Chapter 8: Claiming Undue Credit

The director of Jiang’an City Central Hospital was named Wang Xuewen. His hair was streaked with gray, and his entire demeanor exuded an air of refined elegance. He looked less like a doctor and more like a scholar.

He hurried over quickly, speaking as he walked, “Did your emergency department just receive a girl who was knocked unconscious by broken glass?”

“Yes, she’s already been treated. The patient is currently stable,” Cao Chong nodded repeatedly. In front of Wang Xuewen, he was merely a junior attending physician.

“Take me to her,” Wang Xuewen said with a wave of his hand. Cao Chong swiftly led him into the ward.

When Wang Xuewen saw the girl lying on the bed, he breathed a sigh of relief. The emergency department director, Jin Mingcheng, hurried over to examine her carefully. The girl was indeed safe, though still unconscious.

Jin Mingcheng spoke up, “Director, should we prepare a private room for Miss Luo? Arrange for a dedicated nurse to care for her?”

“Yes, a single room must be arranged,” Wang Xuewen nodded, then turned to Cao Chong with a serious expression. “Tell me, exactly what happened?”

Cao Chong was somewhat confused. Glancing at the girl on the bed, he suspected her identity was not simple. He then recounted, in full detail, how the ambulance had brought her in.

A flicker of surprise appeared in Wang Xuewen’s eyes before he nodded gently.

“This young doctor is quite remarkable.”

“He’s really lucky. This Miss Luo is the mayor’s daughter.”

“What?” Cao Chong was stunned, his face full of disbelief.

Wang Xuewen continued, “What’s the name of this young doctor?”

Just as Cao Chong was about to answer, Jin Mingcheng quickly stepped in front of him, interrupting.

“Director, among our emergency doctors, only Gu Tao could be this outstanding.”

Jin Mingcheng spoke, and Wang Xuewen paused, seeming to recognize the name.

“Oh? Is he your protégé?”

“Yes,” Jin Mingcheng nodded, then turned, casting a cold glare at Cao Chong behind him.

Cao Chong had wanted to mention Fang Zhiyan's name, but seeing Jin’s expression, he shivered and paled slightly. Cao Chong was just a junior attending, while Jin was the department head. The look Jin gave carried a clear threat.

Did he really want to make an enemy of him?

Silence fell over Cao Chong, his mood complicated. Once Jin saw he had cowed Cao Chong, he turned back to Wang Xuewen.

“Director, rest assured, Miss Luo will be perfectly safe under our emergency care.”

Wang Xuewen nodded just then, voices outside hinted at the arrival of an important visitor, and Wang hurried from the room.

Seizing the moment, Jin Mingcheng leaned in, lowering his voice toward Cao Chong. “Old Cao, what’s the name of that intern?”

Cao Chong’s eyes flickered as he whispered, “Fang Zhiyan.”

“Hm, I’ll make sure he’s compensated. Don’t worry.”

“Don’t say things you shouldn’t. I’m the director, but I won’t treat you unfairly either. Understand?”

Jin’s threat hung heavy in the air. Cao Chong nodded, his face pale.

Meanwhile, Fang Zhiyan and the others waited outside. A group of hospital leaders came and went hurriedly, which puzzled them.

Zhu Zixiao glanced surreptitiously at the patient inside and chuckled, “Xiao Fang, you didn’t just save some big shot, did you?”

Fang Zhiyan smiled lightly. “Xiao Shao, you love to joke. The people I help at work—what are the chances one would be a VIP? That kind of luck just doesn’t exist.”

Zhu shook his head with a grin. “Yeah, I don’t think so either.”

Just then, Jin Mingcheng emerged from the ward, his face stern.

Zhu Zixiao’s expression turned serious as he tugged Fang Zhiyan’s sleeve; they all called out together, “Hello, Director Jin.”

“Hm.” Jin nodded, emitting a nasal sound as he asked, “Who’s Fang Zhiyan?”

Everyone turned to look at him.

Fang Zhiyan looked up in surprise. “Director Jin, that’s me.”

Without a word, Jin strode toward the corridor, saying, “Follow me.”

Confused, Fang Zhiyan hurried after him.

At the end of the hallway, Jin spoke quickly, “The person inside wasn’t saved by you. You don’t know anything about it. Understand?”

Fang Zhiyan was stunned, then realized Jin was trying to steal credit.

Looks like Zhu Zixiao’s guess was right.

The person he saved was indeed someone important.

Otherwise, Jin wouldn’t bother.

But this was a bit much.

Fang Zhiyan hadn’t expected that on his very first day at work, his credit would be snatched away.

Though, in truth, such things weren’t uncommon.

In the early 20th century, doctors often fought over credit, accepted bribes, violated protocols—such occurrences were frequent.

He just hadn’t thought he’d run into it himself.

Seeing Fang Zhiyan silent, Jin continued, “If you agree, I’ll double your intern salary.”

“If you don’t, you won’t last long at the hospital, understand?”

Fang Zhiyan frowned. This was the job he needed—he couldn’t afford to lose it.

Jin was the emergency department director; if he wanted to fire him, it wouldn’t be hard.

It seemed he had no choice but to bow under the roof.

Fang Zhiyan nodded slightly. A faint smile appeared in Jin’s eyes.

“You’re sensible. Good. Remember what I said: double the salary.”

Jin patted Fang Zhiyan on the shoulder and hurried away, leaving Fang Zhiyan standing there, helpless.

Meanwhile, the hospital had received notice and quickly transferred the patient, Luo Yun, to a private room.

Jin’s protégé, Gu Tao, took over the care of Luo Yun.

Before long, hospital leaders gathered again at the entrance.

Fang Zhiyan stood far off, watching a middle-aged woman in a black suit step briskly from an official car.

The hospital leaders greeted her warmly.

The group headed straight to Luo Yun’s room.

Not once did they acknowledge Fang Zhiyan.

Zhu Zixiao stood beside Fang Zhiyan, looking puzzled.

“Xiao Fang, this isn’t right. You saved that girl—you should be her lifesaver.”

“Why isn’t anyone coming to see you?”

“Could it be someone stole your credit?”

Fang Zhiyan turned, staring fixedly at Zhu Zixiao.

He felt that Zhu’s mouth was truly poison.

How did he guess so accurately?

He’d hit the mark perfectly.

“Xiao Shao, maybe you should just keep quiet,” Fang Zhiyan sighed, rubbing his temple.

At the same time, fellow intern Yin Jing hurried over, excitedly saying, “I know now who that girl is.”

“She’s the mayor’s daughter, Luo Yun! The woman who just arrived is the mayor’s wife, Tang Ya, who’s also the director of Jiang’an City Health Bureau.”