Chapter 21: At the Eye of the Storm
The security guard’s mocking voice was especially loud, as if he wanted everyone in the hotel lobby to hear. The man before him had come by bicycle, and it seemed that anyone who rode a bike deserved his contempt.
Zhang Jun sneered coldly, “What brand of car do you drive?”
The security guard was momentarily stunned. He really didn’t have a car to drive because he had come from out of town to work in the provincial capital. He lived in a dormitory and walked to work; he didn’t even own a broken bicycle.
Zhang Jun said arrogantly, “You have nothing, yet you dare to mock others? Doesn’t your boss feel ashamed to employ someone like you?”
The security guard was furious and, in shame and anger, tried to shove Zhang Jun.
Just then, a bald man hurried over and slapped the guard across the face.
The guard was stunned, looked up, and saw it was Manager Wu Guoguang. Holding his bruised cheek, he forced a smile and said, “Manager Wu, he, he—”
Wu Guoguang kicked him again. “Get lost!”
Then he turned to Zhang Jun, bowing slightly. “Secretary Zhang, my subordinates were out of line. Please forgive the offense.”
Zhang Jun replied calmly, “Manager Wu, have you ever heard the couplet: ‘A small temple breeds strong demons; shallow water harbors many turtles’?”
Wu Guoguang chuckled. “What an interesting couplet. Secretary Zhang, rest assured, I will strictly deal with these petty snobs.”
Jiang Changxing hurried over, exclaiming, “Secretary Zhang, welcome, welcome! Sorry for the late greeting.”
He clasped Zhang Jun’s hand tightly and smiled warmly. “Thank you for honoring us with your presence.”
Zhang Jun responded evenly, “Director Jiang, next time, choose a different restaurant. When those who drive come here, they are VIPs. When we ride bicycles, we are not welcomed.”
Jiang Changxing’s face darkened. “I apologize, Secretary Zhang. I chose this restaurant because it’s close to the provincial government. It was thoughtless of me. These petty people are truly snobbish!”
Wu Guoguang’s eyes flicked as he pointed at the security guard. “What are you still standing there for? You’re fired! Pack your things and go home!”
The guard was tearful and helpless, arguing, “Manager Wu, I was only following your instructions! How can I be at fault?”
Wu Guoguang roared, “Get lost! You’ve offended all my VIP guests!”
He pulled out a golden card, holding it with both hands, and handed it to Zhang Jun. “Secretary Zhang, this is our restaurant’s Supreme VIP card. Non-holidays enjoy a 50% discount, holidays a 30% discount, and all private room service fees are waived.”
Zhang Jun had not been given a card the last time he visited. Only today did they give one; he wondered what their reasoning was. Perhaps they hadn’t verified his identity before? Or maybe a secretary like Zhang Jun was someone they could choose to honor or not?
Zhang Jun waved his hand. “Your threshold is too high. I cannot afford it. This card is useless to me.”
Wu Guoguang showed no embarrassment and said to his subordinates, “Listen carefully. This gentleman is Secretary Zhang’s superior. From now on, whenever he dines here, whether or not he pays, the bill is to be settled according to the Supreme VIP card! Understand?”
“Understood!” the crowd answered loudly.
---
Zhang Jun paid little mind to this business routine. Since he was here, he would make the best of it. Storming off now would only reveal his pettiness and narrow-mindedness.
Jiang Changxing invited Zhang Jun to the private room.
There were a few people at the entrance to the private room. It seemed Jiang had been arranging matters inside, which was why he was a bit late meeting Zhang Jun.
Zhang Jun glanced at Jiang Changxing and slowly asked, “Director Jiang, what does this mean?”
Jiang smiled. “Secretary Zhang, these gentlemen are our hospital friends. Everyone wants to get to know you. Let me introduce you.”
The other three were comrades from the Third Hospital—two men and one woman.
Zhang Jun shook hands with each of them.
Once seated, Jiang ordered wine and dishes.
They kept urging him to drink.
