OFBL Chapter 34

During the evening rush hour, Xu Li navigated through the congested city streets on his motorcycle, with Dr. Zhang leaning heavily against his back. The ring road was a cacophony of horns and brake lights, with cars barely moving an inch. Dr. Zhang, still groggy and feverish, was thankful for the ride. Without the motorcycle, enduring all that traffic in a car would have been unbearable.

 

At a red light, Xu Li glanced back over his shoulder, asking: “You sure about this? You look terrible. Stay home and rest.”

 

However, Dr. Zhang shook his head weakly. “Li Chao invited both deans and my mother. If I don’t show up, it’ll be seen as disrespect.”

 

Xu Li sighed for a second before saying: “The things we do to keep up appearances… Just don’t drink, okay? Text me when it’s over. I’ll come to get you.”

 

“Got it.” Dr. Zhang murmured, wrapping his coat tighter. “It’s just a meal. I’ll manage.”

 

By the time they arrived at the restaurant, Dr. Zhang could barely stay upright. He stumbled into the private room, his footsteps unsteady as if he were walking on clouds. Inside, he found his mother, the renowned surgeon Tai Yu, already waiting, impeccably dressed and seated gracefully.

 

“Mom.” He greeted, his voice hoarse.

 

Tai Yu’s sharp eyes scanned him, immediately noting his flushed face. “You’re sick.” She said, without a trace of worry in her voice.

 

Dr. Zhang sank onto the sofa, sniffling. “It’s just a cold. I’ve been tested and it’s not viral.”

 

Mother Zhang frowned but still passed him a glass of warm water. “You know tonight’s dinner isn’t just a casual meeting, right?”

 

Dr. Zhang groaned, wiping his nose with a tissue. “Obviously not. Even you’re here…”

 

Lowering her voice, Tai Yu leaned in. “Li Chao is probably going to move to your hospital permanently. Inviting so many important figures tonight? He’s trying to make an impression and solidify his position.”

 

“What the hell?!” Dr. Zhang sipped the water. “He left such a good place as the Rocket Military Hospital for a lowly job here?!”

 

“You’ve gone stupid.” Tai Yu glanced at him and declared. “Although his father is suppressed by the leaders of the Rocket Military Hospital, he’s really good at fighting for his son, just like a tiger protecting its cub. Li Chao has very few opportunities to advance his career there. It’s better to come to your Artillery Hospital and get promoted like he’s some sort of genius. Buying a good place for his son is as easy as scratching the back of his head.”

 

“Whatever he wants…” Zhang Yuze was feeling at ease. “As long as he doesn’t interfere with my work or fail his patients, I couldn’t care less.”

 

Guests began to trickle in, including Zhao Xiaole and Xiao Jie, who looked like nervous schoolchildren, shaking in the wind like two poor quails. The sight of them instantly irked Dr. Zhang.

 

“Why wasn’t Xu Li invited as well?!” He asked.

 

Zhao Xiaole leaned closer and whispered: “Li Chao doesn’t seem to like Assistant Xu very much.”

 

Xiao Jie added: “And even if he had been invited, Assistant Xu probably wouldn’t have come.”

 

Dr. Zhang sighed heavily. “If it weren’t for my mother, I wouldn’t have come either.”

 

The three of them exchanged resigned looks, unified in their reluctance to attend that stupid meal.

 

Zhao Xiaole: “At least there would be food later. Let everyone be responsible for entertaining the guests, and us for entertaining the food.”

 

Xiao Jie: “That’s right. I haven’t eaten anything since morning. I’m already starving!”

 

Zhang Yuze: “…”

 

Soon enough, Li Chao entered, leading the deans of the Rocket Military Hospital and the Artillery Hospital. Everyone in the room collectively stood up, stiff and formal, as Li Chao ushered the esteemed guests to their seats.

 

The old dean of the Artillery Hospital, the ever-so-cheerful man, waved them down. “Relax, relax. We’re all colleagues here. Sit, sit.”

