Chapter 186 Apology
More than half an hour later, Director Huang arrived at the Ministry of Health with a heavy heart. He did not see the directors of the other research institutes inside the Ministry of Health, and he immediately felt that something was wrong.
After thinking for a moment, before going to see the Minister of Health, he specifically sought out an official from the Ministry of Health to inquire about information. This official had revealed information about the Ministry of Health to him on several occasions.
He pulled the cadre to a secluded corner and lowered his voice, saying, "Comrade, I'd like to ask, did your minister call me here for something? Am I alone, or are other colleagues from other research institutes coming later?"
He paused for a moment, realizing he had been too direct, and quickly added, "If there are still people later, then I won't be in a hurry. I can go to the restroom first and then go to the minister's office, so as not to disturb the minister's work before everyone has arrived."
The cadre shook his head blankly and said honestly, "I didn't even know you were called here. I guess only the minister and his secretary know."
"Do you know where the minister's secretary is now?" Director Huang still didn't give up trying to find out more information.
The official, looking completely at ease, said confidently, "I know that. He just left the Ministry of Health in a hurry not long ago."
Director Huang: "..."
After asking around, all I found was a bunch of nonsense.
Since the Minister of Health was still waiting for Director Huang in his office, Director Huang really didn't have any extra time to slowly gather information, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and go see the Minister of Health.
As soon as Director Huang entered the minister's office, he saw the minister with a solemn expression and not a smile on his face. He sighed inwardly; his premonition was right, it was indeed not a good thing!
He thought it over and over, and realized that he hadn't made any mistakes recently!
The Minister of Health glanced at Director Huang at the door, but did not offer him a seat, leaving him standing in front of him.
He went straight to the point and asked, "Director Huang, how did your institute select the candidates for the list you submitted? Comrade Lin Yuanshu's research on penicillin is so important that it has been promoted nationwide, yet it wasn't selected by you. What's the problem? What exactly didn't catch your eye?"
Upon hearing the Minister of Health's rebuke, Director Huang felt an involuntary sense of suffocation; despite not feeling cold, he felt his body trembling.
He took a deep breath and said seriously, "The fact that Comrade Lin Yuanshu's research results were not selected was not a decision I made alone. It was discussed by the cadres of the Dongfanghong Research Institute, and Comrade Lin Yuanshu also agreed to it. Everyone's opinions could not be unified. Even if it is promoted nationwide, it does not mean that this research result is very practical..."
The Minister of Health couldn't help but frown. Director Huang was talking nonsense, trying to fool him. He wasn't so easily fooled.
If he had answered the organizing committee leader like that, he wouldn't have had a chance to participate in the preparations for the Medical Science Conference; he would have been replaced long ago.
"Don't give me this nonsense. You've all discussed and agreed on the list to be submitted. What else could Comrade Lin Yuanshu do but approve it? Argue with you? Make this a public spectacle and embarrass us leaders!"
The Minister of Health spoke in increasingly harsh tones, demonstrating just how angry he was.
Seeing this, Director Huang realized his scheme had been exposed and quickly admitted his mistake, saying, "Minister, I didn't consider this matter thoroughly and didn't handle it well..."
He truly hadn't expected the Minister of Health to value Lin Yuanshu so much, even noticing something as trivial as Lin Yuanshu's research results not being reported. He had really miscalculated.
The Minister of Health's mood did not improve because of Director Huang's apology. He sighed and said earnestly, "You did the right thing. You should admit your mistakes instead of trying to find excuses. Let me tell you the truth! The higher-ups value Comrade Lin Yuanshu's future development. You can't suppress her just because you want to. I can protect you this time, but I won't be so lenient next time. I hope you won't make the same mistake a second time."
Regardless of whether Lin Yuanshu's failure to be elected was compliant with regulations, if the higher-ups felt there was something fishy going on, then there must be something fishy, even if there wasn't. Besides, there was something fishy about this matter to begin with, so he couldn't take the blame himself. Therefore, he could only let Director Huang take the responsibility.
