Chapter 4 — Transfer Rate Changed

He sweated more: "Doctor Khuong, you must come tomorrow. The hospital will give you a satisfactory explanation." Liu Tieu Man glared at him: "What if she doesn't go?" Trieu Khai Minh immediately said: "No, I can't not go." After speaking, realizing that his tone was wrong, he softened his voice: "I mean, this matter must be said clearly face to face." I received the cement paper bag. Inside was the meeting notice, in the list of participants, my name was handwritten in the last line. Co Thua's name is also there. To Van Tinh's name is right above mine. At eight fifty the next morning, I went to the City People's Hospital. After seven years of not returning, the medical examination area has been renovated, the glass doors are so bright it's blinding. People were bustling in the lobby, the reception area was lined with endless lines. I wore an old cotton shirt and a frayed medicine box, completely out of place with the white walls, bright lights and neat uniforms in this place. At the elevator door, To Van Tinh recognized me immediately. She wore a white blouse, her nameplate was very shiny, and next to her were two young doctors.

"Miss Khuong Ninh, you're really here."

She called very intimately, the volume was neither too loud nor too low, just enough for those around her to hear. The young doctors assessed me, one whispered: "Is she from Van Linh?" The other person said: "I heard that I've been there for seven years and still haven't been able to transfer back." To Van Tinh immediately frowned and reminded: "Don't say that, Ms. Khuong Ninh is working very hard. The grassroots level also needs people." I looked at her: "Where is the meeting room?"

“Tenth floor.” She smiled, "But sister, today's meeting may ask about your professional status over the past few years, don't be nervous. If you don't know a question, just say you don't know, no one will laugh at you."

The young doctor next to him couldn't help but laugh out loud. Before I could speak, Liu Tieu Man's voice rang out behind me.

“At your hospital, when you examine a patient, do you have to see what clothes people are wearing first?”

She ran over carrying a thermos, breathing heavily: "Doctor Khuong, you haven't had breakfast yet, I brought you boiled eggs." To Van Tinh glanced at her: "Family members are not allowed to go up there." Liu Tieu Man replied: "I'm not a family member, I'm the one who came to pay money to save my life." The elevator arrives. The door opened, Co Thua was standing inside. When he saw me, his eyebrows immediately furrowed: "Why are you dressed like this?" I looked down at the cotton shirt: "I'm always like this." Co Thua walked out, reached out to pull my hand: "Come over here with me." I dodged. He lowered his voice: "Khuong Ninh, don't make a big deal out of this matter. Today's meeting is just a formality, please save some face for Van Tinh."

“She stole my spot and forced me to save her face?”

To Van Tinh's eyes immediately turned red, she mumbled: "Co Thua, stop it. I won't fight anymore, at worst I'll withdraw." Co Thua turned to look at her: "Why are you retreating? You relied on your strength to win." Liu Tieu Man cursed directly: "It depends on stealing." Co Thua's face was extremely ugly: "This is a hospital, not a market." I said: “Let's go up then.” In front of the meeting room on the tenth floor, Trieu Khai Minh was already waiting. Seeing me, he immediately opened the door came out: "Doctor Khuong, please come in." There were more than a dozen people in the meeting room. Principal Thieu Thanh Hai sat in the chair, next to several deans. My mother-in-law - Tran Ngoc Lan - was also present, she sat in the last row, clutching a thermos. As soon as she saw me, her face immediately darkened: "Khuong Ninh, don't you think you've lost enough face?" I said: “Isn't Mom having difficulty breathing?” Her face stiffened: "I'm much better." Co Thua whispered: "Sit down."