Zhan followed them with his eyes as they went upstairs, the other doctors trailing behind the CEO to her office. As the CEO climbed the second staircase, she turned to glance at Zhan, then at the Managing Director (MD) behind her.
"What's his name again?" she asked.
The MD shook his head quickly. "I have no idea, Ma'am."
She looked back at Zhan. "What did you say your name is?"
With his heart racing, Zhan replied, "My name is Zhan."
The CEO widened her eyes. "Zhan?"
Dr Jing spoke up, "Yes, his name is Zhan, Ma'am."
All the doctors and nurses were staring at him now. The MD, however, avoided looking downstairs. The CEO nodded.
"He should meet me in my office in 30 minutes."
She continued walking, the other doctors following. Dr Balogun gave Zhan a thumbs-up as he passed and went upstairs, greeting people along the way.
Dr Jing walked up to Zhan with a smile. "Good morning, Zhan."
Zhan nodded. "Morning."
"Did you sleep well?" Jing asked. When Zhan didn't answer, he added, "Go wait in my office for now. Since the CEO asked to see you in thirty minutes, you should stay close."
"Alright," Zhan replied, heading upstairs. A few nurses trailed their eyes after him, some with envy, others with jealousy.
As Dr Jing was about to enter his office, his phone rang. Seeing it was the MD calling, he glanced at Zhan sitting inside the office, then stepped in and answered. "They'll bring you breakfast soon," he told Zhan before leaving again.
Zhan said quietly, "Thank you."
Dr Jing walked to the MD's office where the man was already waiting, looking furious.
"Do you even realize the implications of what you're dragging me into, Jing?" the MD snapped. "How am I supposed to explain to the CEO that this silly boy isn't even employed here? I told you I don't want to see him in this hospital again, but you keep disregarding me. He was even asked if he was a staff member and he nodded! Who hired him? Who gave him work? Are you secretly running your own recruitment in this hospital without my knowledge?"
Dr Jing calmly sat down. "To avoid the complications you're worried about, just input his data into the system. That way, everything goes smoothly."
The MD slammed his desk. "Never! I will never employ him here. I've said it already...he will not work in this hospital, not under me. Are you telling me he must work here at all costs? Aren't there dozens of hospitals you could place him in? I thought you'd be satisfied with Zhe, but apparently not. Now you've saddled me with this boy who undermines us at every turn. He won't get the job....not through me. Watch and see."
With that, he stormed out. Dr Jing only smiled faintly as he watched him leave.
Meanwhile, the CEO was in her spacious office, which looked more like something abroad than local, stamping files when the MD entered. Without pausing her work, she said, "I won't be making rounds today. I'll be leaving within an hour....I have a meeting. When did you say the next workshop in Shanghai is scheduled?"
"In two weeks' time, Ma'am," the MD replied politely.
"Alright. I'll be going back to the UK in a few days because of the children's exams, but I'll return before the Shanghai workshop. Send me the names and details of all our staff...I have a little token for them. And one more thing: there will be a medical conference in the US. We'll be going with two staff members…"
She didn't wait for him to respond. Instead, she suddenly looked up. "Where is the boy I asked to meet me in thirty minutes? Did he not hear me clearly?"
The MD lowered his head. "Erm… Ma'am, but....."
She raised her eyes at him, her tone sharp. "Is there a problem, Dr Shen Yi?"
He shook his head quickly. "No. I'll get him right away."
He turned and hurried out.
Back in Dr Jing's office, Zhan was quietly eating the burger with healthy toppings and black coffee that had been brought for him when the door opened again. Dr Jing stepped inside.
"MD is calling you to his office now," Dr Jing said. Then, more gently, "Please, Zhan, be on your best behavior. I'm hoping your data will be processed soon. Don't be arrogant or come across as sly."
Zhan blinked at him. "Arrogant and sly? Me?"
"Yes," Dr Jing replied with a small smile. "You can be arrogant, and sometimes you give people that sly look without realizing it."
Zhan stared at him, shocked. No one had ever told him that before.
Dr Jing sat beside him. "The truth is, you and the MD are very much alike. That's why you can't get along...you both have pride."
