Chapter 21 — On my first day as Director, I was kicked out of the cafeteria by the resident doctor

Chapter 26 On the day of the appraisal results, I was having lunch in the cafeteria. That's right, the cafeteria. The cafeteria has had its separate seats removed. The cafeteria where anyone can sit anywhere. Han Man rushed in holding the phone, almost tripping over the threshold.

“Director Co, it's over!”

“Through what?”

"Provincial Medical Center! The province has just issued an official response, Hai Thanh Hospital 1 has been selected as the unit to build the Provincial Regional Medical Center!"

Several medical staff eating in the cafeteria heard this, at first they were stunned, then almost simultaneously put down their chopsticks.

“Is that really a joke?”

“Provincial Medical Center?”

The news spread as fast as the wind. Within five minutes, the number of people in the cafeteria doubled. Within ten minutes, the cheers of the faculties could be heard in the hallway. Hai Thanh Hospital 1 applied three times, but failed the previous two times. This time, it was chosen. Dean Ton stopped me at the cafeteria door.

"Director Co, I'm convinced. I'm truly convinced."

The Dean of the Code Faculty also came to shake hands.

“Director Co, your Provincial Medical Center is more convincing than anything.”

Head of Department Tien didn't say anything in front of me, but he sent a message to the department's group: "Today is a happy day for Hai Thanh Hospital 1, thank you for everyone's dedication." Han Man later told me, that was the longest sentence Dean Tien had ever said in the group since she knew him. At two o'clock in the afternoon, while I was in the office preparing to announce my success, Phuong Tri Vien came knocking on the door. This time, he knocked on the door. He walked in, stood in front of the table, did not sit.

“Congratulations.”

“This is the achievement of the whole institute, not just me.”

"I know. But without you, this wouldn't be possible."

He stopped for a moment.

“Thanh Ninh, I want to apologize to you.”

“Sorry for what?”

"The story of the past few months. From beginning to end, one story at a time."

He looked at me.

"The story at the cafeteria, the story of To Nha Lam, the story of the necklace, the story of the job approval, the story of you looking for me to beg, the story of you raising your voice at me. Every single thing you did was wrong."

“Did you come here today just to say these things?”

"I thought for a long time, not knowing how to say anything. But today when I saw the news about the Provincial Medical Center, I suddenly understood something."

“What?”

"I didn't come to this hospital to make things difficult for you. I actually came to work. As for you, from the beginning, I saw you as an opponent."

“You didn't realize it until today?”

The corner of his lips pulled up into a bitter smile.

“It wasn't until today that I truly believed it.”

I looked at him for a long time.

"Phuong Tri Vien, I accept my apology. But our matter cannot be resolved with just an apology."

“I know.”

"About the necklace, you still haven't told me the truth until now."

He closed his eyes.

"I gave her the necklace. Not because she helped me work, but because... during that time you were always in the province, I was alone in Hai Thanh, every day she was by my side..."

His voice grew quieter.

"I had thoughts that I shouldn't have. But just thinking, I never crossed the limit."

"Whether you've exceeded the limit or not, you know for yourself. I don't want to pursue it anymore."

"Bar Ninh…”

“Phuong Tri Vien, just keep doing your job well. Other things, slowly.”

He nodded, turned and walked out. When he reached the door, he looked back once.

"I reserved a place for you at noon at the restaurant, but you didn't come."

“Hasn't the restaurant already canceled the reservation?”

“Don't keep it. Just got you some food ready.”

“Next time, just call me once.”

The corners of his mouth finally relaxed.