Chapter 840: Encounter

Chapter 840: Chapter 840: Encounter

Outside the outpatient hall of the Feng City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a steady stream of people bustled about.

Dean Song had just walked out of a meeting in the administration building. With some free time before lunch, he planned to stroll over to the outpatient department to check the patient load across the various clinics as the Spring Festival approached.

Just as he reached the family passage beside the outpatient building, he casually glanced over and caught sight of two figures exiting the clinic.

The woman walking in front wore a dark gray cashmere coat and exuded a composed, steady aura. Even though she was wearing a mask, Dean Song was all too familiar with that capable, efficient demeanor born from years of holding a high-ranking position.

"Isn’t that... Director Tian from the Health Commission?"

Dean Song’s heart skipped a beat, and he rubbed his eyes to make sure.

As the Deputy Director of the Health Commission, Tian Wen was Dean Song’s direct superior and made frequent appearances at various medical and health system conferences. He couldn’t quite believe it—how could a leader of her caliber visit without any prior notice?

She hadn’t mentioned an inspection, much less asked the hospital to arrange a formal reception.

Seeing Tian Wen walking briskly, Dean Song didn’t dare delay. As if riding the wind, he hurriedly went over to greet her.

"Director Tian!"

From a distance away, Dean Song put on a warm, welcoming smile and greeted her enthusiastically. "Director Tian, look at this... I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you give us a heads-up before coming? I could have brought the staff to welcome you at the entrance. Please forgive us for our poor hospitality."

Tian Wen, who was just about to get into her car, stopped at the sound of his voice. She turned to see Dean Song hurrying over and offered a polite, restrained smile. "Dean Song, you’re too polite. I’m just here in a private capacity today to see a doctor and, at the same time, experience the hospital’s medical procedures from a patient’s perspective. I went through the whole process—registering, queuing, and consulting—and it all felt quite smooth. I didn’t want to disturb you administrative folks."

Hearing this, Dean Song’s heart immediately tightened, and a fine layer of sweat almost broke out on his forehead. "Director Tian, you’re criticizing me now. Your poor health is a major concern for our entire system. You really should have just given the word, and I would have immediately organized the hospital’s best team of experts for a joint consultation. How could we let you tire yourself out queuing up out here? If your condition had been delayed, I, as the dean, would have a massive responsibility to bear."

Tian Wen waved her hand, a rare trace of relaxation in her expression. "Dean Song, it’s not as serious as you make it sound. It’s just an old ailment. Besides, I’ve already seen a doctor. The level of your hospital’s staff is indeed quite high; their bedside manner is amiable, and their explanations are incredibly thorough. To be honest, I’ve read reports in the office about the changes happening at the Feng City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine over the past year, but walking through it myself today has given me a much clearer picture. It certainly didn’t disappoint."

"Thank you for the praise, Director Tian."

Dean Song smiled apologetically while carefully observing Tian Wen’s expression. Seeing that her eyes reflected genuine satisfaction despite her slightly pale complexion, he felt half the heavy stone lift from his chest.

"Director Tian, I still think we need to arrange a proper consultation. You shoulder immense daily responsibilities, and your health affects our city’s entire public health planning. How about I call the directors of the internal medicine and gynecology departments right now?" Dean Song tentatively offered again.

"There’s really no need." Tian Wen smiled and held up the prescription slip in her hand, passing it to Kang Yanyan beside her. "The doctor I met today is highly skilled. Not only did he pinpoint the root cause of my illness, but he also explained the cause and effect so thoroughly that I was completely convinced. I feel that if I take the medicine exactly as he prescribed, it will definitely cure the ailment. If I really need anything further, I’ll contact you, Dean Song. Don’t refuse me then."

"How could I? As long as Director Tian gives the word, we will be at your beck and call."

Dean Song quickly stated his position. He escorted Tian Wen and Kang Yanyan all the way to the parking lot, making sure they got safely into their ordinary private car.

It wasn’t until the car’s taillights disappeared from sight that the smile on Dean Song’s face slowly faded, replaced by a deep sense of confusion.

He turned around and walked back toward the outpatient building, wondering who exactly had treated her. Director Tian had seen it all and managed vast medical resources; her standards were extraordinarily high.

Who could possibly earn a "highly skilled and guaranteed to cure" evaluation from her?

Dean Song walked briskly into the outpatient building and went straight to the nurses’ station.

"Hello, Dean Song!"

Several young nurses at the station were busy organizing medical records. Startled by Dean Song’s sudden approach, they immediately stood up straight.

"Look something up for me." Dean Song didn’t waste words. "Between nine and ten o’clock just now, there was a female patient named Tian Wen, around forty years old. Check which department she registered for and which doctor she saw."

Made somewhat nervous by Dean Song’s intense expression, the nurse’s fingers danced quickly across the keyboard. "Dean, there are quite a few patients surnamed Tian... Which ’Wen’ is it?"

"The ’Wen’ with the jade radical," Dean Song said, tapping the counter.

"Found it." The nurse stared at the computer screen and looked up in surprise. "Dean Song, this patient registered for an expert appointment at the traditional Chinese internal medicine clinic. The attending doctor was... Vice Dean Li Xu."

"Li Xu?"

Dean Song froze for a moment before letting out a long sigh of relief. His initially tense shoulders relaxed as he muttered to himself, "No wonder... No wonder Director Tian said those things. If Li Xu was the one who treated her, then I’m not surprised at all."

Right now, Dean Song treated Li Xu like a treasured asset to the hospital.

Although the young man wasn’t very old, his miraculous medical skills and profound understanding of medical classics were likely unrivaled in the entire province. For Director Tian’s troublesome illness to fall into his hands, she had certainly found the right person.

"Alright, get back to your work."

Tossing out those words, Dean Song clasped his hands behind his back and leisurely strolled toward Li Xu’s expert clinic. He was no longer in a rush to get on with his administrative schedule. He wanted to see how exactly Li Xu had managed to "subdue" this Iron Lady of the Health Commission.

Arriving at the clinic door, Dean Song didn’t have the nurse announce him. Instead, he quietly pushed the door open a crack and slipped inside.

Inside, there wasn’t the commotion he had anticipated. Li Xu sat behind his desk, entirely focused on the patient in front of him. Wu Mengmeng sat diagonally behind him, pen in hand, looking somewhat tense.

Seeing Dean Song enter, Wu Mengmeng was so startled she almost sprang up from her chair. Just as she was about to call out to him, Dean Song waved a hand, signaling her to stay quiet.

Li Xu also noticed someone enter. He glanced over, and upon seeing Dean Song, merely gave a polite nod in greeting before turning back to continue examining his patient.

This composure made Dean Song nod approvingly in his heart. To a true doctor, even the hospital dean was just "unauthorized personnel." The patient was always the ultimate priority.

Sitting opposite Li Xu right now was a female patient in her early fifties.