Just a Small Misunderstanding

“How long have you been asleep? Why don’t you rest a bit more? Xiao Luo, even though you’re young, you gave so much blood last night and still had to wear that lead apron for emergency surgery. You must be exhausted,” Director Tan asked with genuine concern.

“I have things on my mind. I just can’t sleep,” Luo Hao replied with a bright, sunny smile.

Though his complexion was pale, he had regained some vitality. “I should go explain things first; otherwise, I won’t rest well.”

“Come on, everyone’s in the secretary’s office.”

Director Tan led Luo Hao to the adjacent office. Upon seeing Luo Hao enter, the man with the short crew cut stood enthusiastically and extended his hand.

“Dr. Luo, let’s get down to business first,” the crew cut said, exchanging brief pleasantries before cutting to the chase.

Luo Hao genuinely couldn’t recall who this was but nodded calmly.

“The oil iodide’s instruction manual doesn’t list liver cancer treatment or surgical indications. We’d like to hear your thoughts on that,” the crew cut said politely.

Director Li and Secretary Sun exchanged a glance. With a single word between them, these two seasoned insiders had already formed their judgment.

“Well,” Luo Hao cleared his throat.

“Sit down, sit down,” the crew cut invited, pulling Luo Hao to sit beside him. “You know, even for a doctor, you can’t just exhaust yourself. Health is the foundation of revolution.”

“Yes, yes,” Luo Hao smiled and agreed repeatedly.

He then took out his phone and logged onto a website.

“The manufacturer updated the instruction manual six years ago. The indications now include interventional treatment for liver cancer.”

“Domestically, the reforms are gradually advancing. Not long ago, the Food and Drug Administration approved the revision of the drug’s instructions.”

“This is the latest manual. The current stock uses the old version, but we can’t just return all stored drugs because of one outdated instruction sheet and cripple clinical work, can we?”

Hearing Luo Hao’s explanation, the crew cut visibly relaxed, his smile growing wider as he nodded repeatedly.

“However, I understand there might be risks. Attentive patients could misunderstand. So I reported to Director Lin at the Medical Affairs Department. Our department has sought guidance from the China Interventional Committee and the medical reviewers at the Food and Drug Administration, and we received approval.”

Luo Hao recounted this naturally and matter-of-factly.

“Oh?” The crew cut’s interest was piqued.

He hadn’t expected Dr. Luo to have prepared so thoroughly from the outset.

That meant no help was needed from him; Luo Hao had everything under control.

“The original and copied approval documents are at the Medical Affairs Department. I’ll fetch them for you immediately.”

“I always said Dr. Luo is meticulous and serious, so there shouldn’t be any issues with improper or off-label drug use,” the crew cut nodded. “Bring the documents so we can file them properly—strictly business.”

“But how’s your health? Are you okay?” the crew cut asked with concern.

“I’m fine. I’m heading out now.”

Luo Hao left, and the crew cut leaned back against the sofa, glancing at Director Li and Secretary Sun.

“Your Medical Affairs Department is very diligent and meticulous. Truly commendable.”

“The Medical Affairs Director is an experienced clinician, bold yet careful. This year he’s up for Vice President,” Secretary Sun said directly. “He’ll oversee clinical operations. Our hospital is different from other enterprises—having a vice president from a clinical background is best; otherwise, unfamiliarity will cause problems sooner or later.”

The crew cut smiled lightly. “Your hospital is full of talent, especially the General Surgery Department’s attention to cross-disciplinary cooperation. Rare indeed.”

Having said this, he quickly reverted to official pleasantries.

Director Li and Secretary Sun exchanged knowing looks. Afterward, they would need to see Wen Youren personally. As for the approach, they would confer privately.

Soon Luo Hao returned, holding a folder.

“This is the French manufacturer’s foreign language instruction manual; these are the latest original and copied domestic manuals, approved recently. The updated manuals will replace the old ones in new product batches.”

“This is the approval certificate from the China Interventional Committee, personally signed by Director Xu.”

“This letter is from Teacher Ren at the Food and Drug Administration, responsible for approving imported drugs. The drug itself hasn’t changed—only the scope of use in the manual has been updated. During the manual replacement period, clinical use is permitted.”

Luo Hao presented a series of documents in an orderly fashion, speaking clearly and precisely.

Strictly business.

Following protocol, the crew cut’s staff carefully cataloged the originals and copies and drafted related explanatory materials, which Luo Hao signed and sealed.

After the formalities, the crew cut’s smile broadened.

“Dr. Luo, let’s have lunch together.”

“You didn’t say who you are...” Luo Hao began.

