Chapter 22 Travel Expenses Are Permissible

After finishing his meal, Zhang Fan saw a middle-aged woman with a curvaceous figure standing with Dong Hua. "This is Dr. Zhang, his medical skills are truly remarkable. Dr. Zhang, this is my close friend, you can just call her Sister Wang. She has a bad back as well, so I must trouble you to take a look at her."

"Dr. Zhang, thank you so much." Wang Qian did not believe for a second that this young man standing before her—who looked like a mere student—could have any real expertise. If it weren't for the sake of giving Dong Hua face, she would have left immediately. After all, she was no ordinary person; the wife of the municipal committee’s third-in-command was hardly in a position where she lacked access to doctors.

"Hello, Sister Wang, you are too kind. I must first review the CT scan and then conduct a physical examination to see if there is any potential for recovery." Seeing that Wang Qian was reluctant, Dong Hua realized that Zhang Fan’s youth made him unconvincing, so she quickly added, "Bring your CT scans to my place tomorrow morning; it might prove effective. Just look at how much better my back is now!"

Tang Jingjing’s home was in the provincial capital, and whenever she came to the city, she stayed at the municipal committee’s guesthouse. Zhang Fan couldn't make it back that night, so they checked into two rooms at a hotel near the development zone.

"Zhang Fan, how did it go? Did you go to the County Magistrate's house?" Batu had waited until past eleven in the evening before calling Zhang Fan.

"I did. I completed the final treatment today. However, I have to treat a Ms. Wang for her back tomorrow, so I didn't come back tonight."

"That’s fine, stay if you need to. Follow the instructions of the leadership. Call me immediately if you need me to cooperate." After hanging up, Batu pondered to himself: a woman surnamed Wang? Who could that be? He knew all the leaders in the county, but he wasn't familiar with those in the city.

After reviewing the scans, it turned out that Wang Qian’s condition was more severe than Dong Hua’s, though thankfully the nucleus pulposus had not ruptured. Zhang Fan performed a treatment at Dong Hua’s home, leaving Wang Qian stunned. "Dr. Zhang, your skills are truly impressive! My leg pain has significantly lessened, though it still feels a bit sore."

"Your condition is slightly worse than County Magistrate Dong’s. For now, this is just a temporary relief; it is too early to say what the long-term effect will be," Zhang Fan said objectively. Wang Qian’s expression darkened slightly. "I’ve been in such agony lately; I was almost ready to go in for surgery." Her attitude toward Zhang Fan was much better than the day before. "Then I must trouble Dr. Zhang to provide a full course of treatment first. Who knows, perhaps I’ll recover. I was already preparing for surgery, so don't you worry about my condition."

"Then, Dr. Zhang, when should we start the next session tomorrow? Why not at my place? My home is in this same neighborhood; it’s very convenient." Now that she had hope, she was eager to see a quick recovery.

"I still have to go to the hospital for work," Zhang Fan murmured. "That’s not an issue. I’ll rent a long-term suite at the hotel. Do you know how to drive?" Dong Hua asked.

"He has a car, and his driving skills are excellent. He’s very steady," Tang Jingjing sold Zhang Fan out without a hint of shame. "That’s perfect. You won't have to worry about gas or lodging; just focus on the treatments. Don't worry about the hospital, either; I’ll speak to your director."

"Rest assured, I will handle everything," she said, cutting Zhang Fan off before he could protest. Zhang Fan, who only cared about increasing his surgical count for the system, didn't want to go, but Dong Hua’s forceful demeanor gave him no room to speak.

"Then I’ll trouble you, Dr. Zhang. This is a one-thousand-yuan deposit for the treatment. You must take it. Once the treatment is complete, I will be sure to thank you properly." Wang Qian had also noticed Zhang Fan’s reluctance. Even though Dong Hua had firmly insisted, Wang Qian feared that if Zhang Fan felt forced, he might not put his heart into the treatment.

"Oh my, I’ve finished my treatment and completely forgot about the fees. Look at me, and little Tang didn't even remind me!" With that, she had Tang Jingjing give Zhang Fan five thousand yuan. Zhang Fan hesitated to accept, fearing his director might find out. "Take it with peace of mind; it is what you deserve. Your director won't have anything to say." She shoved the money into his hand. Once it was put that way, Zhang Fan stopped being so reserved; he certainly liked money, and after all, it was earned through his own labor.

In the afternoon, Zhang Fan drove back alone, while Tang Jingjing and Dong Hua had their own car. Batu was waiting at the hospital for Zhang Fan. "You said that woman named Wang lives in the same neighborhood as Dong? And she seems to be currying favor with her?"

"Yes, that’s the impression I got."

"Good. Go ahead with the treatments. If you feel tired, just stay in the city and don't come back. You must find out her true identity."

"But I have to be on duty!"

"What duty? I’m putting you on leave. You are now the designated healthcare physician for the leadership. Don't worry about the hospital; it operated just fine before you arrived. It won't be a problem at all."

"But I still need to perform surgeries!" Zhang Fan genuinely did not want to go.

"Just consider it a favor to me, alright? You go ahead with the treatments, and if any surgeries come up, I will definitely contact you. Plus, I’ll give you a two-hundred-yuan travel allowance every day. You cannot refuse again. Even a County Magistrate is asking for your help—think of how much face that gives you."

Despite the increase in income, if things continued like this, the system upgrade would take forever! He had no choice; he could ignore the County Magistrate, but he had to give Batu face. After all, the man had treated him well.

When Zhang Fan returned to the dormitory, his head was spinning. Chen Lulu, who was rarely there during the day, was present. "Zhang Fan, where have you been?" She leaned in closer and whispered, "Take me out for a drive. I saw everything!" She wore a triumphant look, as if she had discovered his little secret. "It’s quite windy outside; you can get a breeze just by standing by the window." Zhang Fan had been driving for over two hours and had just reluctantly taken on another job; he was in no mood for this.

"You wooden block! Come on, let's go out for a spin. It’s so boring in the dorm, I’ve been waiting for you for ages."

Zhang Fan was already displeased, and Chen Lulu kept chattering away. "Turn around!" he shouted suddenly. As soon as she did, he rushed into his bedroom and locked the door behind him.

"Open up! Open up, you jerk!" After knocking for a long time without a response from Zhang Fan, Chen Lulu declared, "We aren't finished yet, just you wait!" With that, she went off shopping. Good heavens! What was all this? Zhang Fan felt incredibly stifled. He checked his system and saw that the progress for Traumatology was only at 70%. Although his surgical foundation had upgraded, all subsequent progress bars were at 0%. "Sigh! What am I supposed to do?"

That evening, in Dong Hua’s room, she said to Tang Jingjing, "Dr. Zhang doesn't seem very willing to treat Wang Qian. Do you know why? By all accounts, he should be happy about it. Is it because we didn't offer him the treatment fee?"

"It’s hard to say, but I don't think that’s it. If it’s convenient, we should ask Director Batu; he should know Zhang Fan better."

"You're right. I’ll ask tomorrow." Wang Qian—or rather, Wang Qian’s husband—was too important to her; she couldn't afford any mistakes.

On Monday, the Department of Surgery held its morning meeting. Batu also attended. "I have something to say, everyone please pay attention: from now on, try to perform surgeries during the day whenever possible. If emergency cases come in at night and it isn't urgent, postpone them until the next day. You may all return to work. Director Shi, come with me." With that, Batu left. Zhang Fan understood that this order had been issued solely for his sake.