Director Wu was utterly stunned. His son-in-law, the county magistrate's son-in-law, was the very person he had dismissed as having ulterior motives, and that person was Magistrate Mi’s son-in-law. Even if he possessed a thick skin, he didn't know what to say at that moment.

“Magistrate Mi, perhaps there's some misunderstanding. Dr. Zhang's medical skills are superb; he surely couldn't bear to see the patient suffer and thus offered his assistance!”

The hospital director was a very smooth operator and quickly stepped in to mediate.

This director had heard the name Zhang Yang before. That whole incident had caused quite a stir, known to many leaders in the county. Director Wu, however, was merely a department head and knew far less than the director.

There was another point: the last time Magistrate Mi was in a car accident, his recovery was remarkably fast, followed by several check-ups at the county hospital.

Every time there was an examination, the director personally attended to him. The superior of one's immediate superior—it was necessary to attend. Mi Zhiguo was the Vice County Magistrate in charge of health and a standing committee member; if some subordinates proved disobedient, replacing one or two was not an issue.

It was precisely because he had been accompanying Mi Zhiguo that he was astonished by the speed of the magistrate's recovery and had kept Zhang Yang in mind.

After every check-up, Mi Zhiguo would smile and say it was the result of his son-in-law's treatment, praising his young son-in-law as a miracle doctor, expressing his immense satisfaction.

“Yes, it was a misunderstanding, entirely a misunderstanding!”

Director Wu nodded frantically, sweat breaking out on his forehead in the cold weather, which he stealthily wiped away.

“Dr. Zhang, I am the hospital director. Once again, on behalf of the hospital, I thank you for your generous intervention. May I ask how the patient you treated is doing now?” the director added cautiously, shooting a fierce glare at Director Wu. He hadn't intended to help this man, but if the situation escalated, it would benefit him none. After all, he was the head of the hospital; losing face in front of his superiors would not bode well for his future development.

“The patient treated by Dr. Zhang has recovered miraculously—the one with the most severe lung infection!”

Before Zhang Yang could speak, the young nurse piped up, looking at Zhang Yang with some astonishment. She hadn't expected this highly skilled young man to be the County Magistrate’s son-in-law.

“That one? I heard your report just now; that patient seemed quite critical?” Mi Zhiguo’s heart stirred, and he blurted out, [Arsenic] poisoning had affected guests from two tables—one with seven people, one with five. The most severe cases were from the table of five, including those who died and those with lung infections. Mi Zhiguo had already met with the families of some of the poisoned individuals and was on his way to see those most critical patients when he happened to pass by and overheard Director Wu speaking ill of Zhang Yang, prompting his displeased remark.

“Yes, that was a very critical patient, and it’s incredible that Dr. Zhang managed to save him. Dr. Zhang is truly a divine doctor with miraculous hands!” the director immediately spoke up, feeling both shocked and immensely relieved. He knew clearly that no one in the hospital could have treated that patient; he had even voiced opposition when Mi Zhiguo insisted on visiting, but he had no choice but to comply with the magistrate’s insistence. If that patient had died while Mi Zhiguo was visiting, the director would have been in deep trouble. Since the patient had been saved, that worry vanished.

“Director, you flatter me. The overall quality of your hospital is quite good, but one rotten apple spoils the barrel—that's something you must take as a warning!” Zhang Yang said with a faint smile before bidding farewell to Mi Zhiguo and pulling Mi Xue away. Before leaving, he gave one last instruction to Hao Xin: rest assured about going to Baotuo Hospital.

Zhang Yang couldn't be bothered to continue talking with the director. This hospital suffered from rotten leadership infecting the subordinates; the overall atmosphere wasn't right. However, such hospitals were not uncommon, and Zhang Yang felt powerless to fix the entire institution even if he wanted to. Just because he wouldn't manage it didn't mean he would let Director Wu off lightly. The statement he made before leaving carried significant weight; everyone understood exactly who the 'rotten apple' referred to.

The Deputy Director of the Public Security Bureau looked at Director Wu with a touch of sympathy, simultaneously letting out a sigh of relief. It was good that Zhang Yang had left. Zhang Yang's presence genuinely made him nervous, especially since Zhang Yang's reputation as a 'killer of directors' had spread—two bureau chiefs had been brought down in less than half a year in connection with him. He resolved then and there that this case must be handled strictly and severely; the truth must be uncovered.

Mi Zhiguo wasn't a fool. Setting aside the fact that the incident occurred at his brother’s restaurant, such a large amount of arsenic suggested it was no mere accident; poisoning was the obvious conclusion. If the case wasn't thoroughly investigated, it wouldn't benefit him either, which was why he had summoned the police officials.

“That rotten apple must be cleaned out!” Mi Zhiguo glared fiercely at Director Wu before striding away. The Director of the Health Bureau and the Hospital Director both glanced at Director Wu without showing any expression, following the County Magistrate out.

