Chapter 639: A Grand Wedding and a Sudden Promotion

Appointing such an important leadership role usually requires a nomination, a meeting for approval, thorough assessment and then a public announcement.

The whole process is incredibly complicated.

Not to mention a single day—even a month is considered fast.

Director Zhu mentioned an exception to the usual rules, but even so, you still need to follow the basic procedures.

By rights, they should’ve started preparing at least a month in advance.

Making this decision at the last minute is really rushed.

There’s also a risk it’ll look like shady backroom dealings.

After so many years as director, Zhu’s always thought ahead. His wise choices are legendary.

So why is he so eager now to fast-track Zhou Can as deputy director of Quality Control? There must be a deeper motive.

Considering how warmly Hospital Assistant Qin treated Zhou Can earlier, it’s not hard to guess—maybe Zhu wants to strengthen his own circle before stepping down.

Quite a few directors, even after retirement, still influence the hospital’s staffing and big decisions. That’s because their network is rock solid.

People say ‘when a person leaves, the tea grows cold.’

But humans, being complex creatures, care about more than just profit—they value relationships too.

Zhou Can figures Director Zhu is making long-term plans for after he retires. With Zhou’s steady growth and potential, he’s the perfect candidate, even if his career progression has been slow so far.

Compared to those with doctorates, he—a college graduate—definitely has some disadvantages.

He figures he’ll get his master’s at the latest by next month.

But by then, Director Zhu will have already stepped down.

So the promotion had to come early, and as a special exception.

Out of gratitude, Zhou Can knows that in the future—even if he can’t do everything for Director Zhu—he’ll always respect and appreciate him. He’ll help out whenever he can.

“Of course I’d be honored to be promoted. But will this hurt your reputation?”

Zhou Can hesitated before asking.

“Worried I’ll tarnish my legacy? Something this minor won’t make a dent in all I’ve done for Tuyu Hospital. I’m promoting you to this unofficial but important position so that after I’m gone, the hospital’s medical quality stays solid. I can’t expect Hospital Assistant Qin to bear the brunt alone, and once I step down, his position might change too.”

Director Zhu laid his intentions bare.

He seemed completely unconcerned about any possible criticism.

“Understood! I accept your decision, and I’ll do everything I can to keep Tuyu’s medical standards high!”

Zhou Can stood at attention and promised solemnly.

“That’s what I wanted to hear. Everyone’s seen what you can do. I know you’ll be great. That’s it—go on and get back to work!”

Director Zhu waved him off with a smile.

“Could I have a piece of your calligraphy? I’ll frame it at home. Every time I see it I’ll remember your guidance.”

“Haha, as long as you don’t mind my handwriting, take as many as you like.”

Director Zhu couldn’t help but grin at Zhou Can’s flattery, clearly pleased.

Zhou Can went back to the Emergency Department and threw himself into work.

Every day he pushed through five to seven complex surgeries, honing his surgical skills at an astonishing pace.

He was also grasping the essence of the Rapid Surgical Technique and Steady Scalpel Technique.

His diagnostic and pharmacological abilities advanced just as fast. With his reputation growing, every clinic session meant extra appointments.

People came to him from all over the country, bringing rare and difficult cases far beyond the usual everyday ailments.

Even though he’d only recently become an attending physician—just a little while ago he was a resident—it was actually harder to get an appointment with him than with some top-tier experts.

To prevent ticket scalpers from reselling his slots, Zhou Can came up with all sorts of strategies.

Rumor had it the scalpers cursed his name and called him sanctimonious behind his back.

Zhou Can just laughed it off.

Let them say what they want. People will always talk.

Patients are already unlucky to be sick, and scalpers draining their wallets just makes things worse. Plenty of chief physicians turn a blind eye, even working with the ticket dealers to make extra money.

But Zhou Can drew a clear line—no way he’d ever go along with that.

……

Sunday arrived in a flash. Zhou Can had filed for a day off—just one day. A wedding is a big deal, something that might only happen once in a lifetime.

He had to be back at work on Monday, so he couldn’t take off any longer.

His leave got approved, but many patients wouldn’t know. People travel from all over only to find him gone, and Zhou Can just couldn’t do that to them. That’s why he kept it to one day.

