My Medical Skills Give Me Experience Points Chapter 1357 - 537: Lifeline, Cousin’s Banquet_2

Lu Fen provided clarification from her position.

"Oh, so that's the situation! Dr. Zhou truly embodies loyalty and righteousness. Even after Director Lu's downfall and departure from Tuya, he continues to show him such kindness."

Upon hearing this explanation, the perception of Zhou Can among the onlookers underwent a significant shift.

They, too, had experienced a similar fate to Director Lu, having strayed from a righteous path and consequently fallen into disgrace.

Many of their former colleagues at Tuya had severed ties, exhibiting a palpable sense of avoidance that underscored the brutal realities of the world.

Zhou Can's principled actions undeniably fostered a deeper sense of appreciation and warmth towards him.

"You are also here to check on Director Lu, I presume? I just consulted with Director Xiang Fei from the intensive care unit, and he conveyed that Director Lu's recovery is progressing very favorably. Barring any unforeseen complications, he should overcome the immediate threat to his life."

Zhou Can relayed the details of Director Lu's condition, aiming to alleviate their concerns.

"Lu Fen has not yet had her lunch, so let us not impose upon her. Coincidentally, there is a matter I wish to discuss with you all, concerning the possibility of your return to work at Tuya."

Zhou Can's considerate and thoughtful demeanor towards Lu Fen deeply touched her.

The chief physicians and nurse practitioners who had since transferred to the Third Hospital displayed evident eagerness and hopeful anticipation upon learning that Zhou Can intended to discuss their potential return to Tuya.

Their hearts swelled with genuine, undeniable happiness.

In their despair and darkness, Zhou Can appeared as a beacon of light, illuminating their path forward.

"Is it truly possible... for us to resume our duties at Tuya Hospital?"

Director Li clasped his hands together, his voice tinged with disbelief.

His eyes radiated a profound sense of hope.

"I can only state that there is a possibility, but it will require your diligent efforts to achieve. This is hardly the place for such a discussion; let us find a more secluded location to converse!"

Zhou Can responded with a calm demeanor.

"Certainly, yes, there's a café just across the street. Might we secure a private room there for a discreet conversation?" Director Li, evidently the spokesperson for the group, proposed.

During his tenure at Tuya, he had already established a considerable degree of influence.

His standing was impressive, both in academic pursuits and clinical practice. Among the various chief physicians who had transferred, save for a slight deficiency in surgical skills, his academic accomplishments and treatment expertise were considered top-tier.

"That sounds like an excellent suggestion. A private room will offer the necessary quiet, and we can enjoy some tea,"

Zhou Can readily agreed.

"Niece, we shall take our leave now! We will pay Old Lu another visit on a different day."

"Very well, thank you all, uncles and aunts! Please take care!"

Lu Fen offered a farewell wave.

Zhou Can and the group proceeded to a private room in the teahouse, where they gravitated towards Zhou Can as if he were their only hope.

It is noteworthy that these individuals had once possessed considerable pride and held themselves in high esteem.

"I have already received comprehensive information regarding your circumstances from Director Lu. I am curious if you genuinely desire to return to work at Tuya Hospital? If this is merely my own wishful thinking, then there is no need to proceed further."

Zhou Can began by gently gauging their true intentions.

"Why would we not wish to? I used to fall asleep the moment I arrived home; now, I find myself unable to sleep at night. Lying in bed, I constantly ponder why, after everything was proceeding so well, I ever chose to switch careers. To find myself in such a dire predicament, I wish I could just slap myself."

"As long as I am afforded the opportunity to return to my position at Tuya Hospital, I am prepared to bear any cost. The Third Hospital operates like a ravenous wolf that consumes without hesitation. We are far too feeble to contend with it. My sole desire now is to escape this den of predators."

"Since changing jobs, I have only received a single month's basic salary. My husband now quarrels with me daily, berating me for my decision to switch professions. Even my son fails to comprehend my situation, and at times, I've contemplated following Director Lu's example and ending it all by jumping from a building."

...

The directors recounted their harrowing experiences, their words accompanied by genuine tears.

The path they had taken was their own choice, and they were now consumed by deep regret.

Having listened to their accounts, Zhou Can began to formulate a strategy.

"If your objective is to return to Tuya Hospital, it is imperative that you devise a method to elevate this matter to significant importance, thereby capturing the attention and concern of higher authorities. Director Lu's recent attempt to jump from the building has inadvertently created this very opportunity for you..."

