Chapter 19 The New Doctor Arrives
Hongri Machinery Factory Transportation Team Vehicle Yard.
At noon, the sun was blazing, the cement ground was so hot it was burning your feet, and you couldn't even see a fly in the sweltering heat.
The coolest spot in the convoy was the carport, where a few young men were sitting sparsely in the open space.
Unlike other factory workers who have to go to get off work on time, they are on the road for ten days or half a month when they have tasks, and can listen to the radio for a few days when they don't have tasks.
"The captain is still washing the car on such a hot day?"
The young man with the crew cut rolled up his red undershirt high to his chest and wiped the sweat from his stomach as he spoke.
"The captain's acting strange today!"
“Something’s not right… The captain is always diligent. Before every trip, the captain washes the car.”
Looking at the other young men, some were shirtless, while others, like the crew-cut young men, had rolled up their shirts to expose their bellies.
The only female employee in the entire factory was the vehicle fleet; everyone was used to being lazy in the parking lot.
"You guys have been running around following the captain around all day, you must have eyes in your asses."
Among the many small stools, the only square-faced young man lying on the bamboo chair had his eyes narrowed and was smiling smugly. He had a gap the size of a soybean in the middle of his left eyebrow, and he spoke in a nonchalant manner, looking like no good person.
But everyone in the team knew that Su Weiming was the team's second-in-command, capable of doing whatever he was told, and absolutely loyal.
"Stop keeping me in suspense! Just tell me!"
"Look..." Su Weiming sat up and pointed to the threshing floor: "How does the captain look dressed today?"
He wore a white shirt and army green pants, along with a navy blue apron and arm sleeves.
His back is still so straight, and he's still so hardworking... In short, he's still the same person.
"Oh dear!" Seeing that no one had noticed, Su Weiming stood up from his chair in a panic: "Haven't you noticed that the captain has been acting differently than us lately?"
After saying that, he pointed to the undershirts of the group and then to Gao Ming's white shirt.
Everyone exclaimed "Oh!" in unison.
"She always dresses herself up impeccably, unlike us!"
"I was wondering why I kept smelling soap lately, it must be the captain!"
"Now that you mention it, I remember that the team leader used to be in the team during rest periods, but now the matchmaker is nowhere to be seen."
"Last week I went to the provincial capital and even bought a pair of women's leather shoes at a store. What do you think..."
Several pairs of eyes moved in unison from Gao Ming to Su Weiming's face, all of them already having roughly the same guess.
"You're right, our captain... does have a girlfriend."
Who is it?
Who is it?
"Who is it?!"
Su Weiming helplessly spread his hands: "How would I know?"
"Look, it's the housing administration department."
Just as the man was pointing at the group of people who had walked in through the gate, interrupting the chatter in the bike shed, Gao Ming also walked over to those people.
The two shook hands and talked, and soon Gao Ming invited the man into the transport team's office.
The fact that the head of the housing affairs department personally went to the transportation team must mean something important happened.
Seeing this, Su Weiming quickly put down his T-shirt, casually scratched his messy hair, and walked happily towards the office.
He's getting married to his girlfriend next month, but six months have passed since he submitted his application for a house and there's still no progress.
The thought that the housing department might be coming to check his application materials made him grin from ear to ear.
Knock knock knock—
When Su Weiming knocked on the office door, Gao Ming and Zhao Qing were sitting on either side of the desk.
"team leader."
Gao Ming waved to him: "I was just about to come find you. I went to the workshop to get a kettle of hot water to make tea for Section Chief Zhao."
Zhao Qing bent her index finger and pushed up her glasses, her gaze lingering on Su Weiming for only a moment before quickly looking away.
Su Weiming felt a chill in his heart, immediately realizing that Zhao Qing had come for something else today.
Despite his displeasure, Su Weiming couldn't just show it in front of others, so he turned and left without a word.
Gao Ming chuckled and shook his head: "Section Chief Zhao, don't take it to heart. Our transportation team are all roughnecks."
"There are plenty of people in the factory who have complaints about the housing department, and I wouldn't be pleasant to them either."
Zhao Qing's lips curled slightly, and although he spoke casually, the smile he gave was forced and didn't seem like he didn't care at all.
Gao Ming's eyes flickered slightly, but he still smiled and said, "Section Chief Zhao is truly magnanimous. No wonder Factory Director Zhao always tells me to learn from your interpersonal skills. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to manage those dozens of greenhorns under me." He opened a drawer, took out a pack of cigarettes, pulled one out and handed it to Zhao Qing, then skillfully struck a match and lit it.
