Day Four

Facing Director Zhang’s idiotic remarks, Wen Congyin offered no reply, keeping her silence.

The smile on Director Zhang’s face turned increasingly cold. She looked at Wen Congyin, glanced at her watch, and said, "Xiao Wen, everything Director Zhang is saying today is for your own good. Let me tell you, if it weren't for the Zhao family pulling strings, do you think you could have had such a leisurely time in the Traditional Chinese Medicine department? When you first came to report for duty, both the Pediatrics and Emergency departments were short-staffed. It was only out of respect for the Zhao family that I assigned you there."

"Director Zhang, if that’s how you feel, I would be perfectly happy to be transferred back."

Wen Congyin knew there was no room for negotiation here. It was clear that Director Zhang had made bold promises to the Zhao family, likely assuring them that she could force Wen Congyin to soften her stance toward Zhao Shiren. In this situation, unless she was willing to sacrifice herself, there was simply no middle ground.

Director Zhang’s expression darkened. She looked at Wen Congyin and let out a sharp laugh. "Don't speak too soon, young lady. Being a nurse in the Emergency or Pediatrics departments is no easy task. I’m doing this for your own good."

"Director, I believe I can handle it. Why don't you let me give it a try?" Wen Congyin replied calmly.

The implication was clear: there was absolutely no possibility of a marriage with Zhao Shiren.

It was eight or nine in the morning. The Pediatrics department was in complete chaos. With only seven or eight nurses to handle the constant stream of patients, even the Thousand-Armed Guanyin would have been overwhelmed. Moreover, most of these nurses had never learned how to properly administer injections in school; in recent years, with teachers and leaders being overthrown or criticized one after another, no one had dared to force the students to study. The students had enjoyed their freedom while in school, but once they started working, they were completely out of their depth. Patients were not like teachers or leaders; if you gave a bad injection or had a poor attitude, they would lose their temper. Even if the staff tried to label them as "troublemakers," the patients were often stubborn and didn't care for such tactics.

Xu Xiang, the head of the Pediatrics department, was just finishing a prescription for a child with a fever when she saw Director Zhang leading Wen Congyin toward her. Xu Xiang stood up and smiled, "Director Zhang, what brings you here? On an inspection?"

Director Zhang’s smile was strained. She pointed to Wen Congyin behind her and said to Xu Xiang, "Director Xu, didn't you say you were short-staffed here in Pediatrics? I’ve brought someone for you. Xiao Wen, make sure you perform well here."

After saying this, Director Zhang turned and walked away, her irritation evident. The other nurses craned their necks to look at Wen Congyin. Everyone knew that the TCM department was a cushy spot—a good job to have. Seeing Wen Congyin being "banished" here, it was clear she had offended someone.

"Director Xu, my name is Wen Congyin. Reporting for duty. Just let me know what needs to be done." Wen Congyin was neither intimidated by Director Zhang’s attitude nor did she attempt to curry favor with Director Xu. In this era, the "iron rice bowl" had one advantage: as long as you didn't commit an ideological error, there was a limit to how much a supervisor could make your life difficult. The busy, messy environment of the Pediatrics department was, to Wen Congyin, perfectly ordinary.

"Alright, do you know how to give injections?" Xu Xiang clearly didn't care about Director Zhang's anger; having an extra pair of hands was a good thing for her.

Wen Congyin answered confidently, "Yes." Although she had been a practitioner of traditional medicine in her previous life, she had also learned the necessary Western medical skills.

One of the nurses laughed, "Big talk. Do they even do injections in the TCM department? Don't go creating trouble for us later."

Wen Congyin glanced at the nurses. Some looked down to tend to their patients, while others met her gaze directly, their skepticism obvious.

***

Xu Xiang looked thoughtful. "The colleagues have a point. How about this: Xiao Lin, you take Wen Congyin under your wing. See how her injection technique really is, and if there's anything she doesn't know, teach her."

Xiao Lin, who had been singled out, groaned in protest, "Director Xu, I have several patients waiting for intravenous drips right now. Where would I find the time?"

Xu Xiang waved her hand. "Nonsense. If you train Xiao Wen, it lightens our own burden. You’re always complaining about being short-handed, yet when someone finally arrives, you’re making excuses. It’s settled."

Xiao Lin, face darkened, led Wen Congyin away. The corridor outside was packed with children and their parents waiting for IV drips. As soon as Xiao Lin stepped out, she spotted a familiar face and cursed her luck. Just as she was about to turn away, the parents stopped her. "Nurse Lin, we’ve been waiting for ages! Why are the people who arrived after us getting their drips, while we’re still here? We had to ask for time off just to come, and we have to go back this afternoon!"

Xiao Lin replied with a fake smile, "Comrades, there’s nothing we can do. You can see for yourselves—there are so many people, we can't keep up."

"What do you mean you can't keep up? We clearly saw you bypassing us to attend to others first!" the husband, having waited all morning, was already seething with anger. They had arrived at six just to ensure their child could get her infusion.

