Chapter 9 — The Patient I Saved Twice

Ha Dao pushed the file bag back.

“You keep these documents first.”

“I will give a preliminary report to the leader.”

“But there is one thing you have to think carefully about.”

“What?”

He looked straight into my eyes. The voice became more serious than ever.

“If the Disciplinary Inspection Committee really investigates…”

“A whistleblower.”

“You will be under great pressure.”

“The deputy director has worked at the hospital for so many years.”

“His network of relationships is definitely not just Phuong Thanh alone.”

"I know."

I answered without hesitation. Ha Dao nodded. Then ask the last question:

“So are you sure you want to continue on this path?”

I raised my head to look at him. His eyes no longer had any hesitation. I looked straight at Ha Dao.

“I stood for eight hours on the operating table to save someone's life.”

"After that, he took the money I was forced to pay in compensation and went on social networks to brag about it like a trophy."

“My surgery schedule was suspended.”

“I had to eat instant noodles for a month.”

I stopped for a few seconds. Remember the nights spent alone in a cramped rented room. Remember those dinners that consisted of just a packet of noodles and a cup of hot water. Remember the feeling of helplessness when looking at your account balance of only a few hundred yuan. Then I raised my head. Say each word clearly.

“If I don't continue on this path today…”

“Then tomorrow another doctor will become their target.”

“That person will also be slandered.”

“There will also be forced compensation.”

“I will also have to eat instant noodles like me.”

In a moment. No one said anything. Ha Dao looked at me for a long time. Finally nodded slightly.

“I will return to report the situation.”

"I can't promise how much I can do."

“But I will try.”

“You wait to hear from me.”

I replied softly:

“Thank you.”

The meal ended. I pay the bill. Then everyone walked out of the shop. It was dark. I don't know when it started to rain outside. Raindrops scattered under the streetlights. When I was about to say goodbye, Trieu Man suddenly grabbed my arm.

“So Nhien.”

I turned my head. She looked at me with worried eyes.

“You should be careful.”

“I have a feeling this isn't that simple.”

“I know.”

Trieu Man wanted to say something more. But in the end I just sighed. Let go of my hand. On the way home. The rain is getting heavier and heavier. I didn't bring an umbrella. Had to stand at the bus stop waiting for the bus. Streams of rainwater followed the advertising sign and flowed to the ground. The sound of rain falling continuously in my ears. I stood there. Quietly waiting. Twenty minutes passed. The bus hasn't arrived yet. I took out my phone from my pocket. Instinctively open a circle of friends. Saw Chu Chi Minh's new post again. Photo taken in a hot pot restaurant. Below is the status line:

"Invite Mr. Phuong to dinner, thank you for your help."

I stared at the photo. Chu Chi Minh and Phuong Thanh are sitting opposite each other. The two raised their glasses of wine. Laughed extremely happily. That smile... Like those who have just finished sharing the spoils. I looked for a few more seconds. Then turn off the screen. Put the phone back in your pocket. Right at that moment. The bus finally arrived. The car door opens. I walked up. Choose a position in the last row and sit down. Outside the glass door. The rain still continued to fall. Water drops crisscrossed into long opaque streaks. City lights The street was drawn by the rain curtain into patchy strips of light. I leaned my head against the cold glass door. Gently close your eyes. Chu Chi Minh's face appeared in his mind. Phuong Thanh's face. Then came the Deputy Director. Finally, Ton Hong. All those people. All those relationships. It was like a big net was covering my head. But this time... I don't intend to continue backing down. The bus rolled slowly through the night rain. And I know very well. When it's morning. Things will start to change. The news from Ha Dao came faster than I thought. Just three days after that meal, he called me.

“Doctor To.”

“I reported this to leadership.”

I immediately sat up straight.

“What was the result?”

Ha Dao's voice on the other end of the line was very calm.

“Leaders take this incident very seriously.”

My heart tightened slightly.

“What do you mean?”

“The person you mentioned.”

“Deputy Director Qian Quoc Dong.”

“He's not the first time he's appeared in our records.”

I held the phone tightly. Don't speak up. Ha Dao continued to say:

“In the past, people have submitted anonymous complaints.”

“Content related to hospital facility construction projects.”

“But at that time there was no real evidence.”

“So the matter was temporarily shelved.”

“And your documents…”

“It provides a completely new direction of investigation.”