Forget about a honeymoon—no way.

It wasn’t about money—the real problem was time.

If only he had more time, he could easily take his wife around the world. He could afford it.

He booked out the entire Victoria Hotel, just a couple hundred meters from the hospital.

Usually he kept a low profile, but this time he wanted to go all out—to give Su Qianqian a wedding that was grand and unforgettable.

Early in the morning, the limo company’s cars were waiting outside his villa.

The bridal home was this very villa, bought by Su Qianqian.

At their level, finances weren’t a worry. The villa might’ve been expensive, but for them, it was no big deal.

He had five groomsmen.

Yang Zhi, Pu Dingdong, Luo Shishen, Jin Mingxi and Mr. Li.

Luo Shishen was about to finish his residency. He’d always considered Zhou Can a mentor, even if Zhou sometimes refused to recognize him as a true disciple. That didn’t matter—Luo still saw him as his teacher.

When Luo heard Zhou Can was getting married today, he took time off and rushed over early to be a groomsman.

As for Pu Dingdong and Yang Zhi, there was nothing more to say. They were Zhou’s assistants—his protégés. After two years training under him, they’d learned a lot and grown quickly.

They’d secured their spots as groomsmen ages ago.

Jin Mingxi and Zhou Can had been dorm mates, and later Zhou introduced him to Dr. Hu Kan. They ended up with a master-disciple bond too.

Over the years, Jin Mingxi stayed close with Zhou Can.

He insisted on coming to be a groomsman, no matter what.

Zhou Can actually had mixed feelings about Jin. After all, Jin had cheated in his marriage—a bit of a scandal.

Yet old friendships run deep, and Zhou ultimately agreed.

When it came to Mr. Li, there was nothing more to add.

He was one of the biggest benefactors Zhou had ever known.

If it weren’t for Mr. Li teaming up with him to start Jin Yu Interactive, Zhou might still be a mid-level doctor with less than ten million to his name.

Success like today would have been impossible.

Now, he was a major shareholder in both Jin Yu Interactive and Han Hun Pharmaceuticals.

Han Hun Pharmaceuticals had been a complete mess when he took over—a black hole for money. But after sweeping reforms, it was back on track.

The company was showing great promise again.

In a few years, Han Hun Pharmaceuticals might outpace Jin Yu Interactive in profits.

Medicine is a basic necessity, after all. The whole country needs it.

As long as the business thrives, the future is bright.

With the help of a makeup artist, Zhou Can was suited up in a custom-fitted tux and gleaming shoes. He really looked the part of a fairy-tale prince—handsome and charming.

“Whoa, boss, trying to charm every girl in the city?”

Luo Shishen joked in an exaggerated tone.

He looked at Zhou Can with open admiration.

“Ha, what’s in it for me? I stick to my principles—out of all the women in the world, I’ve chosen just one. Su Qianqian is the one and only woman I’ll ever love.”

Zhou Can smiled, genuinely happy.

“Yeah, I feel the same way. A man’s greatest pride isn’t how many lovers he’s had, but that one woman who wants to spend her whole life with you.”

Mr. Li really had a way with words.

Everyone burst—into laughter.

But what he said did make a lot of sense.

Men may have wandering eyes, but the truest love is like a pair of mandarin ducks—together for life, devoted to one another.

“Li, you and I really are two of a kind—even sharing the same outlook on love. Breakfast, anyone?”

Zhou Can and Mr. Li were honestly closer than some brothers.

Some people might be family by blood yet have nothing else in common. At most, they’d catch up at holidays, but that’s where the connection stops—no real shared interests or understanding.

Only when you meet a true kindred spirit do you find real harmony.

“Yeah, we all ate. Li picked up the bill.”

Jin Mingxi looked gratefully at Mr. Li.

Given his wealth, it was sure to have been quite the feast.

“Alright, let’s go! Our mission today is to get the bride home safely. Jin, you’ve got to help me with the toasts later—you can really hold your liquor, so I’m counting on you to take the brunt!”

Zhou Can took the lead, heading to the limousine.

Every hero needs a few loyal helpers, just like a fence needs several strong posts.

Weddings are a big deal—you can’t pull it off without your closest friends.

