Chunliang smiled and said, "There's a reason for the three thousand. If you had accepted it outright in the beginning, you'd definitely get the full five thousand. But you kept refusing and brought a bunch of people to stir up trouble at our hospital multiple times. The medical affairs department is meant to handle disputes. It's one thing to create a scene there, but why go and disrupt the urology clinic? With your actions, how many patients have you scared away? To resolve your issue, we had to deploy a significant amount of resources. Isn't that a cost? The hospital suffered substantial losses because of this, which we haven't even detailed with you yet."
Wang Dalei said defiantly, "I can't sign this agreement. Three thousand? Are you trying to brush me off like a beggar?"
"It's fine if you don't want to sign. Actually, this agreement reflects the hospital's stance. I also think it's unfair. Regarding your father's surgery, the evaluation report states clearly in black and white that there was no malpractice by Tan Guoliang's team, so there's no responsibility to bear. As for your father's death, it was a natural one without any link to our hospital."
Wang Dalei stared blankly at Chunliang. If anyone else had said this to him, he would have slapped them already. But this was Chunliang! The guy is tough; he couldn't beat him if it came to blows—he'd end up beaten and might even wind up back in detention. Ghosts fear tough people, after all.
"The best thing is not to sign," Chunliang added. "I also think the agreement isn't reasonable. The hospital's conceding too much. I can guarantee if you come next time, you won't get a cent."
Wang Dalei bit his lip, mustering courage as if to explode, but rationality reined in his bad temper. He knew Chunliang was stating facts; if Changxing Hospital had handled this tough from the start, he'd surely have backed down. But those responsible for handling the case were all timid and useless. Bullies like him prey on the weak—give him an inch, and he'll take a mile.
Chunliang retrieved the mediation agreement from the table. After a brief internal struggle, Wang Dalei grabbed the agreement, saying, "Director Xu, can we negotiate...? Four thousand, how about four thousand?"
"Do you think this is the vegetable market? Changxing Hospital is a national institution!" Chunliang posed as if he didn't want to negotiate.
Dalei thought, where did the medical department find such a tough character? In every encounter, he never had the upper hand, unable to outwit him, he had to concede: "I'll sign. Isn't that enough?"
Chunliang released his grip, and Wang Dalei snatched back the agreement, reading it from start to finish. Three thousand is still money; without it, all his prior efforts would be wasted. The incident of Mrs. Jiang fainting cost him a lot, and having those friends lend him their presence wasn't free either. In today's society, loyalty among friends comes at a price; in the end, it's all about interests.
Wang Dalei wasn't stupid; after all, he graduated middle school, and some accounts he could calculate clearly. Getting Changxing's three thousand would at least ensure he wouldn't lose money and would preserve some face publicly. Although he ended up in detention twice because of this, getting compensation from Changxing meant his fight for rights was still a final victory.
Wang Dalei signed his name crookedly on three copies of the agreement—one for him, one for the medical department's records, and one submitted to the hospital.
Chunliang asked him to leave his bank account details and said the agreement would be reviewed by the hospital, and the money would be directly transferred to his account, usually within a week. He reminded Wang Dalei that after signing the agreement, he couldn't back out.
Wang Dalei sighed, "Director Xu, it's only because it's you. For anyone else, I wouldn't settle this without at least a million."
Chunliang patted his shoulder, "Your old man has passed. Why bother him further? Some money can be earned, but some money isn't worth it. I've got matters to attend to, so I won't accompany you further."
Realizing Chunliang was showing him the door, Wang Dalei hurriedly got up and left with Chunliang. His gaze lingered for a moment at the ground in front of the department entrance, recalling being thrown to the ground by Chunliang's mighty hold. He did some digging into Chunliang's background—not from an influential family, so where did he get the nerve?
Returning to his office, Ding Si, waiting there, stood up with a smile to greet, "Director Xu, welcome back."
Cheng Xiaohong privately amused, recalling Ding Si's previously menacing demeanor had frightened her greatly. Chunliang indeed had some magical charisma. Figures like Wang Dalei and Ding Si, known for their toughness, turned into meek lambs around him. Even she had feared Ding Si's retaliation after the incident, but now it seemed unlikely.
Chunliang asked Ding Si to sit, saying he had matters to handle.
Ding Si awkwardly sat back down, and Chunliang returned to his desk, busy with other tasks, seemingly forgetting Ding Si's presence.
Ding Si was a notable figure socially, despite an inglorious prison record. After his release, he thrived through connections and a resilient nature, building a multimillion fortune. Never before had he been so overlooked.
His heart full of indignation, yet dared not storm off—he had an unspeakable predicament, needing assistance.
Cheng Xiaohong, pitying him being ignored, stood to offer him bottled water.
Ding Si thanked her once again.
Cheng Xiaohong smiled at him.
Both recalled that day's dispute. They had fault; Lily's horn honking discourtesy initially, Ding Si's subsequent outrageous retaliation even more so. If they remained controlled, the matter wouldn't have spiraled.
Glancing at Chunliang deliberately ignoring, Ding Si was adamant over his distressing matter.
Just then, the cosmetic surgery department called, reporting a medical dispute needing medical affairs to dispatch someone. Cheng Xiaohong volunteered to check the situation.
With just them left, Ding Si cleared his throat: "Director Xu..."
Chunliang still facing the computer screen, "Speak!"
Ding Si said, "That night I was too impulsive, I was wrong. Today, I'm here specially to apologize."
Chunliang turned his face to him, "Didn't you already apologize that night?"
"Reflecting later, realizing that night's apology wasn't sincere enough. It was wrong of me. As a man, I shouldn't hold grudges with a lady."
"Why didn't you say so when Cheng Xiaohong was here?"
Chunliang said, "Not saying anything bad, but you don't keep your word. Promised a week, yet here you are in days."
Ding Si replied, "Feels like ages, Director Xu, there are no children yet!" Chunliang took a sip from his tea cup.
Feeling his words inadequate, Ding Si added, "Our family has a tradition of single heir succession; children should fulfill these duties."
Chunliang said, "You have infertility? Our hospital's reproductive assistance department is excellent, want me to refer?"
"No, Director Xu, I'm physically fine. Others can't solve my problem; only you can help, I didn't know your stature before. Please forgive me this once." Realizing the absence, he poured out his pride for retrieving male dignity.
Reflecting now, kneeling before Chunliang wasn't such a thing.
"Weren't you going to kill me that day?"
"Director Xu, I like saving face—it was bravado before friends. But now, under the law, I wouldn't risk illegal deeds even if given boldness." Ding Si approached Chunliang upfront, full-faced sincerity.
Chunliang stated, "I know your kind—you provoke trouble, prey on the weak."
Ding Si stood childishly upright, taking the scolding, now fearful if not hard enough.
"Still planning revenge?"
Ding Si hurriedly shook his head. Thoughts before were risky, no longer dare to.
Chunliang handed him a prescription, "Take the medicine. Following this regimen restores prowess, even surpassing before after the course."
Ding Si joyously took it, repeatedly thanking.
Chunliang warned, "But the medicine has side effects; might cause diarrhea for seven days. With your build, you should endure." Gang members like Ding Si deserved no leniency, requiring him to deeply learn the lesson, lest they forget quickly.