Although these people didn't create anything, they sure were quick at destroying things.
On Monday, when Guan Xing returned to the company's medical office, a formal penalty notice from the Ministry of Health was already placed on his desk.
"Damn it, they actually revoked my medical qualification," Guan Xing thought to himself, a bit amused. After all, he held a special certificate issued by the World Health Organization, not some small-time department that could simply cancel it at will.
Clearly, these people were furious. They had even brought out the official weaponry.
But as he was pondering, Fang Jie rushed into the office with another official letter in hand, shouting, "Doctor Guan, here's another letter for you! These bastards are really looking for trouble."
She had already heard the news. Over the weekend, she had visited Lin Mei at the hospital, where she had learned about the investigation team. Lin Mei even told her that someone had tried to malign Guan Xing. That had kept Fang Jie up all night.
This morning, she came into the office and found this new letter, which made her even angrier. After venting to a few people, she had grabbed this letter from the company's logistics clerk.
Guan Xing didn't get angry. To him, these penalties were meaningless. As long as he wanted, he could still perform surgeries—just not in the hospital. Saving lives didn't necessarily require an operating table.
However, the second letter was a bit of a surprise—it came from the China Cancer Association. It seemed like they were going against the Ministry of Health. This letter was a job offer, stamped with a bright red seal, which meant official recognition. The Cancer Association was offering him a position as a guest professor, with no actual duties—just a title.
Guan Xing quickly understood what was going on. The old director and Huang Lao were probably aware of the situation and had arranged this as a backup. If Guan Xing ever decided to perform a surgery again, it would be the hospital's problem, not his.
"Well, it seems there are still some good people in the world," Fang Jie said, after reading the second letter, clearly feeling better. "Doctor Guan, your medical skills are extraordinary. The doctors at the Third Hospital say you're nothing short of a miracle worker. I don't want to see such talent go to waste."
At that moment, Hua Ruying also walked in. She had heard the staff talking about the investigation and had been worried. In her mind, Guan Xing had already done more than enough to save lives, so it was unjust for him to be punished.
She glanced at the letter, then sighed with relief. A softer, more affectionate expression appeared on her usually cold face as she smiled, "Looks like Doctor Guan is quite popular. You have people helping you everywhere."
"Well, of course, I'm a good person," Guan Xing said with a grin. "Manager Hua, aren't you worried about me?"
Guan Xing was in a good mood and unaffected by the documents. He had already anticipated this outcome. However, Hua Ruying's expression changed slightly. Her usual cold demeanor had softened, revealing a hint of affection for him. Guan Xing couldn't help but feel a flicker of attraction.
"Humph, I'm not worried about you. I'm just managing the medical office. I don't want my employees to suffer unfair treatment," she said, her words lofty and self-righteous.
Guan Xing couldn't help but laugh at her acting. Did she really think showing concern for him was beneath her?
At that moment, Fang Jie, who was watching the interaction, covered her mouth, trying to hide her laughter. As someone who had seen it all, she could tell that Hua Ruying, the usually cold manager, was beginning to develop more than just concern for Doctor Guan.
Before anything could develop further, a voice called from the door, "Doctor Guan! Doctor Guan!"
It was Cheng YunYa, the beautiful general manager of Feiyang Company, who had never before been seen in the medical office. Dressed in a light blue, borderless gown, her alluring fragrance filled the room as she strode in, radiating beauty.
"Manager Cheng!" Hua Ruying exclaimed, slightly shocked.
"General Manager," Fang Jie greeted, now standing at attention.
"Wow, Manager Cheng, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit to the medical office?" Guan Xing asked in a lazy tone, blending his aloof demeanor with a hint of playfulness.
Cheng YunYa was taken aback. No one in the company had ever spoken to her like that. She paused for three seconds before smiling, her lips curling into a teasing smile. "Doctor Guan, after receiving this letter, I was worried about you. But it seems you're in a good mood. I don't need to worry after all."
The letter was a government-issued document, stamped with red seals. The purpose was simple—to state that Guan Xing was unqualified both medically and ethically and was not fit to perform any duties as a doctor. The company was instructed to terminate his employment.
"Wait, Manager Cheng, you're not going to kick me out, are you?" Guan Xing said, pretending to be shocked.
Cheng YunYa laughed. This man was really pretending to be the underdog. She rolled her eyes at him and said, "Enough with the act. Even if I wanted to fire you, I'd still have to get President Xi's approval. Sigh… you're lucky. I came here to give you a raise."
Indeed, Cheng YunYa was holding a pay raise application form, already signed and completed. Fang Jie took a look at it and gasped, "Twenty thousand? That's so high!"
Poor Fang Jie earned just over two thousand a month—there was no way she could compare.
Hua Ruying, jealous and a bit irritated, muttered, "Looks like Doctor Guan really has benefitted from this situation."
"You're right. I'm even thinking about transferring to the medical office myself. It seems easy, and the pay's great. It's really not fair," Fang Jie added, looking enviously at Guan Xing.
The two women playfully teased Guan Xing, but he hadn't expected that despite the unfavorable situation, President Xi was still looking out for him. Not only had he not been punished, but his salary was also increased.
For Guan Xing, the money didn't matter. What moved him was the gesture.
Having seen the dark side of human nature, Guan Xing had grown accustomed to being betrayed. But in this moment, he felt that maybe, just maybe, there was still sincerity left in the world.
"Alright, alright, if you two beautiful ladies want the job, I don't mind giving up my spot. As long as I'm in good company, I'm happy to take a pay cut," Guan Xing said with a smile. His usual cold demeanor melted, and for the first time in a long while, he felt genuinely happy and carefree.
In truth, neither of the women earned less than him, and with bonuses and other benefits, their annual salaries surpassed his. But they were simply congratulating him.
"Forget it, we're not miracle workers," Cheng YunYa teased, covering her mouth with a smile. "Doctor Guan, now that you've had your salary raised, are you going to treat us to a meal? I'm signing up right now."
"Yeah, yeah! Doctor Guan, with this raise, you definitely have to treat us!" Fang Jie chimed in.
Guan Xing pretended to hesitate. "Well… fine. I'll take you both to the street food stalls tonight. Order whatever you want, no need to be polite."
Before he could finish, Hua Ruying sneered, "Doctor Guan, you're really too stingy. You're treating us to a meal at the street stalls?"
"Of course, if Manager Hua is coming, I'll raise the stakes a bit. How about a buffet?" Guan Xing teased with a grin.
Cheng YunYa suddenly turned to look at Hua Ruying, as though sensing something. Was there something going on between the icy beauty of Feiyang and the doctor?
Hua Ruying gritted her teeth, clearly irritated, and immediately agreed.
"Fine, I'll go. If there's free food, why not? Humph, even if it's street food, I'll make sure to make you pay for it," she replied, her competitive streak showing.
Cheng YunYa smiled, "Alright, since I was planning to treat you to a meal as a thank you for your help a few days ago, I'll let you pick the place. But with me and Manager Hua here, you won't be losing out, Doctor Guan!"
Guan Xing realized then why she had come to the medical office. It looked like he had been tricked into this treat. He sighed internally. "No worries, as a man, I'm generous. Just don't ask for too many dishes, and that will be my thank you to you."
The two women simultaneously shot him a glance—one cold and one sweet. Their eyes seemed to communicate clearly:
"No way. Not gonna happen."