“Three years ago, when you were rotating in the ICU at Shuai Mansion, you cared for an elderly patient for seven days and nights, spending long hours comforting the family. I was outside the door then, and your medical ethics left a deep impression on me.”

“Oh, I remember now,” Luo Hao said, tapping his head.

It was rare for critical patients to require care for seven days straight; mentioning this brought back memories.

“By the way, Dr. Luo, are you here to support the frontier?” the crew cut asked.

“No. After graduating, I didn’t stay at Xiehe but returned home to work. I’m currently a staff member in the Medical Affairs Department.”

The crew cut expressed regret.

“Dr. Luo, we must have lunch together. My former leader has been wanting to treat you to express his gratitude but never had the chance. Since we’ve met, no excuses.”

Director Li and Secretary Sun felt their limbs go numb, exchanging uneasy glances filled with unspoken emotion.

Time was running late. The crew cut chatted with Luo Hao as if old friends.

The hospital director and secretary wouldn’t let them dine alone—they had already arranged “working meals” in the cafeteria.

Seizing a private moment, Director Li and Secretary Sun exchanged brief words.

...

Lin Yuming sat in his office, dazed.

Since Luo Hao’s emergency surgery and being “invited” to rest in the director’s office, Lin Yuming had been absentmindedly holding an enamel cup.

If he were twenty years younger, he might have thought the matter wasn’t so serious, perhaps believing Luo Hao’s teacher’s connections had spared him.

But now middle-aged, Lin Yuming had seen enough for himself.

Like knowing that no matter how passionate youthful love was, it couldn’t compare to the relief of a son’s constipation being finally resolved.

This was no simple matter.

As for Luo Hao, Lin Yuming was speechless.

Dr. Luo from Xiehe shamelessly named him. That wasn’t the worst part—the worst was Luo Hao actually knew him.

This kid was strange, Lin Yuming thought.

While Lin saw a massive problem, Luo Hao merely smiled, unconcerned.

The crew cut even remarked that benefactors forget favors easily.

Yet Luo Hao cared deeply about small things, like the patient with rare blood type.

If Lin had seen that patient, he might have just told the family some truths about blood donation and transfusion to save them trouble.

That alone made Lin consider himself a good person.

But Luo Hao donated 1,200 milliliters of blood himself and then, as if nothing had happened, wore dozens of pounds of lead apron to surgery.

Just thinking about it made Lin’s teeth ache.

In Luo Hao, Lin saw the spirit of an old friend long gone.

Forever young, forever passionate.

Yet passion alone wouldn’t make the crew cut say benefactors forget easily.

“Damn it!” Lin Yuming cursed fiercely.

Luo Hao hid his true nature well.

Since his return, Lin had tried countless times to uncover Luo Hao’s background—a natural instinct.

But Luo Hao seemed like an ordinary young man: a little brilliance, kind but not weak.

Overall, just a bright young man with nothing special.

Yet, unexpectedly—

The bastard hid it so deeply, Lin hadn’t seen it.

After cursing Luo Hao, Lin smiled faintly, tapping the enamel cup’s edge.

Not bad.

Now he didn’t have to worry about Luo Hao’s sudden rise causing trouble for him.

...

At lunch, the guests were cheerful, but Luo Hao felt weary.

Losing 1,200 milliliters of blood wasn’t something to recover from in a day, even for a young, healthy man.

He forced himself through the socializing. Once the guests left, all his energy vanished.

Luo Hao never thought socializing pointless, just that frontline clinical work kept him busy.

Unlike Chen Yong, who wasted time chasing girls, Luo Hao found that meaningless.

“Luo Hao,” Director Li stopped the crew cut after seeing him out and immediately grabbed Luo Hao’s arm. “You’ve been wronged this time. Secretary Sun and I have noticed. Don’t let it get to you.”

“Director, I won’t be upset. I’ll complete the tasks entrusted by the hospital leadership even better and fulfill my responsibility to our mining group’s health and steady development,” Luo Hao replied.

Hearing this, Director Li and Secretary Sun felt their heads throb.

It was as if needles twisted inside their brains.

Luo Hao was young but spoke so smoothly. They intended to start with polite words and then probe for the truth.

Unexpectedly, Luo Hao brushed them off with official jargon.

Damn it!

Just as Lin Yuming had warned, that old dog didn’t raise a good man.

Secretary Sun patted Luo Hao’s shoulder and said bluntly, “Xiao Luo, be honest. Director Qiu and I just met. Wen Youren’s case must be dealt with seriously.”

Luo Hao was silent, offering a polite smile.

“Rest assured, you will get an explanation and an answer.”

