Chapter 9: The Truth Surfaces

"Hiss!"

As the words fell, Zhu Zixiao, standing nearby, drew a sharp breath. Good heavens, that was the mayor’s daughter, the daughter of the director of the Health Bureau. Fang Zhiyan had truly saved someone of great importance. It was a pity, though; it would have been fine if no one had swooped in to steal the credit. Now, all the accolades had been snatched away by that fellow named Gu Tao. For a moment, Zhu Zixiao couldn't even stand to watch it happen to Fang Zhiyan.

He reached out and patted Fang Zhiyan on the shoulder. "Xiao Fang, I really sympathize with you."

Fang Zhiyan grinned. "It’s fine. Some people just have that kind of luck. We can’t compete with them, so we just have to accept it."

Hearing this, Zhu Zixiao grew indignant. "This Gu Tao is truly despicable. Relying on his status as Director Jin’s protégé, he steals every good learning opportunity that comes along. And now he’s even stealing Xiao Fang’s credit? He’s really no good."

Fang Zhiyan glanced at Zhu Zixiao, surprised to find that the guy had such a strong sense of justice. However, Fang Zhiyan wasn't about to hand over his hard-earned credit so easily. If it belonged to him, it could only be his; no one would take it away. Fang Zhiyan flashed a grin at Zhu Zixiao and turned to walk out of the office.

Jin Mingcheng might be able to help Gu Tao steal this credit, but he had a witness to his life-saving actions. Could they really tamper with a witness's testimony?

Taking advantage of his lunch break, Fang Zhiyan hurried out of the hospital to the spot where he had performed the rescue that morning. This time, he wasn't wearing his white coat; he just wore a face mask and headed straight for the pharmacy.

As soon as he entered, Fang Zhiyan said with a smile, "Boss, do you remember me?"

The shop owner looked at Fang Zhiyan, and a look of pleasant surprise appeared on his face. "Oh, isn't it the young doctor? Why are you here? How is that young girl doing this morning?"

Fang Zhiyan pulled down his mask so the owner could get a good look at his face. "She’s doing okay, out of the danger zone."

"That’s good." The owner nodded and gave Fang Zhiyan a thumbs-up. "Young man, you’ve got real talent. Your skills are top-notch."

"Heh." Fang Zhiyan chuckled and pulled money from his pocket. "I used your plastic tubing, knife, disinfectant alcohol, and saline solution this morning. I’m here to settle the bill."

The owner immediately stopped him. "Young man, how could I let you pay? No, put your money away. If you insist on paying, you’re looking down on me. You were saving a life, and I was helping save a life. As long as she was saved, that’s all that matters. There’s no need for money."

The owner’s attitude was exceptionally warm. He pulled Fang Zhiyan aside and asked, "You’re so young and your medical skills are so good. Which department are you in at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital?"

Fang Zhiyan smiled, took his staff badge out of his pocket, and pointed to his name. "I'm in the Emergency Department at the TCM Hospital. My name is Fang Zhiyan."

"Oh, the Emergency Department, Fang Zhiyan? I see. If I ever get sick in the future, I’ll come looking for you," the owner said with a chuckle.

After chatting for a few more minutes, seeing that the owner truly didn't want to take his money, Fang Zhiyan took his leave.

In the afternoon, Fang Zhiyan continued to follow Cao Chong on ward rounds. As Cao Chong checked on the patients, he would occasionally pose a few questions. Zhu Zixiao, Yin Jing, and the others answered hesitantly, often missing parts of the full picture. Fang Zhiyan, however, answered fluently, which pleased Cao Chong even more. At the same time, however, Cao Chong felt a growing sense of guilt toward him.

Zhu Zixiao felt a bit resentful. How was it that Fang Zhiyan’s clinical foundation was so solid? Wasn't this just completely showing him up? Everyone else was stumbling over their words, but you were answering perfectly—was that right?

Yet, Zhu Zixiao’s resentment quickly dissolved under the repeated "Brother Xiao" calls from Fang Zhiyan. He squinted his eyes, enjoying the flattery while continuing to feel indignant on Fang Zhiyan’s behalf.

By the afternoon, Luo Yun, the patient in the private room, had regained consciousness. Tang Ya, the director of the Health Bureau and also a mother, rushed to her side immediately. Gu Tao hurried forward as well, putting on a show of checking Luo Yun’s vitals. But his awkward, amateurish movements made Tang Ya frown. Was her daughter really saved by him?

"Daughter, you're awake? You scared your mother to death," Tang Ya said, full of worry.

Luo Yun gave a bitter smile. "Mom, I’ve made you worry."

"How did that glass hit your head? It left such a wound on your forehead. What if it doesn't heal well and leaves a scar?" Tang Ya’s face was filled with heartache. Luo Yun looked worried as well.

Just as they were talking, a man in a formal jacket strode into the room. Gu Tao turned his head and was instantly startled. This man looked so familiar—he had seen him on television and in newspapers constantly. It was none other than Luo Dongqiang, the mayor of Jiang'an City.

"Dad." Luo Yun, lying on the hospital bed, tried to sit up, and Luo Dongqiang quickly supported her. "Good daughter, stay lying down, don't move yet."

Luo Dongqiang turned to glance at Gu Tao and nodded slowly. "Young man, I heard it was you who saved my daughter?"

Gu Tao’s heart pounded, but he gathered his courage and nodded. "I happened to come across it on my way to work."

"Well done. Thank you." Luo Dongqiang shook Gu Tao’s hand. This gesture made Gu Tao beam with joy. "It’s all thanks to the training from my teacher; that’s why I knew how to handle such a situation. Mayor Luo, this is just what I should do as a doctor."

Luo Dongqiang nodded in satisfaction and turned to his secretary behind him. "Xue Shan, go and thank Dr. Gu later. And don't forget the owner of the pharmacy who provided the emergency supplies free of charge this morning."

Xue Shan nodded. He had already investigated the matter and knew the general situation: a young doctor from the Emergency Department of the TCM Hospital had encountered Miss Luo’s injury on his way to work and had used supplies from a pharmacy to save her life. The pharmacy owner was also worth thanking.

That afternoon, under Luo Dongqiang’s instructions, Xue Shan arrived at the pharmacy. He explained his purpose to the owner and brought a token of gratitude along with a silk banner. Seeing the banner, the owner was overjoyed.

"Haha, young comrade, you don’t need to thank me; you should thank Dr. Fang. You should have seen that young doctor—his movements were swift, efficient, and he was incredibly calm. His medical skills are superb," the owner praised.

Xue Shan was stunned. "Dr. Fang?"

"Yes, Fang Zhiyan. The doctor who saved the young lady is named Fang Zhiyan, from the Emergency Department of the TCM Hospital. I know him," the owner said.

Xue Shan narrowed his eyes, a look of contemplation appearing on his face. He quickly asked the owner for the specific details, and the owner happily recounted the entire story once more.

Meanwhile, Fang Zhiyan, having finished his first day of work, returned home.

"Second Brother!"

Seeing Fang Zhiyan, his younger sister, Fang Zhixia, sprinted toward him like a swallow returning to its nest. Fang Zhiyan caught her with a laugh. "Whoa, you’ve gotten heavy. Did you eat too much meat yesterday?"

Hearing this, Fang Zhixia wiggled in protest. "No, I didn't! Second Brother is mean, always saying I’m fat!"