Chapter 10

Just as Zhang Daotai muttered, "Not good," he saw Su Jinjin push the door open and come in. Su Jinjin, looking both amused and exasperated, glared at Zhang Daotai for a while before shaking her head helplessly and saying, "I say, you old fraud, can't you just take a break? With such a big thing happening, you still have the nerve to cause trouble at the outpatient department? You really are something! Come with me, shall you? Director Guo and the others will be over after they deal with the 'Emperor of Shadows.' That nickname really fits him, doesn't it? He sure can act!"

Zhang Daotai waved his hand, got up, and followed Su Jinjin, asking as they walked out, "You came pretty fast. Guo Fatty is really sharp, spotting us with just one look."

Su Jinjin said with a hint of pride, "What did you expect? Do you think doctors are easy to fool? They usually just don't want to deal with you. Our Director Guo is a seasoned veteran! He guessed you'd come back. I bet his call came even before yours."

Zhang Daotai didn't say anything. Although he knew Guo Fatty, they didn't have much interaction. He never thought this seemingly dazed and dopey old man could have such a skill, not only seeing through the 'Emperor of Shadows' but also catching him, Zhang Daotai, in the process.

Following Su Jinjin into the on-duty room, Zhang Daotai sat down familiarly and said, "Why are you here alone? It's just that Old Chen died. Is it really necessary to make such a big fuss?"

"Absolutely, it is!" Su Jinjin shouted irritably, "What do you know? Dr. Chen's brother works at the Health Department. He's in a pretty important position! The higher-ups are taking it seriously!"

Realizing it might not be appropriate to discuss this with a patient, Su Jinjin glared at Zhang Daotai and said, "Am I asking you or are you asking me? What's going on? Tell me first!"

Zhang Daotai chuckled, shaking his head and saying, "You can gossip, but don't pretend to be serious. Shouldn't it be Guo Fatty doing the questioning?"

Su Jinjin, feeling rejected by Zhang Daotai, immediately got angry. She slammed the clipboard in her hand on the table and shouted, "Zhang Daotai! When I tell you to speak, you speak! Are you a doctor or am I?"

Zhang Daotai exhaled deeply and said, "Alright, alright, you're the doctor. Here's what happened. I saw the 'Emperor of Shadows' steal a white coat and started following him to see what he would do. He ended up tricking a couple at the outpatient department. That's about it. When I saw Director Guo coming, I left first."

Zhang Daotai downplayed the situation, clearing himself of any blame. He wasn't worried that the 'Emperor of Shadows' would turn on him. Given the 'Emperor of Shadows' condition, he was clearly having an episode. He probably saw the doctors and nurses as officials from the broadcasting bureau and wouldn't be able to say anything coherent. Even if the doctors suspected him, without evidence, he would only be isolated for a couple of days. Having lived in the Seventh Hospital for so long, Zhang Daotai had been in the "sponge room" before. This was nothing new to him.

Although Su Jinjin was a new doctor, she didn't believe Zhang Daotai's lies. On her first day, she had been briefed by her seniors about the patients in the hospital. While she didn't know everything, she knew enough. Zhang Daotai, being a seasoned patient, was a key figure to watch.

While Zhang Daotai was mostly well-behaved, he was still considered a good patient compared to others. At least he didn't cause self-harm. However, to let his guard down would be a mistake. Zhang Daotai had caused plenty of trouble, often doing things that left people both laughing and crying.

For example, last year, Zhang Daotai tricked a patient who was a lawyer into leading a protest against the hospital's poor food quality. This led to the dismissal of a relative of a director who worked in the kitchen on the third floor. If not for the patient's recovery from bipolar disorder and taking full responsibility, Zhang Daotai would have been punished.

To be fair, Zhang Daotai couldn't be entirely blamed. After living in the Seventh Hospital for so long, every day was the same. Of course, he would get bored. For Zhang Daotai, causing a stir every now and then was just a way to pass the time.

Compared to those who would cut themselves for no reason, he was already considered well-behaved.

Besides the food protest, there were several unsolved cases in the hospital that were suspected to be orchestrated or participated in by Zhang Daotai. How could Su Jinjin believe he was just there to watch?

Su Jinjin looked at Zhang Daotai suspiciously, squinting her eyes and said, "It's not that simple, is it? You would just follow along to watch? I don't believe it!"

Zhang Daotai thought to himself, "Resistance leads to harsher punishment, but going home for the New Year is better." He put on a serious and earnest expression and suggested, "You don't believe me? What about the couple the 'Emperor of Shadows' tricked? Why not ask them? I really didn't say or do anything!"

Zhang Daotai looked innocent, and Su Jinjin seemed at a loss. Just then, the door was pushed open, and Guo Fatty walked in, smiling at Zhang Daotai and said, "You didn't do anything? Liu Jiguang didn't say that! He said you were the one who incited him!"

Zhang Daotai was taken aback, confused, and said, "Liu Jiguang? Who's that? I don't even know him. Guo Fatty, if you're going to frame someone, at least pick someone reliable. Are you having a mental breakdown too?"

Guo Fatty's face turned dark, and Su Jinjin quickly whispered something in his ear. Guo Fatty panted like a bellows for a few moments before saying, "Liu Jiguang is the 'Emperor of Shadows' you mentioned. You'd better come clean!"

Zhang Daotai sneered, crossing his legs and said, "If you have the guts, bring him in for a confrontation! Trying to trick a confession with empty words? Why don't you just say you're my lawyer? I've seen 'Infernal Affairs.'"

Guo Fatty's face turned pale, and he shouted at Su Jinjin, "What's going on in your ward? How can patients watch such movies?"

Su Jinjin was also embarrassed and quickly said, "Director Guo, what about the couple who were tricked? Ask them!"

Guo Fatty's face turned even darker, and he said angrily, "What a mess! Due to poor management, the patients went out and pretended to be doctors. They were so upset they left, saying they were going to Shanghai for a check-up!"

Zhang Daotai clapped his hands and said, "Now there's no one to verify it!"

This made Guo Fatty even more furious. He pointed at Zhang Daotai and shouted, "Zhang Daotai, leaving the Third Ward without permission, disrupting hospital order, and suspected of a relapse. You will be isolated for observation for three days!" With that, Guo Fatty left, leaving Su Jinjin looking awkward and Zhang Daotai looking smug.

After he was gone, Zhang Daotai cautiously asked Su Jinjin, "Little Su, does what the fat man said count? He's not the director of our ward."

Su Jinjin's face broke into a smile as she looked at Zhang Daotai and said, "It does count. Teacher Chen's suicide led to Director Ding being temporarily suspended. Director Guo is now the acting director of the ward. Don't try to get out of it. Come with me!"

Zhang Daotai pouted and said, "Fine, I heard a new patient came yesterday. Arrange for me to be next to him! I can help you keep an eye on him!"

Su Jinjin was amused and said, "It's not your place to meddle!" She grabbed Zhang Daotai and pulled him out of the observation room.

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