Chapter 84: A Debate Broadcast Live

At this moment, in the Cunsan Hall on the other side, Zhou Jinfan was holding his phone, starting a livestream. As he wrapped sachets, he explained basic knowledge about traditional Chinese medicine to his audience, chatting idly with viewers in the stream.

As he spoke, he recounted how the director of the parasitology department at Gu’s Hospital—Hao Qiao—and his apprentice, Dr. Xiao Song, had come to Cunsan Hall earlier to question their practices.

“In my opinion, one should only take on as much as one is capable of. If Gu’s Hospital isn’t able to cure those patients infected with schistosomiasis, then they should let those patients seek help elsewhere instead of delaying their treatment,” Zhou Jinfan declared.

His words instantly sparked a lively debate among viewers. Most people had always assumed that Western medicine was superior to traditional medicine, but Zhou Jinfan’s remarks today upended their expectations.

“What? You’re accusing me of lying? How could I deceive anyone? I even recorded what happened today—you really think I wasn’t prepared at all? How ridiculous.” Zhou Jinfan was a master of promotion; his management of Cunsan Hall’s social media and online shop was evidence enough.

So, when he saw Hao Qiao bring Dr. Xiao Song to Cunsan Hall to cause trouble, he had quietly recorded the whole scene to avoid any future disputes. Now, without hesitation, he played the recording for his audience. The viewers watched with relish, thoroughly enjoying the drama.

In no time, the number of people in the livestream skyrocketed. People were shocked that Gu’s Hospital, the premier medical institution in Su City, would stoop to such shameless blame-shifting.

“Now you can see for yourselves: I wasn’t lying. The schistosomiasis patients treated at Cunsan Hall have already been discharged, but those at Gu’s Hospital not only remain hospitalized, their conditions have worsened. So, when it comes to medicine for preventing schistosomiasis, you now know whose treatment is more effective.”

Taking advantage of the moment, Zhou Jinfan promoted the schistosomiasis-prevention powder sold by Cunsan Hall, pinning it in the livestream shop. It sold out almost instantly.

This development quickly caught Xie Qingtang’s attention. She had stockpiled nearly a week’s supply, never expecting that Zhou Jinfan would sell it all in just a couple of hours through his livestream.

“How did I do, boss? I’ve made an outstanding contribution to Cunsan Hall’s sales today!” Zhou Jinfan boasted proudly as he approached Xie Qingtang after ending the stream.

Xie Qingtang couldn’t deny it. She nodded, gave him a rare thumbs-up, and praised, “Zhou Jinfan, I’m beginning to realize you have quite a talent for marketing!”

“Of course! After my parents passed away, I struggled to keep Cunsan Hall afloat. If I didn’t have some sales skills, how could I have managed to keep it running?” He thumped his chest in pride.

But Xie Qingtang doused his enthusiasm with a cold remark: “It really wasn’t easy, keeping Cunsan Hall afloat by selling fake medicine.”

“Boss, you’re ruthless! Exposing my past like this. I’ve turned over a new leaf now, so you absolutely mustn’t let my followers find out I used to sell fake medicine. Otherwise, they’ll never trust me again,” Zhou Jinfan pleaded, moving closer in mock supplication.

Xie Qingtang just smiled wordlessly, and after a moment’s hesitation, said, “Actually, since coming down from the mountain, I haven’t had a phone. I’d like to buy one. Can you recommend a brand?”

“Oh, boss, you’re asking the right person! I just so happen to have the connections. What’s your budget? What kind of features do you want? Just tell me, I’ll make sure to pick out the very best for you,” Zhou Jinfan said, suddenly energized, surprised that his boss—who seemed almost like a primitive recluse—was finally buying a phone.

Unfamiliar with these things, Xie Qingtang simply took out over ten thousand yuan in cash from the drawer and placed it in his hand. “The best one,” she said calmly.

Looking at the money, Zhou Jinfan’s mouth twitched before he muttered, “How lavish.”

After the livestream, Zhou Jinfan had no idea that his offhand complaints during the broadcast had stirred up a storm online.

Many internet users flocked to the official website of Gu’s Hospital, leaving a flood of comments criticizing their poor medical skills, their inability to cure patients, their worsening of conditions, and their lack of transparent, exorbitant fees.

Issues that had previously gone unnoticed were now being aired by countless patients who had visited Gu’s Hospital, and the hospital’s reputation online was rapidly deteriorating.

“We must sue Cunsan Hall for defamation and demand compensation for the losses caused by this online backlash!” someone exclaimed.

“That’s right! This is outrageous. Our hospital’s reputation is in tatters online. People are calling us a bunch of useless freeloaders who only care about money.”

The doctors at Gu’s Hospital were furious when they read the online comments. The speed with which these negative stories spread was beyond their imagination—within just a day or two, scandal after scandal about Gu’s Hospital was erupting online.

“Director Gu, we can’t let these petty people smear our hospital any longer,” Hao Qiao said coldly to Gu Xiujin, whose expression was equally grim.

Indeed, Gu Xiujin himself had come to the hospital, undergoing a check-up while also calling a meeting to address the ever-escalating rumors about the hospital circulating online.

During the meeting, the doctors and department heads all denounced Cunsan Hall, insisting that the hospital’s lawyers send Cunsan Hall a cease-and-desist letter to pursue defamation charges.

But to their surprise, Gu Xiujin’s expression barely changed despite their outrage. When everyone had finished speaking, he responded in a cool, measured tone, “Flies do not bite an uncracked egg. If Gu’s Hospital truly had no management flaws, why would so many online complaints resonate with the public? Give me a reason.”