Zhao Qing took a deep, comfortable drag, and just as he exhaled the smoke, a finger pushed the whole carton of cigarettes, whose plastic packaging was still intact, to a stop beside him.
“A few days ago, I specially asked someone to get two cartons of Dahai brand cigarettes from Taicheng. Section Chief Zhao, give them a try.”
"Oh! The Dahai brand." Zhao Qing's eyes narrowed slightly, and a playful laugh escaped from deep in his throat: "Captain Gao really knows his stuff. Even if we had the tickets, we couldn't get them."
What can you tell from a cigarette?
Outsiders would never know that before Zhao Qing was transferred to the factory, she worked as a receptionist at the provincial government's reception office for several years, and she knew all the ins and outs of the place very well.
Dahai brand cigarettes are for internal use only, and can only be obtained to entertain provincial-level VIPs. Ordinary people would never even have the chance to see them.
Gao Ming casually produced a whole strip, saying he could just ask someone to buy it for him, but Zhao Qing didn't believe him.
No wonder Deputy Factory Director Luo always said not to have any conflicts with the transportation team; the background of this shrewdness is probably not so simple.
Just then, Su Weiming arrived at the door with a kettle of hot water.
"So, good cigarettes still need to be found by someone who knows what they're doing." Gao Ming raised his eyes and gestured for Su Weiming to make tea, then put on a smiling face and got down to business: "What work instructions did Section Chief Zhao come to the transportation team today?"
Zhao Qing glanced at Su Weiming indifferently, then discreetly pressed the cigarette under his palm.
"I heard that the transport team is going to Taicheng in a few days, and I need to trouble Captain Gao with something."
This is why Zhao Qing, who always looks down on people, is still quite polite to Gao Ming.
"Section Chief Zhao, just let me know if you need anything. As long as it doesn't violate the team's rules and regulations, I'll definitely help you if I can."
“It’s nothing important, my love…” Zhao Qing smiled and leaned towards the desk.
"Section Chief Zhao, have some tea." Su Weiming placed the teacup in front of Zhao Qing, who gave a rare smile and continued talking to Gao Ming about the things he wanted to help bring.
Gao Ming glanced at Su Weiming briefly, then pointed to the sofa by the window.
"It's just a few boxes of soap and face cream, a piece of cake. I'll just have Su Weiming make a trip for me when he has some free time."
"Then I'll have to trouble Captain Gao. But... I don't have that many soap coupons on hand..."
With each sentence Zhao Qing spoke, Su Weiming would grin, and even when he sat down on the sofa, he couldn't help but roll his eyes.
How shameless...
This meant both troubling the transport team to bring the goods back and cleverly taking the risk of exchanging the ticket for him on the black market.
Zhao Qing only needs to talk in the office.
"It's a small matter. Su Weiming will just have to ask his colleagues at the supply station to exchange a few tickets."
With the matter mostly settled, Zhao Qing finally picked up his teacup and took a sip.
"I'll come back when the stuff arrives."
"No need for Section Chief Zhao to make the trip. I'll have Su Weiming bring it to you. Didn't he just apply for a house a few months ago? You can go and check on the application results."
The lazy Su Weiming's pupils suddenly contracted, and he craned his neck expectantly, waiting for Zhao Qing's answer.
"..."
“Even if you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have come to see Comrade Su in a couple of days anyway.”
Zhao Qing paused noticeably before turning to look at Su Weiming as if she knew what was going on.
Su Weiming jumped up, licking his lips with excitement in his eyes.
"Comrade Su's application was approved this morning. The Housing Affairs Department will probably come to verify the information next Monday. Once the verification is complete, the housing will be allocated."
"Thank you, Director Zhao!" Su Weiming bowed deeply with joy.
"No need to thank me, thank your Captain Gao." Zhao Qing waved the cigarette in his hand, a half-smile on his face. "I should thank you for helping me exchange the ticket."
So that's why they sent the cigarettes... It's true what they say, you can't be indebted to someone who gives you a gift.
If it weren't for this pack of cigarettes, Su Weiming's application form would probably still be piled up in some corner of the office.
With so many people in the factory, and people applying for housing every day for various reasons, how could Zhao Qing possibly remember who Su Weiming was?
"Then I'll see Section Chief Zhao out."
