Changxing Hospital is the stronghold of Pei Lin's business, and the change in the hospital's leadership is highly likely to affect her vital interests. Therefore, she must make an effort in advance to smooth out her connections before the matter is confirmed.
Both domestic and foreign pharmaceutical companies are numerous, and a top-tier hospital like Changxing is a coveted prize for medical representatives. Pei Lin has no shortage of competitors. The new dean will certainly have his own reliable connections, and Pei Lin's sense of crisis surpasses even the formal employees of Changxing.
Zhu Mingyuan has never interacted much with Pei Lin. Traditional Chinese Medicine Department in this comprehensive hospital of Changxing barely has any presence, its income ranking at the bottom among all departments. As society becomes more realistic, low income means no voice.
Back then, Gao Xinhua wanted to place Xu Chunliang into the Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, but Zhu Mingyuan, under pressure, refused. As chief physicians, apart from his salary, Zhu Mingyuan only has a meager performance bonus, incomparable to his old classmate Zhao Yongsheng.
Now Zhao Yongsheng lives in a townhouse, buying houses one after another, changing cars frequently, with his current ride being a BMW X3. He himself resides in the only house he owns, a three-bedroom two-living room on a higher floor, and he is still driving a Passat purchased eight years ago.
Zhu Mingyuan wasn't having a good night either. Not only was he mocked by Gao Xinhua, but he also had to face challenges from the younger ones. He excused himself, saying his son is in his senior year, so he needs to leave early to help him study, and he was the first to leave.
Gao Xinhua originally planned to play another round of cards, but Zhu Mingyuan's departure instantly dampened his mood. Gao Xinhua said he had to go to the Capital City for a meeting the next day and needed to go home early to pack, suggesting the dinner end there.
As soon as Gao Xinhua said this, the dinner naturally dispersed. Even though Zhao Yongsheng claimed it was to thank the Medical Affairs Department, the true guest of honor was still Gao Xinhua.
Zhou Wenbin proactively suggested Cheng Xiaohong send Gao Xinhua home, but Gao Xinhua waved it off, saying his home wasn't far, and he'd walk back after dinner. Only then did Zhou Wenbin realize how thoughtful Zhao Yongsheng had been, choosing a place near Gao Xinhua's home, which made him feel a bit displeased that all along, the guest of honor was always Gao Xinhua, and the so-called thank-you to the Medical Affairs Department was just an excuse.
Everyone watched Gao Xinhua leave first. Zhao Yongsheng called for a designated driver, and though Tang Mingmei had hitched a ride with him earlier, she now expressed her desire to leave with Cheng Xiaohong. It was clear she intended to distance herself from Zhao Yongsheng, who was already slightly drunk, and she didn't want to risk him making a move on her under the influence of alcohol.
They said their goodbyes at the door. Cheng Xiaohong went alone to fetch her car, and as she approached, headlights suddenly flared from the opposite side, two bright beams shining on her face. Cheng Xiaohong raised her hand to shield her eyes as the other party rudely pointed their high beams at her.
Cheng Xiaohong recognized it as the Audi Q7 they had encountered on the way to dinner. Not wanting to escalate the conflict, she turned to her own car, only to have the other party drive straight at her.
Startled, Cheng Xiaohong twisted her foot in panic, losing her balance and landing hard on the ground.
The Q7 driver braked in time, stopping more than a meter away from her, but the scare still made Cheng Xiaohong scream.
A large, shaved head emerged from the Audi with a face full of hostility. The driver yelled at Cheng Xiaohong, "Are you fucking blind? If you want to kill yourself, jump off a building!"
Colleagues chatting by the door rushed over at the sound of her scream. Tang Mingmei helped Cheng Xiaohong up. Although the fall wasn't heavy, she had scraped her arm.
Zhu Mingyuan pointed angrily at the car, "How are you driving?"
All four doors of the Q7 opened simultaneously, and five hefty men got out. Each was big and tall, averaging over 1.8 meters, mostly inebriated, with tipsy expressions.
Seeing their presence, Zhu Mingyuan felt afraid; reasoning doesn't work with musclemen when you're just a doctor, not a martial artist.
Zhou Wenbin and Zhao Yongsheng also arrived. Having had some drinks, Zhao Yongsheng, particularly as he was the host and in the presence of Tang Mingmei, showed some courage, pointing at them, "What's going on with you?"
The driver of the big guys said, "We're not sure what's happening either. She suddenly rushed up as if she's trying to scam us."
"Watch your tongue!" Tang Mingmei helped Cheng Xiaohong up.
Terrified, Cheng Xiaohong adopted a peace-seeking attitude, "It's okay, I wasn't careful when walking."
Zhou Wenbin recognized the car, knowing full well they were intentionally picking a fight, and since Cheng Xiaohong wasn't pressing charges, he didn't want to escalate matters, especially since these guys didn't seem likes any good, engaging them would surely result in a loss on their side.
Tang Mingmei insisted, "What do you mean, it's okay? Scared her like this and not even a sorry?"
The big guy chuckled, "Alright, sorry."
Seeing that Cheng Xiaohong wasn't seriously hurt and the opponent had apologized, Zhao Yongsheng didn't wish to drag things out, suggesting that since everything was fine, everyone should leave.
Though feeling wronged, Cheng Xiaohong dared not voice it.
Just as everyone was about to get into their cars and leave, Xu Chunliang said, "Is a simple sorry enough? She was so terrified; don't you have any responsibility to bear?"
The burly men had started opening their car doors, but hearing this, they turned around again.
Zhou Wenbin discreetly tugged Xu Chunliang's arm, signaling that the matter was settled and he shouldn't look for extra trouble.
Xu Chunliang approached the group slowly, "It was you who intentionally blocked our car a few times on the way here, right? I wasn't going to pursue it, but now this? Overstepping bounds, aren't we?"
Zhao Yongsheng and Zhu Mingyuan exchanged puzzled looks, unaware of the situation. They didn't understand why Xu Chunliang was stepping in now when the matter had already been settled.
Tang Mingmei, also unclear about what had happened, quietly asked Cheng Xiaohong, who tearfully explained the events. Only then did Tang Mingmei realize that they had deliberately scared Cheng Xiaohong, a blatant act of revenge.
The five men moved towards Xu Chunliang, surrounding him in a semi-circle. The driver grinned at Xu Chunliang, "Kid, what's your plan?"
Zhou Wenbin sensed the tension and quickly intervened, "Everyone, let's just drop it. No one meant any harm."
Even though he disliked Xu Chunliang, Zhu Mingyuan couldn't help but align with him, "Let's not act impulsively, we can talk this out."
The driver tapped Xu Chunliang, "I like gutsy youngsters. So, what's your plan, kid?"
"Take my colleague to the hospital for a checkup, cover all her medical expenses, lost wages, and mental distress." Xu Chunliang, having worked a few days in the medical office, was well-versed in compensation practices.
The driver looked around at his companions, and they all burst into laughter. "See? Not just a scam, but an organized one," he said.
"Watch your language," Tang Mingmei snapped back. "Slander could land you in jail."
The driver retorted, "That's just how I talk. You folks better ask around in Dongzhou, who dares to mess with me, Ding Si?"