Su Qianqian was staying at another hotel.

She was accompanied by Wei Fang, Mr. Li’s wife Qiu Jie, and Mr. Cui’s wife Yin Qin.

Word had it several of her closest friends came to act as bridesmaids too.

She’d cut ties entirely with her aunt and uncle from her maternal family.

Some traditions needed to be adapted.

Honestly, that was for the best.

If she were tangled up with her aunt and uncle, it’d just mean endless trouble down the road.

The way poor people think can be terrifying.

Greedy, insatiable, with no sense of limits.

They’d do anything for money—even resort to shameless schemes.

Sometimes you just can’t be too greedy in life.

Back when Zhou Can brought Su Qianqian to propose, if her uncle’s family had just accepted the 180,000 yuan dowry—or even the later 300,000 yuan—life could’ve been a lot better for them.

With Zhou Can and Su Qianqian’s wealth and connections, even a little bit of help would let them live better than most in the village.

But some people have the fate they deserve.

Even with good fortune staring them in the face, they just can’t grasp it.

In the end, they made a real mess of things.

Their own son even ended up in jail.

It just wasn’t worth it.

That’s who Zhou Can is—he’s generous, sure, but he won’t let you force his hand.

The luxurious convoy pulled up in front of the Sheraton Hotel, where Su Qianqian was staying.

Quite a crowd had gathered to watch the show.

Zhou Can got out and led his groomsmen straight for the ninth floor.

Hotel staff, the lobby manager, even security all pitched in to help with big smiles.

They warmly offered their services, eager to help.

Zhou Can didn’t hold back—everyone got a 200-yuan red envelope.

No wonder the staff were all grins.

Two hundred yuan—not a fortune, but not small change either.

A security guard usually makes about four thousand a month—some even less.

That’s more than a day’s wage in one go.

If more rich families got married here every month, their pay would jump by a lot.

“Qian Qian, it’s Zhou Can—open up!”

He saw the door was firmly shut.

Laughter erupted from inside.

All part of tradition—if the groom wants his bride, he’ll have to prove his sincerity.

Sometimes the bridesmaids set puzzles for the groom to solve.

But most just ask for red envelopes.

Just keep stuffing red envelopes through the door, and once the gap is wide enough, the groomsmen rush in. The swarming crowd makes way for the groom.

“Give us red envelopes! Red envelopes!”

The chorus of women inside rang out.

“Then you’ll have to open the door, or how are we supposed to hand anything over?”

Yang Zhi called back, raising his voice as a seasoned husband who knew this game well.

After all, he’d been through this himself and had tricks for getting the door open.

“Okay, we’ll open it a crack, but no forcing your way in!”

“Deal! No forcing, promise.”

Sure enough, the door gave a little.

Mr. Li pulled out a handful of pre-packed red envelopes and slid them inside.

A commotion broke out as the women scrambled for them.

No one cared about the cash—they just wanted to share the happiness.

That’s what weddings are about—joy and celebration.

“Hey! These red envelopes are too small—we want the big ones! If you don’t, we’re not budging!”

One of the younger women teased.

“No problem. The big ones are ready, but the gap’s too narrow—open up a bit more.”

The women conferred. In the end, they opened the gap wider.

“Still can’t fit—the opening’s too tight!”

With a dramatic flourish Mr. Li showed off a thick stack of larger red envelopes.

Drawn by temptation, they opened the door even wider.

“Grab the red envelopes!”

Mr. Li tossed the pile inside.

While the women scrambled for them, the groomsmen were ready—that was their moment. They shoved the door open with a shout.

“Candy and red envelopes for everyone!”

The groom, Zhou Can, threw out a big handful of red envelopes.

Then he headed straight for the bedroom inside.

But there was another door blocking the way.

Whoops, he hadn’t counted on that.

Most of the red envelopes were already gone.

He hadn’t expected the women’s tactics—they’d locked the inner door too.

Thankfully, it sounded like only two or three people were inside.

Mr. Li’s wife was probably in there, along with Jiang Wei.

She’d long since said she’d be Su Qianqian’s bridesmaid.

She and Mr. Li’s wife weren’t in the outer room, so they had to be inside with Su Qianqian.