Xiao Lin retorted sharply, "You saw it? Do you have proof? Besides, everyone is in a hurry; does your urgency matter more? You’re delaying us now, and think of how many others you’re holding up."

With that accusation, the other parents waiting nearby began to grumble. The couple turned bright red with a mix of anxiety and fury. The little girl in their arms was burning with fever, deliriously crying in pain.

Wen Congyin stepped forward. "Comrade Lin, if you’re busy, why don't I give her the injection?"

"You?" Lin Hongyin looked at Wen Congyin and rolled her eyes. "Fine, go ahead."

She took Wen Congyin to get the drip and IV tubing. The parents looked at Wen Congyin with gratitude. Just as Wen Congyin was about to apply the tourniquet to the little girl’s arm, Lin Hongyin gave a cold warning, "Xiao Wen, don't say I didn't warn you. This little girl’s veins are notoriously difficult to find, and she never cooperates. Don't go trying to be a hero only to end up offending people."

The husband turned red with rage. "How have we not cooperated? Last time, your people poked her five times and still couldn't get the needle in! My daughter was crying from the pain; you call that not cooperating?"

"Are you implying we’re targeting you on purpose?!" Lin Hongyin crossed her arms and sneered. "I haven't even blamed your daughter for having such thin veins. With the same amount of work, others can handle five people, but your daughter alone takes up so much of our time."

"You—you’re just being unreasonable!" The husband was furious but couldn't find the words to argue back.

Just as he was about to explode, his wife tugged his sleeve. "Old Chen, stop arguing, the IV is in!"

Old Chen and Lin Hongyin were both stunned. They looked down. Wen Congyin had cleanly and efficiently released the tourniquet, secured the tape over the needle, and adjusted the flow regulator. She smiled at the little girl. "I didn't lie to you, did I? It really didn't hurt, just like a mosquito bite, right?"

The little girl, face flushed, leaned against her mother and nodded shyly.

"It—it’s done?" The husband looked bewildered, and Lin Hongyin was just as surprised.

The wife shot her husband a glare. "The nurse was doing her job while you were busy arguing."

The husband felt a pang of guilt. He looked at Wen Congyin. "I... thank you, comrade."

"It’s nothing. It might feel a bit cold when the liquid starts running, so wrap her in a jacket. Call me when the bottle needs changing." Wen Congyin stuffed her hands into her pockets, her expression indifferent.

This simple task was second nature to her; she could do it without even thinking. She had been a chief physician in her past life—she never would have imagined having to start all over again. Fortunately, these skills were etched into her bones and hadn't been lost.

"Thank you, thank you!" the couple said, overwhelmed with gratitude. Truth be told, most people coming to the hospital just wanted treatment, not trouble.

Seeing the matter settled, Lin Hongyin glanced at Wen Congyin and curled her lip. "Since you’re so capable, you don't need my help anymore. Go do whatever you want."

Wen Congyin remained unbothered by her hostility.

Director Zhang had left Wen Congyin in Pediatrics for three days, thinking that after the leisurely life in the TCM department, three days would be enough to bring her down to earth. She didn't stop to consider that if she had defied her, could she really expect an easy life in the hospital?

Thinking she would see a disaster, Director Zhang walked over to Pediatrics, holding her enamel tea mug and pretending it was a casual visit. Instead, she found Xu Xiang talking to Wen Congyin, seemingly giving her instructions. The other nurses were standing by, listening intently.

Director Zhang was amused and walked over with a chuckle. "Director Xu, what’s going on? Giving someone a lecture?"

Xu Xiang and Wen Congyin looked at Director Zhang. Xu Xiang smiled, "Director Zhang, what do you mean? I’m just having Xiao Wen share her injection techniques with our colleagues here."

Director Zhang was stunned. "Her?!"

"Yes, Director Zhang. If I may say so, it was a real waste to keep such a talented seedling like Xiao Wen in the TCM department. These past few days, she hasn't missed a single injection, and the patients have been full of praise for her." Xu Xiang was beaming, completely indifferent to Director Zhang’s darkening expression. Director Zhang might have connections, but Xu Xiang wasn't a pushover either. "We’ve decided we need Xiao Wen here in Pediatrics; don't even think about taking her back. Xiao Wen, why don't you share with everyone how you practiced your injections?"

Wen Congyin did not bother with false modesty. In a hospital, doctors were important, but nurses were just as vital. If they couldn't master injections, it led to doctor-patient disputes, especially in a place like Pediatrics.

"The most important thing for injections is your mindset. You must not fear or tremble; the more afraid you are, the more likely you are to make a mistake. Secondly, it’s best to take discarded IV tubing from the hospital home to practice. Place a piece of paper over the tubing, like this..."

She took out the materials she had prepared and demonstrated as she spoke. The nurses listened with rapt attention, and even Lin Hongyin, who had been at odds with her, took out a notebook and scribbled down notes furiously.

Director Zhang’s face turned blacker by the second. She had assigned Wen Congyin to Pediatrics to make her suffer, so how had she ended up becoming the teacher?