Chapter 100: A Gentleman’s Revenge

Chapter 100: Chapter 100: A Gentleman’s Revenge

At 6:40 p.m., Yu Zhiming finally finished his clinic duties for the day, having diagnosed all sixty patients who had registered for his specialist consultation.

He felt utterly exhausted.

Fortunately, twelve of them, like Ding Ye, had come specifically for a physical check-up.

Otherwise, Yu Zhiming would have had to work overtime until seven or eight p.m.

Of the sixty patients, he had referred thirty-two to other departments for further diagnostic tests.

However, among them, there were no patients who gave him the sense of having severely compromised internal organs or critical issues.

One patient, a suspected case of ALS—amyotrophic lateral sclerosis—was admitted directly into the Qi Yue Medical Research Center by Yu Zhiming.

Yu Zhiming also received a confirmed diagnosis for Zhou Jing, his first patient of the day.

A hemangioma, which would require a moderately complex operation.

The mysterious bleeding in his mouth was due to the hemangioma, which had caused nearby capillaries to rupture.

Around 7 p.m., Yu Zhiming returned to the center’s main office, carrying a can of coffee beans gifted by the soldier.

The reason he had only one can was because the other had been brazenly commandeered by Zhao Shan, the Director of the Outpatient and Emergency Department, using the "powerful" justification, "He who sees it gets a share, so we split it fifty-fifty."

The hospital had a clear rule against soliciting or accepting red envelopes, tobacco, alcohol, or other valuable gifts from patients.

However, given the reality of our country’s relationship-oriented culture, it was difficult to implement a blanket ban on gifts from patients and their families meant to express gratitude, such as commemorative banners, fruit, flowers, food, and local specialty products.

Therefore, the hospital had another rule: these types of thank-you gifts, where "the gift is small but the sentiment is great," could be accepted.

However, the doctor was required to photograph the gift and report it on their work tablet, after which it would be reviewed by designated personnel from the medical affairs department.

Yu Zhiming had reported these two cans of coffee beans on the internal work network and had received approval from the medical affairs department.

Returning to the center’s main office, Yu Zhiming was surprised to find Zhou Mo still there. She was chatting with a sharp-looking young man in glasses.

"Oh, you’re finally back from work!"

Zhou Mo got up cheerfully, her face lit with a happy smile. "The Director is still busy in his office," she said, greeting him. "You should pop in and say hello."

Then, she shot Yu Zhiming a meaningful look and added, "After that, we can go get dinner together."

Yu Zhiming glanced at the young man beside her, who was gazing at Zhou Mo with undisguised eagerness. He realized she was using him as a shield.

"Alright, just give me a minute."

Yu Zhiming played along with a familiar, natural reply. He nodded a greeting to the strange young man, then took the can of coffee beans, knocked on the director’s office door, and went inside.

Qi Yue was standing in front of a light box, studying several sets of MRI scans showing intraspinal tumors.

Yu Zhiming set the can of coffee beans on the desk and walked over to the light box, glancing at the images himself.

It was rather ironic that, despite Yu Zhiming’s unparalleled diagnostic ability and his nickname "the Human CT Scanner," his skill at interpreting medical scans was mediocre at best.

Of course, it wasn’t that he was bad at it; he was simply at the passable level of a typical attending physician.

(The level of an attending physician at a county hospital, that is.)

From his quick look at the scans, Yu Zhiming could only tell that the patient’s prognosis wasn’t good.

The tumor had already invaded more than half of the spinal canal.

"Keep the coffee beans. That kid gave me two cans as well, and besides, I’m not a big fan of it."

After saying this, Qi Yue returned to his desk, pulled out a thick medical file, and handed it to Yu Zhiming.

"This is his father’s case file. It contains detailed records of all his vitals and other data following the cranial bypass surgery."

"Take this back, review it carefully, and write a paper on this cerebral bypass procedure."

Yu Zhiming murmured an "oh" as he took the file. Qi Yue continued, "Although this type of bypass was an improvised measure for an emergency, it still holds significant research value."

"For instance, under special circumstances, this method can be used to temporarily restore blood supply to the brain, organs, or limbs, buying precious time for transportation and surgical prep."

Qi Yue added, "Put some real effort into writing it. Now that you’re at Huashan Hospital, you’ll need a few solid publications under your belt."

Yu Zhiming understood Teacher Qi’s intentions and said, somewhat embarrassed, "Teacher Qi, this major bypass surgery was your idea and design. I was merely an instrument."

"How could I possibly take your credit, Teacher?"

Qi Yue let out a soft laugh. "At my level, do I still need a paper like this to demonstrate my value?"

"Besides, not all instruments are created equal. Your role as an instrument in this was irreplaceable."

