Chapter 456: Showdown in the Hospital: Power, Betrayal, and Reckoning

Normally, the top leader always treats their assistant with respect.

While the Hospital Assistant’s position isn’t as high as Vice Director, they’re just as influential. In fact, Hospital Assistants are on par with department chiefs like Director Tan, Director Xie, or Dr. Tang Fei.

But having the Director’s backing puts them on another level. Department chiefs may report directly to the Director, but it’s just not the same.

It’s like the difference between powerful ministers and the emperor’s personal attendants.

In ancient times, the emperor’s closest confidants were usually the head eunuchs. Some of them wielded enough power to even sign off on imperial edicts. No matter how high a minister’s rank, even the prime minister would rarely gain the emperor’s unshakeable trust.

Director Zhu would never usually risk insulting Assistant Pang. Hurting his pride would just leave a permanent scar that’s hard to mend.

But right now, things are urgent, and Pang is still rambling on cluelessly. If he weren’t a man in his sixties, someone might’ve already slapped him upside the head.

For a guy who usually seems sharp, he’s really not showing much sense right now.

“Colleagues, I, Zhu Xueyang, give you my word—we will address your safety concerns with utmost sincerity and as quickly as possible. The hospital truly failed in this regard, and for that, I sincerely apologize to everyone.”

Faced with this tense situation, Director Zhu showed the composure and adaptability a real leader should have—even under threat.

When it’s time to admit mistakes, there’s no point in stubbornly holding your ground.

Otherwise, it’s like holding up an umbrella in a hurricane—you’re just asking for it to be torn to pieces.

“Our medical staff’s safety concerns are personal to every clinician, and weigh heavily on the hearts of responsible department leaders. Last month alone, the Obstetrics Department had eight incidents of violence against doctors and nurses. The situation is dire. It’s absolutely urgent we set up multi-layered safeguards to protect our medical teams.”

Even Zhang Bihua from Obstetrics arrived with her team.

You have to realize—these are the top figures of the largest departments.

Her presence added even more weight to Zhou Can’s already formidable side.

With these key factions combined, they’re powerful enough to force the hospital into any compromise. At this point, not even Director Zhu could withstand the pressure, much less someone like Pang.

“Things must change! Bring over the Security Chief immediately!” Even now, Director Zhu still chose to use the word ‘please.’

But when he mentioned the Security Chief, his eyes flashed with a complicated look.

There was a trace of fear, resignation, and even a bit of helplessness.

Being a director looks glamorous, but behind that shine lies a mountain of frustration and constraint.

When dealing with people with strong connections, sometimes you just have to look the other way and pretend not to see.

Offend someone you shouldn’t, and you might not even know how you got ousted.

Director Zhu has steered Tuyu Hospital to become one of the province’s leading tertiary hospitals. It took years of sacrifice and uniting every power possible to reach this point.

He never expected the Security Chief—a seemingly minor figure—would trigger such disaster.

Zhang Bihua glanced over the Emergency Department crowd, her eyes finally landing on Zhou Can. She gave him a small nod.

She brought her team to support the Emergency Department, partly for Zhou Can’s sake and partly to protect her own staff in Obstetrics.

Adults live in a messy world, ruled by both emotions and interests.

When feelings and interests align, nothing can stand in the way.

Standing just behind Zhang Bihua, Yang Chan watched Zhou Can with a deep, almost admiring gaze.

Second by second, time crawled by.

At last, after Director Zhu pushed again and again, the Security Chief finally strolled in—late, cheeks flushed, walking with an unsteady swagger and a devil-may-care glint in his eyes. He obviously just left a booze-soaked dinner party.

Says a lot about the perks of having powerful connections these days.

He earns far more than worn-out doctors or nurses—he clocks in, barks some orders, then enjoys life however he pleases.

Flirting with beautiful new nurses, occasionally chasing after pretty young doctors, and when he’s in a bad mood, he takes it out on the clinical staff. Honestly, the guy is living better than a god.

Director Zhu frowned as the Security Chief finally showed.

