Chapter Twenty-Three: Offering Early New Year Greetings

By the time the twelfth lunar month arrived, the weather was cold enough to freeze a dog solid. Zhang Fan, who had never worn a hat in his life, was forced to buy a leather one. It was damn cold, and over the past ten days, Zhang Fan had well and truly satisfied his craving for driving. He would drive to Chasu City in the afternoon, finish treating Wang Qian, and by the time he was done, it would be pitch black. He would then drive back to the hospital the next morning. With the Lunar New Year approaching, the hospital’s internal medicine department was still managing, but the surgical department was practically devoid of patients.

Although Wang Qian’s recovery wasn’t quite as remarkable as Dong Hua’s, her leg pain had vanished. She was thrilled; after all, good news puts one in high spirits. For the past few days, she had insisted that Zhang Fan eat at her home. Zhang Fan had yet to meet her husband, who, in her words, belonged to the state and wasn't considered a "good son of the people" unless he dropped dead at a committee meeting. After spending a few days with her, Zhang Fan found Wang Qian much easier to get along with than Dong Hua. Dong Hua carried an inexplicable, bureaucratic air about her, whereas Wang Qian was much more approachable.

"Eat more, eat more! My son was just as hungry when he was in high school. For someone who loves to cook, there’s no greater joy than seeing your food finished off by others." Wang Qian’s son had left for university, and her husband was busy as a bee. She was usually quite bored at home, and as she got to know this doctor who was only a few years older than her son, she found that not only was his medical skill high, but his personality was refreshingly simple and honest.

Once Zhang Fan grew familiar with someone, he stopped being overly polite. "Sister Wang, since you can't finish it all anyway, I’ll take the remaining steamed buns with me. They’ll make a good breakfast tomorrow morning."

"Alright! Let me fry you an egg to go with them!"

"That sounds perfect!" Wang Qian’s family was well-off; her husband was a high-ranking official, and she herself held a decent managerial position at a bank. With no financial worries and her back pain now resolved, her life was practically perfect.

Because heavy snow had blocked the mountain passes this year, the year-end financial settlement revealed that the hospital’s income was significantly higher than the previous year. With more money on the books that couldn't be spent recklessly, Batur began thinking about purchasing equipment. In the hospital conference room, the directors and head nurses of every department gathered. "2008 has passed. Thanks to the efforts of every department, our inpatient numbers have increased by 40% compared to previous years, and our surgical volume has doubled. I hope that in the new year, we will continue to maintain and build upon our hospital’s strengths and strive to reach new heights. We have some surplus funds on the books, and in order to further improve our diagnostic accuracy, the hospital committee has decided to purchase a CT scanner." A CT scanner was a major piece of equipment, costing millions; Batur was planning to make one last big move before his term ended.

During the Han Chinese New Year, the minority doctors would take the shifts. During the minority holidays, the Han doctors would take the shifts. However, the Second Surgical Department was an exception. Director Nur was not to be counted on, and Tushun had already taken sick leave, claiming his hemorrhoids were acting up. Shi Lei had no choice but to consult with Old Chen and Zhang Fan. He vaguely guessed that after work, Zhang Fan was sent by the hospital director to treat someone in the city—though he wasn't entirely sure who—so Zhang Fan couldn't take night shifts. This was something Batur had explicitly ordered.

"How about this? For the seven days of the New Year, since I’d just be going back to the dormitory anyway, I’ll cover all the day shifts," Zhang Fan offered. He hadn't been on a night shift for a while, and even though no one said anything, he felt a bit guilty.

"Then I’ll cover the night shifts for the first three days. My grandfather is celebrating his birthday on the third day of the New Year, so I have to go back," Li Liang said immediately after hearing Zhang Fan’s suggestion. Shi Lei looked at Yang Chengming, who remained silent. Since Yang was a university graduate in his first year of work, Batur’s intention was for him to have a proper break and enjoy the New Year. Yang ignored Shi Lei, assuming the director’s word stood. Seeing no reaction from Yang, Shi Lei said, "Li Liang, you don’t need to take night shifts. Get a good rest this year; we’ll have to work hard once we’re back. I’ll take the first three nights, and Old Chen, you take the last four. Does that work, or should we swap?"

"No problem, let’s do as you say."

