Chapter 300 - The doctors’ permanent assignments (2/2)

Wang Zipeng had been permanently assigned to the proctology department. Although this wasn’t a large surgical department, this really was much better than he had expected. He had already been mentally preparing himself for one of the two worst departments, the infectious diseases department or the emergency department. Yet, he unexpectedly received such astonishingly wonderful news. Wang Zipeng was so happy that he intended to go spend some money on himself at W Mall, the biggest luxury mall in Chasu City.

However, Wang Zipeng only had a bit more than 3,000 yuan in savings. He went around one time through W Mall, and instantly no longer wanted to spend money here. Things at W Mall were far too expensive. Wang Zipeng had originally wanted to buy a backpack, some clothes, and some shoes, but he found himself unwilling to pay the prices at W Mall.

Since it was a weekday, and also the middle of the day, there were few people shopping at W Mall. Several rotation doctors all had had the same idea to come here, and met each other coincidentally. These doctors included the female doctors Wang Hong and Tong Lili, as well as three male former rotation doctors. Wang Hong had been permanently assigned to the gastroenterology department. She was really active in the hospital. She was already the leader Chasu City Hospital’s Communist Youth League. She was also getting married soon to her government employee boyfriend. Wang Hong now seemed like a mature young woman. She was also wearing clothes in a mature style.

Tong Lili had managed to use some connections, after all, as she hadn’t been permanently assigned to the infectious diseases department as she had been told. Instead, she had been permanently assigned to the nephrology department. Tong Lili had done everything she possibly could in order to avoid the infectious diseases department.

That was just how pragmatic Chinese society was. If one’s skills weren’t good enough, then they would have to work hard enough. If they didn’t work hard enough, then they would need to have connections. No matter what, you would need to have something. Otherwise, you would only receive the worst of what was left over!

As for the three male former rotation doctors, only one of them was assigned to a surgery department, the neurosurgery department. The other two were assigned to pediatrics and gynecology, respectively. All three of these young men were romantically interested in Tong Lili. They wouldn’t dare to try romancing Wang Hong, especially since she already had a boyfriend.

Right now, Tong Lili felt quite conflicted about the three male doctors pursuing her. One was handsome, but he was in a bad department. One was in a good department, but he was rather poor. One was in a good department and also well-to-do, but he was rather ugly. Tong Lili really didn’t know who to choose among the three. She was really indecisive. Finally, the doctors all had a little vacation, so all three young men tried pursuing her simultaneously during this vacation. Tong Lili decided she might as well call Wang Hong to go to the mall together with her.

“Hey! Wang Zipeng, how come you’re by yourself? Where’s your childhood friend girlfriend?” Wang Hong saw Wang Zipeng from far away and greeted him. Wang Zipeng’s childhood friend girlfriend often came to the hospital to see him. All the young doctors knew about this, which was why Wang Hong teased him with a small joke.

“Hello, Leader! My girlfriend is at work! How come your leader isn’t accompanying you? Hello, beautiful Miss Tong! Hey! The three bros are racing each other again!” Wang Zipeng no longer felt any pressure now that he had been permanently assigned to the proctology department. He was really lively now. The young doctors were all really used to joking around with each other.

“Beat this brat up, his mouth is so wicked!” Wang Hong joked with the other three male doctors before Tong Lili could respond.

“Hey! Hey! Hey! I’m wrong, I’m wrong!” Wang Zipeng joked about not wanting to get beaten up by the others!

“You’re in the wrong! You won’t be let off so easily! You still don’t understand what it means to be wrong! No matter what, you have to treat us to a meal in order to be forgiven!” Wang Hong immediately dominated the conversation. She was quite forceful, and spoke like she was a politician!

“Sigh! I’m quite poor. It’s not like you don’t know. Just look, I went all around W Mall, but didn’t buy even a single thing.” Wang Zipeng began to complain. He didn’t want to have to treat others to a meal for no reason! It wasn’t like his money had grown on trees. He had properly worked quite hard for it!

“Stingy. Fine, I’ll treat all of you to a meal instead.” Wang Hong rolled her eyes at him, and then said, “It seems like the hospital is choosing one candidate for the excellent youths of Chasu City award again. Last year, Zhang Fan won the award from our hospital. This year, all of you need to help me!” These young doctors respected Zhang Fan’s abilities, but they definitely wouldn’t ever mention him if at all possible. It wasn’t that Zhang Fan was disliked, but rather that he was far too outstanding, reaching the point where all others his age were embarrassed to be compared to him.

