Chapter 85
Chapter 85
Dan Meng stopped in her tracks.
Everyone else in line was waiting for an appointment with a specialist, but this man was the only one asking if Dr. Shen was coming or not.
She took note and asked curiously, "Are you looking for Dr. Chen?"
The man smiled slightly and said, "Yes, yes, Dr. Shen examined me before, and I came here specifically to thank her. However, I don't know her consultation hours, and there's no relevant information online."
The man was carrying a carton of milk in one hand. Shan Meng noticed this and frowned slightly. Apart from the night shift emergency room, resident physicians rarely had the opportunity to see patients alone; they weren't ready yet. Usually, they were accompanied by the chief physician.
This person didn't mention being a chief physician, but instead treated an unknown resident physician as a benefactor.
The man added, "If it's inconvenient to disclose, then forget it. I'll wait a bit longer; maybe Dr. Shen will be here soon too."
They're really persistent.
Dan Meng said coldly, "She's already off work and won't be coming over tonight."
"Oh, I see," the man said gratefully. "Thank you, doctor."
He glanced down at the box of milk he had brought, looking a little regretful, when suddenly an idea struck him. "Doctor, could you please take this box of milk to Dr. Shen for me? It's from so far away, and it's not a valuable item, so it shouldn't violate any medical regulations!"
He had found out quite a bit. The hospital has a rule that doctors cannot accept gifts or red envelopes from patients. However, doctors can decide whether to accept small, inexpensive gifts such as food or drinks.
Dan Meng didn't want to do it for her. Although it was just a small favor, aside from the previous disagreement with Shen Qingyuan, she didn't want to relay any words of gratitude from certain patients, as it would be too much of a boost to their ego!
Unexpectedly, the person picked up the milk and quickly pushed it in front of Shan Meng. Shan Meng instinctively caught it, saying, "No, you should give it to her yourself!"
"Thank you so much, doctor, please, please!" the man said, and then quickly left as if afraid that Shan Meng would refuse to help.
"Hey—what's your name?"
In the blink of an eye, the person was gone.
How inexplicable. There are so many inexplicable people. Dan Meng carried the box of milk out of the outpatient building. She couldn't be bothered to give it to Shen Qingyuan; she didn't want to do a good deed.
It's only right to take care of your own affairs; why meddle in other people's business? That Dr. Shen just doesn't understand this principle.
Originally, she wanted to put the box of milk in the gatehouse and have someone notify Shen Qingyuan to pick it up, but then she saw two large military green trash cans by the roadside.
The more Shan Meng thought about being robbed of her surgery, the angrier she became. She simply stood still and threw the milk carton into the trash can.
In a secluded spot, a gaze followed her. Once Shan Meng had walked away, the person with that gaze revealed themselves, walked straight to the trash can, and pulled out the milk carton.
The man still had a smile on his face, but there was something strange in his eyes, as if something was hidden beneath his indifferent expression.
After working hard for most of the day, it wasn't a complete waste of time; at least I know that Dr. Shen is in this hospital.
Moreover, it seems Dr. Shen isn't very popular; her colleagues aren't willing to help with such a small favor...
-
After hanging up with Nan Lan, Shen Qingyuan checked her WeChat messages.
Fortunately, everything in the work group was normal, and there were no unexpected situations.
At that moment, a new message popped up.
Sun Zhi: Qingyuan, would it be convenient for us to meet this weekend? I need to talk to you about something.
The last time she went back to her old employer to handle some paperwork, she met with Sun Zhi, and the two chatted about their current situations. Sun Zhi knew that she had gone to Tan Hospital.
It just so happens that Shen Qingyuan recently wanted to go to the National Library to look up some information, and both locations are in Haidian District and not far from each other.
Shen Qingyuan agreed, and the two arranged to meet near the People's Hospital.
-
Late autumn. The People's Hospital campus is planted with many ginkgo trees. In autumn, the ginkgo leaves fall in the wind, turning the ground golden and creating a beautiful scene.
Having lived here for two years, Shen Qingyuan loved the autumn scenery the most. She had strolled with Sun Zhi along paths covered with fallen yellow leaves, but most of the time they were in a hurry, thinking about the work ahead, and rarely had the chance to calmly appreciate the scenery.
The two met at the agreed-upon place. Both were punctual.
Sun Zhi: "Are you getting used to life at Tan Hospital?"
The two walked along the ginkgo-lined path, talking as they went.
Although Shen Qingyuan was a little disappointed, she was in a good mood overall, after all, she had enjoyed the beautiful scenery.
"As usual, it's similar to the People's Hospital, both are quite busy."
The atmosphere between the two was one of quiet indifference, conveying a sense of familiarity and a subtle distance, as if they were neither grateful nor resentful.
Stripped of their former romance, the two were colleagues, alumni, and friends for many years. Calming down, their relationship doesn't need to deteriorate to the point of never speaking to each other again.
Making a like-minded friend is not an easy thing.
"I'm really happy for you to be back to normal work and life, Qingyuan," Sun Zhiwen said with a gentle smile.
Shen Qingyuan smiled. "Yes, I didn't expect to be able to come back. I have to thank many teachers and friends for their help, and thank you too, Sun Zhi."
Sun Zhi shook his head and said calmly, "It's mainly because you're self-reliant; I didn't help much."
He stopped, took a stack of documents from his briefcase, and handed them to Shen Qingyuan.
"This is?"
"The case has been decided, and the judgment was sent to the hospital. The head doctor asked me to give it to you."
The director probably still considers them to be boyfriend and girlfriend. And it makes sense; if the parties involved don't say anything, how would outsiders know about a breakup?
