Chapter 48 The New Dean

After finishing the surgery and leaving post-op orders, Zhang Fan spoke with Old Chen and Wang Yanan, then prepared to head back to the city. Li Xiao was not busy at the moment; the moment she received a call from Zhang Fan departing, she would cancel all her plans and wait exclusively for his treatment.

Wang Yanan remained disgruntled that Zhang Fan had driven to the county by himself. "Why are you going back to the city? We are down here to work, not to play," she lectured him righteously. "Alright, I have matters to attend to, and I will be back this afternoon," Zhang Fan replied, eager to make a quick round trip.

"Then the next time we encounter a simple fracture, let me be the primary surgeon. Otherwise, I'll call the hospital immediately and report that you've abandoned your post." Seizing the opportunity, Wang Yanan began bargaining for benefits. Zhang Fan performed surgeries at such a blistering speed that she usually only got to handle the suturing. After half a year, she felt ready to tackle simple fractures.

Zhang Fan smiled. "Fine. If you can't handle it when the time comes, don't get discouraged. Let's make it clear beforehand—no crying."

"Go to hell."

There was not much snow on the road, and a little over an hour later, Zhang Fan arrived at Li Xiao's house. Previously, Li Xiao used to suffer from frequent insomnia due to pain; had she not been terrified of surgery, she would have undergone it much earlier. Now, thanks to Zhang Fan's rehabilitation therapy, she was recovering very well and felt deeply grateful to him.

While receiving treatment, Li Xiao chatted with Zhang Fan. Lying on her side in a somewhat uncomfortable posture, she said to him, "Old Huang at your hospital is about to step down, and the new president will be Ouyang from the Department of Internal Medicine. Do you want me to put in a good word for you in advance so they can take care of you?"

"Deputy President Ouyang is becoming the president? I thought the deputy president in charge of general surgery would get the post. There's no need to put in a good word."

"Ouyang has been the health-care physician for the municipal party committee for nearly three years, and their relationship is quite good. Your surgical vice president never stood a chance."

Zhang Fan was perhaps one of the ordinary doctors to learn about the new presidential candidate the earliest, but it was of no use. He had no need to pull strings beforehand; he made his living purely by his craft.

After finishing the treatment, Li Xiao wanted Zhang Fan to stay for dinner, but he declined because he needed to rush back to the county. Winter days grew dark early, and traveling after dark was difficult.

By the time he rushed back to the hospital, work hours were already over, and Wang Yanan's call came in: "Where are you? The county hospital's president is hosting a dinner, and you're the only one missing. Get over here quickly, we're in the largest private dining room at the County Party Committee Hotel."

Just as he hung up, Shi Lei's call came through: "Teacher Zhang, I heard you went to the city, so I asked the waiter to hold off on serving the dishes. Are you almost here? Without you, the banquet can't even start."

Knowing that Zhang Fan wielded considerable influence, Shi Lei was deliberately trying to ingratiate himself. Zhang Fan hurriedly replied, "President Shi, I'm almost there. Please don't wait for me, you're being far too polite."

Zhang Fan hurried off toward the hotel once more. After parking his car, the chubby manager walked out from the lobby upon seeing him: "What a rare visitor! I heard Dr. Zhang was transferred to the municipal hospital, and we didn't even throw a farewell party. How remiss of me. How many days are you staying this time? You must let me play host."

Zhang Fan shook hands with the chubby manager and said with a smile, "We won't stand on ceremony then. How is your knee? Any lingering issues?"

The manager laughed heartily and said, "It's wonderful, better than ever. With that steel claw implanted inside, I sometimes even feel like a robot. Alright, let's catch up later. I won't delay your dinner; everyone from the hospital is in the big private room. Let me walk you in."

As the cold appetizers were just being served, Zhang Fan walked in, and Zou Pingshan stood up with a smile, saying, "Our youngest expert has arrived! Come on, Zhang Fan, sit right next to me; I've saved this spot specially for you." To Zou's right was Old Li, and next to Old Li was Shi Lei, meaning the seat on his left truly was reserved for Zhang Fan.

"President Zou, you're far too polite. I can sit anywhere."

"How can you just sit anywhere? Here, you count as half a host, and you're representing the higher-level institution to assist us—you must sit right here." With those words, he pulled Zhang Fan into the seat.

Two internal medicine attending physicians looked slightly displeased. A mere resident sitting in the seat of honor and representing the higher-ups—have you no shame? You've only been away from the hospital for a few days and you've already forgotten the rules! They didn't have any particular grudge against Zhang Fan, but Old Zou had always been extremely strict about hierarchy when he was in the department, enforcing an endless number of rules.

