Chapter 31

Zhou Wenbin's meeting with Zeng Hongwen was not pleasant. He had always believed that businessmen were profit-driven, but he did not expect Zeng Hongwen to value money so much.

Although the Shi Zhiwei couple did not specify a compensation amount, based on Zhou Wenbin's past experience in handling similar disputes, he needed to consider the worst-case scenario. Since the medical beauty center was a contracted department, it had a relatively special nature, so Changxing Hospital would not be responsible for compensation. He first probed Zeng Hongwen's bottom line.

At first, Zeng Hongwen expressed her willingness to cooperate fully, but the most she could accept was refunding the surgery and treatment fees for Tong Meili. She believed she had already made the greatest concession, as this incident was far from being a surgical accident as claimed by Tong Meili.

Zhou Wenbin had to remind Zeng Hongwen that mere compensation might not satisfy the patient. He mentioned the damaged bracelet, saying that according to a knowledgeable friend, the market value of the jade bracelet should be around 50,000 yuan, not as exaggerated as Tong Meili claimed, but not cheap either. If she could provide a formal invoice, it would be even more troublesome.

Zeng Hongwen became agitated upon hearing this: "Her bracelet was dropped by her own carelessness. Why should we compensate her? Don't you have surveillance in your mediation room?"

Zhou Wenbin replied, "I've seen the surveillance footage. Due to the angle, it wasn't clear, but at the time, there was physical contact between Tong Meili and Dr. Cai."

"Why didn't you protect Dr. Cai with so many people around? Shouldn't you bear the responsibility?"

"Xiao Zeng, the beauty department is a contracted department. The contract stipulates that all losses arising from medical disputes must be borne by the contractor. If it affects the hospital's reputation, we have the right to hold you accountable."

"Director Zhou, it's not right to speak like this. I am the contractor, but the responsibility for Tong Meili's case does not lie with us. She is making unreasonable demands and trying to extort money. Refunding her surgery and treatment fees is already our greatest concession. If we agree to any unreasonable demands, how can we continue our work in the beauty department? It would set a bad precedent for the hospital, and we cannot tolerate such misconduct."

"This matter can be big or small. I've handled many similar cases, and I can say that Tong Meili will not let it go. There is a possibility that she will cause more trouble."

"Let her make a fuss. Do you think our hospital's security guards are just there for show? If they don't handle it, there are the police. I don't believe the law can't deal with these medical troublemakers."

Zhou Wenbin earnestly said, "It's right to stick to principles, but you need to be strategic. Necessary concessions are also required. Once the impact is magnified, it will cause immeasurable losses to Changxing."

Zeng Hongwen said, "You mean my personal loss doesn't matter. I am clearly not at fault, so why should I accept their demands? I've heard that your medical affairs department always sides with the other party. Today, I've seen it for myself."

"That's not a fair statement. We are here to help you solve the problem."

"Thank you, but I'll talk to them directly tomorrow. Isn't it all about money? If they make excessive demands, I'll sue them for extortion!" Zeng Hongwen was very assertive.

Seeing her attitude, Zhou Wenbin didn't want to waste more words. If it weren't for Director Gu's strict order, he wouldn't bother with this mess.

He had also heard about Zeng Hongwen's relationship with Gu Houyi. Otherwise, Gu Houyi wouldn't have called him to his office to give him a stern warning. Zhou Wenbin wasn't stupid. Even if Cai Rongjuan was favored, Gu Houyi wouldn't criticize him. The boss was worried that the incident at the beauty center would implicate him.

Zhou Wenbin couldn't ignore it. He proactively contacted Tong Meili, mainly to calm her down and understand her demands.

To his surprise, Tong Meili was very calm. She told Zhou Wenbin that she would come to Changxing to discuss compensation the next morning.

Her calm tone gave Zhou Wenbin hope for resolving the issue. He confirmed the time with Tong Meili, and they agreed to meet at 10 a.m. the next morning. He would arrange for the head of the beauty center and relevant experts to meet with her.

Xu Chunliang kept his distance from the incident, as it wasn't his responsibility. Zhou Wenbin was concerned that his young and hot-headed nature might lead to another conflict with Shi Zhiwei, so he arranged for him to attend a training session at the Health Bureau. Zhou Wenbin had planned to go himself, but he had to personally handle the Tong Meili case.

Xu Chunliang arrived at the large conference room of the Health Bureau. It was his first time attending such a training session. Although the attendees were all colleagues from the health system, he didn't know any of them. It was said that most of them were middle and upper-level officials from major hospitals.

Xu Chunliang signed Zhou Wenbin's name and the hospital on the sign-in sheet, as per Zhou Wenbin's request.

As he signed, a man in his thirties was waiting nearby. After Xu Chunliang finished signing, he handed the pen to him and smiled friendly.

Xu Chunliang found a seat in the back row. He wasn't interested in the meeting and chose this position for the convenience of daydreaming later.

Not long after sitting down, the man from earlier came and sat next to him. They glanced at each other and nodded in greeting.

"Are you Director Zhou Wenbin from Changxing Hospital?"

Xu Chunliang realized he might have been exposed and laughed, "Do you know me?"

The man said mysteriously, "Not really, I've seen you a couple of times."

Xu Chunliang confirmed he had been recognized and whispered, "See through but don't say through."

The man laughed and extended his hand, "I'm Zhao Feiyang, from the medical affairs department of the Central Hospital."

"Xu Chunliang from Changxing Hospital."

Xu Chunliang shook his hand, which was broad and warm.

The training hadn't started yet, and they began chatting. The man was very talkative and asked about Changxing Hospital. Xu Chunliang, being a strategic person, didn't have much affection for Changxing but still praised it highly in front of others.

In the conversation, he learned that the man was from the medical affairs department of the Central Hospital, a colleague. Zhao Feiyang was very interested in Changxing Hospital's second phase expansion project and asked if it had started.

Although Xu Chunliang passed by the construction site every day, he wasn't clear about the current progress. However, he knew that the relocation project had been successfully completed. The symbol of resistance, Huichuntang, had already moved out. Once they left, the other residents lost their leader.

While Xu Chunliang was attending the training, a silent battle was unfolding in a small meeting room at Changxing Hospital.

Zhou Wenbin and Zeng Hongwen arrived early at the meeting room. To prevent the patient from causing trouble, the security department dispatched six guards to guard against any unexpected situations. At 10 a.m., the invited appraisal team also arrived.

However, the Shi Zhiwei couple was late.