Chapter 59 So Much Money

"Ten thousand yuan in bonus?" Fang Ziyan was momentarily stunned, accepting the envelope with a flattered expression and opening it to take a look inside.

"Don't worry, this is a reward from the hospital for your work, completely legal and compliant."

Wang Xuewen patted Fang Ziyan on the shoulder.

"I know your family situation isn't great right now, but that doesn't matter. Just keep up the good work at our hospital."

"I guarantee that your family's life will definitely get better."

Hearing this, Fang Ziyan nodded firmly.

"Thank you, Dean."

"Haha, keep working hard. If you went somewhere else, could you be this close to home?"

"If you ever need money, just let me know, alright?"

"The hospital will take care of you wherever possible."

Wang Xuewen added a few more words.

He had completely fallen in love with this newly arrived intern.

He felt somewhat like a sect elder looking at a peerless prodigy.

At such a young age, he was capable of performing skull reconstruction surgery and near-brainstem tumor surgery.

This was no less than a super genius in the medical world!

Therefore, he showed great favor to Fang Ziyan, terrified that the young doctor might feel wronged and end up leaving.

After giving these instructions, he hurried away.

Fang Ziyan put the envelope away and returned to his office.

Before he could even start working, the door was knocked on again.

Rong Haiming walked in smiling, holding a briefcase under his arm, and greeted him enthusiastically, "Doctor Fang, hahaha, are you busy right now?"

"Boss Rong."

Fang Ziyan quickly stood up, taking the opportunity to tidy away the silk banner Rong Haiming had sent him earlier.

In his past life, Fang Ziyan had received plenty of such tokens of appreciation.

Back then, a room full of silk banners was a great source of pride for him.

Now, the banner from Rong Haiming was his very first received in this life, carrying a special significance.

"哈哈哈, Doctor Fang, don't be nervous. I'm just here to chat with you and express my gratitude for your help with my son."

Saying this, Rong Haiming leaned close to Fang Ziyan with a mysterious air.

Before leaving, Song Suolin had specifically checked Rong Xin's recovery progress.

The results were unexpectedly good, prompting Song to gush with praise yet again on the spot.

Rong Xin naturally understood the sheer difficulty of the surgery Fang Ziyan had performed.

Therefore, coming over at this moment was purely to express deep gratitude.

"Doctor Fang, I'm a businessman, I don't have much else."

"I honestly don't know how else to thank you."

"Well, I'm a pragmatic man. Here is one hundred thousand yuan, as a personal token of my appreciation."

With that, Rong Xin pulled a thick, small kraft paper envelope from his briefcase and placed it brazenly right in front of Fang Ziyan.

Seeing this, Fang Ziyan was completely dumbfounded.

***

Was he serious?

This bold? What on earth was he doing?

But soon, Fang Ziyan came to his senses.

After all, this was the early 2000s, far less strictly audited than the later years.

In this era, doctors accepting red envelopes was still a common occurrence.

However, Fang Ziyan had no intention of accepting it.

He quickly returned the kraft paper envelope to Rong Haiming, speaking with a stern expression, "Boss Rong, how can you do this?"

"I am already extremely grateful and satisfied with the silk banner you sent me."

"I cannot accept this money."

Rong Haiming was taken aback, seemingly unable to believe that someone would actually turn down such a sum.

"Doctor Fang, don't worry, no one else knows about this. Besides, it's just a small token, nothing major at all. Please don't give it a second thought."

"Mr. Rong!"

As these words fell, Fang Ziyan's attitude turned even sterner.

"I know you want to show your gratitude."

"But gratitude doesn't have to be expressed this way."

"If I were to accept your red envelope, it would be an insult to my profession."

"Our hospital belongs to the public health system."

"If I perform a surgery that I am supposed to do, and you give me a red envelope in return—"

"Then next time, will other patients feel obligated to give me red envelopes too?"

"Will it eventually evolve into a situation where patients without red envelopes are denied medical treatment?"

"That is something I cannot accept."

"And I cannot be the one to start this precedent."

"Mr. Rong, please take this back."

Fang Ziyan spoke with righteous sternness.

Hearing this, a flash of surprise crossed Rong Haiming's eyes, which quickly transformed into deep respect.

He never expected Fang Ziyan to be a doctor with such high medical ethics.

He had heard Wang Xuewen mention a bit about Fang Ziyan's family background.

It was very impoverished, and even their current living situation was precarious.

Yet, the young doctor had just refused a hundred thousand yuan in gratitude.

That was one hundred thousand yuan! In this era, that was a huge fortune.

And yet, he turned it down just like that.

For a moment, Rong Haiming was filled with awe.

"Doctor Fang's words make me ashamed."

"You are a truly good doctor. Thank you!"

He no longer insisted, putting the money back into his bag while firmly shaking Fang Ziyan's hand.

Only then did Fang Ziyan let out a sigh of relief.

***

By the time Rong Haiming left, it was almost time to get off work.

Clutching the ten-thousand-yuan bonus issued by the hospital, Fang Ziyan felt a surge of genuine joy in his heart.

With this much money, he could completely elevate his family's standard of living.

Moreover, he would have more than enough funds for his dates with Xu Qiushuang.

Thinking of this, Fang Ziyan quickened his pace.

He changed his clothes and walked straight out of the hospital.

Just seconds before he exited the hospital gates, a motorcycle roared past him, speeding away into the distance.

As they brushed past each other, the motorcycle rider glanced back at Fang Ziyan with a hint of mockery in his eyes.

Fang Ziyan was momentarily stunned.

Was that Gu Tao riding the motorcycle?

Why did this guy always look at him like that?

Over the past few days, Gu Tao had seemed to deliberately provoke him.

Still, his family background was indeed quite affluent; he hadn't even started working or earned any money yet, and he was already riding a motorcycle.

That bike just now looked like a Suzuki, didn't it?

A motorcycle like that must cost seven or eight thousand yuan.

Fang Ziyan felt a passing sentiment, but no envy.

He squeezed the ten thousand yuan in his pocket, feeling much more grounded having the cash right there.

The bus arrived shortly after. Fang Ziyan boarded and headed toward Xu Qiushuang's school.

Xu Qiushuang's closing shift coincided with his own.

Fang Ziyan had specifically sent her a message telling her he would pick her up after work.

Yet Xu Qiushuang had not replied, leaving a lingering trace of worry in Fang Ziyan's heart.

When the bus arrived at the school, Fang Ziyan waited and waited, but there was no sign of Xu Qiushuang.

When he called his mother, he found out that Zhixia had already returned home as well.

Feeling somewhat discouraged, Fang Ziyan tried calling Xu Qiushuang's cell phone, but it went unanswered.

How strange.

Fang Ziyan sighed and turned back toward home.

At home, Jiang Xu had already prepared dinner and was waiting for him with a smiling face.

Seeing his family, Fang Ziyan's mood lifted significantly.

"Mom, I've got good news for you."

"Hehe, I performed a surgery at the hospital yesterday, and—ta-da—I earned some money."

"Look!"

Saying this, Fang Ziyan pulled the ten-thousand-yuan red envelope out of his pocket.

The moment she laid eyes on the red envelope, Jiang Xu's eyes widened in disbelief. "Oh my god, so much money?"