Chapter 59: Becoming the Top Internal Medicine Doctor at the Clinic

After thinking it over repeatedly, Huang Biao decided to compromise and said, "We don't need to change rooms, but on the department sign, Dr. Zhang must be number one, and I will be number two."

Wang Sen almost burst out laughing. Huang Biao really was a fool, being so stubbornly insistent on being number two!

Gui Cui was a bit puzzled. It was just a department sign, after all—why should it matter which doctor was pushed back and forth, or who was number one and who was number two?

"Sssh..." Ma Hui drew a sharp breath, wondering why old Huang had suddenly become so stubborn today. Why had she never noticed it before?

Helplessly, she shook her head and said, "Alright then, if you're really going to insist, let's do it that way. Wang Sen, later on, install the two signs just like old Huang said, and put the old ones down in the small medicine storage room on the second floor."

Huang Biao let out a long sigh of relief, then added, "Also, Wang Sen, remember to take down the expert profile next to my clinic door and put it in the storage room together with the signs."

"What is this for?" Wang Sen finally couldn't help asking in surprise.

"In front of Dr. Zhang, how could I have the nerve to call myself an expert? Boss Ma, I suggest you make a large expert profile sign for Dr. Zhang as soon as possible so that patients can see it the moment they walk through the door."

Hearing this, Zhang Jing immediately waved his hand and said, "That won't do. I'm just a licensed physician who graduated two years ago, not some kind of expert. Besides, I don't like any form of advertising. As a doctor, one should rely on treatment efficacy to win patients' trust; exaggerated advertising only misleads people."

Everyone listened and felt that this made a lot of sense.

Zhang Jing paused for a moment, then added half-jokingly, "I understand Director Huang's intention. He wants to yield the position of the clinic's 'Internal Medicine Number One' to me. However, I don't think a department sign represents anything. Treating every patient who comes in with dedication and care is what matters most. Therefore, I still suggest following Sister's original intention and going in order."

Originally, they thought Huang Biao would no longer have any objections, but unexpectedly, he still refused to change his mind.

Sticking his neck out, he said, "I know Dr. Zhang is just being too modest. But no matter what you all say, I am determined to be number two. If you don't agree, I'll resign tomorrow! I'm not joking with you all, I always keep my word."

Seeing the serious look on his face and recalling the compensation matter from earlier, everyone had every reason to believe that Huang Biao meant it this time.

Ma Hui looked at Zhang Jing with a troubled expression, and Zhang Jing had no choice but to nod reluctantly, "Alright then, since Director Huang insists so much, let's leave it at that for now. However, I have another proposal: Director Huang has always excelled in traditional Chinese gynecology, and perhaps he could specialize in this area moving forward."

Upon hearing this, Huang Biao felt as if he had experienced a sudden flash of enlightenment.

He nodded repeatedly in gratitude, "Thank you, thank you! Truly, your words have awakened me from a dream. I know my own modest capabilities fall far short of Dr. Zhang's. At my age, making all-around progress is impossible, but specializing in gynecology might lead to some improvement. However, in the future, I will need much guidance from Dr. Zhang."

Zhang Jing quickly waved his hand, "Director Huang, we are all colleagues, you are flattering me too much. Besides, your clinical experience far exceeds mine; in the future, I still have a lot to learn from you."

Seeing the two of them going back and forth, Ma Hui couldn't help laughing again, "You two doctors shouldn't be too modest. We're all one family, so just communicate and exchange ideas when you encounter problems in the future."

Wang Sen also smiled and said, "Exactly. I've already become Dr. Zhang's disciple to study acupuncture. Director Huang, who would have thought we'd become fellow disciples? Don't forget to spar and exchange pointers with me in the future."

Huang Biao was just about to sneer: *With your lack of studious effort, you're worthy of sparring with me on medical skills?*

Yet, thinking of how Wang Sen had indeed been very close to Zhang Jing these past few days, maybe he really had become a disciple. Besides, with Dr. Zhang and Boss Ma present, he didn't dare to act too presumptuously.

So he hurriedly put on a smile and said, "Of course, of course. I'll inevitably need to consult you in the future, and if any patients coming in need acupuncture and tuina, I'll be sure to refer them to you."

Wang Sen never imagined in his wildest dreams that Huang Biao would utter such heartwarming words.

He immediately stopped smiling and said with a straight face, "Then I'll thank you in advance."

"Haven't you doctors waxed poetic and modest enough yet? What time is it, aren't you hungry? My stomach has been protesting for a long time!" Gui Cui suddenly teased with a smile.

Ma Hui smiled slightly and immediately went along with it, "Xiao Cui is right, we've delayed mealtime again. The same old rules apply: my treat, just tell me what everyone wants to eat."

"We just had hotpot last night, so let's not go too far away. I know a nice restaurant nearby that none of you have probably been to. How about we go there and order a few stir-fried dishes?" suggested Gui Cui, the little foodie.

"I think that sounds good. What does everyone else think?" Ma Hui looked around at the crowd, continuing her democratic voting style.

"Fine."
"Pretty good."
"Anywhere is fine."

This time, because the location was near Mingdetang, there was no need to drive—they could walk there in just a few minutes.

Gui Cui, walking at the very front, suddenly felt a slight wave of regret.

She had miscalculated one step after all. If she had suggested going somewhere further away like yesterday, wouldn't she have been able to squeeze into the back seat of the car with her male god Zhang Jing again!

Soon, the five people from Mingdetang arrived at their destination.

From the restaurant's name, "Xiangwei Little Kitchen," one could easily guess it was a Hunan cuisine restaurant.

Gui Cui was still in charge of ordering dishes, since she was already familiar with the place.

This time, however, Huang Biao unexpectedly took the initiative to propose, "Since I've narrowly escaped disaster today, how about we drink some beer? Consider it a way to help me calm my nerves."

Wang Sen smiled and said, "Old Huang, beer won't cut it. Let's have some baijiu instead, I'll drink with you."

Right after saying this, he realized the form of address was wrong.

So he hurriedly explained, "Sorry, Director Huang, it just slipped out."

Huang Biao waved his hand magnanimously and said carelessly, "Hey! You guys should just call me old Huang like Boss Ma does. It sounds more affectionate that way, doesn't it? Right, old Wang?"

That last sentence, "old Wang," immediately cracked everyone up.

After laughing, Ma Hui spoke up first, "I think old Huang's suggestion is quite good. However, during working hours, especially in front of patients, we should still address each other by title. Calling him old Huang won't do; at the very least, we should address him as Doctor Huang."

"Right, right, right. I completely agree with Boss Ma's suggestion. In the future, during rest hours, no one is allowed to call me Director Huang—I'll get upset with whoever does," Huang Biao replied half-seriously, half-jokingly.

"Then when there are no outsiders around in the future, we can just call Director Huang 'Doctor Huang', right? Calling him old Huang seems a bit too disrespectful to our senior comrade," Gui Cui also said with a smile.

Then, turning to Zhang Jing, she asked, "Dr. Zhang, we're all young people. Why don't you follow suit with me?"

Zhang Jing smiled and nodded in agreement.

Only Wang Sen looked a bit bewildered, scratching his bald head, "Old Huang's issue is resolved, but what about me? Calling me old Wang really doesn't seem quite appropriate, does it?"

Huang Biao smiled and said, "I was just joking with you earlier. Everyone can just call you the way they always did. After all, you're neither that old nor that young."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone laughed again.

Compared to the previous night, this gathering was clearly even more harmonious and joyful.

However, in a certain home in the same city, the atmosphere was not quite so pleasant...