Chapter 29: Do Not Reach Out

First time flying, window seat. Once the novelty wore off, an overwhelming fatigue set in. "Sir, sir, the plane has landed; you’ve arrived at your destination." Zhang Fan opened his eyes and saw that. "Already? That was fast." He still had a connecting flight to catch, so he hurriedly packed his luggage and disembarked.

The frontier in June was scorching hot. Even the swallows felt the heat. But in coastal areas, there was always some sea breeze and occasional rain; here, it was like being cooked in a frying pan. From Qingniao to the frontier capital, he took a large plane, smooth and steady. But from the frontier capital to Chasu City, it was a small plane that held only about thirty passengers. The charming flight attendants were replaced by gruff middle-aged men, and the turbulence was severe, reminiscent of the shaky tractor rides of his childhood. Zhang Fan was terrified, gripped by a helplessness over his own life. Sitting on that small plane, he finally understood the fear a patient feels on an operating table—terrified, unable to control their own fate.

Upon arriving in Chasu City, Batu was gracious enough to pick him up. This was the same domineering car Zhang Fan used to drive. Before leaving, Zhang Fan had given Batu the car keys. "You should be fine with your exam. No need to go back to the county today; you have the exam at the city hospital tomorrow anyway." Batu didn’t press about his own matters despite Zhang Fan’s exam.

The next day was the exam. Hey! The chief examiner for Zhang Fan’s operation was Gao Shiming. Although he wasn’t afraid of the operation itself, meeting a familiar face was a pleasant surprise. He scored full marks on the operation and the case analysis. The ECG and color ultrasound parts were a bit shaky, but nothing serious. Because of the exam, Gao Shiming didn’t say much, only made a gesture like he was making a phone call. After the exam, Zhang Fan waited outside the test site for half an hour before Director Gao appeared. "Kid, I haven’t seen you since a flash of gold light. You must have passed, right? Is the hospital keeping you busy?" Gao didn’t yet know about Zhang Fan’s advanced studies.

"Sorry, Director Gao, no problem with the exam. I went to Qingniao for advanced training these past few months."

"Hmm, so you went for further study. Staying long in the county hospital limits your vision. Let’s go eat and talk."

"Director, I have to fly back to Qingniao tomorrow. Sorry, I meant to visit you at the hospital but couldn’t."

"That’s thoughtful, but next time don’t bother bringing stuff; it’s inconvenient on a long trip. I won’t keep you today—go and be busy, read more, and wait until after the October exam. Don’t fail it."

"Alright, Director, I’ll take my leave."

Director Gao was the first mentor on Zhang Fan’s medical journey.

Batu hadn’t gone back yesterday either, just waited for Zhang Fan at the hotel. "My chances at the Health Bureau are slim. County Chief Dong Hua has made it clear that the high-ranking officials have already chosen their candidate."

"What now?"

"Now we have to seek the city leaders to get into a second-tier city hospital. I can’t stay at the county hospital any longer." Batu was getting scared. The hospital had bought a CT scanner, and he had taken some kickbacks from it, but after getting the money, he couldn’t sleep. The hospital had been building new wards and buying equipment for years, making enough profit. If he didn’t leave soon, there would be serious trouble.

"What can I do to help?"

Zhang Fan was just an ordinary citizen, no grand ideals—he would repay kindness however he could.

"Your Sister Wang—I looked into it. Her husband is the third-highest official in the city committee. My matter is just a word from him."

"Alright, let’s go now. I happen to have some specialty goods with me. You take some when you go back."

"At a time like this, I don’t have the heart for it. You can give it all to Sister Wang."

At Wang Qian’s home: "Sister Wang, I brought some specialty goods back from Qingniao. Try some, though I guess you won’t like it. It’s too salty—could choke you."

"Silly boy, this is good stuff. You just don’t know how to appreciate it. Have you eaten? I’ll cook for you." It was the weekend; Wang Qian was home, but her husband rarely came back.

"I already ate. Sister Wang, there’s something I’m embarrassed to say, but I have to."

"Go ahead, don’t be so formal. Are you asking me to be a matchmaker for some girl?"

"No, it’s not that. The county hospital director has been good to me. Knowing I treat you, he hopes you can help transfer him."

"Where does this director want to transfer to?" Wang Qian pondered briefly.

"He wants to go to a second-tier city hospital. If not possible, other county hospitals will do."

"For your sake, I’ll ask around. What’s his name?"

"Batu."

Wang Qian understood the situation. As a county hospital doctor, if leadership gave an order, how could it not be done? She went to the next room to call her husband. "Old Jiang, the doctor who fixed my back, Xiao Zhang."

When she mentioned it, her husband said, "It’s too late now. Quietly tell Dr. Zhang to have Batu wait for news. He’s deeply involved in bribery, and there are already official reports against him. The disciplinary committee is preparing to make an example of him. Don’t let this leak out."

Coming out of the bedroom, Wang Qian’s expression was grim—not angry with Zhang Fan, but with Batu. If she had helped Batu today without knowing this, her husband would be implicated once the investigation unfolded.

If Batu had been there, he would have realized from Wang Qian’s face that it was serious. But Zhang Fan, unaware, asked, "Sister Wang, any hope? You don’t look well."

"Heh, it’s nothing. I had some insomnia last night. Tell your director just to wait for news."

"Got it, Sister Wang. I’m off now."

"Don’t rush, you haven’t eaten a bite. Take some cigarettes and tea with you. Smoke less—you’re still young."

Outside the complex, Batu’s car was parked nearby. "So, any hope?"

"Sister Wang made a call and said to have you wait for news. That’s all. She also gave some cigarettes and tea."

"You’re well connected. What did she say on the phone?" Batu perked up at the prospect of hope.

"I didn’t hear; it was in the next room."

"Let’s go. You pick what you want to eat. Tomorrow you have to return; no time to waste." After dinner, Batu handed the car keys back to Zhang Fan. "You drive to your business. Put the keys back in the hotel when you’re done. I’ll grab them when I check out."

Li Liang and Li Hui were also taking exams in the city. They must be out enjoying themselves after finishing. Li Liang was to be thanked for helping with the exam registration. Then Zhang Fan took some specialty goods to Dong Hua’s home. Though Dong Hua was quite official and aloof, he had helped with the advanced studies. Fortunately, he was home on the weekend. After settling these social obligations, Zhang Fan began preparing to return to Qingniao, buying some dried fruits and raisins. The area was famous for beef and mutton, but he couldn’t bring those. The two large bags were the maximum allowed for checked luggage.