Chapter 31: Lending a Hand with the Operation

Few people knew that Ma Hongqi had visited the hospital to experience life there firsthand; there were no reporters present at the time, and no footage was recorded. However, this posed no challenge for the television station’s producers. They could easily use existing footage of the hospital and clips of Ma Hongqi’s regular work inspections as material.

After dinner, Zhang Jun and Shen Xue went their separate ways. That evening at home, Zhang Jun sat on the sofa reading a novel while watching television. Liu Yujie, having finished her shower and wearing a nightgown, paced around the living room, trying to catch Zhang Jun’s attention with her graceful figure. Zhang Jun, however, kept his eyes on his book.

"Aren't you going to sleep yet?" Liu Yujie sat beside him, wrapping her arms around his and asking affectionately.

"I'm watching the news. There’s a report about your hospital." Zhang Jun sniffed the air; the fresh scent of his wife’s shampoo and soap was pleasant.

Liu Yujie stopped pressing him and said, "Oh? Did it make the news? I heard Zhou Wenbin’s case is very serious. With him being placed under 'shuanggui' this time, I’m afraid he won’t be able to recover."

Zhang Jun gave a cold snort. "He brought it upon himself; he has no one else to blame."

Liu Yujie bit his earlobe and whispered, "Hey, can you pull some strings for me and help me move up a level?"

Zhang Jun’s resolve softened. "To Head Nurse?"

Liu Yujie’s ambitions were much greater. "I want to be the Director of the Nursing Department."

Zhang Jun replied, "Given your seniority, how could you possibly achieve that in one leap?"

Liu Yujie persisted, "Zhang Jun, didn’t you become Ma Hongqi’s secretary? When it comes to promotions, if the leader says you can, you can—even if you can’t."

"We’ll see," Zhang Jun said. He hated it when women tried to bargain with him. It reminded him of Xie Xiaoya, who would refuse to let him through the door unless he agreed to her terms at the final moment; it was something he found deeply repulsive.

The evening news didn’t air until eleven o’clock. It was truly a late hour—most office workers were already asleep, which explained the low ratings. When the anchor, Shen Xue, appeared on the screen, Liu Yujie couldn't help but exclaim, "That woman is beautiful; she looks like a celestial being!"

Zhang Jun felt the same. Shen Xue was thin and photogenic, but in reality, she was even more beautiful than on screen. The news did indeed include a report on Ma Hongqi’s hospital visit.

The video was a collage of various clips, yet it looked seamless.

"Why didn't they mention Zhou Wenbin being placed under 'shuanggui'?" Liu Yujie asked after the segment ended.

Zhang Jun stared at the screen, his book forgotten. "It hasn't been officially characterized yet, so of course they can't report it. But those with a keen eye will inevitably connect the dots—why was Zhou Wenbin arrested right after Vice Governor Ma inspected the hospital? In this way, Vice Governor Ma’s prestige is naturally established. The Vice Governor isn't there to make arrests; he’s there to focus on the work. News related to him only needs to report on his working state."

"I see," Liu Yujie said, steering the conversation back to her own career. "Please put some effort into my situation. If I get promoted, it will be good for our family too."

After the news, they went to bed. Liu Yujie took the initiative to cuddle up to him. Ever since Zhang Jun became a secretary, he no longer had to initiate intimacy. Liu Yujie was currently focused on trying to conceive, hoping to give Zhang Jun a child as soon as possible. Zhang Jun was busy with work and frequently had to work overtime; even if his wife became pregnant, he wouldn't have much time to look after her. Still, they were both nearing thirty, and it was indeed time to have a child. They hadn't used any birth control for days.

Zhang Jun felt torn about whether to divorce or not. He had just become a secretary; it was clearly not the right time for a divorce. But when would it be? He didn't know. Everything was a double-edged sword. The position of secretary was the same—while it brought him power, it also brought him many constraints. Rights and obligations were two sides of the same coin; if you accepted one, you had to accept the other.

The next morning, Zhang Jun arrived at the Guest House. Ma Hongqi walked out and asked, "Xiao Zhang, did you see the news last night?"

Zhang Jun took his boss’s briefcase and replied, "I did. It mentioned your efforts in experiencing the lives of the people. It’s a pity there was no filming at the time, or it would have been even more authentic."

Once they were in the car, Ma Hongqi rubbed his hands together, wiped his face, and asked, "You were the one who contacted the television station for this report, weren't you?"

Few people knew about it yesterday; who else could it be but Zhang Jun? Sitting in the passenger seat, Zhang Jun turned back and answered cautiously, "The boss is observing the public’s sentiments and solving the difficulties citizens face in seeking medical care. It should be widely publicized so that everyone in the province knows that the Vice Governor in charge of health is a leader who thinks of the people and is dedicated to the public good."

Ma Hongqi’s expression remained calm as he said, "The broadcast was quite good! Before it aired yesterday, the provincial publicity department asked for my instructions, and I only gave my consent once I had reviewed it."

Zhang Jun sighed in relief; his actions had finally been acknowledged by his boss. Ma Hongqi was planning to visit other hospitals today. The first fire he intended to light since taking office was the rectification of medical practices, to be followed by the rectification of educational infrastructure.

Zhang Jun asked, "Boss, shall we take reporters with us today? We can record it truthfully so the public can see that the government is working hard to improve their livelihoods."

Ma Hongqi was not a man who sought the spotlight, but he found Zhang Jun’s words reasonable. After a moment of thought, he said, "Very well."

Zhang Jun asked, "The television station has many news channels; which team should I invite to follow us?"

Ma Hongqi replied, "Don’t make it too conspicuous. We are here to get things done, not to seek publicity. Leave the important news slots for the other leaders! The program from last night was fine."

Zhang Jun thought to himself that the program was the evening news. If he contacted Shen Xue, wouldn't that mean pushing her right in front of Ma Hongqi? He had been captivated by Shen Xue’s beauty at first sight, and of course, he wanted a chance to be close to her. Was introducing her to Ma Hongqi the right move?

But there was no turning back now, and he had no other choice. Since his boss had given the order, Zhang Jun had to comply. Fate works in mysterious ways.

Zhang Jun called Shen Xue. "Ms. Shen, are you free today? Vice Governor Ma is going to the grassroots for visits. If your team is available, please come and follow the coverage."

Shen Xue was pleasantly surprised. "Of course! I’m free. What time are you departing? All right, I’ll head over now."

Hearing her happy laughter, Zhang Jun hung up the phone with mixed feelings. At ten in the morning, Ma Hongqi’s car and the television station’s news van left the provincial government compound together. Once in the car, Zhang Jun learned that Ma Hongqi was heading to the Third Hospital. Thinking of Jiang Changxing, he quietly pulled out his phone and quickly typed a few words with one hand:

"Boss is arriving soon, do not return."

Giving Jiang Changxing some time was enough for him to handle affairs at the hospital. He trusted that Jiang Changxing already knew about the situation at the First Hospital. As for what arrangements he would make and whether he could earn Ma Hongqi’s approval, that would depend on his own ability and fortune.