Chapter 46 of 100

Chapter 46: Singing the Red Face

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The next morning, Zeng Yi had just gotten out of bed when he heard someone knocking at the door downstairs. He went down to check and found it was the woman selling herbs, with the tall and thin man from the Health Bureau following behind her.

Zeng Yi had heard from Chen Long the day before that this woman was named Liang Cao. She used to be an employee of the city's herbal medicine company. Later, she hooked up with Guo Sanliang and became his mistress, then started her own herbal medicine company. Relying on Guo Sanliang's power, her business had flourished over the past two years.

Zeng Yi opened the door, "Did Guo Sanliang send you here?" He thought they were here to apologize.

"Hey, you've got some nerve, do you think you can call our section chief by his name?" The tall and thin man immediately glared, and if Guo Sanliang were here, he would have jumped up to show his loyalty. But now, he just glared to intimidate Zeng Yi. This guy was named Liang Cui, Liang Cao's brother, who had also relied on Guo Sanliang's connections to get a job at the Health Bureau. "So, have you thought of any corrective measures after our inspection yesterday?"

This guy was acting like a bully, pulling a chair and sitting down arrogantly, looking at Zeng Yi as if he were already a trapped prey. "You, a lawbreaker, I doubt you can come up with any corrective measures. That's why I personally came to deliver the solution to you. Really, for your sake, we, the state officials, have been working our hearts out."

It sounded as if he were a public servant who "enforces the law for the people, cares about every matter of the people." Zeng Yi found it amusing. Clearly, he was only here for his own benefit, yet he acted like Lei Feng. This tall and thin man was truly a talent. "So, what are the corrective measures?"

Liang Cui pointed at Liang Cao, "This is Manager Liang from Liangcao Herbal Medicine Company. Her herbs are reasonably priced and of high quality. If you order from her, the problem will be solved. It's good for you, good for me, and good for everyone. I'm running around for the sake of the people, to ensure they get safe and reliable medicine. Of course, it's also to help you solve your problem and open your clinic sooner."

After saying this, Liang Cui sat there, waiting for Zeng Yi to thank and flatter him.

Zeng Yi shook his head. This guy was a real clown, treating his disgrace as a matter of pride and even trying to make himself look good. The Medical Administration Section of the Health Bureau was truly a place where like-minded people gathered.

Liang Cao's business in herbal medicine would suffer if Zeng Yi's clinic were shut down. Yesterday, Guo Sanliang played the black face, and today, she was playing the red face. This was a familiar tactic.

Zeng Yi didn't bother with these clowns. He took out his medical kit and started packing, as he had to head to the Health Department to accompany Feng Yuqin on an inspection. "You two go back first. I have more important things to do. We'll talk about this later."

Liang Cui was immediately angry. As a state official, he had put aside important matters to come and offer a solution, and Zeng Yi dared to be ungrateful, even claiming he had more important things to do. How could a commoner be more important than him?

He stomped his foot and jumped up from the chair, "I see you prefer punishment to cooperation! Fine, I'm formally notifying you that I will inspect the hygiene of your clinic."

Seeing the needle kit in Zeng Yi's hand, he said, "Have you sterilized these needles? I bet you don't even have alcohol here!" He pointed at the medicine cabinets, "And, do you have any measures to prevent insects and rodents? These herbs will be damaged by pests and rodents, how can they be used by patients? Look at this room, flies and mosquitoes are everywhere, and fleas and cockroaches are crawling all over. You're not treating patients; you're a source of infectious diseases!"

Liang Cao put her hands on her hips, a smug look on her face, and said, "Why waste words on him? Fine him! Fine him until he's bankrupt!"

Seeing Zeng Yi about to put the needle kit back in his medical kit, Liang Cui reached out to grab it, "Damn, these are evidence, and you dare to hide them!"

"Take your hand off!" Zeng Yi frowned, grabbed Liang Cui's wrist, pulled, and pushed, sending him sprawling on the ground.

Seeing her brother being attacked, Liang Cao was furious, "Little bastard, you dare to assault a state official and law enforcement officer? You must be tired of living!" She lunged at Zeng Yi, using the classic hag's move to scratch his face.

Just as she was about to reach Zeng Yi, her hair was grabbed from behind, and she was yanked backward. Before she could react, a slap landed on her face.

"You hag! You cheap woman! Have you lost your mind, daring to be disrespectful to Leader Zeng!"