"Then we’ll be putting you to work this New Year, Teacher Zhang!" Shi Lei said politely to Zhang Fan.

***

In the director’s office, Batur said to Zhang Fan, "Today you’ll be my driver. We’re going to County Magistrate Dong’s house. How about it? Can we get in?"

"I suppose so." Zhang Fan didn't know what Batur was up to.

"You silly kid, we’re going to pay a New Year’s visit! Everything depends on your connection today. First, find out if the leader is in." Unless it was an emergency, Zhang Fan usually parked his car in the dormitory courtyard and rarely drove it to the hospital. Zhang Fan contacted Tang Jingjing, and once confirmed, the two set off.

When Batur drove his own car to the county government residential compound, he opened the trunk to move items into the Land Cruiser. Zhang Fan noticed it was just two cartons of cigarettes, a case of liquor, and a slaughtered animal—larger than a sheep but smaller than a cow.

"We’re paying an early New Year’s visit today. If there’s an opportunity, I’ll mention the hospital’s purchase of the CT scanner. Most importantly, I want to become the head of the Health Bureau, and I need you to help me drum up some support," Batur said, sitting in the passenger seat.

"No problem, but Director Batur, aren't you and the head of the Health Bureau at the same rank? Why would you want a lateral transfer?"

"Sigh! You don’t understand. Quark County has three pillar industries: baking naan, herding, and the county hospital. I’ve been the director of the county hospital for ten years, and I’ve had to be so careful every step of the way. Even so, there are many people looking for trouble with me, both openly and covertly. To have a bit more peace, I’d rather just transfer over."

With the New Year approaching, Dong Hua was home every day. If she wasn't home, she’d lose out on a lot of income. At the time coordinated with Tang Jingjing, Zhang Fan and Batur knocked on the door. Dong Hua’s attitude toward Batur was clearly that of a superior to a subordinate, but she was quite polite to Zhang Fan. "We’re here to offer an early New Year’s greeting." After Zhang Fan and Batur put down the gifts, Dong Hua invited them to sit. When moving the items, Zhang Fan noticed the gifts weren't light—the cigarettes were Chunghwa brand, and the liquor was a local premium brew, each bottle likely worth a fortune.

After sitting for about ten minutes, Dong Hua indicated that after the holiday, Batur could come to her office to discuss specific matters. "Is there hope or not?" Zhang Fan wondered. They had only talked about hospital construction and hadn't mentioned the CT scanner or the job transfer at all.

"Definitely. Why else would she tell me to come to her office after the New Year? Learn from this—this is the art of conversation." As the two stepped out of the building, they ran into Wang Qian. "Zhang Fan, when did you get here? Is the hospital on holiday?"

"Sister Wang, this is our director. The hospital hasn't started its break yet."

"Oh, well, wait for me a moment. The house is a mess these days so I won't invite you in, but I have something for you." Before Zhang Fan could decline, she hurried back inside.

***

"Is this the Ms. Wang that County Magistrate Dong asked you to treat?" Batur asked in a low voice.

"Yes."

"Do you know what she does for a living?"

"She works at a bank, her name is Wang Qian. I haven't asked about anything else, and she hasn't mentioned it."

"You!" Batur said with a tone of regret.

In a short while, Wang Qian returned carrying several large black bags. "I know you smoke, so I got you a few cartons, and there are some small gifts given out by my workplace. Don't refuse, you know how your Sister Wang is." She shoved them into Zhang Fan’s hands, nodded at Batur, and left.

They didn't stay in the compound any longer; almost all the residents were officials, and Batur was afraid of running into someone he knew. Once they left the compound, Batur curiously rummaged through the bags Wang Qian gave Zhang Fan. "It looks like her rank isn't low at all. You really are wasting resources, kid!" Hearing Batur’s sour tone, Zhang Fan asked, "How come I didn't notice?"

"You don't know anything," Batur said, looking out the window, feeling depressed. Wang Qian had packed two cartons of Chunghwa cigarettes for Zhang Fan, along with an Apple phone that someone had gifted her husband, two leather belts, and several ties. After a while, Batur added, "Maintain your relationship with Sister Wang. You never know when you might need her help."

"Alright, I’ll take your advice," Zhang Fan replied casually.