Director Huang swallowed hard, still shaken, and said, "I understand. I promise I won't do it again. I will be more careful in dealing with Comrade Lin Yuanshu in the future."
The Minister of Health nodded and said casually, "Since you know you're wrong, don't forget to write a letter of self-criticism and submit it. This letter should also be posted on the bulletin board of your research institute so that everyone can see it."
Director Huang's face immediately turned extremely ugly. To be honest, he had never written a self-criticism letter since he became the director of the research institute. It wasn't that he didn't want to write a self-criticism letter, but that he didn't want to make it public and lose face in front of everyone.
Seeing that Director Huang's expression was off, the Minister of Health subconsciously frowned and said with a hostile look, "It's not that I want you to do this, but I need to give an explanation to the higher-ups. Making you write a letter of self-criticism is already a lenient punishment. I haven't withheld your allowance or disqualified you from being nominated as an 'advanced worker.' If you're not satisfied, then I'll have to let the higher-ups handle this matter."
Director Huang's heart tightened, and he hurriedly said, "I have no complaints. I will write a letter of self-criticism as soon as I get back and will resolve this matter as quickly as possible."
His tone carried a hint of nervousness and ingratiation; he was also afraid of making a big fuss and causing his punishment to become more severe.
If he had known things would turn out this way, he should have insisted on choosing Lin Yuanshu's research results instead of trying to maintain a balance, reduce gossip between himself and Lin Yuanshu, and try to satisfy everyone.
Now everyone's satisfied, but he's in big trouble. He finally gained the Minister of Health's trust, but now he's come full circle and back to square one.
He couldn't even imagine how other research institute directors would laugh at his lack of common sense if this got back to them.
The Minister of Health felt annoyed just looking at Director Huang's face. He ordered in a serious tone, "Don't forget to organize Comrade Lin Yuanshu's research findings and submit them to me. Because of you, the cadres of the Ministry of Health will have to work overtime for several days, and I will have to clean up your mess."
Knowing he was in the wrong, Director Huang quickly apologized in a low voice, "Thank you so much for your hard work. I have deeply realized my mistake and the inconvenience I have caused you..."
Besides that, he didn't know what else to say. The Minister of Health's complaints against him had become so undisguised that he felt no matter what he said, the Minister of Health wouldn't calm down.
Before Director Huang could finish speaking, the Minister of Health waved his hand impatiently, indicating that Director Huang could leave.
Director Huang smiled at the Minister of Health, but the smile vanished the moment he turned around. He left the office with a serious expression; it was really hard for him to be happy after something like this had happened.
Upon returning to the institute, Director Huang immediately convened a meeting.
After learning about the meeting, Lin Yuanshu and the others put down their work and headed to the meeting room.
When they arrived at the conference room, Director Huang was already sitting in a chair. They quickly sat down as well, wondering what important event had happened that would make Director Huang arrive at the conference room early, since he always liked to be the last to arrive at meetings.
Deputy Director Ye turned to look at Lin Yuanshu, feeling that this meeting was inextricably linked to him.
Lin Yuanshu noticed Deputy Director Ye's gaze and gave him an innocent look.
After everyone had arrived, Director Huang glanced at them, taking in their expressions, and then sighed.
Seeing this, everyone felt uneasy; Director Huang's behavior today was too abnormal.
Lin Yuanshu also deliberately pretended to be flustered to avoid attracting attention; at this time, it was better to go with the flow.
After mentally preparing himself, Director Huang said with difficulty, "The Minister of Health just asked me to come over and talked to me about some things. The leaders above attach great importance to Comrade Lin Yuanshu's research results and have clearly pointed out that this research result should not be rejected."
Everyone gasped when they heard this. It meant that the list they had submitted was incorrect!
