Chapter 576 - 576: The Dismissed Doctor
Shao Yihua acted swiftly, delivering two sharp slaps to Zhou Benyong and angrily declared, "A doctor should have a heart of a parent; what right do you have to be a doctor? As of now, you are fired!"
It wasn't just Shao Yihua's decision to fire Zhou Benyong. However, since Shao Yihua had uttered the words, firing him was as easy as flipping a hand. That is to say, Zhou Benyong was right in his guess; it was indeed the end of his career. Moreover, having been personally dismissed by Shao Yihua, he wouldn't need to practice medicine in Xishan City or even in Eastern Province anymore.
Zhou Benyong dared not utter a word, dejectedly walking out of the ward, his heart sunk to the deepest low. He had hoped to enter the Health Bureau and ascend to higher positions. Unfortunately, before he could make it to the Health Bureau, he fell. Had he known it would come to this, why would he bother currying favor with Lu Jiangong? One wrong alignment, and his entire career was doomed!
As Zhou Benyong left, Old Wang Ba said to Shao Yihua, "Right, Secretary Shao, there was also a young doctor who was dismissed on the spot by Zhou Benyong just now for changing Miss Liu's dressing. Do you think this person can return to the hospital?"
Shao Yihua gave Old Wang Ba a look, displeased that he had been conversing here. However, since Liu Changping and Zhou Bolong hadn't said anything, he could only keep his dissatisfaction to himself. Even so, he showed some warmth towards Old Wang Ba. After all, someone who could speak so freely in front of Liu Changping and Zhou Bolong was certainly no ordinary person.
"Fearless against power; we need comrades like this to serve the people!" Shao Yihua nodded and said, "What is this comrade's name? I will send someone to bring him back right away, and indeed, such a comrade should be deeply nurtured by us!"
With that statement, Fang Yiming's future was bright once again.
At that moment, Fang Yiming had just packed his belongings and was ready to leave the dormitory. Honestly, he was also unwilling to leave. After studying for so many years and accruing a lot of debt for his family who had supported him, he had finally found a job in the hospital. Barely making it past the probation period, this was to be his starting point in life. Yet, due to a moment of impulse, he lost this job that could have changed his fate.
Standing at the dormitory door, looking at the place he had lived for several months, Fang Yiming felt sentimental. Working here, each time he went home, his family and villagers were proud of him, often seeing him as a phoenix escaping the bounds of the mountains. Despite the struggles and hardships, he persevered, solely to continue living here. Little had he expected that in the end, he would still have to leave, making life truly lamentable.
"Yo, Yiming, where are you headed?" Suddenly, a mocking voice came from nearby. Fang Yiming didn't need to look back to guess that it was Zhou Lin, the intern living in the next room.
Being Zhou Benyong's nephew, Zhou Lin's official appointment was a done deal. Fang Yiming never dared compare himself with him; he just worked hard hoping to be officially appointed. Yet, he inevitably clashed with Zhou Lin, who had taken a liking to the girlfriend who came to intern with Fang Yiming. Zhou Lin often undermined Fang Yiming to compete for the girl. Fortunately, the relationship between Fang Yiming and his girlfriend was strong, making it impossible for Zhou Lin to split them, but that made Zhou Lin consider Fang Yiming his greatest enemy.
This time, upon hearing that Fang Yiming was dismissed, Zhou Lin immediately gathered a group to come over and ridicule Fang Yiming publicly. He especially brought Fang Yiming's girlfriend, who was a nurse, just to embarrass Fang Yiming publicly.
"Yiming, what exactly is going on?" Xiao Man approached, her eyes red and heart heavy. She had been looking forward to marrying Fang Yiming once he became a regular employee, always dreaming about their future together. Yet unexpectedly, the future hadn't arrived before it shattered, and all her dreams evaporated.
"Xiao Man..." Seeing his girlfriend, Fang Yiming felt even more suffocated. He bit his lip and softly said, "I... I can find another job somewhere else; don't worry about me!"
Xiao Man stubbornly looked at Fang Yiming and demanded, "Tell me, why were you dismissed? You were doing just fine; why were you fired?"
Fang Yiming sighed, choosing not to explain to Xiao Man. Because they had both agreed, no matter how much they suffered, they would get through this job issue together. But today, due to a moment of impulse, he lost the job, and he didn't know how to face his girlfriend anymore.
"Of course, you did well…" Zhou Lin scoffed from the side, "Defying the hospital's orders, you ran to treat some serious criminals. If they don't fire you, who should they fire? Fang Yiming, have you gone mad? With so many police officers around, and still daring to treat those criminals, how can the hospital retain you as a doctor?"