Zhan frowned. "No, we're not the same. I'm not rude or arrogant. I respect people and give them their due. He, on the other hand, is rude and arrogant."
Dr Jing chuckled. "Honestly? If you ever met the MD outside of the hospital, you'd see he's one of the kindest people you could spend time with. Away from work, he's warm and free-spirited. But he doesn't tolerate disrespect or carelessness when it comes to his job. That's why he seems harsh here. Believe me, he's a very good friend of mine. But once we step into the hospital, friendship goes aside....we focus on what needs to be done. And I respect him as my boss."
Zhan didn't respond, because no matter what anyone said, deep down he didn't believe the MD was a kind man.
Dr Jing sighed and said, "Now, go to his office. And please, just behave yourself while you're in there."
Zhan stood up and muttered, "I've always been a good person....it's him who has anger issues." With that, he headed toward the door.
Walking slowly, he reached the MD's office, knocked, and waited until permission was given before opening the door and stepping inside. Zhan lowered his head and walked carefully up to the desk.
The MD didn't look up when he entered, his eyes fixed on the laptop in front of him.
"Good morning, sir," Zhan greeted politely.
No reply. The MD kept typing, fingers drumming on the table in between keystrokes. Zhan's eyes lingered on those hands and up to the MD eyelashes before he gathered his courage and repeated, "Good morning, sir."
Without glancing up, the MD said flatly, "I am not deaf, Mister. Where is your CV? And have you worked anywhere before?"
Zhan stayed silent, just looking at him. Finally, the MD raised his head and sneered.
"Good. No CV. No working experience. And yet your forbidden boyfriend insisted I give you an interview? What did he think this is, a Korean drama set? Or maybe you guys believe I'm just as irrational as you are? Do you know how many qualified people have their CVs here and still don't get jobs? Yet here you are with nothing, still pending. Honestly, I doubt you even attended university. Maybe Dr Jing forgot that we don't hire underage boys in this hospital. You can't even be eighteen. Always coming here, disturbing my staff and patients. From today, don't set foot here again. I'll tell security myself....there's no vacancy for you. If your boyfriend has so many connections, why doesn't he place you somewhere else? Why force this hospital?"
Zhan said nothing, just kept his gaze on him.
The office door opened suddenly, and both turned their heads. The CEO herself walked in. The MD jumped up instantly.
"You need anything, Ma'am?" he asked quickly.
She walked straight to him, handed him her phone, and said, "Handle this call, please."
He took it, answering in his polished British accent. The CEO picked up a stack of textbooks from his desk and turned to Zhan.
"Get yours, please."
Only then did she notice him standing quietly in the corner with his head lowered.
"Didn't I tell you to meet me in my office?" she asked.
Zhan nodded quickly, like a child caught off guard. The MD was still on the phone, but his eyes and attention are on them. The CEO handed Zhan the textbooks and said, "Come with me."
Zhan accepted respectfully and followed her out.
Inside her office, he didn't sit right away. His eyes roamed around...he had never been in an office like this, only seen such things in films. His gaze lingered on a framed photograph of the CEO with foreign doctors.
The CEO finished arranging the textbooks in her library, then turned, pointed to a chair, and said, "Sit down, Zhan."
He obeyed, keeping his eyes down. After a moment, she picked up her phone, scrolled through it, then passed it to him with a small smile.
Zhan glanced at the photo on the screen. It was of a woman. She looked strikingly similar to him, though darker in complexion. He lifted his eyes to the CEO, who was watching him.
"Do you see the resemblance?" she asked.
Zhan forced a small smile. "Yes, I see it. We look alike."
"Her name was Angela," the CEO said softly. "She was my childhood friend. The reason I became who I am today. She was everything to me, my God on earth."
Zhan blinked at her choice of words. His eyes fell on the cross ➕ gold necklace around her neck as she continued.
"But she left too soon. Angela died seven years ago. To this day, I still grieve her as if she were my sister. Her in-laws send her to her grave early, they destroyed her...they made her marriage unbearable, they broke her. Her husband is still in Guangzhou." Her voice cracked, and she reached for a tissue to wipe her eyes.