Zhang Jun’s self-control was strong. With his hand over the wine glass, no one dared pour forcibly.
He ate slowly and deliberately—taking a bite, then putting down his chopsticks to chat with Jiang and the others, occasionally sipping a little wine, showing remarkable refinement.
Of course, Jiang Changxing had ulterior motives in inviting him to dinner.
There were three provincial people’s hospitals; the First Hospital was definitely superior to the Third.
Those from the Third Hospital were eager to transfer to the First.
Jiang’s request to Zhang Jun was to help him get transferred to the First Hospital.
No matter what Jiang said, Zhang Jun only smiled faintly, indicating he heard but made no commitments.
One position fits one person.
If Jiang wanted to move to the First Hospital, someone else had to move out.
Personnel changes like this were never so simple.
Near the end of the meal, Zhang Jun said, “The First Hospital was recently investigated. I suppose you’ve heard. In such a storm, you still have the courage to go there?”
Jiang Changxing chuckled, “What’s the big deal? They’re the ones under scrutiny, not us.”
Zhang Jun nodded. “A crisis can also be an opportunity. But this time, the First Hospital only caught a few department heads. No vacancies mean no personnel adjustments.”
This was a subtle hint to Jiang.
Whether Jiang understood it or not was another matter.
“Oh, yes! I don’t believe those people are clean either,” Jiang said shrewdly, following Zhang Jun’s lead. “If the investigation is thorough, problems will surely be uncovered. Hospitals are places to heal the sick, but if corruption exists within, that endangers lives!”
---
Zhang Jun let the subject drop there.
After the meal, when Jiang went to pay the bill, there was indeed a 50% discount.
Jiang and the others praised Zhang Jun, saying, “Secretary Zhang’s influence is considerable. Such a 50% discount at West Warm Pavilion Restaurant is only granted to officials at the department level or above.”
Zhang Jun responded with an “Oh,” thinking this restaurant truly had some confidence.
Restricting Supreme Cards to only department-level officials made the cards rare and valuable. If they were handed out too freely, they’d lose their prestige.
Wu Guoguang smiled as he saw Zhang Jun and company off, repeatedly inviting them to return.
After parting ways with Jiang and the others, Zhang Jun rode his bike home.
Passing a bus stop, he saw someone lying on the bench beside a sign.
Zhang Jun rode past, then turned back, stopped his bike, and nudged the man. “Fortune teller!”
The person lying on the bench was the very fortune teller who had read Zhang Jun’s fortune a few days earlier.
The fortune teller stretched and muttered rhythmically, “Eating in dreams does not satisfy hunger; a mute never speaks in dreams; bamboo shadows sweep dust but do not remove it; a paper horse cannot be ridden.”
Zhang Jun smiled. “Fortune teller, do you remember me?”
The fortune teller rubbed his eyes, looked at him steadily, and said, “Fortune turns with joy, all worries cease from now on; everything goes smoothly, and no troubles follow thereafter. Have you become successful?”
Zhang Jun laughed heartily. “Fortune teller, you do have some skill. How did you know I would succeed?”
“Ha ha!” The fortune teller waved his hand. “A mere trifle, not worth mentioning.”
Zhang Jun took out a hundred yuan note and placed it in his hand. “This is your fee.”
The fortune teller held the money and sighed, “Wonderful, wonderful! I only charged you five yuan, yet you’ve given me twenty times that!”
Zhang Jun asked, “Sir, why are you sleeping here? Why not go home?”
The fortune teller nodded and shook his head, muttering, “Lighting my own fire, lighting my own lamp, talking to myself, listening to myself. A life full of hardship and peril, reflecting back in dreams.”
Then he lay down and snored deeply.
Zhang Jun paused, thinking this man was also a master who had experienced the vicissitudes of the world.
He turned to leave, but the fortune teller suddenly called out, “Wait! Comrade, seeing your generosity, I’ll give you one more piece of advice, guaranteeing your official career will be smooth and your promotions steady!”