Guo Sanliang appeared with a fierce look, pushing Liang Cao away. Liang Cao stumbled back several steps, almost falling, and her high heels landed on Liang Cui's hand, causing him to jump and scream in pain.

Guo Sanliang had gone to the hospital last night to have his stomach pumped, feeling dizzy and nauseous. He had fallen asleep, and when he woke up, it was already morning. He realized he had forgotten to return the credentials.

Rushing back to the bureau, he picked up the credentials he had confiscated and headed to Zeng Yi's clinic. When he arrived, he saw this scene, and his hair stood on end. Without a word, he slapped Liang Cao.

Liang Cao, coming to her senses, shouted, "Guo Sanliang, are you crazy, hitting me! I'll fight you to the death!"

Guo Sanliang glared, pointing at her nose, "Try it!"

Seeing Guo Sanliang's furious expression, Liang Cao fell silent. She usually relied on Guo Sanliang's power to bully others. In her moment of anger, she had spoken without thinking. In reality, she wouldn't dare to lay a hand on Guo Sanliang; offending him would mean the end of her good life, and even her brother would suffer.

Guo Sanliang, having subdued his mistress, turned to Zeng Yi, his anger instantly vanishing, and he adopted a humble demeanor. He stepped forward, concerned, "Leader Zeng, are you okay? I'm at fault for being late and causing you distress."

Liang Cao and Liang Cui's jaws dropped. This young doctor, barely in his twenties, had Guo Sanliang calling himself "Little Guo." What was going on? Guo Sanliang only called himself "Little Guo" in front of their bureau chief, who was clearly older than him.

Seeing that Zeng Yi didn't respond, Guo Sanliang was terrified. He had written a letter of repentance, which Chen Long still had. One move from Chen Long, and he would be ruined.

Liang Cui, standing to the side, was still whining. Guo Sanliang slapped him, "Stop whining! Apologize to Leader Zeng immediately! Who allowed you to come here? Do you have any respect for the organization or discipline? I'll demote you for sure!"

He then pointed at his mistress, "And you, bullying the market and acting recklessly, a thoroughly unscrupulous merchant. I will report you to the relevant authorities!"

Liang Cao and Liang Cui were stunned. They didn't know what had gotten into Guo Sanliang today, but they weren't stupid. They could see that Zeng Yi was a powerful figure they couldn't afford to offend, so they quickly apologized.

Liang Cui felt wronged. As a state official, he had been beaten and now had to apologize. Was there any justice in this world? In his mind, it was perfectly fine for state officials to bully the common people, but the reverse was a grave offense.

Zeng Yi watched this farce with a calm mind, feeling nothing. Yesterday's encounter with Guo Sanliang had been so intense that today's incident seemed trivial in comparison.

"It's all my fault for not managing my subordinates well, leading to such a rogue. I apologize to Leader Zeng. I will learn from this and strictly manage my subordinates." Guo Sanliang carefully handed over the credentials, "Here are your credentials, Leader Zeng."

"I have important matters to attend to now!" Zeng Yi packed his things and closed his medical kit, preparing to leave.

"Leader Zeng, rest assured, I will deal with them severely!"

Guo Sanliang made this promise, wishing he could tear Liang Cao and Liang Cui to pieces. To get Zeng Yi to take back the credentials, he had knelt and drunk three pounds of liquor last night, almost dying on the operating table. But in just a moment, they had offended Zeng Yi again, threatening his life.

Zeng Yi ignored him, carrying his box and walking out. Guo Sanliang followed, sweating profusely, saying flattering words and using his usual persistent tactics.

Just as they reached the roadside, a car from the Health Department arrived. The driver, Guo Penghui's driver, quickly jumped out and ran around to open the back door, standing respectfully and smiling, "Expert Zeng, Director Guo sent me to pick you up."

"Thank you for your trouble!"

"No trouble at all, it's my duty. You don't know how eager the other drivers were to pick you up!" The driver was skilled with words, praising Zeng Yi without mentioning himself.

Zeng Yi smiled, thinking this driver was truly skilled at flattery.

"Leader Zeng, I..." Guo Sanliang whispered.

Zeng Yi gave him a cold look, "I'm going to treat a leader. Are you coming with me?"

Hearing the word "leader," Guo Sanliang stepped back, looking like a frightened little wife, stammering, "The leader's matters are important, I won't go. I'll wait for you here."

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