Chapter 81 - 66: Arrogance Is a Habit

Chapter 81: Chapter 66: Arrogance Is a HabitHusband and wife are like birds in the same forest; when disaster strikes, they fly separately. Shi Zhiwei adamantly claimed he knew nothing about the invoices, and the bracelet was something his brother-in-law introduced him to buy back then. He spent 880,000 in solid cash, and as for whether Tong Daqing took any kickbacks, he had no idea.

But not everyone could hold their ground like Shi Zhiwei. The woman he was having an affair with initially thought she could improve her financial situation with a nouveau riche. Unexpectedly, she got involved with a criminal. She had been seeing Shi Zhiwei for less than two months, and during their time in bed, he had boastfully mentioned winning a lawsuit, receiving 440,000 in compensation from Cai Rongjuan, and easily earning another 400,000.

The one who deeply regretted it now was Tong Meili, who should be the first to catch herself in a scandal. She was the one who got arrested for fraud, and she burst into tears, claiming that Shi Zhiwei had taught her everything regarding the invoices.

Separate trials, summarizing situations, and breaking them down one by one is the police’s forte. It only took them two hours to get a pretty good understanding of the situation.

Xu Chunliang initially just wanted to teach Shi Zhiwei a small lesson. He never expected it to blow up into such a big case of invoice fraud.

Changxing Hospital quickly got wind of the news. Tong Meili’s enormous compensation was to be shared by both the hospital and the contractor, including the 220,000 paid by Zeng Hongwen.

Zeng Hongwen agreed to pay the money out of sheer necessity. First, this matter had caused immense trouble for her uncle-in-law, Gu Houyi, directly leading to his transfer. Second, she had invested heavily in equipment and other ventures at the hospital. Changxing agreed to compensate her in cash before severing ties completely, and making a fuss was inadvisable.

After the police notified Zeng Hongwen, she excitedly relayed the news to her aunt, Xie Mei.

After hanging up the phone, Xie Mei walked into the study. Since being transferred to the Science Association, Gu Houyi had been staying in the study right after work and never quite got over his demotion.

Regarding this incident, Xie Mei felt deeply sorry for her husband. If not for her family ties urging him to look out for others, her husband wouldn’t have found himself in such disgrace. Now the matter is settled, and even if a reversal were possible, it wouldn’t change Gu Houyi’s situation.

Xie Mei briefly explained it, and Gu Houyi showed no joy, merely saying, "I’m no longer with Changxing."

He picked up his clothes, indicating he wanted to go out for a walk. Xie Mei wanted to accompany him, but Gu Houyi said he wanted to be alone.

Walking alone along the riverside at night, the wind was strong. The early autumn breeze carried a hint of chilliness.

Gu Houyi lifted his eyes towards the distant Changxing, where he could still see the hospital’s logo atop the patient tower. Since leaving his position, he had gazed at it more than once but never returned.

Blocking the night wind with his back, Gu Houyi lit a cigarette, took a puff, and reflected silently: regardless of whether the invoice was real or not, it couldn’t alter his fate. When it was time to leave, it wasn’t for him to decide.

The construction site for the second phase of expansion lay in darkness. Although the demolition had long been completed, the expansion project hadn’t started. Since the city had approved the expansion application, it could hardly be canceled. Could it be a funding issue?

Soon, Gu Houyi became aware that he was no longer the director of Changxing Hospital, and these matters no longer concerned him.

The sudden reversal made Cai Rongjuan and her husband ecstatic. As the saying goes, "Good fortune never visits twice, while disasters never come alone." Recent events suggested their luck was finally turning.

Currently, Cai Rongjuan had smoothly returned to Changxing and resumed her role as the Director of the Aesthetic Medicine Center. The Tong Meili couple was involved in invoice fraud, which meant the previous lawsuit reversal was already decided.

The couple had long suspected the market price of the bracelet couldn’t exceed 100,000 and had assumed that the Tong Meili couple was extorting them with it. Lacking evidence, they never imagined the couple would turn against each other and expose the truth.

The money wasn’t the primary issue—what mattered was that this reversal could prove Cai Rongjuan’s innocence, showing she shouldn’t bear any responsibility for Tong Meili’s affair.

