Chapter 43 - 31: Read Between the Lines, Speak Between the Lines

The meeting between Zhou Wenbin and Zeng Hongwen was not pleasant. He had always thought businessmen were driven solely by profit, but he hadn’t anticipated how much Zeng Hongwen valued money.Although Shi Zhiwei and his wife hadn’t specified an exact compensation amount, based on Zhou Wenbin’s experience with handling similar disputes, he first needed to prepare for the worst. Since the medical aesthetics center is a contracted department and relatively unique in nature, Changxing Hospital couldn’t be held liable for compensation. He first tried to gauge Zeng Hongwen’s bottom line.

At first, Zeng Hongwen indicated she would fully cooperate in resolving the matter. However, the most she could accept was refunding Tong Meili’s surgery and treatment fees. She believed she had made the biggest concession, considering this incident was not at all the surgical accident claimed by Tong Meili.

Zhou Wenbin had to remind Zeng Hongwen that merely offering the above compensation might not satisfy the patient. He mentioned the damaged bracelet, which, according to a knowledgeable friend of his, was a jade bracelet worth around fifty thousand. It wasn’t as exaggerated as Tong Meili claimed, but it wasn’t cheap either. Should they be able to produce an official invoice, it would become even more troublesome.

Zeng Hongwen immediately became anxious: "That bracelet was dropped because of her own carelessness. Why should we compensate? Don’t you have surveillance in the mediation room?"

Zhou Wenbin replied, "I’ve reviewed the footage, but the angle didn’t clearly capture the situation. At that time, there was physical contact between Tong Meili and Director Cai."

"Why didn’t all of you protect Director Cai? Shouldn’t you bear some responsibility?"

"Xiaozeng, the cosmetic department is your contracted department. The contract specifies that all losses from medical disputes must be borne by the contractor. If it affects the hospital’s reputation, we have the right to hold you accountable."

"Director Zhou, it’s unfair to say that. While I am indeed the contractor, the responsibility for Tong Meili’s issue lies not with us. She is being unreasonable and attempting extortion. Refunding her surgery and treatment fees is our biggest concession. If I agree to any unreasonable terms she might propose, how can the cosmetic department continue its work in the future? It would set a bad precedent for the hospital, and such unhealthy practices must not be tolerated."

"This matter can either escalate or de-escalate. I’ve handled many similar cases, and I dare say Tong Meili won’t let it rest. There’s a possibility she might cause more trouble."

"Let her. We have so many security guards in our hospital; are they not earning their keep? If they don’t manage it, there are still the police. I can’t believe the law can’t deal with this group of medical racketeers."

Zhou Wenbin advised earnestly, "Upholding principles is correct, but one must be strategic. Necessary concessions are needed. If the incident escalates, it will cause immeasurable damage to Changxing."

Zeng Hongwen said, "You mean it’s fine for me to take a personal loss? I clearly did no wrong, so why should I adhere to their demands? I’ve heard tales of your medical affairs department siding with outsiders, and today I finally witness it firsthand."

"That’s not fair to say. We are trying to help you solve this issue."

"Thank you. Tomorrow I will speak to them directly. Isn’t it money they want? If they dare demand outrageously, I’ll accuse them of extortion!" Zeng Hongwen was extremely assertive.

The conversation was fruitless, and Zhou Wenbin, seeing her attitude, didn’t want to waste any more effort. If Dean Gu hadn’t given strict orders, he wouldn’t have bothered with this messy issue.

Zhou Wenbin was also aware of Zeng Hongwen and Gu Houyi’s relationship, otherwise, Gu Houyi wouldn’t have called him into his office for directives. Zhou Wenbin wasn’t stupid; even if Cai Rongjuan was favored, Gu Houyi wouldn’t criticize him. The big boss was worried the issue at the beauty center could potentially implicate himself.

Zhou Wenbin couldn’t ignore it, so he reached out to Tong Meili to calm her down and explore her demands.

To his surprise, Tong Meili was very calm and informed Zhou Wenbin that she would go to Changxing the next morning to discuss compensation.

Her calm tone gave Zhou Wenbin hope for resolving the issue. After confirming the time with Tong Meili, they agreed to meet at ten in the morning. He would arrange for the head of the beauty center and relevant experts to meet with her.

Xu Chunliang distanced himself from this event, as he wasn’t responsible for it. Zhou Wenbin worried that his youthful zeal might lead to another conflict upon meeting Shi Zhiwei, so he arranged for him to attend a business study at the health bureau. Zhou Wenbin originally intended to go himself, but he needed to personally oversee the Tong Meili matter.

Xu Chunliang arrived at the health bureau’s main conference room. It was his first time attending such training. Although the attendees were colleagues from related fields in the health system, he didn’t know anyone. Apparently, most were mid-to-upper-level executives from various hospitals.

Xu Chunliang wrote down Zhou Wenbin’s name and hospital on the sign-in sheet, as Old Zhou required.

As he was signing in, a man in his thirties awaited on the side. After Xu Chunliang signed, he handed the pen over with a friendly smile.

Xu Chunliang found a seat in the back row. Interested little in the meeting, he chose this spot mainly to easily slack off later.

Soon after he sat down, the man from before joined him, sitting down beside him. They exchanged glances and nodded in greeting.

"Are you Director Zhou Wenbin from Changxing Hospital?"

With this question, Xu Chunliang realized he might have been exposed and laughed, "Do you know him?"

The man said mysteriously, "Not well, but I’ve seen him twice before."

Xu Chunliang confirmed that he’d been found out and whispered, "See through, but don’t expose."

The other man laughed, extended his hand, and introduced himself, "I’m Zhao Feiyang from Central Hospital’s Medical Department."

"Xu Chunliang from Changxing Hospital."

Xu Chunliang shook hands with him, finding Zhao Feiyang’s hand broad and warm.

The training hadn’t yet started, so the two began to chat. Zhao Feiyang was very talkative and inquired about Changxing Hospital. Although Xu Chunliang wasn’t attached to Changxing, he praised it like a blooming flower when speaking with outsiders.

Through their conversation, he learned that Zhao Feiyang worked in the Central Hospital’s medical department, similar to him. Zhao Feiyang seemed very interested in Changxing Hospital’s second phase of expansion and asked if it had begun construction.

Though Xu Chunliang passed by the construction site daily, he wasn’t sure how far the project had progressed. However, he did know that the relocation project had been successfully completed. The symbolic holdout, Huichun Hall, had already moved, and with their departure, the other holdouts lost their backbone.

While Xu Chunliang was at the training, a smoke-free battle was unfolding in a small meeting room at Changxing Hospital.

Zhou Wenbin and Zeng Hongwen had arrived early. To prevent any patient disturbances, six security guards were dispatched by the security department to prevent unexpected incidents. By ten o’clock, the invited assessment team also arrived.

Yet, Shi Zhiwei and his wife were still nowhere to be seen.