Zhou Can imparted his strategic counsel.

Their discussion within the private room of the teahouse extended for over half an hour, after which Zhou Can had to depart hastily to attend to his duties back at the hospital.

When the bill arrived, Director Li adamantly refused to allow Zhou Can to pay.

Zhou Can did not press the matter.

He had already provided them with the hope of returning to Tuya Hospital; each of them viewed him as a savior.

He had extended the help he could.

Whether they could successfully orchestrate a significant event for their own salvation now rested entirely on their own endeavors.

En route back to Tuya Hospital, he placed a call to Dean Zhu to inform him that the Provincial People's Hospital had consented to provide their deputy director of operations for negotiation purposes.

Dean Zhu was quite pleased to hear the good news from Zhou Can regarding the Provincial People’s Hospital.

"Excellent news! Inform them that we will prepare the way and await their arrival at any time. We shall assign Vice Director Ye, who holds an equivalent position, to welcome them," the Dean instructed.

The principle of reciprocity is fundamental in diplomatic exchanges.

Since the Provincial People’s Hospital dispatched a deputy director-level representative, Tuya Hospital, out of courtesy and respect, ought to send a comparable figure.

It would be more fitting for a deputy director to receive their guests.

Direct communication between the deans of the two hospitals for collaborative matters was highly unlikely, unless they shared a pre-existing familiarity or friendship.

It was clear that their relationship was not particularly close.

This was especially true given the past incident where, after the passing of Director Hu Kan, the Provincial People’s Hospital, alongside other major medical institutions, had jointly targeted Tuya Hospital’s cardiothoracic surgery department, an act akin to a declaration of war.

This confrontation had undoubtedly created lingering animosity between the two institutions.

At the very least, the higher-ups harbored unspoken resentment.

Now, with Zhou Can acting as an intermediary, he had paved the way for the two hospitals to reconcile, making a significant contribution to the stability and advancement of provincial healthcare.

His efforts would not be overlooked once this endeavor was completed.

Should he contend for vice director or director positions in the future, this achievement would serve as a valuable asset and advantage.

It was much like how graduates leverage honors or notable experiences from their academic years as competitive edges when seeking employment.

...

Zhou Can immersed himself in facilitating the medical exchange between the two hospitals, choosing not to mention its specifics.

After his work duties concluded in the evening, he proceeded to the cardiothoracic surgery department as usual to offer his assistance.

However, his phone suddenly rang.

Upon checking the caller ID, he saw it was his aunt’s daughter, Chen Shangmei.

Zhou Can had never held a particular fondness for his aunt’s family.

The reason for this was their pronounced snobbery and their penchant for scheming.

Interacting with such individuals required constant vigilance to avoid becoming entangled in their schemes or being exploited.

Initially, he considered ignoring the call, but his cousin’s persistence was evident as she called again shortly after.

He felt a strong urge to block her number directly.

Ultimately, that thought remained just that—a thought; he could not bring himself to actually do it.

With a sense of reluctance, he finally answered the phone.

"Hello, Shang Mei!" Zhou Can greeted.

The more courteous he appeared, the more distant his cousin seemed to perceive him.

However, such an approach was unlikely to deter someone as thick-skinned as her.

"Cousin, why haven’t you been answering your phone? I’ve called you more than ten times and sent messages on WeChat, yet you haven’t responded," she complained.

"Oh, my apologies. I was occupied with work and didn’t notice," Zhou Can replied dismissively.

While he had indeed seen the notifications, he had simply chosen not to reply.

His days were invariably packed, and he genuinely wished to avoid engaging with irrelevant calls or messages, effectively ignoring most of them.

"Are you finished with work now?" she inquired.

"Mm-hmm. Is there something you require?" Zhou Can maintained a cool demeanor.

"Can’t I call you if I don’t need anything? We are family, after all! I want to treat you to dinner tonight, and you absolutely cannot refuse; I’ve already secured a reservation," she stated, her tone carrying a hint of bossiness.

If Zhou Can had a cordial relationship with her, such an assertive manner might have been perceived as endearing or friendly.

Under the current circumstances, however, it was best not to overestimate the impact of her words.

"Dinner? I have to work overtime tonight and might not have the time! Let’s try to arrange something for another occasion if the opportunity arises," Zhou Can stated, directly declining her invitation.