“Yes, this Thursday will be your first time going. Come to me in the morning, and I’ll take you there and give you a tour,” Director Lin said.
Li Chu replied, "I understand, Uncle-Master."
Director Lin closed his eyes and pondered for a while, then opened them and said, "Although Director Cheng has already spoken to your hospital leaders, you must visit a few more leaders when you get back later."
After saying that, Director Lin slapped his forehead again: "I almost forgot the most important thing, Xiao Chu, you haven't joined the organization yet, have you?"
Li Chu shook his head: "No, I wrote two applications and attended one class."
“An activist, that’s good! Go back and rewrite your application, then submit it to Director Cheng. Dean Liu and I will be your recommenders.”
Hearing this, Li Chu was very happy and quickly agreed, "Okay, Uncle-Master, I'll rewrite the application when I get back."
"Alright, nothing else for now. We'll talk about it later if we remember anything else."
Li Chu stood up and slung his bag over his shoulder: "Uncle-Master, I'll head over there now."
Director Lin walked out from behind the desk, patted Li Chu on the shoulder, and said, "Remember, be humble in your personal life, but ambitious in your work. Go back now."
"Yes, Uncle-Master. I'll be going then."
Today, Li Chu didn't have the hospital's car take him home. He planned to walk for a while and then take the bus. He had too much to do today and needed to calm himself down.
He took out his newly issued work ID card from his pocket and looked at it again. This signified that starting today, Monday, July 31, 1961, he would embark on a brand new path.
If I can successfully join the organization, I will have two talismans to protect myself and my family. My heart, which has been a little uneasy, can finally feel a little more at ease.
Upon returning to the hospital, Li Chu did not go back to his office but went directly to Director Liang's office.
When Director Liang saw Li Chu enter with his satchel on his back, he smiled and waved for him to sit down.
"Aren't you taking a bit too big a step?" Director Liang asked jokingly.
Li Chu smiled slightly, unsure how to respond to that question.
Without waiting for him to say anything, Director Liang continued, "Will you come to the hospital less often in the future?"
Hearing this, Nurse Su, who was sitting at the desk by the door, looked up. She didn't know anything about Li Chu's situation, but she was surprised by what the director said. Why would Dr. Li come to the hospital less often in the future?
Li Chu thought for a moment before saying, "I'll come over if there's nothing wrong. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners need to interact with patients more often." He didn't mention which day he would need to go, as that was written in the confidentiality agreement.
Director Liang smiled with satisfaction and said, "Okay, that consultation room will still be reserved for you." Then he said to Nurse Su, "Xiao Su, every morning when you come, please clean Dr. Li's consultation room as well."
When Nurse Su heard that she was to be assigned tasks, she quickly agreed. This made her even more curious. It seemed that Dr. Li had other work to do, but he would occasionally come back to the hospital. She just didn't know where he went. She didn't dare to ask and could only suppress her curiosity.
"Thank you, Director, and thank you, Nurse Su, for your hard work."
When Nurse Su heard Li Chu thank her, she quickly waved her hand and said, "It's no trouble at all, Dr. Li, it's what I should do."
Director Liang glanced at his watch and said to Li Chu, "Let's go see the deans."
————————
After leaving the deans' quarters, Li Chu went back to his office to get what he was writing and went straight home.
When he opened the door, Xiao Hei was standing inside, curiously looking at him, probably wondering why the male homeowner was home so early today.
I made myself some noodles for lunch, and after eating, I went into my study.
Having already written two applications, I finished this one very quickly.
After finishing writing it, I checked it carefully several times, and then copied it again before finally leaving with a satisfied expression.
I rode my bicycle straight to the main hospital to get Dean Liu and Director Lin's signatures. These things shouldn't be delayed; I couldn't let others keep reminding me about my own business.
After signing the document at the main hospital, I didn't waste any time and went to the ministry to submit the application to Director Cheng.
I got my work permit today, and entering the department went smoothly.
He filled out another application form with Director Cheng, because he had already attended classes and taken the graduation exam at the beginning of last year, and all of this was in his file, so he didn't need to attend classes again this year.
Director Cheng took the application form filled out by Li Chu and looked at it carefully. When he saw the section on kinship, Director Cheng raised his eyebrows.
Because it was a joint recommendation from Dean Liu and Director Lin, and because Li Chu was a disciple of Professor Yang, he wasn't particularly curious about Li Chu's file.
The investigation was conducted by the ministry, so Director Cheng was unaware of Li Chu's family relationships.
When Director Cheng saw this, he was somewhat surprised.
His wife, let's not even talk about her. She's just an ordinary working-class woman, who could be considered part of the health system.
His sister and brother-in-law had both joined the organization before the liberation. And his parents—the words "sacrificed" and "martyr"—are not to be used lightly.
Director Cheng carefully examined the names of Li Chu's parents, and they gave him a sense of familiarity.
After frowning and thinking for a moment, Director Cheng stood up, opened the cabinet behind him, and took out a file folder containing a stack of internal reports issued by the central government over the years.
Li Chu watched Director Cheng's actions and felt somewhat puzzled. Could there be a problem with the information he had filled out? He wanted to ask, but seeing Director Cheng diligently searching for something, he dismissed the idea.
Director Cheng took out the internal reference document and flipped through it page by page. Li Chu's file had to be verified clearly, otherwise there would be problems.
Finally, he saw the names of Li Chu's parents on an internal report issued a few years ago. This report was issued by the central government to cadres at the bureau level and above throughout the organization, the country, and the military, and it clearly recorded the deeds of Li Chu's parents.
Two men inadvertently uncovered intelligence about enemy agents and reported it simultaneously. However, due to time constraints and the inability to wait for their comrades' assistance, they risked their lives to personally sabotage the enemy agents' planned demolition in Beijing, tragically sacrificing their lives in the process. Their remains were draped with the national flag by several high-ranking officials from the central leadership.
The internal report was very detailed, including the resumes of both husband and wife. As cadres in the leadership of the relevant department, they were able to rush to the front line of the battle together, which Director Cheng greatly admired.
Closing the documents in his hand, Director Cheng picked up a pen and heavily signed his name and comments on Li Chu's application form.
After signing, Director Cheng looked up at Li Chu and said, "Comrade Li Chu, I will submit your application and declaration form to the organization committee of the ministry. Afterwards, the ministry will send someone to talk to you. I hope you will take this seriously."
"Yes, Director Cheng. If there's nothing else, I'll be going now. Please continue with your work," Li Chu said, standing up.
Director Cheng got up and escorted Li Chu to the office door. After watching Li Chu leave, he closed the door and sat back down. He glanced at the application form on the desk, then picked up the phone and dialed a number. He hung up after a few words, took the application form and documents submitted by Li Chu, and left the office.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com