Gao Ming smiled, took a few long strides to Zhao's side, and a scent of soap wafted out.
Section Chief Zhao took a few steps and suddenly remembered.
"Did Captain Gao also fill out an application form?"
“Section Chief Zhao is really well-informed.” When asked about the reason for applying for the house, Gao Ming’s smile became much more sincere: “I just contacted the Party Committee in advance to get on the waiting list.”
"Captain Gao has a girlfriend?"
"have."
When are you and your partner planning to get married?
"I've only known Xiao Chen for a few months, marriage is still a long way off!" Gao Ming scratched his face, a little embarrassed.
"That's quite a while, so don't forget to invite me to your wedding banquet."
The Housing Affairs Department can control the housing allocation for factory employees but cannot manage factory cadres. Housing allocation for cadres at the Gaoming level is handled directly by the Party Committee.
Even if the superior housing was under the jurisdiction of the Housing Affairs Department, Zhao Qing would not have the slightest thought of causing trouble.
Someone asks you for a favor once, but you have to ask them for favors many times a year.
Zhao Qing stuffed the cigarettes into his briefcase and hugged them tightly to his chest.
On the transport team's side, the drivers in the truck shed rushed to the office door.
"What are you grinning about, Su Weiming! I could hear you shouting from far away."
"You've been allocated a house!"
"They really divided it up? How come Zhao Qing is so easy to talk to..."
Su Weiming gestured to everyone and then vividly recounted what had just happened in the office.
Although everyone was disappointed that a good pack of cigarettes had ended up in the dog's mouth, it wasn't a complete waste.
It has to be the captain!
"Captain, when did you start dating?"
"We had no idea."
Faced with the teasing from his teammates, Gao Ming completely lost his composure from the office and laughed foolishly: "Sixty-nine days."
He even specified the exact number of days, starting from the night the two officially became a couple.
Su Weiming led the way in a loud laugh.
"You managed to keep it from us for over two months, Captain, you're really something."
"Who is your sister-in-law? Captain, you must introduce us to her if you have the chance."
Gao Ming laughed even more foolishly, as if he couldn't suppress his smile whenever the name was mentioned.
“You all know each other.”
"..."
"Dr. Chen Yun from the factory's staff hospital."
Su Weiming immediately thought of the young female doctor in a white coat who went on stage to receive an award at the National Day commendation meeting.
He overheard the two women next to him saying some rather unpleasant things.
Chen Yun was able to stand on the podium because of his ambiguous relationship with the factory director, and also because of his parents' problematic family background...
"Captain?" Su Weiming wanted to offer a word of advice, but upon seeing Gao Ming's smiling face, he immediately changed the subject: "Where is your wife from?"
Who is the team leader...? Before dating someone, shouldn't you find out about their character?
It's definitely that Queen Ba, whose eyes are so small they're practically slits, who's jealous of her sister-in-law and deliberately talking badly about her!
“Your sister-in-law is from Taicheng,” Gao Ming said.
"That's quite a coincidence. Aren't we going to Taicheng to deliver goods tomorrow?"
Gao Ming was taken aback, but quickly realized, "How could I have forgotten about that!" He took off his apron and threw it at Su Weiming, "I'll go tell your sister-in-law, and you guys can continue washing the car."
The crowd let out a loud shout and disappeared within seconds.
We can wash the car tonight...
***
Factory staff hospital.
A grand welcoming ceremony was being held in front of the hospital. The red silk that had been gathering dust in the propaganda team's warehouse for half a year finally saw the light of day again and was hung on every wall that could be hung in the hospital.
The banner welcoming Comrade Fang Ping to work at our institute was hung in the most prominent position at the entrance.
The doctor, whose case should have been reported three months ago, has finally revealed his true identity today.
As the newly appointed head of internal medicine, Chen Yun naturally had to stand at the front of the welcoming crowd.
On the left is Liu Baoguo, who is eagerly waiting, and on the right is Ye Yuanjun, who is constantly talking to himself.
"They're just recent medical school graduates, who are they trying to impress with such a big show?"
"I've crossed more bridges than I've eaten salt, so why should all the women ride roughshod over me?"
"I'd like to see just how powerful it really is."
Chen Yun was speechless. Ye Yuanjun was over forty years old, how could he still be so narrow-minded?
They were so close that not only Chen Yun could hear it clearly, but Liu Baoguo could also hear it.
I guess he's just too busy to deal with him.