"Your contribution to this cerebral bypass surgery was greater than mine."

Yu Zhiming grinned sheepishly. "Teacher, I’ll be sure to write an excellent paper. I won’t waste your guidance."

Qi Yue smiled, then changed the subject. "This morning, the President’s Office made several decisions."

"First, the people who protested in front of you with that banner last Friday have all been severely disciplined."

"The interns have been dismissed, the ringleader Cai Haowen has been encouraged to resign, and the others received major demerits."

"Also..."

Qi Yue continued slowly, "The hospital has effectively severed its ties with Yaoming Pharmaceutical. We will no longer be purchasing any of their drugs or medical supplies."

"Teacher, did the hospital do all this just to stick up for me?" Yu Zhiming asked, surprised.

Qi Yue chuckled. "Not entirely, but there’s certainly an element of sticking up for you and having your back."

"Zhiming..."

Qi Yue took the opportunity to offer some guidance. "When your skills reach a certain level, you’ll find there are many things you no longer have to handle yourself. Others will take care of them for you."

"All you need to do is keep improving in your area of expertise."

"When you become so important, so indispensable and valuable that no one can replace you, people will be lining up to solve your problems for you."

"Zhiming, do you understand what I mean?"

Yu Zhiming nodded gently. "I understand, Teacher."

"For many grudges and grievances, as long as my medical skills are exceptional enough, I won’t even have to get involved myself."

"People who need me, or who want to curry favor with me, will take care of things just the way I want them, on their own initiative."

Qi Yue laughed. "That’s exactly what I mean."

After a brief pause, he added earnestly, "Zhiming, the medical community is no different from the old martial world. It’s full of rivalries for fame and profit, full of deceit and backstabbing."

"Regarding this setup you were caught in, I’m not advising you to let go of your resentment or to repay evil with kindness. I just don’t want you to get fixated on it, thinking only of revenge and taking down your enemy with your own hands."

"That’s not your forte. You could easily be led by the nose and fall into an even bigger trap without knowing it."

Qi Yue advised patiently, "Revenge is a dish best served cold; you need to take a long-term perspective."

"Zhiming, the more successful you become in your medical career, the more friends you will make, and the more anxious your enemies will grow."

Yu Zhiming grunted his assent and affirmed, "Teacher, I understand the priorities. I also know I’m not cut out for plotting and scheming."

"Besides, my position here is still new and not yet solid. I won’t be reckless or take any foolish risks."

Qi Yue breathed a sigh of relief. "It’s good that you see it that way. Very good."

"Zhiming, you don’t need to be paranoid or walk on eggshells from now on. The hospital and I have your back."

"Oh, right, there’s one more thing I forgot to mention."

"Vice President Yuan Qi has been taken in by the Commission for Discipline Inspection. Word is he’s in some trouble. It’s ninety-nine percent certain he’s finished as vice president..."

When Yu Zhiming returned to the main office, he found that the young man had already left.

"Zhou Mo, who was that? A diehard suitor?"

Zhou Mo said with a gloomy expression, "Nurse Chief Yan’s son. He’s an attending in general surgery who just got back from further training in Tokyo. I felt too awkward to turn him down flat..."

She abruptly changed the subject. "Oh, by the way, the hospital’s slots for young doctors to study abroad this year have already been filled. You missed out, Dr. Yu."

Then Zhou Mo’s tone became excited. "But for next year’s slots, you’re a shoo-in, Dr. Yu!"

"Whatever," Yu Zhiming said nonchalantly. "I’m not particularly fond of going abroad anyway."

As he packed his things, he asked offhandedly, "Zhou Mo, aren’t you leaving for the day?"

"Waiting for the Director?"

"I’m waiting for you, Dr. Yu! Didn’t you just agree to get dinner with me?"

"Waiting for me?"

Yu Zhiming was genuinely taken aback.

He looked into Zhou Mo’s bright, twinkling eyes and asked, "Weren’t we just pretending so I could get you out of that awkward situation?"

"It wasn’t a real promise."

Zhou Mo feigned a pout. "I don’t care. A promise is a promise, no matter the reason."

"If it’s that big a deal, dinner’s my treat!"

Yu Zhiming felt exasperated.

His eyes landed on the can of coffee beans on his desk. He picked it up and pushed it into Zhou Mo’s hands.

"You drink coffee. These beans are for you."

"My older sister is heading back to our hometown tomorrow, so I absolutely have to be home for dinner tonight."

Seeing the way Zhou Mo was hugging the can of coffee beans, grinning from ear to ear, a realization dawned on Yu Zhiming.

’Perhaps this girl had been after his coffee beans from the very start...’