That evening, Du Heng and his colleagues went out for a celebratory dinner in honor of Old Song’s promotion.
During the dinner, when everyone learned that Du Heng had published two core papers, they all congratulated him.
However, these were just simple congratulations. For them, working at the Health Clinic, the significance of publishing papers wasn’t that great.
Especially since, apart from Zhang Jinlian, none of the others present were doctors, so it didn’t resonate much with them.
Offering congratulations was simply the polite thing to do among colleagues.
Zhang Jinlian’s behavior, however, was quite peculiar and took Du Heng by surprise. She, too, congratulated him like everyone else, laughing and saying many kind words.
Based on their interactions over the recent period, Du Heng felt that even if he and Zhang Jinlian weren’t cold to each other, they certainly wouldn’t be greeting each other with smiles.
Yet, at today’s gathering, Zhang Jinlian was not only all smiles but also offered congratulations, which was quite intriguing.
Since Zhang Jinlian was being so gracious, Du Heng couldn’t very well be sullen; he also smiled and expressed his thanks.
Wu Buwei observed all of this. He had a profound understanding of Zhang Jinlian’s character. Seeing her smile made him shiver involuntarily.
When Du Heng sat back down and everyone was chatting and boasting, Wu Buwei quietly asked him, "Senior Brother, what’s with this woman? I’m getting chills down my spine. This isn’t like her at all."
Du Heng mentally agreed. They’d been colleagues for over five, nearly six years; who didn’t know who by now?
For Zhang Jinlian to put on such a show, she was definitely up to something.
"Forget about her. Let’s just eat and drink."
Wu Buwei shook his head, as if he’d figured something out. "Senior Brother, now that Dean Song has been promoted, the position of section chief of the Medical Affairs Department is vacant. Don’t tell me that woman managed to pull strings for it?"
The more he spoke, the more plausible it seemed.
The Medical Affairs Department was responsible for managing doctors.
Although there were only two or three doctors in the Health Clinic, if someone in that position wanted to control you, you would have to listen.
"I just knew this woman’s smile was suspicious today. She has already planned to use this to manipulate you, Senior Brother."
Du Heng’s hand, in the middle of picking up food, faltered. Having that woman as his superior... he’d probably be truly miserable.
But then he suddenly recalled Li Qingde’s plan to transfer him to the Fanjiaping Health Center. In that case, if Zhang Jinlian became the section chief of the Medical Affairs Department in Zhonghu Town, what the hell did that have to do with him?
Once he figured that out, it wasn’t an issue anymore. He chuckled. "Alright, stop worrying. What’s destined to happen will happen; you can’t avoid it."
While Du Heng and his Health Clinic colleagues were having dinner, Wang Shuqiu and her school colleagues were also having a gathering.
After all, with the May Day holiday approaching, even though elementary school teachers’ salaries weren’t much, the fringe benefits had to keep up, so a group dinner was par for the course.
However, their dinner ended quickly, and they had already dispersed.
Wang Shuqiu and her colleague, Mi Wu, stood by the roadside, chatting and waiting for Du Heng to come pick them up.
Mi Wu was petite, just over 1.6 meters tall. She was dressed in a way that didn’t resemble a teacher at all—she looked very sexy.
Standing next to Wang Shuqiu, the two gave off completely different vibes.
Wang Shuqiu was proud and aloof, while Mi Wu was alluring.
A wave of her hand, a flick of her hair, every frown and smile—all could give one the illusion that she was trying to seduce you.
At that moment, she took out her lipstick to touch up her makeup, snapped her compact mirror shut with a click, and pursed her fiery red lips. "Qiuqiu, why did you choose a doctor from a Health Clinic in a mountainous area for a boyfriend? I don’t know what you were thinking. Tell me, what did you see in him? Is he handsome or rich?"
Wang Shuqiu smiled faintly, her expression sweet as she spoke, "I don’t care about cars or houses, or whether he’s handsome or not. I fell for him because he has a good character, ambition, and is someone with whom I can build a life."
Mi Wu tossed her hair, fully exposing her fair, slender neck, causing passing young men to look over.
Mi Wu smiled smugly, very pleased with the charm she exuded. "With your figure and beautiful face, you’re truly a rare beauty."
She looked at Wang Shuqiu enviously. "Look at those who pursued you. Which one of them didn’t have ambition? For example, Chief Ma from the Education Bureau—he’s just 29 this year, has a house and a car, and a promising future. How could you not be interested in him?"
Wang Shuqiu gave Mi Wu a meaningful look and replied coolly, "I’m particular about such things."
Mi Wu faltered for a moment, then laughed again. "I know you’re conservative, but people date, don’t they? That’s perfectly normal. Besides, when he was pursuing you, he wasn’t involved with any other girls."
Wang Shuqiu’s tone grew even colder. "That’s none of my concern. Who he wants to be with is his freedom."
"Don’t talk about him anymore." Wang Shuqiu looked at Mi Wu firmly. "I know exactly what kind of person he is. If you like him, you can go after him. But if you continue trying to push him on me, our friendship is over."
Mi Wu was taken aback; she hadn’t expected Wang Shuqiu to be so blunt.
Seeing Wang Shuqiu wasn’t bluffing, she quickly waved her hands. "Okay, okay, I won’t talk about him anymore."
Her eyes darted around as she continued, "So, why isn’t this boyfriend of yours here yet?"
"He should be here soon. They’re also having a gathering, and with the leaders present, it wouldn’t be easy for him to leave early."
Wang Shuqiu didn’t dwell on it. Since Mi Wu had changed the subject, she went along with it. That man was truly disgusting; she didn’t even want to think about him, let alone mention him.
The wait was getting tedious. Eventually, even the Lord in Heaven seemed to lose patience; PITTER-PATTER, raindrops began to fall, coming down harder and harder.
Wang Shuqiu and Mi Wu had no choice but to move to a bus stop shelter, a good place to take cover from the rain.
Mi Wu found a good spot to avoid both the rain and wind, keeping herself from getting too cold.
If it weren’t for her promise to someone, she would have gone home long ago instead of suffering out here.
Fiddling with her hair, Mi Wu said with a touch of petulance, "Qiuqiu, is your boyfriend coming or not? If not, let’s just head back. We can go to my place, have a few drinks, and chat."
"Why don’t you head back first? He and I need to buy some things; we’re going to my family’s place tomorrow."
"To your family’s place?" Mi Wu’s hand, fiddling with her hair, paused. "Why didn’t you say so earlier?"
Wang Shuqiu glanced at Mi Wu, then turned her gaze forward again, hoping to see that comforting figure on the next approaching bus.
She wasn’t a casual person; once she committed to someone, she would invest herself with all her passion.
She and Mi Wu weren’t exactly best friends; they were just colleagues who could chat easily, ordinary friends at most.
During dinner, Mi Wu had invited her to go singing. Wang Shuqiu declined, using the excuse that she had plans to go shopping with her boyfriend. Yet, Mi Wu had tagged along anyway, saying she wanted to join them.
Now, however, she was feeling very uncomfortable.
But out of consideration for their colleague relationship, she found it hard to say anything harsh.
Still, she had no desire to answer Mi Wu’s current question.
A brand new black Big Ben off-road vehicle pulled up before them.
Wang Shuqiu’s brow furrowed as she stepped back with a look of disgust.
She had seen this kind of scene plenty of times before.