“Public oversight is necessary,” Luo Hao said calmly. “I don’t think Director Wen did anything wrong.”

!!!

Director Li and Secretary Sun instantly sobered.

Their earlier frankness was because they thought Luo Hao was young and emotional.

Young people tend to be reactive; using simple emotions to provoke Luo Hao would be easier.

But they hadn’t expected their words to fall on deaf ears.

Luo Hao avoided the main topic entirely, displaying... a good political temperament.

Young man, not simple at all.

“We’ll have another meeting with the leadership team to study this carefully.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll give you three days off. Go home and rest. Health is the foundation of revolution. You young people are the backbone of our mining group’s future. Director Qiu and I will count on you when we retire for medical care,” Secretary Sun joked.

Luo Hao knew their meaning but didn’t respond.

Wen Youren had hit a steel wall—he deserved it. But if the hospital didn’t give a clear explanation, Luo Hao might take it out on them, which would be troublesome.

Waving goodbye, Director Li asked, “Secretary Haitao, what do you think we should do?”

“The Qianke County Hospital has requested staff from us several times,” Secretary Sun said calmly.

Qianke County Hospital was a supported hospital of the mining group. Located on the Sino-Russian border, its director had last visited—an eight-hour train ride with no high-speed rail, only old green trains.

If Donglian City was remote, Qianke County was utterly desolate.

“I agree with Secretary Haitao,” Director Li punched his left palm with his right fist.

Secretary Sun glanced at him.

Wen Youren was Director Qiu’s man; handling this required Qiu’s approval.

But Li’s statement was rather forceful.

“I’m close with Wen Youren and his parents. I’ll handle his ideological work,” Director Qiu said. He knew he couldn’t dump this on Secretary Sun alone.

Secretary Sun nodded. “Qianke County’s medical technology is backward. As a supporting hospital, we must send skilled staff. We’ll finalize other candidates later. Director Wen volunteered to go there—commendable spirit.”

“Secretary Haitao, rest assured. Director Wen will submit his application to you tomorrow.”

Even if they wanted to subtly sabotage Wen Youren, they would have waited months.

But in one meal’s time, Luo Hao’s profound background changed their minds.

After hearing the conversation between the crew cut and Luo Hao, they realized the incredible power behind Luo Hao.

Even if criticized or gossiped about, they couldn’t risk offending Luo Hao.

They had just considered probing Luo Hao’s stance but dropped the idea after a few light words.

Wen Youren was just a minor matter. Send him to Qianke County and out of sight, out of mind.

Both fell silent, watching Luo Hao stride away.

He stood tall like a tree, sunlight casting a halo around him.

Luo Hao strode back, not home, not concerned with Wen Youren, but straight to orthopedics.

They often joked about the “German Orthopedics” but Luo Hao knew the politics ran deep there.

He usually avoided orthopedics to keep from ruffling feathers in the Medical Affairs Department.

But today he had to check on postoperative patients.

Only half a day had passed since surgery, but after transfusions and symptomatic treatment, the patient’s vital signs were stable, vastly improved from the previous night’s crisis.

He also visited the ICU patient with an aortic dissection caused by transfusion. Blood pressure was tightly controlled below 90 mmHg to prevent aneurysm rupture.

Luo Hao contacted Lin Yuming, obtained authorization, and communicated with the patient’s family, deciding to invite experts for surgery.

The family knew Luo Hao had donated 1,200 ml of blood and trusted him completely.

If Luo Hao hadn’t intervened, the man, even in a cast, was ready to prostrate himself before Luo Hao.

This was a lifesaving debt.

But Luo Hao didn’t think so. The aortic dissection remained and could rupture anytime. Wen Youren had wasted precious time.

Thinking of Wen Youren, Luo Hao felt no hatred, only relief.

In a way, Wen Youren had pushed the interventional surgery forward.

If not for that flaw he found, Luo Hao would have had to go to the capital city to plead in person. The slow approval of the oil iodide by the Food and Drug Administration might have taken years.

...

Returning to General Surgery, Luo Hao saw Wen Youren standing in the corridor, looking confused.

Wen Youren saw Luo Hao too, looking slightly embarrassed but quickly forcing a smile.

“Xiao Luo’s back,” Wen greeted.

Luo Hao smiled warmly. “Hello, Director Wen.”

Good...

Wen Youren’s heart skipped a beat.

But the arrow was already on the string; Wen had to face him.

He tried to soften his smile, but even he knew it looked more like a grimace.

“Xiao Luo, maybe there’s a little misunderstanding between us, just a small one. I think we should talk it over. My office?”