“Not a problem!”

“We’d help you even without you mentioning it!” said the others.

“Sigh! Anyways, since I mentioned Zhang Fan, what department has he been permanently assigned to?” Wang Hong was really interested in moving up in the hospital. That was why she also paid a lot of attention to Zhang Fan.

“The orthopedic surgery department, although it’s unknown which of the three orthopedic departments he’ll get assigned to. All of us have already received our permanent assignation paperwork, except for him. I heard that the hospital leadership is still discussing his assignment!” Wang Zipeng told about what gossip he knew.

“Hey! He’s so amazing. The hospital leadership is even holding a conference to determine his department assignment!” the male doctor in gynecology commented in a slightly jealous tone. This was the doctor who was from a well-to-do family as well as in a good department. The gynecology department would have good income.

Tong Lili frowned slightly upon hearing this. Although she didn’t say anything out loud, she thought to herself, ‘This one is too narrow-minded! His jealousy is only going to cause him needless trouble.’ Tong Lili eliminated him from among her suitors. She was older and more mature now. She was no longer rash like when she’d been younger. Anyone would want to be cautious about something major like marriage!

“You can’t just say that. He’s got such obvious skills, after all.” Wang Zipeng felt like he was Zhang Fan’s bro, so he automatically spoke in Zhang Fan’s defense against the other male doctor.

“Alright, he probably long since knew already which department he would be assigned to. If he’s not worrying about it, why should we? Honestly. Wang Zipeng, call Zhang Fan and ask him if he’s busy or not. If he’s not busy, tell him to come eat lunch with us. I’ll treat him to a meal.” Wang Hong was really smart. She didn’t care about any conflicts between the others, but she wanted to maintain a good relationship with all of them.

Wang Hong also wanted to cultivate a good relationship with Zhang Fan—even if she did say to “tell” him to come over, which could be construed as being slightly arrogant.

She actually had Zhang Fan’s phone number as well. So, why had she asked Wang Zipeng to call Zhang Fan instead? That was because she knew that Zhang Fan definitely wouldn’t give her face and come to a meal invitation from her. She also didn’t want to let everyone else see Zhang Fan rejecting her meal invitation, which was why she asked Wang Zipeng to invite him.

She really didn’t understand Zhang Fan. He was too special among others of the same age, especially among other male doctors. Not only was Zhang Fan amazingly skilled, he was also quite good at getting others to like him. Many directors praised both Zhang Fan’s skills and character endlessly. Additionally, Zhang Fan was quite humble as well as calm. Most of all, Wang Hong didn’t understand Zhang Fan’s steadiness and reliability. He didn’t seem like a young person at all. Even Wang Hong’s boyfriend, who was several years older than her, would sometimes be a little arrogant without realizing it. However, Wang Hong saw none of that at all in Zhang Fan.

That was why she felt like she had no guarantee with him, yet she still wanted to cultivate a good relationship with him. That was just how people were. Nobody would care about you if you weren’t outstanding and well-known, but if you were even the slightest bit outstanding or well-known, there would be countless others who didn’t approve of you, insulted you, or wanted to suck up to you. As the saying went, one’s worst enemies would always be others in the same job field! Although this sounded like a funny joke, middle-aged men who had crawled through the muddy pits of work before would feel sourness in their hearts!

“Is it convenient for you guys? If not, then forget it. You guys can eat without me.” Zhang Fan didn’t really want to go. He was becoming more and more of a hermit who cared only about medical skills.

“It’s convenient, of course it’s convenient. We’ll wait for you. We’re at the top level of W Mall. Brother Zhang, you should hurry. You’re the only one we’re waiting on. We’re starving!” Wang Zipeng then hung up without waiting for Zhang Fan’s reply.

Wang Zipeng did at least understand Zhang Fan a little. If Wang Zipeng said any more, he knew that it was likely Zhang Fan would find an excuse not to come, but if Wang Zipeng instead just reported the location and then hung up, Zhang Fan would definitely come.

Zhang Fan indeed started driving in the direction towards W Mall after the phone call since he felt like it couldn’t be helped. It wasn’t that Zhang Fan had become unsocial, but rather that he simply wasn’t interested in such things anymore.