Chapter 36 - 24: Turning the Tables

The issue with Wang Dalei was resolved smoothly. The hospital eventually gave a compensation of thirty thousand, and according to hospital regulations, twenty percent of this thirty thousand has to be borne by the person with the main responsibility, which means it will be deducted from Deputy Director of Urology, Tan Guoliang.In Zhou Wenbin’s view, this matter has already been resolved in the best possible way. Wang Dalei originally asked for three million, the hospital’s bottom line was fifty thousand, and the actual payout was thirty thousand. All parties should be able to accept this.

However, unexpectedly, Tan Guoliang was very resentful about this, and after learning about the result, he immediately went to the medical affairs office, slammed the table in front of Zhou Wenbin, and shouted: "Zhou Wenbin, who gave you the right to make decisions for me? I didn’t make any mistake. If the hospital wants to compensate, you guys do it! Why should it come out of my pocket?"

Zhou Wenbin chuckled, "Old Tan, don’t be angry. Wang Dalei wanted three million, now it’s thirty thousand, and for you personally, it’s just six thousand. I think let’s not get entangled in this matter anymore."

The medical affairs office had been troubled by this matter for quite some time. It was tough enough to appease Wang Dalei, and now unexpectedly, Tan Guoliang started making noise.

Tan Guoliang said, "Who’s entangling with you? Six thousand isn’t much, but I shouldn’t have to pay it. If it was my mistake, I wouldn’t hesitate even if it were sixty thousand, but if I pay this money, it means I’m admitting fault, and the problem is I haven’t done anything wrong!"

"Old Tan, I know you’re feeling wronged, but this is our hospital’s policy. In case of a medical dispute, everyone is treated equally. Even if you didn’t make a mistake, the dispute started because of you, right?"

Tan Guoliang said, "What do you mean ’because of me’? Wasn’t it for the hospital? We work hard to earn money for the hospital, and what have you been doing? Can’t even handle such a small issue?"

The medical affairs office is an open-plan office without individual offices for directors. Usually, private matters are discussed in the adjoining mediation room. Yet, Tan Guoliang started shouting regardless of the presence of Xu Chunliang and Cheng Xiaohong.

Zhou Wenbin got angry too. After covering for you, you’re still pulling this stunt? Since you, Tan Guoliang, aren’t giving me face, I have no need to be polite to you either: "Old Tan, if you have complaints, go find the leadership."

"Stop threatening me with leadership. This was handled by you, and the compensation plan was set by you guys. Have you ever sought my approval?"

Xu Chunliang couldn’t listen anymore: "Deputy Director Tan, I handled this matter. If you have any grievances, bring them to me."

Tan Guoliang glanced at him, "Get out of the way, this is none of your business."

Zhou Wenbin was truly angry, "Tan Guoliang, what’s with your attitude? For the sake of your issue, we’ve been running around dealing with complaints and taking the blame. Even if there’s no credit, there’s still hard work, right? Your current behavior is clearly biting the hand that feeds you!"

"Who are you saying is biting the hand that feeds?"

"I’m talking about you!"

Xu Chunliang said, "Director Zhou, calm down. No need to stoop to his level. Since he doesn’t appreciate it, we shouldn’t take the blame either. I’ll get back to Wang Dalei and tell him to return the money and quickly send back the mediation document. Anyway, he’s not content with the current compensation amount. I really admire people who are incorruptible and stick to principles. Deputy Director Tan, you’ve really opened my eyes."

Tan Guoliang was dumbfounded. He hadn’t expected Xu Chunliang to hit back so harshly.

Xu Chunliang took action right away and called Wang Dalei in front of him, "Wang Dalei, come to the hospital." He intentionally used the speakerphone.

Wang Dalei seemed a bit puzzled, "Director Xu, wasn’t the issue already resolved? Why should I come again?" He was now somewhat concerned that Changxing Hospital might backtrack.

Xu Chunliang said, "Deputy Director Tan has something to discuss with you." He passed the phone to Tan Guoliang, "Deputy Director Tan, go ahead. Whatever you want to say, tell Wang Dalei directly!"

Tan Guoliang was caught off guard, his face turned red with embarrassment. Despite his fury toward the medical affairs office, he didn’t dare to confront Wang Dalei. Wang Dalei’s pestering had become his nightmare. He didn’t see anything wrong in settling the matter with a thirty-thousand compensation, but the thought of paying six thousand himself made his heart ache. He had come to the medical affairs office to make a scene hoping that the hospital might make concessions and he wouldn’t have to pay.

