Amidst the rising and falling sounds of laughter, the voice from the time clock, though not loud, struck the faces of Li Bingxue, Niu Kunpeng, Hu Yun, and over a dozen other doctors and nurses like slaps.
Instantly, the entire room fell silent, as quiet as cicadas in winter.
Hurriedly adjusting her glasses that were about to fall, Niu Kunpeng exclaimed in disbelief:
"He was fired the day before yesterday and rejoined today. What's Chen Xiao's background? Even the grandson of Old Dean Lin wouldn't get such treatment!"
Hu Yun, her usual sharp and sarcastic demeanor gone, wiped down tables and chairs with a fawning expression, inviting Chen Xiao to sit:
"Doctor Chen, I was always targeting you before because Liu Zihao forced me. Please don't take it to heart!"
Even Feng Daxing, the attending physician who always looked down on newcomers, forced a smile and extended a friendly gesture to Chen Xiao:
"Xiao Chen, welcome back."
As Feng Daxing finished speaking, others in the office scrambled to speak to Chen Xiao, surrounding him as if he were the center of attention.
Li Bingxue never imagined that Chen Xiao would one day receive the same treatment as Liu Zihao. Her hatred intensified. She abruptly stood up and walked out, gritting her teeth and saying:
"Chen, don't get too smug. Even if you managed to come back, you're still a damn intern. But my promotion after this clinical skills competition is a sure thing..."
As soon as she finished speaking, she ran into Gou Shunquan at the door. Her furious expression instantly turned into one of fawning, and she said in a sugary voice:
"Director Gou, why are you here?"
Gou Shunquan's sinister gaze landed directly on Chen Xiao in front of the desk. He deliberately put on a kind smile and said:
"Doctor Chen, I just received a call that my brother-in-law is seriously injured and hospitalized. I'm rushing to make arrangements, so I'm short on time. You'll lead the team in this competition for me!"
Before Chen Xiao could respond, he casually said to Li Bingxue, Yang Longjian, and the other two interns:
"Doctor Chen is a clinical resident physician specially and exceptionally appointed by Dean Bai. With him leading you three, you'll surely be invincible in the upcoming competition and bring glory to the entire hospital."
After speaking, Gou Shunquan turned to leave, thinking to himself:
"Chen Xiao, Chen Xiao, although I haven't found out why Bai Su wants you back, I'll see how much longer you can jump around in front of Old Dean Lin and the other eight vice-deans!"
As Gou Shunquan left, the large office fell into a deathly silence again, followed by thunderous exclamations:
"Holy cow! A 23-year-old clinical resident physician! This... this is even more shocking than when Zhou Wannong was exceptionally appointed as an associate chief physician! After all, Chen Xiao is three years younger than her!"
"An intern who was fired not long after joining has now become a clinical resident physician? Does Dean Bai really have that much power?"
"Dean Bai definitely doesn't have that much power, and maybe even Old Dean Lin doesn't. After all, you need to pass exams for a physician's practice license and qualification certificate, and there are years of medical experience requirements! Take Liu Zihao, for example. It's an open secret that he's Director Gou's nephew, but he's almost thirty and only just managed to qualify as a clinical resident physician?"
"So, Chen Xiao's backing is at least above Old Dean Lin. Gou Shunquan can't even come close!"
Amidst the rising and falling exclamations, Niu Kunpeng, Hu Yun, and the others fawned over Chen Xiao even more diligently. Feng Daxing, who had maintained an air of superiority, personally poured tea and water for Chen Xiao, acting like a brother, and tried his best to curry favor.
Thinking that Chen Xiao's background could easily overshadow Liu Zihao, Li Bingxue, who was gradually being marginalized, found it even harder to accept. Her reason instantly snapped.
Pushing through the crowd surrounding Chen Xiao like a madwoman, she said with red eyes and fierce hatred:
"Doctor Feng, Doctor Niu, Sister Yun, don't be fooled by this bastard Chen! Not only were we university classmates for five years, but we also dated secretly for nearly five years. I know his background better than anyone..."
Chen Xiao, showing no attempt to hide his disgust for Li Bingxue, interrupted her in a deep voice:
"I recall you saying publicly just a few days ago that both your parents are senior intellectuals, so they would never allow you to date me, right?"
"You..."
Li Bingxue was instantly rendered speechless with anger, her face looking as ugly as if she had stepped in excrement.
Just then, she suddenly received a call from Liu Zihao, and her demeanor immediately turned arrogant again.
"Chen, you wait. I'll take Brother Hao's call first, and then I'll expose your true colors in front of everyone!"
After throwing this boastful threat, she quickly went out to take the call, crying tearfully:
"Brother Hao, they're bullying me again, Chen Xiao! Hurry up and help me get revenge after you finish your IV drip,呜呜呜..."
On the phone, Liu Zihao seemed not to hear Li Bingxue's words and coldly commanded:
"My dad is dying. No matter what you do, make Chen Xiao perform acupuncture to save him, or I'll take your life as compensation!"
"What?"
Li Bingxue was struck by lightning and stood frozen on the spot.