Scarcely a few minutes after he sat down, Tang Jingjing's call came through. Since Zhang Fan was seated deep inside and it was inconvenient to step out, he answered it right at the table. Tang Jingjing asked over the phone, "Zhang Fan, I heard you've arrived in the county, is that right?"

"Yes, Sister Tang. I just got here today."

"Oh, have you eaten yet? I'd like to treat you to dinner."

"I'm terribly sorry, the hospital is holding a welcome banquet for us today. We're about to start eating."

"Very well, go ahead and eat then. The leader wants to see you later; get in touch with me after you finish eating."

Old Zou was right next to Zhang Fan and heard every word of the conversation clearly. He knew the "leader" referred to was Dong Hua, but he maintained a calm expression.

The banquet commenced, and he delivered a few remarks—nothing more than expressions of welcome and the like. However, today he did not pressure Zhang Fan to drink, stating that since Zhang Fan had to drive, he would be excused from alcohol. Had it not been for that phone call earlier, he would have definitely tried to get Zhang Fan dead drunk. Although he was being very hospitable to Zhang Fan, it was out of sheer necessity; otherwise, he wouldn't have bothered with a mere resident.

Since Zhang Fan didn't drink, Old Zou concentrated all his fire on Old Li. Both he and Old Li held senior professional titles, putting them on the same rank. Now that he was the president, the department heads under his command all watched his expressions to gauge his mood. Old Li got quite drunk—he couldn't avoid it given how enthusiastic the others were. Still, he didn't mind; he rarely got to drink a few times a year, and coming to the county was a good chance to unwind.

During the meal, the head of the First Department of Surgery complained to Zhang Fan, "The president isn't giving us much support for surgery. The laparoscope was only used a few times while you were here, and after that, it hasn't been touched at all. It's just gathering dust in the operating room."

Having recently been reprimanded by his superiors and left utterly disgraced upon becoming president, Old Zou had spent the past half year frantically trying to consolidate his control over the staff. As for surgery, as long as nothing went wrong, he was satisfied; he was simply terrified of another accident. He refused to organize training for new techniques, desiring only stability and zero mishaps.

The general surgery doctors and department heads were frantic, but to no avail—Old Zou had already been frightened out of his wits. Old Yang, the head of the First Department of Surgery, continued, "It's a good thing you're back. Once winter comes, people eat greasier foods, and cases of gallbladder and appendix issues shoot up. You need to perform a few surgeries and show us the ropes. Laparoscopy is the trend. Nowadays, patients hear we still use open surgery for gallbladders and appendices, and they immediately go off to a higher-level hospital. We can't retain any patients!"

After the dinner concluded, several people were thoroughly drunk. Zhang Fan went up to the third floor and called Tang Jingjing: "Sister Tang, we're done. Is the leader available right now?"

As he spoke, the door opened. Tang Jingjing peeked out, saw it was Zhang Fan, and said with a smile, "Come on in quickly. The leader just finished up and is waiting for you."

Upon entering the room, Tang Jingjing showed Zhang Fan to a seat and said, "The leader is inside. I'll go call her, just have a seat for a moment."

As soon as Tang Jingjing went in, Dong Hua came out. "Dr. Zhang, please sit. How have things been lately, and how long do you plan to stay this time?"

"Everything is fine. I'm not sure how long I'll stay; the higher-ups haven't issued a notice yet."

"Indeed. I just worry about heavy snowstorms—county-level hospital capabilities are limited. Have you seen Sister Wang recently?" She was fishing to connect Wang Qian back to Li Xiao.

"I saw her once before coming here, at General Li's house." Since she and Wang Qian spoke on the phone every single day, how could he not have seen her?

"Oh, really? How is General Li recovering now? Is she still undergoing treatment?"

"She's doing quite well and is still receiving treatment. I go over every afternoon, and once the treatment is done, I come right back."

"That's good. Is the heating in the apartment warm enough? If not, have Xiao Tang call the property management office."

The dormitory Zhang Fan was currently staying in was still Dong Hua's apartment. "It's very warm. Thank you for your concern, County Magistrate Dong."

"It's only right. Next time General Li goes to the provincial capital, if it's convenient for you, could you give me a private heads-up?" This was her ultimate objective.

"Uh, well, alright." Zhang Fan was stunned. What was this—espionage?

"Hehe, I just want to ask General Li for a favor in the provincial capital, but I'm too embarrassed to bring it up directly. It would be more convenient if we happen to cross paths whenever she goes there. I hope Dr. Zhang doesn't mind."