Tan Guoliang murmured reluctantly, "Well, Wang Dalei, the issue has been resolved, and it’s completely settled."

Zhou Wenbin listened beside him, silently cursing him for being a coward. Where was the courage you just showed off to me?

Wang Dalei laughed over the phone, "Director Tan, don’t worry. I’ve promised Director Xu that it’s better to make friends than enemies, and we can still be friends when we meet in the future."

Tan Guoliang let out a sound of acknowledgment and looked at Xu Chunliang, implying he should hang up the phone.

Xu Chunliang said, "Wang Dalei, I have to clarify one more thing. Of the thirty thousand that our hospital owes you, six thousand is personally paid by Deputy Director Tan, so it will be paid in two installments. If the six thousand doesn’t arrive on time, just remind Deputy Director Tan, don’t come to our medical affairs office for it."

"Got it, got it."

Tan Guoliang was utterly dumbfounded, this guy was ruthless, directly selling him out.

Zhou Wenbin felt extremely satisfied. Tan Guoliang, you’re not so arrogant now, are you? Making the wrong choice by venting your anger at our medical affairs office.

Xu Chunliang hung up the phone, "Deputy Director Tan, I’ll notify the finance department to first transfer twenty-four thousand to Wang Dalei. I’ll give you his account number. If you feel wronged, stick to your principles. I admire that, but I must remind you that if he causes trouble for you again, it will be a private debt dispute, unrelated to our medical affairs office or Changxing Hospital. If there are any threats to your safety, you should report it to the police immediately. I’m sure the police will provide assistance."

Tan Guoliang’s face turned various shades, all from his own making, and now he didn’t even know how to save face.

Zhou Wenbin cooperated fully and had already started calling the finance department.

Tan Guoliang quickly stopped him, "Old Zhou, I have something to discuss with you privately."

Zhou Wenbin put down the phone, and Tan Guoliang gestured toward the next room. Zhou Wenbin didn’t want to push things too far, so he sighed and went with him to the mediation room next door.

Once they left, Cheng Xiaohong laughed, "Serves him right, what a person, killing the donkey when the grinding is done!"

Xu Chunliang said, "Not me."

Cheng Xiaohong rolled her eyes, but in her heart, she was already full of admiration for him. Since Xu Chunliang came to the medical affairs office, the whole department had changed, and even she felt more confident. She no longer went to work in constant fear, worried about patients causing trouble.

Zhou Wenbin came back shortly after, smiling as he addressed them, "It’s resolved, he agreed to pay."

Cheng Xiaohong said, "I used to think he was a pretty good person. How could he be like this?"

Zhou Wenbin replied, "Somebody always feels the pain when they hear they have to pay themselves."

Cheng Xiaohong said, "He earns quite a lot annually, doesn’t he?"

"Definitely more than us. Even as a deputy director, he makes four to five hundred thousand a year. Oh, and his wife is also from our hospital, Director Cai Rongjuan of the cosmetology department, who earns much more than him. Wang Dalei probably knew about their family situation, so he asked for so much."

Cheng Xiaohong said, "So wealthy yet so stingy. We helped him solve such a big issue, and not only does he not treat us to a meal, he even comes to us for old grievances."

Zhou Wenbin sighed deeply, "That’s why working in the medical affairs office is tough. You’re caught in the middle, never getting full recognition."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Director Zhou, is that why you set me up here?"

Zhou Wenbin replied, "I appreciate you, Xiaoxu. I clearly see your work capability. I’ve already submitted a formal application to the personnel department to have you officially assigned to the medical affairs office. Do well!" Through handling several matters, he had determined that Xu Chunliang was a rare talent, and he didn’t want someone else to snatch this talent away.

"Director Zhou, you didn’t ask for my consent."

"Xiaoxu, I’m sure nobody is more suitable for this job than you are. Work diligently and your future is boundless."

Cheng Xiaohong said, "Xu Chunliang, don’t you see that Director Zhou’s words mean you’re his appointed successor, the future director of the medical affairs office."

Zhou Wenbin laughed heartily, "Xiaoxu is so young, with infinite potential. He might even become a dean in the future, and so might you."

Cheng Xiaohong said, "That’s too conservative. Our future is the stars and the sea."