“Chief Mi, today in the Emergency Department, a nurse was stabbed on duty. Everyone wants better protection. Why don’t you say a few words?”

Running into a guy like this, Director Zhu could only curse his luck.

He had no choice but to accept it.

“Everyone, just break it up! I’ll be sure to give those security folks a serious scolding later.”

Chief Mi’s presence put Director Zhu completely in the shade.

Facing a crowd that included several department chiefs, Mi barely bothered to look around, waved his hand and told everyone to disperse—still with alcohol-clouded eyes.

As if everyone risking their futures to strike and protest was nothing more than kids playing house.

What a character…

Zhou Can had already started recording on his phone.

Connections are one thing, but Chief Mi is a total scoundrel. He needs to be judged by the public.

Kicking this guy out would be for the best.

Now Zhou Can finally understood why the Emergency Department could never control hospital security.

With Chief Mi running cover for them, the guards acted with total impunity—the ER barely even registers in their eyes.

“The hospital security failed to stand up when medical staff were in danger. As the Vice Director in charge of General Affairs, I take full responsibility. On behalf of Security, I sincerely apologize and promise to fix every issue.”

Vice Director Ye had stayed in the background until now, saying nothing.

But seeing Chief Mi arrive, he suddenly came alive.

He stepped up and apologized to everyone on behalf of Security.

It was obvious he was trying to cozy up to Chief Mi.

Watching all this play out, Zhou Can saw hospital leadership in a new light—it’s all about connections.

“This sort of brush-off isn’t what we want, and it’s a slap in the face to everyone here. Our blood has been spilled too many times. These tragedies keep repeating because the Medical Insurance Department is lazy, evasive, and indifferent to life. That’s one of the main reasons for all this misery.”

Zhou Can wasn’t superstitious or afraid of anyone.

He had the guts to confront Chief Mi directly—even if Mi’s background was terrifying.

The moment Zhou Can stepped forward to lead the protest, he was ready for the worst outcome.

Even if Chief Mi’s connections went sky-high, worst case, he’d just stop being a doctor.

Chief Mi stared blankly for a second, then shot Zhou Can a sinister look and began striding over.

Everyone watched, most of them nervous on Zhou Can’s behalf.

Among the hospital’s middle and upper management, it was common knowledge: Chief Mi was not someone to cross.

Now, Zhou Can had just publicly called out Security’s failures—there was no mistaking this was aimed directly at Chief Mi.

“Are you questioning my job?”

Chief Mi stopped less than half a meter from Zhou Can.

The stink of alcohol on his breath was obvious even from there.

“I’m just stating the facts!”

Zhou Can stared him down, his gaze fearless.

“Screw your facts!” Mi barked, lashing out with a slap toward Zhou Can’s left cheek.

Deputy Director Han saw Mi heading over and already knew trouble was coming.

Zhou Can wasn’t the first to get smacked by Chief Mi.

Even department chiefs had to watch their backs when dealing with Security.

“Get out!”

Seeing Mi lash out first, Zhou Can just grinned.

If Mi had leaned on his connections, maybe Zhou Can would’ve been wary. But physical violence? Did Mi really think those twenty-plus years of kickboxing were for nothing?

Bang!

As Mi’s slap came, Zhou Can dodged to the side and kicked him hard in the gut.

He held back—a little more force, and Chief Mi might never have kids again.

“Aaugh…”

Chief Mi slumped to the floor clutching his stomach, letting out a distorted howl.

“Chief! Chief!”

Several security guards rushed over, helping their chief up as they fussed over him.

“Still just standing there? Beat him to a pulp! Just don’t kill him!”

After catching his breath, Chief Mi shrieked, his voice high and sharp.

When it came to family members wielding knives, these security guards were cowards—scurrying for cover. But facing Zhou Can, they suddenly turned ferocious, their faces twisted with rage.

No matter who’s in charge, those on the ground always call the shots in the moment—an eternal truth.

“Stop it! Stop right now!”

Director Zhu’s supposed authority meant nothing in front of these men.

His face went green with anger.

Chief Mi attacking Zhou Can so brazenly showed not just arrogance, but utter stupidity.