Shen Qingyuan's heart sank; she knew, of course, which case Sun Zhi was referring to.
She dared not answer. She stared intently into Sun Zhi's eyes, desperately trying to read something from them.
"It's alright. It's good news."
Shen Qingyuan looked at him, her heart pounding.
"The plaintiff's claims have all been rejected."
Shen Qingyuan immediately snatched the judgment and read it quickly, as if she were unsure and wanted to immediately verify Sun Zhi's statement.
After a long pause, she let out a long sigh and carefully put away the verdict. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she tilted her head back and held them back.
Shen Qingyuan consulted the hospital's legal department. Although she knew that the hospital had a very high chance of winning the case, she was still worried and had this weight on her mind.
After more than half a year, a conclusion has finally been reached.
“I heard the plaintiff dropped the appeal, so this judgment is the final one,” Sun Zhi said. “Qingyuan, with this, you won’t be afraid of anywhere anymore.”
"yes."
In conclusion, she did not commit any major offenses. A thousand words of comfort from others cannot compare to this verdict.
Everything can get back on track. Her life just narrowly escaped an obstacle.
Her expression instantly became incredibly bright and radiant, so dazzling that it was impossible to look away. Sun Zhi was momentarily stunned.
"Thank you, thank you Sun Zhi. Please also thank the director for me!"
“I will. The director was actually quite disappointed that you left, saying that he had finally trained his prized student for more than two years, only to have him benefit another hospital.”
Shen Qingyuan laughed, "It's all the same. Anyway, we're in this industry, so I can ask him for advice later. Just don't find me annoying."
"Also, several of your fellow resident physicians have asked me about your recent situation. They were very happy to hear that you went to Tan Medical University."
Shen Qingyuan smiled faintly, "Please thank them for me too."
Sun Zhi suddenly felt a pang of sadness. Everything had returned to normal, except for their relationship. If it weren't for this incident, he and Shen Qingyuan would probably still be happily together.
It's something we can't help but do.
After saying goodbye to Sun Zhi, Shen Qingyuan went to the National Library, intending to sit down and read some books, but the library was too crowded on the weekend and there were almost no empty seats.
She borrowed a few books and then headed home. Thinking she'd tidy up her room, Ye Chuyang said he was going back to Jicheng that day and would arrive that evening.
That evening, she could share this good news with him in person. Shen Qingyuan thought to herself, a smile spreading across her face, her steps light and cheerful.
After exiting the subway, Shen Qingyuan walked back to her apartment complex. It was a weekend, so there were fewer people around the Tan Medical College. The sturdy plane trees lining the road had already begun to shed their leaves, and the sidewalks were covered with withered, yellowed leaves or leaves still bearing a hint of green. The weather had clearly turned colder.
Fragrant Hills Park should be nearing its autumn foliage season soon. She only went there once during her student days, and for many years afterward, she was too busy to go again.
This year, I could go see the autumn leaves with Ye Chuyang, if our schedules are compatible.
Shen Qingyuan unknowingly walked to the apartment complex where she lived. There was a gate at the entrance of the apartment building, and she had to swipe her access card to enter and exit.
Before going up the steps, Shen Qingyuan bent down to zip up her tote bag. Just then, she heard someone call her name.
"Dr. Shen..."
That voice... In an instant, she felt her hair stand on end.
Even though she was unfamiliar with the person, her intuition was more accurate than her memory. She turned around and saw a familiar face.
I've had several nightmares in which the man who caused the medical dispute appeared, but I could never see his face clearly in the dreams; he was like a faceless monster.
The bag also contained the civil judgment in which the man sued the hospital for compensation.
As one of the parties involved, it's impossible for him to have known the verdict later than Shen Qingyuan. Now, he's here—he's actually near her new home and new workplace. Who told him?
It's highly likely he brought it on his own; this person has a history of stalking and following before.
Shen Qingyuan froze on the spot, as if she had seen a snake.
She couldn't speak.
The man smiled and said, "Dr. Shen, it's been a long time. What a coincidence to run into you here. Don't be afraid, I don't mean anything by it. We're old acquaintances, I just came over to say hello."
After a dozen seconds, Shen Qingyuan composed herself and looked at the man with a firm gaze: "Mr. Zhang, the court's verdict has been handed down, and I am not at fault. I also felt very guilty about your mother's unexpected death, but," she paused, and said slowly, "doctors are not gods."
She had imagined what she would say if this person appeared in front of her again, rehearsing it hundreds or even thousands of times in her mind. For a moment, her mind went blank, but gradually she regained her senses and awareness, and began to formulate her own ideas.
Rather than running away, she chose to confront this person directly.
The smile on the man's face faded, leaving only a slightly sarcastic trace at the corner of his lips.
"You bribed them, didn't you? The hospital and the court are in cahoots! We ordinary folks are helpless, powerless, and have no say! Fine, whatever the verdict, I'll accept it!"
Shen Qingyuan stopped trying to explain anything to him; this man was extremely paranoid. He upheld a kind of tyranny disguised as filial piety.
“But,” the man shook his head, speaking with a roguish air, “I’m not convinced! The court can’t give me justice, so I have to give it to myself!”
Shen Qingyuan looked at his performance with suspicion.
As he spoke, he casually slipped his hand into his trouser pocket, as if groping for something.
By the time Shen Qingyuan realized what was happening, it was too late.
"Ah—!" she screamed. Instinctively, she stepped back, raising her hands to cover her head and face. In that instant, news reports of people being disfigured by sulfuric acid flashed through her mind.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
