Chapter 34: Honoring Promises

Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Honoring Promises

After the brief but overwhelming visual shock, Yu Zhiming’s rationality quickly returned, and his sense of integrity took over.

He looked up at Gu Qingran and said slowly, "Dean Gu, thank you for your hospital’s high regard for me, but I have already formally signed a contract with Huashan Hospital."

Gu Qingran smiled lightly. "Dr. Yu, I am well aware of that."

"I also know for a fact that Huashan Hospital is still processing the final approvals for the contract. Therefore, the talent acquisition agreement you signed with them has not yet officially taken effect."

"Dr. Yu, you still have time to change your mind."

Gu Qingran reached out and lightly patted the stacks of cash in the suitcase. "This two million," he continued, "is just the signing bonus."

"As long as you sign the agreement to join our Ning’an Hospital, this money is yours."

"Furthermore, we will provide you with a residence of no less than one hundred square meters within the city’s Inner Ring, as well as a luxury car valued at no less than one million yuan."

"As long as you work at Ning’an Hospital for ten years, Dr. Yu, the house and the car will truly be yours."

"Also, we will assign you a mentorship team of three to five experts to fully support your growth."

"During this period, Ning’an Hospital promises to provide unlimited resources for your learning and growth."

Gu Qingran added, "Your compensation at our Ning’an Hospital will be at the level of a Deputy Chief Physician."

His words left Yu Zhiming feeling dizzy and light-headed.

Setting aside the other offers, he knew that current housing prices within Binhai’s Inner Ring were at least 100,000 yuan per square meter.

A one-hundred-square-meter apartment would be ten million yuan.

Yu Zhiming was left reeling by this extravagant display of wealth, as if money were no object.

Instead, he felt a sense of unreality, along with the wariness that he was standing at the edge of a bottomless abyss.

’A pie falling from the sky is never free. It’s either a brick that will smash your head open, or it’s poisoned.’

Silently warning himself, Yu Zhiming pinched his thigh to make himself more clear-headed and alert.

"Dean Gu, with these terms, you could probably hire a medical academician, couldn’t you?"

"I’m just a young doctor with a weak foundation, little experience, and limited exposure. Even if I have some potential and talent, that will take a considerable amount of time to verify."

"The terms you’ve offered make me uneasy."

Gu Qingran gave a faint smile. "Dr. Yu, for us to offer these terms and dare to invest so much in you, we naturally have our reasons."

He stood up and began to pace as he spoke.

"For the past twenty years, we have invested heavily in Ning’an Hospital, hoping to build it into a nationally renowned comprehensive hospital with top-tier capabilities."

"But to this day, we haven’t even achieved half of that goal."

"Let me put it this way: Ning’an currently has first-class facilities, with the best and most comprehensive medical equipment and instruments in the country."

"But our medical staff is, I can only say, so-so. Most departments are propped up by retired medical experts we’ve hired."

"As for our reputation, burdened by the public’s perception of and prejudice against private hospitals, it’s arguably our weakest point."

"When I saw your file, Dr. Yu..."

Gu Qingran’s tone rose a notch as he continued, "I suddenly thought of a plan."

"Your medical talent is extraordinary."

"Your image is impeccable."

"Your life story is both inspirational and moving."

"Dr. Yu, you are nearly perfect..."

Hearing this, Yu Zhiming started to understand his plan.

’He wants to package me like an idol, a celebrity, or an internet-famous doctor to boost the hospital’s reputation.’

"Dean Gu, I don’t think I’m capable enough to carry a massive hospital on my own."

"Your plan seems a bit unrealistic."

Gu Qingran laughed, his eyes gleaming as he looked at Yu Zhiming. "How will you know it won’t succeed if you don’t actually get in the game and try?"

"One person building up an entire hospital—it’s been done before."

"Why can’t the next one be you, Dr. Yu?"

"In my opinion, you have that potential."

Gu Qingran stood before Yu Zhiming, extending his hand. "Dr. Yu, work with me."

"In this plan of mine, regardless of the final outcome, you will be the biggest beneficiary."

Yu Zhiming looked at the outstretched hand, then met Gu Qingran’s gaze, which shone with ambition.

He slowly shook his head.

Gu Qingran was taken aback.

"Dr. Yu, I’ve been completely frank with you. I haven’t hidden anything."

"Do you think the terms I’ve offered are insufficient, that my sincerity is lacking? Or do you believe my plan has absolutely no chance of working?"

Yu Zhiming shook his head again.

"It’s neither of those."

"Dean Gu, the first reason I’m refusing is that I’ve already signed with Huashan Hospital."

"My father always taught us to honor our promises and be trustworthy."

"If I can break a promise today, I’ll betray my word for a better offer tomorrow. Eventually, I’ll be abandoned by everyone and achieve nothing."

"The second reason is..."

Yu Zhiming stood up as well. "In your plan, Dean Gu, I would become the center of attention, the focus of everyone’s gaze."

"That’s not the life I want."

"I’m a bit of a recluse, somewhat socially anxious. I just want to work quietly and live a quiet life."

"Also, with that kind of life in the spotlight, I worry I wouldn’t be able to resist the temptations. I’d get lost in it, give up on my principles and my drive, and ultimately fade into obscurity."

Yu Zhiming smiled at Gu Qingran. "Dean Gu, to be honest, when I first saw this suitcase full of money, my first thought was to take it all."

He said self-deprecatingly, "I come from a small town and have limited experience. I don’t think I’m self-disciplined enough to resist so much temptation."

"To avoid getting in too deep to get out, the best way is to reject the temptation from the very beginning."

"Dean Gu, I can only apologize."

"With Ning’an Hospital’s resources, you can definitely find a more talented and more suitable candidate."

Gu Qingran looked into Yu Zhiming’s clear eyes, silent and still.

The two of them held each other’s gaze for a minute before Gu Qingran let out a soft sigh.

"Dr. Yu, you know something?"

"I have mixed feelings right now. I’m both disappointed and relieved by your refusal."

"My intuition tells me that you are the one for my plan, the right person."

"But in my heart, I also don’t want you to become that person in the plan."

"Isn’t that a contradiction?"

Yu Zhiming gave a faint smile. "That’s perfectly normal. We’re all bundles of contradictions."

"Dean Gu, you must also be aware that I’m still young and growing. I need a relatively simple environment for work and study."

"Being overly valued and cultivated might actually harm me."

Gu Qingran raised an eyebrow. "And you think the environment at Huashan Hospital is simple?"

"I know you were targeted by Vice Dean Yuan during your evaluation."

Yu Zhiming said nonchalantly, "Wherever there are people, there are politics. I’m sure things like that are not lacking at Ning’an Hospital either."

"At least at Huashan Hospital, I have people like my mentor, Qi Yue, who genuinely look out for me."

Gu Qingran sighed again, his face full of regret. "When all is said and done, we just acted too late."

The next moment, he changed the subject. "Since you’re unwilling to join us at Ning’an, Dr. Yu, how about we discuss a collaboration?"

"A collaboration?" Yu Zhiming was puzzled.

Gu Qingran chuckled. "That mentor of yours, Qi Yue, is also one of Ning’an’s specially-appointed experts."

"Collaborating on treating patients and saving lives is quite common, and perfectly legal and compliant..."