Chapter 19 — Steal My Dean's Chair? The Director personally handled it

Eyes full of pride. When the acceptance results are announced. The entire hall stood up and applauded. Director Luc officially declared:

“The Internal Medicine Department of Hospital No. 2 was upgraded to a Regional Key Center.”

“The construction cost increased to one hundred and twenty million yuan.”

The applause continued endlessly. Another reporter asked:

“Director Tham.”

“The people who doubted you that year.”

“Do you remember them now?”

I thought a bit.

“I remember the truth.”

“Don't remember the feelings.”

After the sign installation ceremony. I returned to the department. Every year, the family of patient in bed number 18 brings a thank you flag. The old man can now walk on his own. He held my hand tightly. The old eyes sparkled with emotion.

“Doctor Tham.”

“That year you saved my life.”

“I thought thanking you was enough.”

“But looking at this place today…”

“Maybe you didn't just save me.”

“I see you saved an entire department.”

I looked at the new Key Center sign hanging in the hallway. Then looked at my colleagues who were busy walking around. Chu Ninh is instructing new nurses. Manh Khai Minh is leading a young doctor for consultation. The nurse call bell rang from the end of the hallway. Things are still busy as usual. I smiled.

“I was just doing what a doctor should do.”

“Director Tham.”

"My son said, if it weren't for you that year, this old life would have been difficult to maintain."

The old man held my hand tightly. I smiled.

“He worked hard to eat and drink and maintain his health.”

“So thank you.”

Chu Ninh standing next to him burst out laughing.

“Director Tham is most afraid of disobedient patients.”

The old man immediately nodded.

“Definitely listen.”

Right at that moment. There was a light knock outside the door. It's Phuong Nha. She was wearing a base clinic blouse. There are no longer any titles on the nameplate. In his hand he holds a box of documents.

“Director Tham.”

“This is the chronic disease monitoring data we just compiled at the clinic.”

“The clinic head said he could connect with your new project.”

I flipped through a few pages. Gently nodded.

"Good job."

Phuong Nha's eyes lit up in the blink of an eye. Then quickly restrained. Chu Ninh looked at her.

“Doctor Phuong.”

“Would you like to sit for a moment?”

Phuong Nha was stunned. Chu Ninh laughed.

“Just sit for a while.”

“Don't think too much.”

Phuong Nha also laughed. No one brings up the past. Not forgiveness. Not forgetting either. Just everyone understands. Everyone's current position... It's all a matter of getting there step by step. The news about Phuong Thanh Hai was brought by Hua Man. Now she works very well in the medical room.

“He wants to see you.”

“I heard that I can't find a suitable job these days.”

“I want to ask you to say something to Director Luc.”

“To return to the hospital for a regular position.”

“No see.”

Hua Man nodded.

“I think so too.”

But in the end. Phuong Thanh Hai still came. He stood outside the hospital gate. My hair has turned a lot gray. Security is stopping. Just saw me. He immediately called out:

“Director Tham!”

“Just give me ten minutes!”

People around stopped. I stepped forward. Phuong Thanh Hai's voice is much lower than before.

“I was wrong before.”

“Now I can't find a suitable job.”

“Can you talk to Director Luc for me?”

“Let me go back to being a pitcher Usually it's okay.”

I looked at him.

“The day before.”

“Have you ever given someone a normal choice?”

Phuong Thanh Hai's face immediately stiffened.

“I have already paid the price.”

From the clinic building. Phuong Nha just walked out. Heard that sentence. She stopped. I calmly said:

“He lost his position.”

“But others almost lost their future.”

“Almost lost the patient's trust.”

Phuong Thanh Hai gritted his teeth.

“Do you have to force me to the end?”

I shook my head.

“No one is forcing you.”

“Just for the first time in my life.”

“He discovered that the door no longer opened automatically for him.”

Phuong Nha stepped forward.

“Don't beg her.”

Phuong Thanh Hai glared.

“You shut up!”

Phuong Nha burst out laughing bitterly.

“You're still the same.”

“If you do something wrong, you still think others owe you something.”

Phuong Thanh Hai's face was extremely unsightly. The crowd gathered around to watch more and more. He turned and left. No one holds back. Phuong Nha looked at his back.

“He won't change.”

“That's his problem.”

Phuong Nha nodded.

“It's also a reminder for me.”

Five years later. The only time in this story that the three words "five years later" can be said. The Regional Key Center of Hospital No. 2 was officially upgraded. I hold the position of Center Director. Team from more than twenty people initially. Grow into one hundred and twenty people. The total annual research and construction budget reaches three hundred million yuan. Chu Ninh has become Deputy Director of Nursing Division. Manh Khai Minh retired and was invited back. Every week I still persist in going to the hospital room. Duong Tu Du transferred his job to Minh Chau. In charge of the provincial linkage platform. But every time we meet, I still like to catch mistakes. Co Hoai Dan was old. Still sitting in the front row listening to my speech. My mother also closed her small pharmacy in the countryside. I bought her a house with a small garden in the city. Every day she plants flowers. Sometimes he brings homemade cakes to the hospital for the nurses. Phuong Nha still stays at the base clinic. Become the best doctor in instructing the elderly to use medicine. She did not return to Internal Medicine. Never mention the word forgiveness again. Hua Man was voted as an excellent employee of the medical record room. The certificate of merit was hung by her very discreetly. And Phuong Thanh Hai. I heard he changed a lot of jobs. But nowhere can we stick together for long. No one is willing to hand over power to him anymore. The day the Key Center officially installed its sign. A reporter asked me:

“Director Tham.”

“Looking back at the storms of the past.”

“Do you see that as a turning point in fate?”

I looked at the new sign hung up in the middle of the hall. Then calmly replied:

“Not a turning point in fate.”

“Someone wants to change my path.”

“And I…”

“Just pull it back to its original position.”

The reporter asked again:

“So what about the people that year?”

I laughed.

“Those people?”

“I forgot.”

Because the most memorable thing. Not the people who ever tried to drag you down. It's the people who stood by your principles until the end. And also because... There are victories that do not depend on defeating anyone. The point is that, after all the ups and downs, you still become the person you want to become.