Tan Guoliang specifically inquired about the case from friends in public security, learning that the person who exposed the case was Xu Chunliang from their hospital. Learning from experience, the couple reviewed everything that had happened and realized they owed the young man a big favor.

To be precise, it wasn’t just one favor, but two.

If Xu Chunliang hadn’t intervened in Wang Dalei’s father’s matter back then, it might not have been so easily resolved. Afterwards, Tan Guoliang didn’t even specifically thank him and had an unpleasant experience with Xu Chunliang over personal compensation ratios.

Now, the reversal of Cai Rongjuan’s case was also thanks to Xu Chunliang.

Tan Guoliang suggested treating the Medical Affairs Department to a meal as an expression of gratitude. As long as the couple continued to work at Changxing, they would inevitably deal with the Medical Affairs Department, and there was no need to strain the relationship. Additionally, although Xu Chunliang was young and unyielding, he was indeed capable and had genuinely helped them. Moreover, everyone now knew he was a close associate of the new director Zhao Feiyang, with limitless potential thanks to his backing.

Tan Guoliang hosted a meal primarily for the Security Department and the Medical Affairs Department, personally visiting to extend the invitation as a sign of sincerity.

Yu Xiangdong, being sociable and fond of drink, readily accepted.

When Tan Guoliang went to the Medical Affairs Department to find Xu Chunliang, he wasn’t there.

The Radiology Department’s Yang Zhen Gang and Orthopedics Department’s Huang Lide were chatting with Cheng Xiaohong. Although new to the Medical Affairs Department, they were already veterans at Changxing. Tan Guoliang, a card-playing friend of Huang Lide, like many others, thought Huang Lide was poised to assume the role of the department head. After all, Xu Chunliang was too young, lacking both the experience and the gravitas for the position.

Huang Lide greeted, "Director Tan, is there something you need?"

Tan Guoliang smiled and addressed him as Director Huang, explaining his purpose of inviting everyone for a meal. It didn’t matter to add a few more sets of chopsticks since he was already hosting.

Although it was Huang Lide’s first day, he acted like a host, eagerly accommodating everyone and promising they would attend while ensuring to inform Xiaoxu later.

Cheng Xiaohong listened carefully, noting that he referred to Xu Chunliang as Xiaoxu rather than respectfully as Director Xu, as Cheng did. Honestly, Cheng Xiaohong didn’t think Xu Chunliang was qualified to replace Zhou Wenbin as the Medical Affairs Department head. If the hospital intended for him to take over, they would have long made the decision official.

The new members, Huang Lide and Yang Zhen Gang, though newcomers in their positions, had long-standing credentials at Changxing. In terms of rank, both held intermediate titles, with Huang Lide likely to secure a senior associate title this year.

All signs suggested that Huang Lide’s appointment was to fill a vacancy.

Feeling thirsty, Yang Zhen Gang went to fetch water, only to find the dispenser empty. He asked Cheng Xiaohong to call for a refill.

Cheng Xiaohong nodded, called promptly, but felt uneasy. The hospital’s water was purified by the logistical water station, and deliveries were their responsibility. The dispenser had an internal extension number—why couldn’t Yang Zhen Gang call himself? Why give orders to me?

Ten minutes after the call, water still hadn’t arrived, and Yang Zhen Gang was getting impatient. "What’s going on, Xiaocheng? Did you call them?"

"I did!"

"Call again!"

Growing increasingly frustrated, Cheng considered the irony: They weren’t even subordinates, yet she had to endure his demanding tone. Holding back her annoyance, she picked up the phone, but then the water delivery arrived, bringing two bottles at once.

Yang Zhen Gang complained, "Why did it take so long? I’m dying of thirst."

The delivery person, not one to be trifled with, retorted, "There are a lot of departments. We’re not just here for you. If you’re so thirsty, drink tap water." He left without even replacing the empty container.

Yang Zhen Gang wanted to argue, but the delivery person had already left. The water station belonged to the hospital’s logistical system, differing from commercial water stations and offering far less accommodating service.

Muttering, Yang Zhen Gang grumbled, "Where did Changxing dig up these incompetents? Nowadays, anyone can get hired at the hospital."

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