“No, Director Wen,” Luo Hao replied with a smile. “Director Qiu and Secretary Haitao gave me three days off to rest at home. I’m just here to check the medical records and won’t disturb you.”

!!!

Wen had thought Luo Hao, being young and thin-skinned, wouldn’t refuse his invitation.

If necessary, he could use reverse psychology. If Luo Hao gave him a hard time, maybe some things could be temporarily settled.

But Luo Hao was slippery, not engaging and showed no resentment outwardly.

On the contrary, Luo Hao was more respectful.

The more this happened, the worse it got. Wen hurriedly grabbed Luo Hao.

“Xiao Luo, it really is just a misunderstanding. Please hear me out,” Wen said sincerely.

“I know, but hasn’t the misunderstanding been cleared up?” Luo Hao smiled. “Thanks to you, Director Wen, otherwise all the interventional doctors nationwide would have to wait years for the manual to be revised. It was always a ticking time bomb. Better to clear it early and work without worry.”

“I... I...” Wen was speechless and numb.

“A small misunderstanding easily resolved. Don’t take it to heart, Director Wen.” Luo Hao smiled warmly. “Is there anything else?”

Luo Hao spoke for Wen, extinguishing his fire completely.

Wen wanted to kneel, like the greenhorn from Jinmen or the Deyun Society farce, to claim moral high ground.

In the future, rumors would say Luo Hao was unfilial, forcing the old man to kneel.

But Wen’s knees only buckled slightly, never fully bent.

Doing such a thing required a strong psyche and thick skin.

When Old Guo said unfilial, many thought Jinzi had done terrible things to Huijie. But in the end, it was just about raising salaries.

Turning black into white is a skill Wen lacked.

“Director Wen, I’ll leave now.” Luo Hao glanced over the patients, then addressed the expressionless Wen. “Go home and rest. You worked hard all night and haven’t recovered.”

With that, Luo Hao strode away, giving Wen no chance to speak.

Wen watched him leave, uneasy.

Still, he clung to hope—maybe, maybe it would be okay.

His phone rang, startling him. Seeing it was Director Qiu, he hurried into his office.

The glass had just been replaced. Wen answered.

“Director Qiu, your instructions?”

“Your department’s had some small trouble recently. Don’t mind it; just some misunderstandings among colleagues.”

Wen looked embarrassed.

“I’ve settled it for you, but you need to lay low for a while,” Director Qiu said.

“Lay low, go away for a while” — these words confused Wen deeply.

“Director Qiu, is this paid leave?” Wen asked.

“Qianke County is a supported hospital. You’ll lead a team to assist that backward area. The city requires supporting doctors to have sufficient skill, or it’s pointless. I recommended you to Secretary Haitao. Submit your application to him tomorrow.”

“Director Qiu—”

Before Wen finished, the call ended, leaving only the ringing tone.

Wen was dumbfounded.

He never expected things to move so quickly, and that his own backers would so decisively send him to Qianke County without hesitation.

Was this Luo Hao’s influence?

No way.

Not Lin Yuming either—if he had such power, he’d be vice president already. Medical Affairs Director was busy and low-profile.

No, it was Wen himself who was being sent to that godforsaken place.

Wen was stunned, unable to grasp what had happened.

Why was he being kicked out to such a desolate spot?

The more Wen thought, the more agitated he became. Resolving to confront Director Qiu to get clarity.

Even if it cost his life, he wouldn’t be a fool.

...

Luo Hao drove home.

His mother hadn’t returned yet. After a shower, he lay on the bed.

There was a bed in Director Qiu’s office; he had been so tired he slept there briefly.

Though he had napped, he still felt fatigued.

Luo Hao didn’t rush to sleep. First, he contacted Teacher Han to arrange the external expert consultation, then logged into the system to check his tasks.

Emergency task—Winter Snow? Frozen Snow! Not yet completed.

The first phase’s 100 points had long been reached; task rewards awaited collection.

The system noted: points from 0.1 to 10 are awarded based on patient treatment severity; 100 points unlock the basic reward.

The medical team’s “staff quota” +1 was the basic reward. Luo Hao found this task interesting.

The rewards were generous.

Actually, Luo Hao most desired the Wish-Fulfilling Stone.

He had used that little stone before, gaining multiplied benefits.

If he could get a large Wish-Fulfilling Stone from the system at the end, how wonderful.

Luo Hao thought this and clicked to claim his 100-point reward.

He decided to give the “quota” to Chen Yong but to warn him not to waste time flirting with girls every day.

Just as Luo Hao thought this, the system task updated suddenly.

His eyes widened in disbelief.

(The chapter ends.)