"But, but during the meeting yesterday, you clearly said you were going to fire Su Fan, everyone heard it."
Sun Zhigang still found it difficult to accept this shocking piece of news.
It was so hard to get a promotion in the medical profession. He had brown-nosed and flattered for over twenty years before he barely made it to the rank of associate senior doctor, yet Su Fan, who had only joined the hospital a few days ago, managed to skip junior titles and obtain a mid-level title.
This was not just a simple promotion, it was like taking a flight.
"Director Zhang, what's going on here? Is it because Su Fan talked back to you that you wanted to fire him?"
"Does the hospital system also have a bureaucratic style?"
A cluster of reporters were unwilling to miss any scoop and asked Zhang Haitao one after another.
Zhang Haitao cursed Sun Zhigang's ancestors in his heart for being such an idiot; how could he be so clueless to bring up the most improper topic at this time? Could he not see the current situation?
Zhang Haitao deflected all responsibility onto Sun Zhigang.
"Little Su is a key talent we've been nurturing in our hospital; the report for his title promotion was written by me personally. How could I suppress him?"
"As for this Chief Sun, he got slapped by Dr. Su yesterday, so there might be some personal grudge involved."
"I, I don't have any grudges."
Sun Zhigang was on the verge of crying.
Zhang Haitao spoke again, with a cold voice.
"You say I wanted to fire little Su, everyone heard it; I want to ask, who heard it?"
"Deputy Director Luo, you were there yesterday, you, you heard it, didn't you?"
Sun Zhigang looked at an elderly man.
The other party was about to retire and would not cause any trouble.
"I didn't hear anything?"
Deputy Director Luo shook his head.
"Director Zhang had nothing but praise for Dr. Su in private, I don't know anything about him firing Dr. Su."
The other hospital leaders had long since become cunning and, although they didn't understand why Zhang Haitao's attitude had changed so drastically overnight, none wanted to cross him.
"Yeah, I've never heard Director Zhang say he wanted to fire little Su."
"Chief Sun, I know you have some issues with little Su, but private grievances should not be mixed with official business. I actually think Dr. Su's promotion is quite reasonable, after all, his medical skills are there for all to see."
None of them would have gotten to where they were if they were fools.
"Alright, that's enough, take some time off for reflection."
Zhang Haitao told Sun Zhigang mercilessly.
"A suspension for reflection?"
Sun Zhigang was completely stunned.
How had it turned out that he was the one in trouble today?
He wanted to argue more, but when he met Zhang Haitao's authoritative gaze, he chickened out, lowered his head, turned red in the face, and said no more.
At that moment, he was completely the clown.
"Divine Doctor Su, you've been promoted exceptionally, could you share your thoughts?"
"Yes, you've only been in the hospital for three days, yet you've saved two terminally ill patients. You're so amazing, could you say a few words for us?"
A female reporter handed the microphone to Su Fan.
Although Su Fan hadn't seen much of the world, he had already been interviewed by reporters twice, so he was relatively composed.
He cleared his throat and spoke with ease.
"Everyone's support is overwhelming; don't call me a Divine Doctor, I'm just an ordinary doctor. The opportunity to treat and save patients, the chance to get promoted, it's all thanks to Director Zhang's cultivation and the support of all my colleagues."
"I believe that under Director Zhang's leadership and with the joint efforts of all my colleagues, our Municipal First Hospital will definitely become a nationally renowned first-class hospital, saving more patients."
"Director Zhang, thank you so much."
With that, Su Fan gave Zhang Haitao a big hug beside him.
With his back to the crowd, Zhang Haitao cursed inside his mind; if it weren't for this kid having something on him, he would have chased him away long ago. But this kid did know how to play the game, remembering to compliment him in front of others.
Snapping back to reality, Zhang Haitao's expression turned friendly.
He patted Su Fan heavily on the shoulder.
"Little Su, you are young and promising; you will have to work harder in the future. There's a heavier burden awaiting you."
"Thank you for your trust, Director."
The two exchanged handshakes with beaming smiles.
As they looked at each other, their eyes conveyed emotions that only the other could understand.
To outsiders, it appeared as if a swift horse had finally met a great commander.
"What the hell, has Director Zhang had a change of heart?"
Those colleagues who knew Zhang Haitao's true nature were even more bewildered.