As soon as they left, Director Wu’s body went limp, and he collapsed onto the floor. He was the Director of the Emergency Department, a position he had painstakingly clawed his way to over more than a decade. Hearing Mi Zhiguo's words, he understood that his directorship was certainly gone, and whether he could keep his job at all was unknown. As he slumped there, he received not a shred of sympathy. Even the nurses looked at him with disgust. Director Wu had always been harsh and had no goodwill among his colleagues; now, he was finally tasting the bitter fruit of his actions.

Hao Xin remained somewhat dazed, staring in the direction Zhang Yang had departed. He still held the phone number Zhang Yang had given him. This young man being Magistrate Mi’s son-in-law meant that what he said should be true. Perhaps everything Zhang Yang said was true, that he truly had the power to secure him a position at Baotuo Hospital. However, getting such a placement—even the County Magistrate or the County Party Secretary of Lieshan would find it difficult to pull strings; the administrative rank of the director at Baotuo Hospital was no lower than that of a County Magistrate.

Hao Xin was skeptical but ultimately tucked the slip of paper away. Regardless of whether it was true or not, he had to try. He had already decided to leave this place and certainly didn't wish to stay.

That afternoon, Hao Xin called Baotuo Hospital. Though he hadn't arrived yet, making an inquiry call was possible, showing his lingering doubts. The result of the call startled him again. After he explained his intentions, the hospital quickly reported it to the director, who then called him back personally. The director inquired about his education and specialties and finally told him to come as soon as possible to finalize the procedures; once completed, he would be a member of Baotuo Hospital.

After the other party hung up, Hao Xin remained frozen, still holding the receiver. It was real; everything Zhang Yang said was true. He hadn't expected that the biggest obstacle troubling him for so long would be solved so easily. Amidst his surprise, he also felt a profound sense of gratitude. Arranging such a post was not easy; he didn't know why Zhang Yang would help him, but his gratitude toward Zhang Yang was etched deeply into his memory. At that moment, an ancient saying he had never believed before suddenly came to mind: A good heart will surely be rewarded.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Director Liu Zhen of Baotuo Hospital nodded slightly after hanging up the phone. The person Zhang Yang recommended was a top graduate from Tongji Medical College with several years of practical experience, capable of performing some surgeries himself. This showed that the person Zhang Yang recommended wasn't substandard, alleviating the director’s earlier worry that Zhang Yang might send over an incompetent individual.

With the hospital's immediate crisis resolved, Zhang Yang and Mi Xue returned home together. Mi An had already gone back to school; Long Feng was sitting alone in the courtyard watching Zhuifeng and Shandian romp around. As soon as Zhang Yang returned, the three little ones gathered around him. Zhuifeng even stuck out its tongue and licked Zhang Yang’s neck and face, making him laugh ticklishly.

Upon their return, Wu Fenglan reheated their meal, and they ate something simple. Mi Zhiguo wasn't expected back anytime soon; with such a significant incident involving his brother, it was uncertain when he would return.

The Public Security Bureau’s efficiency was excellent; they quickly uncovered the truth. This was indeed a case of deliberate poisoning, and the perpetrator was none other than the restaurant chef. Mi Zhicheng rarely involved himself in the restaurant's affairs, leaving the management to the manager he had hired. This manager was capable but treated the staff poorly, having scolded both chefs and waiters. The restaurant had two chefs, and the poisoner was one who harbored deep resentment toward this manager. Being timid, he dared not poison the manager directly but instead put the poison into the customers’ food. He possessed arsenic left over from a long time ago, originally used for killing rats. He only intended to cause minor trouble for the manager by adding some poison, but he used too much, resulting in a major incident with one death and twelve injuries.

After being apprehended, the chef cried and expressed his regret, but regret was too late. Mi Zhicheng was also arrested. As the legal representative, he could not escape responsibility for such a serious incident, not to mention having to handle the aftermath. This incident marked the complete downfall of Mi Zhicheng; the compensation alone would require selling his restaurant, and his last profitable venture vanished. Mi Zhicheng kept protesting his innocence, but no one believed he was wrongly accused. Karma dictated that if Mi Zhicheng had paid more attention to the restaurant and known about the manager’s mistreatment of others, stopping it or inquiring sooner, this incident might not have happened. As the legal representative, his lack of oversight on his own business meant he had to bear the consequences. However, these were secondary matters and had nothing to do with Zhang Yang.

For the next two days, Zhang Yang and Mi Xue stayed together. Mi Xue also took Zhang Yang to Qingya Mountain. Upon reaching the mountain, Zhuifeng and Shandian became even more spirited, frolicking like children; the mountains were simply more comfortable for them. Qingya Mountain wasn't vast; Mi Xue used to play there often as a child, but once school got busy, she rarely visited. Returning now with the person she loved filled her heart with a sense of contentment.

“Old Master Xie lives just on the other side of the mountain; why don't we go take a look?” Mi Xue said suddenly while embracing Zhang Yang. The Xie family villa was also on Qingya Mountain, but on the far side of the peak. She suggested this only because she wanted to spend more time alone with Zhang Yang. Whenever she was with Zhang Yang, Long Feng never followed to be a third wheel; this time, Long Feng had stayed home to cultivate alone.