Dr. Xu was probably in a weak position, and even at great risk, fought with all her might for justice on his behalf. In the end, she failed.
Power crushes all beneath it.
He, a physician cast into disfavor, simply had no means to shake the decisions made by the hospital leadership behind the scenes.
Such was the harsh reality.
He thought today would be another day of frantically practicing medicine on lab mice.
Unexpectedly, as it approached eight o'clock, Zhou Can received a message.
It wasn't from Dr. Xu.
It was from Director Xin of the Medical Department.
"Dr. Zhou Can, hello. Please come to the small conference room No. 2 of the Medical Department around 8 o'clock today. Medical Department Head: Xin Wanshan."
Worth noting is that being personally messaged by the director implied that Dr. Xu's commotion in the Medical Department yesterday had some effect.
Usually, only when there is a solid solution to the problem would the top leader personally intervene.
Otherwise, it would often be the second in command or 'temporary workers' who would step in to feel out the situation first.
If they could resolve it, great; if not, they would still have room to maneuver.
Zhou Can's shortcoming was his lower educational level; otherwise, with his multiple excellent performances in standardized training exams and in the Emergency Department, he would have ensured that the hospital leaders would approach such matters with extreme caution.
They would never have made a scapegoat of him as easily as they did the day before yesterday.
A lower education usually means limited potential for growth. That's why they dare not take him seriously, not worrying about future repercussions.
Had he held a master's or doctoral degree, it surely would not have been the same condescending demeanor from Vice Director Yin.
They wouldn't have possibly suspended Zhou Can's duties or subjected him to such intense pressure.
Zhou Can first went to the hospital cafeteria and finished his breakfast.
Truth be told, his attitude might be a lot more stable than Vice Director Yin's. After all, he could afford to wait, but Vice Director Yin could not.
The longer the delay, the more built-up anger from the family members, and in the end, the more violent they would become.
He walked to the small conference room No. 2 of the Medical Department at an unhurried pace.
"Ha, Dr. Zhou, good morning!"
Dr. Lu was originally sprinting towards the Emergency Department at a hundred-meter dash pace but upon seeing Zhou Can, he came to an abrupt halt.
Zhou Can responded flatly.
"I heard you were suspended? Is there a chance for you to come back to work?" Dr. Lu's eyes held a smirk of petty schadenfreude.
Yet his face wore a hypocritically compassionate expression as though mourning for a mouse.
"So do you hope I can return, or can't?"
"Ahahaha... I, of course, hope you can come back! But I hear the trouble you caused is pretty big. Even Dr. Xu personally making a fuss didn't help, so I think your chances are slim."
People like Dr. Lu care the most about various gossips and rumors.
"Heh, I don't know about my situation being precarious. But you being late for work today, that's for certain."
Zhou Can flashed his phone screen.
It was already 7:59 AM, and even if Dr. Lu could fly, he wouldn't make it to the operating room by 8 o'clock.
"Ah... I can't talk anymore, there goes my 100 yuan..."
Only at this point did Dr. Lu realize that, in his eagerness to mock Zhou Can, he was now late for work.
He sprinted back towards the Emergency Department once again.
Zhou Can watched his retreating figure with amusement.
So many people, each with their own characteristics.
Dr. Lu was dying with jealousy when he was outperformed by Zhou Can. Now that Zhou Can was in trouble, he was gleeful with schadenfreude.
But he might be disappointed.
The personal message from Director Xin of the Medical Department had already indicated a significant turn in events.
In any case, Zhou Can was determined not to compromise.
He refused to take the fall for anything.
The standardized training doctors signed an official contract, working a year and passing the medical practitioner's exam, even entitled to be called a physician. Second only to a Resident Doctor.
Without clear wrongdoing on his part, the hospital's decision to fire him was not something a leader could determine on a whim.
After Zhou Can arrived at the Medical Department's conference room No. 2, he knocked on the door.
"Dr. Zhou is here, come in!"
Medical Department Head Xin Wanshan gestured for him to come in.
At the moment, several people were already seated in the small conference room.
Among those Zhou Can recognized were Director Lou, Director Xin, and Vice Director Yin.
It seemed, in the end, Director Lou had taken a stand.
"Xiao Zhou, sit here!"
Director Lou gestured for Zhou Can to sit beside him.
Before Zhou Can arrived, these people had likely been discussing for a while, as the teacups in front of them were already emptied, leaving only some leaves settled at the bottom.
"Everyone's time is precious, so I'll make it brief."
The speaker was a middle-aged man with a big face, big ears, and fair, ruddy skin.
His hair was well-maintained.
Black and shiny, smooth as silk.
Dressed quite meticulously as well.
Clearly a person of high living standards.
With Director Lou, Director Xin, and others present, yet this man was sitting in the chairman's position, it was obvious what his status was.
He was likely one of the hospital leaders behind the scenes.
There's only one Dean, Dean Zhu Xueyang. Zhou Can had seen Dean Zhu in the Emergency Department before; this person was definitely not the Dean.
Thus, he deduced that this person was either a deputy dean or another key hospital leader.
Such as the head of the administration office, party office, labor union, etc., all are hospital leaders.
There are several deputy deans, responsible for administration, medical care, logistics, and research teaching...
"Zhou Can, first of all, I need to criticize you. Because of your disregard for the bigger picture, you have caused so many hospital leaders to waste a significant amount of time and energy on you alone. This is a severe waste of hospital administrative resources."
Well, this was quite the counter-accusation.