Did he even realize what he was doing right now?

So many doctors and nurses had gathered, furious enough to strike, protesting the hospital’s neglect for medical staff safety.

Any leader with half a brain would’ve tried to calm things down, then dealt with things privately.

Pick a few representatives and handle it behind closed doors.

But Mi attacked Zhou Can right out in the open. It was almost unbelievable, how brazen and foolish he was.

Luckily, Zhou Can was well-trained. Otherwise, things could’ve spiraled out of control fast.

The security guards charging Zhou Can to avenge Mi didn’t even care about Director Zhu’s presence.

“Anyone who gets revenge for me, I guarantee you a promotion!”

With Director Zhu’s shout, the guards hesitated.

Chief Mi immediately promised greater rewards.

“Dare to kick me? I’ll cripple this bastard if it’s the last thing I do—ow, damn, that hurts!”

Raising his voice triggered another spasm of pain in Mi’s abdomen, leaving him grimacing.

Big rewards breed brave men.

Hearing they could get promoted, the security guards—well aware of Mi’s powerful backers—charged ahead like they’d been shot full of adrenaline.

They came at Zhou Can again.

“Security is supposed to keep the hospital safe, not attack its own doctors!”

“We can’t let them hurt Dr. Zhou!”

“Guys, let’s help Dr. Zhou! These security guards have totally crossed the line!”

Now everyone could see the security guards’ true colors.

“Qiao Yu, record everything! Let the world see what these bullies are really like!”

Looking back, Zhou Can saw Qiao Yu already filming with her phone.

He couldn’t help but smile—this girl was even sharper than he guessed.

Six or seven guards charged Zhou Can, violence in their eyes, throwing punches and kicks his way.

Deputy Director Han tried to jump in but was shoved aside by a guard, left sprawling on the floor.

Most male doctors honestly aren’t in great physical shape.

Their days are filled with mental work—not much heavy lifting, except maybe the surgeons. Most doctors deal with diagnoses, wound care, charting, research, and academic work.

Fighting? That’s definitely not a doctor’s forte.

But Zhou Can didn’t flinch, even against these supposedly well-trained security guards.

Seven against one—he dropped two of them almost instantly.

With a spinning elbow, he caught one would-be sneak attacker right on the jaw. The guy crashed to the ground without even making a sound.

Right then and there, everyone saw what Zhou Can was made of.

A lot of the young female doctors and nurses looked at him with outright adoration.

No matter the era, women always see a fighter as a hero.

It’s basic human instinct.

People evolved from fish to apes, and only then became human.

In most animal species, males win mates through strength—conquer the rivals, claim the females.

“Stop! All of you, stop right now!”

A thunderous, authoritative shout rang out—the higher-ups had arrived.

Seeing doctors and security brawling, the supervisors could barely believe their eyes.

After fending off the last three guards, Zhou Can backed away first.

Seeing the leadership, the remaining guards didn’t dare make another move.

“Director Chen, this mess is completely my fault. My failure to manage the Security Department led to them running wild and doing whatever they wanted.”

Having struggled within himself, Director Zhu finally made a tough call.

Chief Mi’s lack of judgment and out-of-control behavior, starting the fight and ordering his men to attack a doctor in public—

There weren’t just doctors and nurses filming. Family members and even some curious patients caught the whole thing on camera.

In no time, what happened today would hit the internet.

If Director Zhu tried to shield Chief Mi now, he’d lose way more than his own career—an official investigation, and even jail time, could be coming.

Even strong connections can’t withstand the force of public scrutiny.

Director Zhu knew in his bones the authorities would launch an investigation soon enough.

As for Chief Mi, whether he survived the crisis depended on what miracles his own backers could pull off.

Chances didn’t look good.

“Fighting in the hospital, security beating up doctors—how do you explain this? Unless someone saw it with their own eyes, they’d think this was some criminal hideout! Zhu Xueyang, is this how you run things around here?”

Director Chen, a stern-looking man in his late forties, had just arrived.

He had a square jaw, broad ears, and sharp eyes.

His whole aura and appearance radiated righteousness.