood up for Zhou Can, several department heads and senior physicians had spoken up on his behalf.

Faced with surging public sentiment, Vice President Bai felt enormous pressure.

Though Director Zhu hadn’t voiced an opinion, Vice President Bai knew that if the matter wasn’t resolved properly soon, Director Zhu would surely come calling.

Tuyu Hospital was not a dictatorship of one man’s word,

nor was anyone allowed to do as they pleased.

It was subject to governmental oversight and internal democratic checks.

In Zhou Can’s showdown with the hospital leaders, Vice President Bai was the first to buckle under the pressure. Hence, Section Chief Xin’s message.

It turned out Section Chief Xin and Zhou Can did have a bond.

Back when Zhou Can was a trainee, Section Chief Xin had personally intervened to clear up an issue about his tardiness.

That was the beginning of a good relationship.

Vice President Bai having Section Chief Xin send him a message was clearly also a ploy to pull on personal ties.

But Zhou Can’s mind was as hard as steel, his resolve unyielding.

Now that the issue had dragged on so long, the consequences were severe. Vice President Bai’s efforts were fatally flawed.

Dr. Shangguan’s reputation was doomed.

Moreover, this incident had already tarnished Vice President Bai’s own image.

If he ever ran for hospital director in the future, his support rate would undoubtedly plummet.

It’s true that those in high places suffer the most loneliness.

Leaders in high offices may seem comfortable, but the pressure is immense.

Because of their high rank, every decision they make can have extremely serious consequences.

At this moment, Vice President Bai probably wished he could take back every decision he’d made.

He’d never imagined that a minor trainee’s defiance could cause him such a downfall.