 

Dr. Zhang obeyed, sinking into his chair. His pounding head and aching body screamed for rest, and the dazzling crystal chandelier above only worsened his dizziness. His forehead was also getting hotter and hotter, and his neck didn’t even have the strength to support his head.

 

While the two old deans were busy teaching Li Chao, in a corner no one paid attention to, Zhang Yuze lowered his head and closed his eyes. As the meal progressed, Dr. Zhang grew quieter and quieter. He couldn’t muster the strength to eat or engage in conversation. His head drooped lower and lower until, unnoticed by most, he peacefully drifted off to sleep.

 

Meanwhile, the old dean patted Li Chao on the back, lavishly praising him: “Your diligence during this week has been remarkable! Truly what the ancients said, a tiger couldn’t give birth to a dog!” Turning his attention to the table, he addressed Zhang Yuze: “Isn’t that right, Dr. Zhang?”

 

“…”

 

Silence.

 

The room fell eerily quiet as everyone realized Dr. Zhang wasn’t responding, lost in dreamland. Zhao Xiaole and Xiao Jie froze in embarrassment, exchanging panicked glances while feeling that the air in their lungs was vacuumed out.

 

Tai Yu, seated next to her son, reached over and nudged him. “Wake up!” She hissed under her breath.

 

Dr. Zhang jolted awake, but his confusion was evident. “Huh? What?”

 

The tension in the room dissolved into scattered chuckles, but Li Chao’s tight-lipped smile hinted at his irritation. He quickly tried to steer the conversation back to himself, but everyone still paid attention to Dr. Zhang, souring his mood.

 

As for Dr. Zhang, still groggy, he could only murmur to his mother: “I should’ve stayed home…”

 

Tai Yu sighed. “Honestly, you’re hopeless,” she said, as she skilfully smoothed things over. “The dean was asking if you think Xiao Li has been doing a good job.”

 

Zhang Yuze, with his thoughts clouded by fever, nodded perfunctorily. Good job?! What a load of crap, he thought bitterly.

 

The group of leaders exchanged polite chuckles, the kind of laughter that didn’t reach their eyes. Li Chao’s father, ever the picture of diplomacy, raised his glass and continued the previous conversation: “My son will continue to grow under all of your guidance. I hope everyone will forgive his shortcomings. Especially you, Dr. Zhang. With Li Chao as your surgical assistant, I trust you will guide him well and work together harmoniously.”

 

Still feverish and dazed, Zhang Yuze vaguely registered the words. Without thinking, he muttered: “Having Xu Li as my assistant is enough. There’s no need to change anything.”

 

The room froze mid-chuckle, and the cheerful atmosphere seemed to hit a brick wall. And just as well, the embarrassment on Li Chao and his father’s faces was impossible to miss.

 

“Ahem.” The old dean, clearly panicking, jumped in to salvage the situation. “Well, Little Zhang, I was going to share some good news with you. We’re planning to promote Xu Li. He’ll be transferred to the inpatient department as an office director. It’s a great opportunity, a position that’s on the same level as yours. Isn’t that wonderful?”

 

Zhao Xiaole and Xiao Jie exchanged uneasy glances. Wonderful?! It was more like a disaster!!!

 

Despite his fever, a sharp clarity promptly cut through Zhang Yuze’s haze. He pieced the situation together and realized what all of those leaders were trying to do: push Xu Li out to make way for Li Chao. He was just about to retort when his mother gently squeezed his hand under the table, silently urging him to keep quiet.

 

However, this was about Xu Li’s career, and by extension, his future in the operating room. No matter how others advised him, there was no way Zhang Yuze could stay silent.

 

“Dean,” he began, his voice firm despite the rasp of his fever, “Xu Li is an exceptional surgical talent. Transferring him to an administrative role would waste his skills. You’re replacing him with Li Chao and expecting us to just nod along? That’s not right.”

 

Zhao Xiaole and Xiao Jie immediately whipped out their phones to text Xu Li.

 

Zhao Xiaole: Help! Your boyfriend is roasting both of the deans alive!

 

Xiao Jie: Assistant Xu, you’re missing another iconic showdown. Dr. Zhang is on fire!

