Surgery Godfather-Chapter 1981 - 1345: Director Zhu Returns (Part 2)

The topic gradually extended from business cooperation. Zhu Cheng voluntarily mentioned his early years as a doctor, without any hint of boasting, instead displaying a calmness after enduring many vicissitudes. Yang Ping remembered vividly the sensational "colon exteriorization" controversy at the Provincial People’s Hospital a few years ago; it was right around the time he had just graduated.

Later, due to the connection with Director Tian Yuan, Yang Ping met Zhu Cheng a few times. Yang Ping always felt sympathetic towards Director Zhu, and now seeing him so high-spirited, he felt completely at ease.

"Sometimes, leaving an environment allows for clearer vision and further progress," Zhu Cheng said lightly, with an indescribable emotion flickering in his eyes.

The visit concluded in an amicable and constructive atmosphere. Zhu Cheng left his private contact information, expressing his anticipation for future cooperation. Yang Ping then escorted him to the office door.

Zhu Cheng went to the Overseas Chinese Building to visit his old friend, Tian Yuan. Director Tian had been promoted to the Chief Director of the Overseas Chinese Building, overseeing the entire establishment. This amiable scholar was still as elegant as ever, adept in dealing with people from all walks of life.

The two were quite emotional upon meeting. Back when they were furthering their studies in the United States, Director Zhu and Tian Yuan shared a dormitory, and they had a deep friendship.

"Let’s have a good chat tonight; I’ve also invited Old Cheng. It’s just a few brothers, no outsiders," Director Zhu patted Tian Yuan’s shoulder.

Old Cheng is Cheng Liquan, now the Liquan Hospital has become a world-leading private hospital, quite a leap from the days when they rented a few floors to start their makeshift operations. Director Zhu reminisced about those early days when the three were filled with ideals, commenting on world affairs.

Now, everyone is doing well. Although he didn’t continue his dream of practicing medicine, he’s fulfilling his oath "Health entrusted, lives entrusted" in another way.

Leaving the Sanbo Research Institute, sitting back in the car, the commercial smile on Zhu Cheng’s face gradually faded. He reclined in the back seat, resting his eyes. His assistant cautiously asked, "President Zhu, back to the hotel or...?"

"To a certain place." Zhu Cheng opened his eyes and gave an address — a prison in Nandu, where he had arranged a meeting with an old acquaintance.

The assistant was visibly taken aback, but his professional training kept him from asking more questions. He immediately signaled the driver to change direction.

Following Director Zhu’s specified route, the car passed by the Provincial People’s Hospital. He rolled down the window, turning his head to look.

Not much seemed to have changed. This place held his dreams and left many memories: his first night shift, his first surgery as a chief surgeon...

The car left the bustling city area, and the scenery outside the window gradually became expansive. Zhu Cheng looked at the fields and factories rushing past, and his thoughts seemed to drift back to those dark years long ago.

At that time, he was a promising and competent associate chief physician in the General Surgery Department of the Provincial People’s Hospital, with a bright future ahead. Until that reporter named Wang Ge used a completely falsified, emotionally manipulative report to cast him into the abyss. The report twisted a necessary "colon exteriorization" surgery, meant to save a life due to the patient’s extremely complex condition, into a narrative of "a patient unable to pay, with the doctor maliciously hanging the intestines outside the stomach in revenge." The accompanying image showed the patient post-surgery with an external colon bag, the sensational text branding him as "inhumane," "worse than a beast."

The article went viral online, igniting public resentment towards medical malpractices. Uninformed netizens launched fierce criticisms, while media outlets rode the wave of controversy. He was doxxed and harassed online, and his child had to suspend school and return home, while his wife was pointed at while grocery shopping.

The Provincial People’s Hospital faced enormous pressure. Despite his earnest explanations, providing surgical records and patient charts, and his colleagues actively testifying on his behalf, rational voices were drowned out by the overwhelming public opinion. The hospital leadership was well aware it was a completely normal surgery, but to "calm the situation" and "offer a public statement," they ultimately adopted a silence policy, subtly hinting that he should "take a break" or "stay out of the limelight," which essentially forced him to resign.

At that moment, he experienced the impact of mass slander and the pain of being unable to defend himself, facing helplessness and disheartenment. He lost the job he loved, carrying a notoriety, and the shadow was cast over his family.

If it were not for his wife’s unwavering support, enduring immense pressure, and belief in him, he might have ended up with a broken family.

He did not succumb to this and allowed the enormous humiliation and indignation to transform into a latent power. Leaving the medical field, armed with solid professional knowledge and an unyielding spirit, he started as a medical consultant and gradually entered the international health insurance realm. He studied business, finance, law, and insurance professional English and, with a sharp mind and tenacious effort, he carved out a space for himself in a new field.

Meanwhile, he never forgot the instigator, Wang Ge. Over the years, he quietly gathered information and utilized some business investigative resources, uncovering shocking evidence: Wang Ge was not merely a "heartless reporter," but had clandestine ties with certain foreign capital, especially a Japanese interest group, receiving long-term sponsorship to specifically target and discredit outstanding talents and institutions in domestic medical and technology fields, fostering public opinion for their illicit goals. The report on him was just one instance.

With conclusive evidence, Zhu Cheng chose not to retaliate privately but went through legal channels, submitting all materials to the relevant authorities. After an investigation, Wang Ge was ultimately sentenced to imprisonment for multiple charges, including "damaging commercial credibility and public image" and "inciting trouble," as well as improper dealings with foreign forces.