"Welcome, Comrade Fang Ping."
After all, the most important person at the moment has appeared, slowly coming into view in a flowing floral dress.
Fang Ping's clothes and appearance clearly indicate that she is a city girl.
Her thick, black braids hung down to her chest, tied with red velvet ribbons at the ends, and her skin was so white it seemed to reflect light.
Thump—
A familiar yet strange palpitation suddenly arose in Chen Yun. She pressed her left shoulder and did not join the others in welcoming them.
The last time it appeared was when it found money in the treasure cabinet.
This time, the feeling was completely different from the last time. The palpitations brought not excitement but displeasure, and the onset lasted several minutes longer than last time.
The rapid heartbeat brought a very brief feeling of impending death.
Chen Yun's forehead was instantly covered in cold sweat, and it took a while for the blackout to gradually subside.
Chen Yun looked up at Fang Ping, who was surrounded by the crowd.
This premonition was bad, as if it were a warning to Chen Yun not to get close.
"Where is Dr. Chen...?"
Liu Baoguo had finished his polite remarks when he turned around and realized that Chen Yun, whom he was supposed to introduce next, was not there.
"What's wrong with Dr. Chen?"
Chen Yun stood there clutching her chest, her face as pale as paper.
Zuo Lingling exclaimed in surprise and rushed over to help Chen Yun, anxiously telling Duan Yun to quickly bring a stool.
"Is he suffering from heatstroke?" Liu Baoguo asked with concern as he turned back.
Panshui County was still sweltering in mid-October. It's not surprising that people get heatstroke in autumn, especially since they had been standing by the roadside for so long.
Chen Yun was speechless, large drops of sweat dripping down her forehead.
Her intuition told her not to get close to this newcomer, Fang Ping, or it would bring unimaginable consequences.
Moreover, the more severe the consequences, the more severe the aftereffects of the premonition.
"Quickly help Dr. Chen to his office to rest."
The welcome party came to an abrupt end due to Chen Yun's sudden condition. Liu Baoguo hurriedly directed several female comrades to help Chen Yun back to her office on the second floor to rest.
After Chen Yun was helped up to the second floor, Liu Baoguo finally had time to lead Fang Ping to his office.
"Dr. Chen must have suffered from heatstroke. I'll introduce you to her after she's rested."
"Director Chen is the head of internal medicine at our hospital, right?" Fang Ping smiled, her voice gentle and sweet.
"Don't let Dr. Chen's youth fool you; he has extensive work experience and superb medical skills." Liu Baoguo glanced at Fang Ping discreetly and smiled without batting an eye: "Dr. Chen is a backbone of our hospital, and I hope that Dr. Fang can also become a backbone member of the hospital in the future."
Liu Baoguo is a very shrewd person; he clearly expressed his attitude and the hospital's decision in just a few words.
Fang Ping probably thought no one at the factory hospital knew about it, and the reason she delayed agreeing to the transfer for several months was simply because she was dissatisfied with the provincial hospital's arrangement.
It's understandable that he felt uncomfortable about being transferred from the provincial hospital to a remote mountain village, but the fact that he would only agree to the transfer if he took the opportunity to ask for a promotion had already made Liu Baoguo resentful.
Between Chen Yun and Fang Ping, he chose the former without even thinking.
So upon learning the news, he immediately submitted a report to the factory requesting that Chen Yun be promoted to head of internal medicine.
"Don't worry, Dean, I will definitely work hard and strive to bring honor to our hospital."
Liu Baoguo's smile seemed somewhat forced.
Despite her young age, she's quite adept at handling things; someone who didn't know better could easily be fooled by her.
"I'll take Dr. Fang to his office to have a look first."
"Thank you for your trouble, Dean."
"There are two offices left. Take a look and choose whichever one you like..."
In Chen Yun's office on the second floor.
After drinking half a cup of warm water, the palpitations finally subsided. Chen Yun rubbed her temples and looked out the window.
Fang Ping...
I silently murmured the name in my heart and made a secret resolution to never have any contact with this person again unless absolutely necessary.
"Director Chen."
"Doctor Zuo."
Zuo Lingling went back to her office, poured herself a glass of sugar water, cooled it down, and handed it to Chen Yun.
"Drink some sugar water. My heart races when I drink something sweet."
"Thank you." Chen Yun didn't like sweets, but couldn't bear to refuse Zuo Lingling's kindness, so she took the gift and sipped a few small bites. "I'm all set here. You should go to Dr. Fang's welcome party."
