Chapter 24 — On my first day as Director, I was kicked out of the cafeteria by the resident doctor

Chapter 29 November, Hai Thanh 1 Hospital received an excellent title in the annual evaluation of the Provincial Health Committee. In the review there is a sentence: "Complete management system, clear reform effectiveness, outstanding achievements in attracting talent and controlling medical quality." On the evening of receiving that excellent notice, Phuong Tri Vien and I had dinner together at home. Not at a restaurant outside, but in our kitchen. He cooks 4 dishes. Stir-fried sweet and sour ribs, steamed sea bass, sauteed cauliflower with garlic, egg tomato soup. His cooking skills are very ordinary, the steamed fish is a bit bland, the stewed ribs are salty. But I ate it all.

“Phuong Tri Vien.”

“That necklace thing.”

He put down his chopsticks.

“I forgive you.”

He looked at me and didn't say anything for a long time.

“But if you trick me again in the future, there won't be a third chance.”

“Never again.”

“You said that last time too.”

“This time is different.”

“Where is different?”

“This time, I'm really scared.”

I looked at him. His eyes are much older than they were half a year ago.

"Okay. Let's eat."

That night, we sat on the balcony, admiring the night view of Hai Thanh. Suddenly he spoke.

“Thanh Ninh, did you know at first that you would be sent to Hai Thanh Hospital 1?”

"I don't know. When the province announced it, I was also startled."

“Haven't you ever thought about avoiding it?”

"I thought about it. But Chau Khanh Nien told me one thing."

"He said, 'Hai Thanh Hospital 1 needs someone who is not afraid of offending others. Will you go?'"

“And so you came?”

“And so you came.”

He laughed.

“You're also really brave.”

"Do you think I'm not scared? The first day people pointed fingers and cursed at me in the cafeteria, I felt so uncomfortable inside."

“So how can you stand it?”

"There's no special secret. Just tell yourself, since you've come here, you have to do it completely."

He reached over and grabbed my hand. I don't shrink back. Late December. The hospital's year-end summary meeting. I stood on the podium, looking down at more than three hundred people below. Dean Ton sat in the first row, his back stretched very straight. The Head of the Code Department is in the second row, bowing his head and whispering something to the person next to him. Looking at his expression, he seems to be praising something. The Dean of the Department of Money sat in the corner, a rare smile showing on his face. Tham Ba Quan and Phuong Tri Vien sat together. Phuong Tri Vien wore a white blouse, the first button neatly buttoned. Liu My Hoa sat in the third row, holding a notebook, seriously preparing to take notes. Han Man stood behind me, holding a stack of documents in her hand. I spoke.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this year is the first year I come to Hai Thanh Hospital 1.”

"A lot of things happened this year. Some things make people unhappy, some things make people don't understand. But I want to say that every single person standing here today is a hero who has supported this hospital until now."

"The Provincial Medical Center was won by all of us together. The excellent title of the year was achieved by everyone together. These achievements do not belong to me alone, but to each individual present here."

Below, someone clapped. At first it was only sporadically for a few hours, then days became more and more dense, and finally became a roar of simultaneous applause. In that sound of applause, I saw Phuong Tri Vien's face. He wasn't clapping, but he was smiling. That smile had pride, serenity, and even a little shyness. I suddenly felt that this year was worth it. Chapter 30 (Last Chapter) Five years later. The cafeteria of Hai Thanh No. 1 People's Hospital has been renovated. New tables, new chairs, new food counter, new lighting system. But the biggest change is not in the facilities. But on the wall next to the food window, there is a bronze sign. On it was engraved the words:

“Common area, shared seating.”

Han Man said this sign was proposed by Phuong Tri Vien to hang.

"He said that everyone who enters the restaurant must remember that there are no reserved seats here."

I stood in front of the bronze sign and looked at it for a while, smiling slightly. Five years have passed, many things have changed. Hai Thanh Hospital 1, from a normal city hospital, has become a typical unit of the Provincial Medical Center. The annual amount of surgery doubled, the scientific research budget increased from three million yuan a year to twenty million yuan, and three national-level research projects were won. Phuong Tri Vien has achieved a high-level professional title - Head Doctor. But he did not apply for any more faculty management positions. He said he was more suited to holding a scalpel, not managing people. Tham Ba Quan was promoted to Head of the Department of Bones and Joints, doing very well. Dean Ton retired. On his retirement day, he shook my hand for a long time.

"Director Co, at that time I told the new official to be obedient after burning three fires. Looks like I'm old and confused."

Liu Myhua also retired. One day before her retirement, she posted a message in the nursing group.

“The years working with Director Gu were the most tiring years in my 30-year career, but also the most valuable years.”

Han Man is still by my side. She was promoted from Deputy Chief of Office to Chief of Office. She had a few gray streaks in her hair and still spoke calmly and firmly. As for To Nha Lam. During Tet last year, Phuong Tri Vien received a text message from her.

"Director Phuong, happy new year. I'm working at a rehabilitation center in another province, living very well. I'm sorry about what happened before."

Phuong Tri Vien showed me the phone.

“Are you answering?”

“You decide for yourself.”

He thought for a moment, then texted back exactly four words.

"Happy New Year."

Then put the phone down. Today is a normal Wednesday. At twelve noon, I carried the tray of rice and entered the restaurant. The restaurant was packed with people, noisy and bustling, just like five years ago. I picked up the tray and found an empty seat to sit down. Next to me was a new young nurse. When she saw me, she immediately said "Ah".

“Director… Director, hello!”

“Hello.”

The nervous girl moved a little to the side.

"Is it okay for the director to sit here? Or should I change to another place..."

"No need to change. The cafeteria doesn't have separate seats."

The girl was stunned for a moment, then smiled.

“Yes, there are no private seats.”

I took a piece of food, the taste was still the same. Phuong Tri Vien He carried the tray of rice from the counter and sat down opposite me.

“Today's braised pork is delicious.”

“My taste hasn't changed in five years.”

“There are some things that don't need to be changed.”

I took a look at him. He bowed his head to eat, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly. Sunlight penetrates through the dining room window, illuminating the table. This table is not engraved with anyone's name, nor does it belong to anyone. Anyone can sit.