 

The dean forced a laugh. “It’s a promotion! A good thing!” He tried to smooth things over.

 

However, Zhang Yuze countered, his voice slightly sharper than before: “There’s nothing good about it. If you don’t believe me, ask Xu Li himself. I’ve worked with him for years, and I’ve never met anyone more talented in the operating room. Removing him for someone less capable is a disservice both to the profession and to our patients. You really want to sacrifice his future just to entertain one Li Chao?”

 

The table fell silent. Li Chao’s face darkened, and his clenched jaw betrayed his simmering anger. His father’s forced smile barely concealed his discomfort.

 

For Li Chao, this was more than a promotion. It was a carefully orchestrated move, meant to pass by quietly. But now, thanks to Zhang Yuze, everything was out in the open. However, Zhang Yuze couldn’t care less. After all, he was just a small doctor, living a simple and good life. All of those hypocrites making deals about people’s lives and futures while comfortably sipping wine had nothing to do with him. After all, this was not the entertainment industry. When it came to medicine, it was science and ability that came first, not someone’s background.

 

It wasn’t that he especially wanted to support Xu Li.

 

It was just the way things worked, and everyone should be treated the same.

 

Mother Zhang sighed, knowing her son’s personality all too well. She had no illusions about his willingness to tolerate hypocrisy, no matter the setting… And so, she leaned back in her cozy chair, letting the storm play out.

 

“I’m sorry, everyone.” Zhang Yuze announced suddenly, standing up. His legs trembled, but his determination was unwavering. “I’m not feeling well and can’t stay any longer. But let me make one thing clear. If Xu Li is removed, I’ll resign.”

 

And just like that, he turned around and left, without giving anyone face. After all, if he wasn’t the crazyly arrogant Zhang Yuze, was he even worthy of his name?!

 

Zhao Xiaole and Xiao Jie sat in stunned silence before also quickly grabbing their belongings.

 

“Uh, Dean, sir…” Zhao Xiaole said, fumbling for words. “I think Assistant Xu is really important to our team. Please reconsider your decision.” With that, she scurried after Zhang Yuze.

 

Xiao Jie hesitated for a beat before blurting as well: “I think so too!” Then, cheeks flushed, he also darted out of the room.

 

The remaining guests sat awkwardly, staring at their half-eaten dishes. Even Tai Yu, who rarely involved herself in such matters, sighed and spoke up. “Dean, think carefully. Favoritism and connections won’t save patients on the operating table. Xu Li’s skills are irreplaceable. Sending him to the inpatient department would be a waste.”

 

With that, she too rose to leave, leaving the room nearly empty.

 

…………

 

Outside the restaurant, the snow turned into cold rain, with the biting chill seeping into everything. The winter in Yanjing was always like that. After snow came rain, and after that, it would hail a few times before slowly dragging into spring. Zhang Yuze huddled in his coat, thinking he had never been that sick before, coughing weakly as he called Xu Li.

 

“Hey, idiot, come pick me up!”

 

Xu Li’s voice came through, muffled by the roar of his motorcycle engine: “I’m almost there. Stay inside where it’s warm. Just got a message from Zhao Xiaole about your stunt. I figured you wouldn’t last long, so I’ve left early.”

 

“I might soon be unemployed.” Zhang Yuze muttered hoarsely, his voice tinged with sarcasm. “You better be prepared to support me.” He raised his face and looked at the fine rain falling outside the window, which really gave birth to a deep feeling of depression and melancholy. Although he just shouted about his resignation, if he really lost his job… How would they continue to live from now on?!

 

Xu Li seemed to be waiting at a red light, his voice quiet as it passed through the receiver. Zhang Yuze listened to the gentle voice that said solemnly in the roar of the motorcycle engine: “Thank you, boyfriend.”

 

Dr. Zhang covered his face with his scarf, unwilling to let others see his expression. Behind the fabric, his lips curled and all of his worries seemed to be swept away.

 

“You’re welcome, stupid dog.” He muttered into his phone.