Director Huang continued calmly, "It was my oversight that led to such a major oversight in my work. I failed to do this properly and almost caused such an important research result to miss the chance to be nominated for an award at the Medical Science Conference. This is a serious mistake on my part, and I would like to apologize to Comrade Lin Yuanshu here..."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that Director Huang was willing to take responsibility.
Lin Yuanshu quickly waved his hand, looking troubled: "Director Huang, you're exaggerating. I was able to come to the Dongfanghong Research Institute thanks to you. I do feel wronged about not being selected, but I really don't blame you. You also have your own difficulties."
Director Huang has his own difficulties, and she has her own way of fighting back. She can understand Director Huang, and presumably Director Huang can understand her too.
When no one was paying attention, Deputy Director Ye rolled his eyes. They really knew how to act, saying one thing to one person and another to another.
For a time, Lin Yuanshu and Director Huang got along perfectly, as if nothing unpleasant had ever happened between them.
The others not only had to agree with Director Huang, but also apologize to Lin Yuanshu. They wanted the matter to pass peacefully without any further complications, as their hearts couldn't take any more turmoil.
Because Director Huang learned about Lin Yuanshu's high regard from the Minister of Health, he had no doubt that the higher-ups knew about Lin Yuanshu's failure to be selected and that Lin Yuanshu was behind it all.
Seeing that Director Huang's smile had returned, Deputy Director Ye asked frankly, "Director Huang, since the higher-ups have said so, how should we handle Comrade Lin Yuanshu's research results? Should we change the research results we submitted to be Comrade Lin Yuanshu's research results?"
Director Huang shook his head and explained, "That's not necessary. We just need to submit Comrade Lin Yuanshu's research findings again."
Upon hearing this, Deputy Director Ye immediately felt relieved. At least she hadn't schemed and ended up with nothing.
After the meeting, Director Huang kept Lin Yuanshu behind for a private talk, where he sincerely apologized to Lin Yuanshu again and admitted his mistakes.
Lin Yuanshu didn't know if Director Huang truly realized his mistake or was forced to admit it because of what his superiors said. Instead of smiling and forgiving Director Huang, she reiterated that Director Huang had done nothing wrong.
Director Huang understood Lin Yuanshu's meaning. The two smiled at each other, seemingly having reconciled, but in reality, their differences were growing.
In her words, this little boat of friendship could capsize at any moment.
However, she was not surprised by Director Huang's change of heart. Her mind determined her stance; when she was the team leader, Director Huang was naturally willing to support her and stand on her side.
But once she becomes the deputy director, their relationship will inevitably change. She will be able to threaten Director Huang's position, and Director Huang will no longer be able to support her as unconditionally as before.
Precaution is unavoidable.
Lin Yuanshu said goodbye to Director Huang and walked back to her office, only to find Deputy Director Ye standing in front of her office door.
Upon seeing Lin Yuanshu, Deputy Director Ye immediately walked over and whispered tentatively, "Did you do this? I have to admit, you acted quite quickly."
Lin Yuanshu raised an eyebrow and sneered, "I'm not that powerful. I don't know any high-ranking officials. At most, I know the Minister of Health. Whether I deliberately approached the Minister of Health or not, you know better than anyone else. So why come to me and say such things!"
She couldn't possibly admit it; she still knew the adage that villains die from talking too much.
Deputy Director Ye looked Lin Yuanshu up and down, and asked with some doubt, "You really didn't do this?"
Lin Yuanshu said speechlessly, "If I were to take action, do you think you'd still have the chance to report your research findings?"
Deputy Director Ye, unusually cheerful, said with a smile, "I was just joking with you, please don't be angry. I know that no matter what I say now, you won't believe me, and you'll suspect that I have ulterior motives. Don't worry, after you graduate from university, you'll see my sincerity."
After this incident, she realized one thing: Lin Yuanshu may seem to have no backing, but he had actually caught the eye of the higher-ups long ago. Otherwise, they wouldn't have stood up for him this time. So, it was better for her not to go against Lin Yuanshu.
This isn't her backing down; it's that she's self-aware.
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