Hao Xin watched the spittle-flecked Director Wu, who was loudly declaiming his fury, with icy detachment.

“Furthermore, do you even realize that forging my signature is illegal? If the surgery had gone wrong, you would be criminally liable. You are committing a crime, do you understand that?”

Director Wu shouted, as if the sheer volume of his voice was the only way to project his authority.

“Director Wu, you don’t need to say another word. I quit. I’m done!”

Hao Xin suddenly declared. Director Wu’s passionate denunciation of his subordinate stopped dead, his gaze fixed on Hao Xin in stunned silence.

It was true that Hao Xin was not a local, but he was a full-time employee of the hospital.

Regardless of the circumstances, a permanent position was a veritable iron rice bowl. In this era, people placed immense value on their employment, and Hao Xin’s singular aspiration was to work hard enough to transfer back to Shanghai.

Yet, he understood perfectly that the chances of returning to Shanghai were infinitesimally small.

In reality, Hao Xin had not come to Lieshan willingly. He had studied at Tongji Medical College in Shanghai and completed his internship there, but a problem arose during his job assignment.

He could have stayed in Shanghai, but his slot had been taken by someone else with power and connections, resulting in his placement in this remote, impoverished corner of the world.

Lieshan wasn't strictly poor, but compared to Shanghai, it was clearly lacking in every aspect.

Over the years, Hao Xin had strived, only to be met with disappointment every time.

Gradually, he grasped the truth: for an ordinary person like him, lacking influence, relying on his own efforts to return to Shanghai was practically impossible.

If he continued to cling to this secure job, he was likely destined to remain in Lieshan for the rest of his life, stuck in a hospital he disliked forever.

He had wavered before, contemplating resignation, but he had never mustered the courage. In this climate, tossing away a formal job was the mark of either an idiot or a daredevil. Hao Xin was neither; he was simply stuck, hesitating, continuing to stay. But today’s incident had hardened his resolve: resign, leave this place, and return to Shanghai.

Even if he had to work as a regular doctor in a private hospital back in Shanghai, he would not endure this indignity any longer.

The entire ethos of this hospital had utterly disillusioned him.

“Director Wu, rest assured, I will submit my resignation report to you shortly. The patient’s surgery was a complete success; he is fine. You also don't need to worry about any criminal liability from my forging your signature—feel free to claim all the credit as your own!”

As he spoke, a current of disdain ran through Hao Xin’s eyes.

He was almost certain that once the patient recovered, Director Wu would immediately seize credit for the operation. He would have done so even if Hao Xin hadn't resigned, let alone now that he was leaving.

This was a petty man, a genuine villain.

“Hao Xin, where in Shanghai is your home?”

Zhang Yang suddenly asked. He genuinely admired this young man, Hao Xin. If only he had more hospital positions, he would certainly recruit him immediately.

But that didn't stop him from offering assistance; Zhang Yang was inclined to help where he could.

“Baotuo District, Sanli Mountain!”

Hao Xin was slightly taken aback, not understanding why Zhang Yang asked, but he answered honestly nonetheless.

“Baotuo District? That works out perfectly. Just wait a moment, I’ll make a call!”

Upon hearing Hao Xin’s reply, Zhang Yang smiled faintly and immediately pulled out his phone, finding a specific number.

This number belonged to Director Liu Zhen of Baotuo Hospital. Previously, Baotuo District, having recognized the miraculous medicine Zhang Yang possessed, had granted him three hospital establishment quotas.

Zhang Yang had originally intended those quotas for Huo Xin and the others, in case they couldn't stay in Changjing after graduation—Shanghai was larger than Changjing, after all.

But plans had changed; they were now successfully running their own businesses and naturally wouldn't go to Shanghai. These quotas remained unused.

Zhang Yang had a very positive impression of Hao Xin, and granting him a quota was an extremely simple matter.

Liu Zhen still held a deep memory of Zhang Yang. The moment Zhang Yang mentioned the establishment quota, the response on the other end was an immediate agreement.

This wasn't just because Liu Zhen understood the power behind Zhang Yang. At the previous academic exchange conference, the topic Zhang Yang spearheaded had astonished everyone. Liu Zhen knew well that someone like Zhang Yang was extraordinary; seizing the opportunity to build a good relationship was essential.

Those three quotas were already promised, and there was no way he could go back on his word. Using this quota as an opening allowed him to secure a good connection with Zhang Yang—he was a smart man who knew people like Zhang Yang were destined for meteoric success.

“That’s settled. Later, take your documentation and go directly to Director Liu at Baotuo Hospital. He will handle all the paperwork for you. Just state your name upon arrival!”

Hanging up the call, Zhang Yang told Hao Xin with a smile. Hao Xin stared, his eyes wide with disbelief directed at Zhang Yang.

Baotuo Hospital held significant prestige in Shanghai, far beyond what a county-level facility like Lieshan County People’s Hospital could compare to. Baotuo Hospital was one of the very first Grade-A Tertiary (San Jia) hospitals.

Even if he could remain in Shanghai, he might not secure a position in such a major institution.

Zhang Yang had arranged this with a single phone call. Hao Xin felt as if he were dreaming, or perhaps simply incapable of believing it.

“Who are you?”

Director Wu finally noticed Zhang Yang and asked coldly. He had overheard the phone call, but he, too, remained skeptical. Baotuo Hospital—that was leagues above their Lieshan County Hospital. Getting in there, even with connections, wasn't guaranteed. Arranging a placement just like that sounded like a farce.

