Chapter 11 — The Patient I Saved Twice

I pulled out a chair and sat down opposite. Look straight into his eyes.

“Listen to me.”

“I'm not the first.”

He was stunned.

“What do you mean?”

I slowly asked:

“Do you know about the complaint about me half a year ago?”

“Everyone in the department has mentioned it.”

I nodded.

“Same lawyer.”

“Same trick.”

“The complaint was prepared before the surgery.”

“After surgery, ask for compensation.”

“Then the hospital chose to quickly spend money to put the matter to rest.”

Tran Vi opened his eyes wide. Speechless. I continue:

“Not just our hospital.”

“The city's Second Hospital once met.”

“The district hospital has also encountered it.”

“Within three years.”

“It happened at least four or five times.”

He looked at me like he couldn't believe it.

“What do you mean…”

“Are they organized?”

I was silent for a few seconds. Then quietly replied:

“I can understand that.”

Tran Vi's face turned pale. The hand placed on the table was visibly shaking.

“So what should I do?”

“Miss To…”

“The Vice Principal has already met you.”

“He asked me to cooperate in handling it.”

I know very well what "coordinated handling" means. By half a year ago. I also sat in his position. I looked straight at Tran Vi.

“Don't sign anything.”

He bit his lip.

“But the Deputy Director said that if it is not resolved soon…”

“My surgery schedule will be suspended.”

I laughed faintly. A bitter smile.

"If the surgery schedule is suspended, I'm still a doctor."

“But if you sign the compensation agreement…”

“It means I admit I was at fault.”

“In the future, that stain will forever exist on my professional record.”

He bowed his head. Shoulders tremble slightly.

“Miss To…”

“I've only been working for a year.”

“I can't stand this pressure.”

I looked at him for a long time. Then softly said:

“That day I couldn't stand it either.”

“But in the end…”

“I still tried to get through it.”

Tran Vi raised his head and looked at me. There was despair in his eyes. Just a little bit of hope. I did not mention the Disciplinary Inspection Committee. No mention of Ha Dao either. He already said it. The less people know, the better. So I just say one sentence.

“I remember well.”

“Just take it longer.”

“Pull as long as you can.”

Tran Vi was bewildered.

“Last until when?”

I looked out the window. The sunset light is gradually fading. The corners of the lips curled slightly.

“Pull until the weather changes.”

He doesn't understand. But still nodded. Leaving the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology. I returned to the clinic. The first thing is to take out your phone. Send Ha Dao a message.

"Another case has appeared."

"Young doctor in the Department of Orthopedics."

"Same trick."

"Phuong Thanh appeared directly."

The message was sent in less than a minute. Ha Dao replied.

"Time?"

I texted back:

"Last week."

This time he responded very quickly.

"Noted."

"It is possible to enter the same investigation file."

I looked at the text on the screen. My heart trembled slightly. Enter the same investigation file. That means... They're really being watched. I put my phone away. Raise your head and look out the window. It was almost dark. End of hallway. The operating room lights are still on. There's an operation that hasn't ended yet. I stood in front of the window for a long time. Quietly look at that light. Cold white light shines down the deserted hallway. That used to be where I belonged. Each is where I stood for hours fighting for my life with death. It's also the place I love the most. I stood there for a long time. Until my heart gradually calmed down. Then turned around and left. Because I know. There won't be too much waiting anymore. Some people... Are about to pay for what they did. Another two weeks have passed. On the outside, everything remained calm as usual. I still go to work and get off work on time. Tran Vi still goes to the hospital every day as if nothing had happened. But only we know. Under that calm water surface, underground waves are rolling violently. During those two weeks. Deputy Director Tien Quoc Dong twice called Tran Vi to talk. There is only one purpose. Force him to sign the compensation agreement. Luckily, Tran Vi listened to me. Just keep it going. The second time he was called to the office, he even made an excuse:

“I want to ask a lawyer to review the content of the agreement first.”

Hearing the words lawyer, Tien Quoc Dong's face immediately darkened.

“Why hire a lawyer?”

“The hospital's internal affairs are resolved internally.”

Tran Vi bowed his head.

“I still want to think more.”

Tien Quoc Dong said nothing more. But the very next day. Tran Vi's surgery schedule was suspended. No different than what happened to me. That evening. Tran Vi called me. As soon as I picked up the phone, I heard his voice shaking.

“Miss To…”

“They actually suspended my surgery schedule.”

I closed my eyes. There was no surprise in my heart.

“I know.”

"Calm."

The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds. Then the voice became more hoarse.

“My rent is due next month.”

“If there was no surgery bonus...”

“Sometimes I can't even pay the rent.”

I held the phone tightly. Remember the time I spent.

“If you can borrow from anyone, borrow first.”

“Hold on.”

Tran Vi did not answer immediately. After a long while, he asked:

“Back then…”

“How did you get over it?”

I looked at the instant noodle package still sitting on the kitchen table. The corners of the lips curled slightly.

“Eat instant noodles.”

Tran Vi did not smile. I don't laugh either. Because we both know. That's no joke. The next day. Ha Dao arranged to meet me at a tea shop. When I arrived I discovered it.