Chapter 14 — The Patient I Saved Twice

Three days later. Ha Dao called me. The first news he told me made me stand still for a long time.

“Doctor To.”

“The case has been officially filed for investigation.”

Subject of investigation: Tien Quoc Dong. Related subjects: Phuong Thanh. I tightened my grip on the phone. But said nothing. Because I know. Everything has just begun. Information about the investigation file will not be published. In the hospital. Everything still operates as usual. Tien Quoc Dong still carries his briefcase to work every day. Sign the document. Go check out the departments. No one saw any unusual signs. He doesn't know either. An invisible net had begun to close above my head. One week later. Wednesday morning. Some strangers appeared at the hospital. They wear civilian clothes. Do not wear badges. But everyone who sees it can feel the special aura. Those people went straight to the fourth floor. Administrative area. Where the office of the board of directors is located. Not long after. Tien Quoc Dong's office door was knocked open. Twenty minutes passed. He walked out. No handcuffs. But both sides have accompanying people. When passing through the hallway. His face was pale. Lips trembling. There is no longer any demeanor of the usual Vice Principal. When passing the nurse's station. Just met Ms. Trieu often. She later told me:

“His eyes at that time…”

“I will never forget.”

“Just like a drowning person.”

News broke out in the hospital. Less than half an hour. All departments know. Deputy Director Tien Quoc Dong was sent for investigation. No one knows the specific reason. But everyone is guessing. That afternoon. The Director personally convened an emergency meeting with all management staff. I don't have enough rank to participate. But Ms. Trieu was present. After the meeting. She told me a sentence that the Director said in front of the entire hall.

"The problems that exist in the hospital will be thoroughly handled and rectified."

That night. Tran Vi called me. Just picked up the phone. He asked:

“That… have you heard?”

“I heard.”

“Is it…”

“Is it related to our business?”

I looked at the light outside the window.

“Stop asking.”

“Do your job well.”

The other end of the line was silent. A moment later. Tran Vi just spoke up.

“Thank you.”

I don't answer. Just quietly hung up. I sit by the window. Outside, the street lights are still on. Someone is walking a dog. A few children laughed and ran. I took a deep breath. Then slowly exhale. It's been half a year. Since the day I walked out of that operating room. It's been half a year. During that half year. I have never cried once. The third day after Qian Quoc Dong was taken for investigation. It was Phuong Thanh's turn to be summoned. This time it's not the Disciplinary Inspection Committee. It's the police agency. Suspected crime: Property theft. Nine incidents. More than 1.6 million yuan in compensation. That amount alone is enough to prosecute the case. That same day. Ton Hong was also suspended from work by the Department of Health. When the news reached the hospital. I am sitting in the clinic. Measure blood pressure for an elderly woman. The room door suddenly opened. Ms. Trieu rushed in. Breathe and lower your voice:

“Phuong Thanh has been arrested!”

My hand stopped. Squeeze firmly on the blood pressure cuff. The old lady was startled.

“Be gentle.”

I come to my senses. Promptly apologize.

“Sorry ma'am.”

“I was careless.”

Finished reading blood pressure readings. Prescribe medication. See the old lady out. Wait for the clinic door to close. I just sat down on the chair. Silence for a long time. Phuong Thanh was arrested. The man used to sit in the meeting room of the Medical Affairs Department. Laughing and saying:

"It's only 200,000 yuan, not much."

Finally had to pay the price. Afternoon. News about Chu Chi Minh also arrived. Ha Dao sent it to me. Very short message:

"Today Chu Chi Minh was summoned to coordinate the investigation."

"What's your attitude?"

A moment later. Ha Dao replied:

"I heard that as soon as I entered the station, I cried."

"Said that I was instigated by Phuong Thanh."

"I admit I'm also a victim."

I stared at the phone screen. No reply. He calls himself a victim? When he bragged about 200,000 yuan on social networks. He doesn't think of himself as a victim. While standing in the elevator, he laughed:

"That girl is very cowardly."

"The hospital puts a little pressure and immediately admits defeat."