"I just saw them come up; they're choosing offices right now."
Zuo Lingling stood at the door for a while, observing. Fang Ping wasn't satisfied with either office. She said the one near the stairs was poorly lit, making it difficult to observe patients' complexions. She complained about the strong paint smell on the walls of the second office, saying it would cause her respiratory sensitivity and trigger a cough.
Anyway, when Zuo Lingling brought out the sugar water, she noticed that the dean's face didn't look very good.
"Then you should sit down and rest for a while. Everyone's been terribly sunburnt today," Chen Yun said. "Anyway, there are no patients at the hospital this afternoon."
"Did you see what the new doctor looks like?" Zuo Lingling asked in a low voice as she sat down.
Chen Yun nodded: "A very young female comrade."
“A city girl,” Zuo Lingling’s voice was even lower, almost a whisper by the end, “very spoiled.”
The doctors in the city looked down on the factory hospital, and probably looked down on these untrained barefoot doctors even more.
"I'm just upset! How can our hospital compare to those in the provincial capital?" Chen Yun said frankly.
"You didn't see it just now, she was nitpicking about our office..."
Chen Yun took another sip of the sugar water.
Yu Guang suddenly noticed two figures approaching from outside the door, and immediately reached out and gently nudged Zuo Lingling.
Unexpectedly, the figure walked straight past, heading towards Ye Yuanjun's office.
"Could she be trying to switch offices with Ye Yuanjun?"
Zuo Lingling opened her mouth in surprise, even finding it hard to believe that Fang Ping would actually make such an absurd request as changing offices.
If they really dared to say that...
“Dr. Fang’s family background must be extraordinary.” Chen Yun’s smile faded, and his expression turned serious. “I guess only the factory leaders know her background. We should avoid her in the future.”
Chen Yun is not the type to speak ill of others. The reason she spoke to Zuo Lingling was to subtly suggest that she go home and inquire about the situation.
They might not know Fang Ping's background, but Deputy Factory Director Luo Youmao certainly did.
“I’ll ask my brother-in-law when I get home tonight; he’ll definitely know,” Zuo Lingling immediately replied, then stood up. “I’ll go check.”
"No need to go, they're here."
Liu Baoguo and Fang Ping had returned, and this time they stopped in front of Chen Yun's office.
"Dr. Chen, this is Fang Ping, our new doctor. She will also be working in the internal medicine department."
"Hello, Director Chen."
Fang Ping smiled and extended her hand, but her gaze began to sweep around the office.
"Hello."
"Director Chen's office is so bright and spacious. Look how well that tree outside the window is growing, it's like a painting... I've always been in poor health, so I'll go to the office next door..."
He said only nice things, but the people present couldn't help but frown.
Chen Yun hadn't expected that the person who really wanted to change offices was targeting her.
This was the first time Zuo Lingling had ever met such a shameless person. She was so shocked that she forgot to compose herself and stared blankly at Fang Ping's opening and closing lips.
Liu Baoguo's face darkened even more...
"It's a pity I arrived late, and I'm not feeling well, so I can only persevere until I perform better and get a different office later," Fang Ping said to Chen Yun.
Liu Baoguo clenched his jaw tightly.
Just as he was about to speak, he saw Chen Yun smile gently: "Then Dr. Fang must work hard and strive to be promoted to the position of director as soon as possible. I believe the dean will definitely change your office to a better one."
Fang Ping's smile remained unchanged, but the coldness in her eyes could not be hidden and spread out in wisps.
"It's working hours now, so I'll get back to work now. We can exchange medical knowledge when we have time."
"I hope Director Chen will provide more guidance if I have any questions in the future."
Fang Ping's haughtiness seemed to be ingrained in her bones; her chin was slightly raised, full of disdain and contempt.
creak—
Before leaving, Ping politely closed the door.
"Where did this capitalist lady come from? We're all treated like maids."
Zuo Lingling, an observer, also had the same feeling as Chen Yun.
"Let's avoid contact in the future. I'm afraid I..." Chen Yun pursed her lips and said casually, "I might not be able to resist arguing with her about what equality for all means."
"Don't act rashly. Let me go back and find out who she is."
"Don't forget to tell me once you've found out."
"Of course."
The closed door was pushed open, and Liu Baoguo walked in with a dark face.
"No need to ask, just ask me."
Liu Baoguo had already found out everything before the transfer list was released.
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