Chapter Eighty-Five: Settling Accounts After Autumn

When Gu Xiujin finished speaking, the meeting room instantly fell silent. Everyone sat there with grave expressions, offering no rebuttal.

“But President Gu, although there are indeed some trivial issues in the hospital, it’s nowhere near as serious as what was said in the live broadcast. And many of the online complaints are just made-up stories,” one of the department heads finally mustered the courage to say.

Gu Xiujin looked at him with a cold, stern face and asked, “Let me ask you: if a loaf of bread has a moldy corner, would you still eat it?”

“Of course not. Moldy bread contains toxins—even if the rest looks fine, those toxins may have spread to other parts, just not showing yet,” the department head replied, though he didn’t know why Gu Xiujin would ask such a question.

Gu Xiujin nodded. “Exactly. You know not to eat spoiled bread. You must have also heard the saying, ‘One rat’s dropping spoils the whole pot of porridge.’ Even if our hospital isn’t as chaotic as the internet claims, if there’s even one area that leaves a deeply negative impression, people will naturally believe the whole hospital is the same.”

“That’s why I’ve always enforced strict standards in every department. When others point out problems, our first reaction shouldn’t be to argue or seek revenge, but to consider whether their criticism is valid and correct our mistakes.”

At these words, everyone’s face displayed a trace of shame. Just moments ago, the room had been seething with anger over the live broadcast about Cishantang, every person gritting their teeth with rage. Now, they all fell into silent self-reflection.

After the meeting, Gu Xiujin turned to Li Zhao behind him and said, “Let’s go to Cishantang. I’ll have that little girl check my pulse.”

“Very well, President Gu.” Li Zhao heard the chill in his tone and knew this visit was about far more than a simple pulse diagnosis with Xie Qingtang.

When they arrived at Cishantang, they were surprised to find that after Zhou Jin Fan’s persistent promotion, the clinic’s reputation had spread, and the local residents had started coming for treatment. There was even a line of people at the door. Seeing this, Gu Xiujin frowned slightly.

Li Zhao suggested, “President Gu, should I go inside and tell Doctor Xie you’re here? There’s no need for us to wait in line.”

But Gu Xiujin raised his hand, a playful smile appearing at the corner of his lips. “No need. Let’s just go in and find a place to wait.”

“Alright!” Li Zhao pushed Gu Xiujin into the clinic. The instant this strikingly handsome young man in a wheelchair appeared, he drew the attention of the elderly men and women gathered there.

Indeed, most of those seeking treatment at Cishantang were elderly, with few young people among them. Thus, the sudden arrival of a young man was something of a novelty.

Xie Qingtang, busy behind her consultation desk, didn’t notice what was happening, while the seniors waiting their turn found themselves a little bored. Soon, some started chatting with Gu Xiujin, who sat there with an unmistakable air of aloofness.

“Young man, what’s wrong with you? Is your leg injured?” an old lady curiously seated herself beside Gu Xiujin, staring at his legs.

Li Zhao wanted to send her away, but Gu Xiujin discreetly signaled for him to stay calm. He answered politely, “There’s nothing wrong with my legs. I just have a weak constitution, so I need the wheelchair to conserve my strength.”

“Oh, poor thing! To be so young and already suffering like this… Is it because of kidney deficiency?” the old lady blurted out, astonishing everyone.

Even Gu Xiujin, who was usually unflappable, stiffened at her words and awkwardly looked away, choosing not to reply.

But the old lady was persistent, insisting on asking whether his weakness and need for a wheelchair were due to kidney deficiency, and even suggesting that it must be serious for him to end up in a wheelchair.

“Li Zhao, go tell Xie Qingtang I’m here,” Gu Xiujin finally said through gritted teeth, unable to endure it any longer. He had not intended to use his status for special treatment, but the old lady’s relentless questioning had left him no choice.

Li Zhao, barely suppressing his laughter, quickly complied. The old lady was just too entertaining.

“He’s here now? Doesn’t he know how busy I am? Tell him to wait in the backyard for now,” Xie Qingtang said with a slight frown when she heard Gu Xiujin had arrived. It was the middle of a busy day, after all, so she instructed Li Zhao to take him to the back.

In the backyard, Gu Xiujin finally let out a long breath. There, another wheelchair-bound elder, Grandpa Xie, greeted him with a kindly wave. The two, like old friends despite the age gap, soon struck up an animated conversation.

By the time Xie Qingtang finished her work, it was already afternoon. Her hands were slightly numb from all the pulse readings, and she soaked them in a medicinal bath before heading to the backyard.

“President Gu, what brings you here in the middle of the day? Tonight is your scheduled acupuncture session. If there’s something important, can’t we discuss it then?” Xie Qingtang asked, eyeing him suspiciously.

Gu Xiujin looked at her calmly, raised his brows, and replied with a faint smile, “I heard your young assistant spread rumors online, claiming my hospital is nothing but an embroidered pillow stuffed with straw, unable to cure a single patient.”

At these words, Xie Qingtang was stunned, and Zhou Jin Fan, who had just come to the backyard with herbs, froze as well.

“Where did this come from?” Grandpa Xie, seated in his wheelchair, was equally astonished.

Zhou Jin Fan drew a sharp breath and tried to quietly retreat to the front hall.

“What’s the matter, Miss Xie? Don’t you know about this? Because of your assistant’s livestream, my hospital has suffered losses nearing several million,” Gu Xiujin said coolly.

Xie Qingtang’s brows quivered, her eyes flashing with surprise. Could it be that this man was here to settle scores?