Fang Yiming looked troubled, and Xiao Man, looking at him, asked, "Is... Is what he said true?"
"Xiao Man, listen to me." Fang Yiming paused, then softly continued, "I don't know if those men were criminals, but they were patients in danger. If I hadn't helped, they could have died at any moment. Xiao Man, it's the court's job to judge who's right and who's wrong. Even if someone is a murderer, when their life is at risk, you have to save them first and then think about the trial. Even if the court sentences him to death later, before the execution, we have a duty to save him, do you understand what I mean?"
"Oh, listen to how noble you sound!" Zhou Lin sneered, "Murderers, duty, court, that's all nonsense. I'm telling you, without orders from above, by saving those serious criminals, you're complicit with them. Don't think about leaving yet; once they're done over there, they will probably come for you. I think Director Lu won't let you off this time!"
Fang Yiming frowned, giving Zhou Lin a cold look, he said firmly, "Zhou Lin, this matter has nothing to do with you, it's not your place to spout nonsense!"
"It may not concern me, but I need to make it clear to Xiao Man!" Zhou Lin smirked at Xiao Man and said, "Xiao Man, Fang Yiming's issues don't concern you; you can continue working at the hospital. But as for Fang Yiming, he can't leave yet, that's my uncle's order!"
Fang Yiming suddenly became furious and exclaimed, "Your uncle is just a director of a department, not the chief of police. What right does he have to decide my personal freedom? I'm not an employee here, he can't control me. Besides, even if I were an employee here, now that I'm quitting, how could he restrict my personal freedom?"
"I'm not interested in arguing with you over these meaningless matters!" Zhou Lin said, "I told you that you're not leaving, so don't even think about it. Otherwise, try walking out and see. If you can leave this place today, I'll take your last name!"
As Zhou Lin spoke, several lackeys by his side stepped forward, clearly preparing to grab Fang Yiming.
Fang Yiming furrowed his brow, but was about to speak. At that moment, Xiao Man, who was standing beside him, walked forward.
"Xiao Man, this doesn't concern you, don't worry!" Zhou Lin said with a smile, "Your job is definitely secure. You can surely continue to work here peacefully, I guarantee it!"
"Never mind!" Xiao Man shook her head and said, "I don't care whether what Yiming did this time was right or wrong. But I will stand by him. Zhou Lin, please move aside, I want to leave here with Yiming!"
"What?" Zhou Lin's face drastically changed. He had thought that after Fang Yiming was fired, Xiao Man would leave him. That's why he brought so many people over, hoping to embarrass Fang Yiming completely. Unexpectedly, Xiao Man said such a thing, making him feel utterly humiliated.
"Xiao Man!" Fang Yiming's voice was somewhat choked, and he was extremely emotional.
Xiao Man looked at Fang Yiming affectionately and said, "Since I've chosen you, even if it means sharing a lifetime of meals with you, I have no regrets!"
Watching the two display their affection in front of him, Zhou Lin became even more infuriated. He took a few deep breaths and then suddenly bellowed, "Want to leave? It won't be that easy. Fang Yiming, you're not leaving until the matters here are settled!"
As Zhou Lin spoke, he sharply gestured, and the lackeys immediately rushed forward, preparing to seize Fang Yiming.
"What are you doing? What are you doing?" Fang Yiming hurriedly ran forward, positioning Xiao Man behind him, and watched the lackeys warily.
"Grab him!" Zhou Lin roared, and the lackeys immediately rushed forward and pinned Fang Yiming to the ground.
"Let him go!" Xiao Man charged forward, desperately trying to pull Fang Yiming away but was kicked away by one of the lackeys.
"Damn it, seeking death!" The lackey spat and then, stepping on Fang Yiming's head, said to Zhou Lin, "Young Master Zhou, what should we do now?"
Zhou Lin sneered and said, "Beat him up, then send him to the police station!"
"Alright!" The lackeys suddenly got energized and rushed forward to beat Fang Yiming.
Just at that moment, several people came walking over from behind, leading them was Secretary Shao's assistant, Zhou Ke. Seeing the situation, Zhou Ke frowned, and people beside him immediately ran over.
"What are you doing? What are you doing?" The shouting of the people made Zhou Lin's lackeys immediately stop.
Zhou Lin turned his head to see and frowned, saying, "Who are you guys? This is the hospital dormitory area, outsiders are not allowed to enter freely. Do you have any..."
"Shut up!" The person leading them interrupted him outright, and turned to look at Zhou Ke, saying, "Secretary Zhou, who did Secretary Shao ask us to find again?"
"Fang Yiming!" Zhou Ke called back from a distance.