In his eyes, this young man was either a fraud or just a braggart.

“Director Wu, he—he is also a doctor. He just treated our patient with pneumonia moments ago and saved that patient’s life!”

Zhang Yang ignored him, but the young nurse interjected quietly.

“Treated?”

Director Wu’s mouth dropped open. Hao Xin’s eyebrows jumped sharply; he instantly felt a sense of foreboding.

Director Wu was an intensely petty man. The moment Hao Xin announced his resignation, Zhang Yang had arranged a job for him—and such a good job at that. Regardless of whether Director Wu believed it, he would certainly assume Zhang Yang was undermining him. Now, hearing that Zhang Yang had treated a hospital patient privately, things had escalated. Director Wu would undoubtedly use this opportunity to target Zhang Yang.

His forgery of the signature for the surgery was a severe disciplinary offense, but since the patient was fine, the harshest penalty would likely be dismissal. Since he was already resigning, he didn't care much about that.

But Zhang Yang was different. Zhang Yang was not affiliated with the hospital yet treated a patient here without authorization. This wasn't just misconduct; if framed seriously, it constituted illegal practice of medicine. If Zhang Yang lacked a physician's license recognized by this hospital, he would face penalties even without having accepted any compensation.

“Who exactly are you? We don’t have anyone by your name in this hospital. By what right do you treat our people?”

Hao Xin’s fears materialized instantly. Director Wu shrieked, his voice sharp and grating, like some artifact from a palace a hundred years past.

Director Wu was, after all, a director, and Lieshan County People’s Hospital wasn't huge; he knew all the doctors here. Once he recognized the flaw in the situation, his demeanor immediately puffed up with authority.

Zhang Yang merely glanced at him, ignoring the man completely. Zhang Yang considered it beneath him to waste words on such a small-minded person; speaking to him was a degradation of status.

“It’s probably better if you don't stay here anyway. Everything I said is true. Here is my number; if the people at Baotuo Hospital dare not accept you, contact me immediately!”

Zhang Yang disregarded Director Wu and pulled out another slip of paper, writing down his cell number. He had a slight worry; after all, he didn't have a deep bond with Baotuo Hospital. If Director Liu offered lip service while acting differently behind the scenes, Hao Xin would be in trouble.

Of course, that possibility was slim; he was just preparing for the unlikely. Even if that scenario occurred, he wouldn't be afraid. He currently maintained good relations with Cai Zheling and Gu Fang, and even knew some of their elders. If Baotuo Hospital truly dared to act against him, he wouldn’t hesitate to leverage those connections. Such action could even result in the removal of Baotuo Hospital’s director for his sake.

“You, you, you bastard! I’ll make you regret this!”

Seeing Zhang Yang ignore him, Director Wu furiously pointed a finger, his body trembling uncontrollably. The young nurse beside him watched worriedly, fearing he might suffer a medical episode from sheer rage.

“Who are you calling a bastard? You’re the one who’s a bastard!”

Mi Xue immediately snapped back. If this Director Wu dared insult Zhang Yang, she would be the first to object. To insult the man she adored in her own hometown—that was unacceptable.

“I’m insulting this bastard! What are you going to do about it, are you rebels too? I’m telling you, he’s finished! I will pursue the charge of illegal medical practice against him to the very end!”

Director Wu was momentarily startled by Mi Xue’s stunning appearance but was only surprised; he wasn't overly lecherous, merely greedy for money. Unfortunately for him, he didn't recognize Mi Xue, or he certainly wouldn't have spoken that way.

“Who is finished? Whose responsibility are you pursuing?”

A voice imbued with absolute authority suddenly rang out. County Magistrate Mi Zhiguo arrived, accompanied by the Director of the Health Bureau, the Hospital Director, and a Deputy Director from the Police Bureau. The Deputy Director froze momentarily upon seeing Zhang Yang, his expression strangely complex.

He had met Zhang Yang before; he was present during the incident concerning the first bureau director. Though not on site for the subsequent matter, he knew the critical role Zhang Yang played. Now seeing Zhang Yang here again, he felt an instinctive dread. Zhang Yang’s formidable reputation had long spread throughout Lieshan County Police Department. Many whispered that he was a 'Bureau Chief Bane'; as a Deputy Director, how could he not be afraid?

“County Magistrate Mi, you’ve arrived at a perfect time. I was just about to report: I have discovered a person practicing medicine illegally here. This person is not one of our hospital staff, yet he treated people inside our facility. This is a major issue; who knows what sinister secrets he might be harboring!”

Facing Mi Zhiguo, Director Wu adopted an entirely different demeanor, wearing a fawning grin as he pointed at Zhang Yang. He was adept at framing others, immediately slapping a label of having ulterior motives onto Zhang Yang—an allegation that required investigation regardless of its truth.

The Deputy Police Director glanced at Director Wu, his eyes holding a mixture of sympathy and pity.

“Is that so? Then tell me, what exactly are the secret motives my son-in-law possesses!”

County Magistrate Mi’s face was ashen, his anger vividly displayed. Director Wu, who had been about to speak, suddenly stopped dead. He finally realized it—the County Magistrate was referring to his son-in-law.

Congratulations to Fu Chen Xin for advancing to Alliance Leader. Thank you for your support; a bonus chapter is added in appreciation!