Zhan's heart sank. He lowered his voice. "I'm sorry for your loss, Ma'am."
She gave him a faint smile. "Thank you. I will introduce you to her children. They'll see the resemblance too. Aniston is in the UK, Jerry is in India, and Mary is married in the UK as well. They were all adopted from an orphanage, since she never had biological children. Life kept taking that chance from her."
Zhan's chest tightened, but he kept silent, listening. Deep inside, he wanted to meet those who had known Angela.
After a pause, he asked quietly, "Please… could you introduce me to them?"
Still smiling, the CEO nodded. "Of course, I will. You can go now. Tell the MD to come see me....and don't forget to bring back the phone I gave him."
Zhan stood and bowed slightly. "Thank you, Ma'am."
He headed to the door. The CEO watched him until he stepped out and closed it behind him.
Zhan walked into Dr Jing's office, his whole body heavy with unease. Dr Jing set aside his phone....he had been trying to call Daniel, who kept refusing to pick up because he knew what he had done. Rising from his seat, Dr Jing studied Zhan's expression.
"How did it go with her?" he asked.
Zhan sat down quietly. "Call the MD and tell him the CEO asked to speak with him."
"You went to her office?" Dr Jing pressed.
Zhan nodded.
"And did the MD send you there?"
Zhan shook his head. "No. She found me in his office."
Dr Jing leaned against the desk again, folding his arms. "So, how did it go with her?"
"She only showed me the picture of the woman she mentioned," Zhan said quietly.
"And… did you see the resemblance?"
Zhan hesitated, then gave a small nod.
Dr Jing fell silent, his mind running in circles, just as Zhan's thoughts kept spiraling restlessly. After a long pause, Dr Jing asked, "Did she say she wants to connect you two?"
Zhan's eyes filled with tears. Slowly, he whispered, "No… she said the woman passed away."
Dr Jing's eyes widened. "Then… what about her children?"
Wiping his tears, Zhan answered, "She said she will introduce me to them."
"Tch." Dr Jing exhaled sharply. "That CEO of yours… her whimsical ideas are getting out of hand. She's the type who might disappear abroad tomorrow, and you won't see her again until next year."
Zhan just stared at him.
"Don't worry," Dr Jing reassured. "Before she leaves, if she truly cares, she will definitely find a way to connect you with them."
Zhan stayed silent. After a while he murmured, "I'm going home."
"Home? Which home?"
Zhan looked up at him.
"Are you going back to Foshan to continue staying there?"
Zhan gave him a long, unreadable look.
"Zhan…" Dr Jing's voice softened.
He hesitated, then continued, "Like I told you yesterday, it's about time you returned home. You've given them enough space. I'm sure things have settled by now."
Zhan shook his head. "I'll go back when I know it's the right time."
Dr Jing frowned. "So what Daniel did to you still hasn't been enough of a lesson? Let me tell you something... what Daniel did is exactly how people will keep seeing you. Any man with dignity will never abandon his parents, no matter the circumstances. Once someone leaves home, no matter the city he goes to, society will still brand him as reckless. Look at those ones we see here in Guangzhou...ran away from home, now back here wasting their lives."
Zhan stood abruptly. "I'm not reckless, and I never said I won't return home. But I'll only go back once the CEO connects me with that woman's family from the picture."
"That can happen even if you're back home," Dr Jing countered. "Besides, if your parents learn you've secured a permanent job at this hospital, they'll definitely support you. Everyone knows this hospital's reputation in the country....it's a privilege to work here."
Zhan sighed. "I'll think about it."
"You know what your problem is, Zhan?" Dr Jing asked.
Zhan stayed silent, watching him.
"Stubbornness."
Before Zhan could reply, the office door opened. The MD stood at the entrance.
Zhan looked away, whispering to Dr Jing, "We'll continue this over the phone." He grabbed his burger pack and bag, then headed for the door. But with the MD blocking the way, he muttered, "Excuse me, please. I need to pass."
Dr Jing leaned back in his chair, smiling faintly as he watched.
The MD's eyes narrowed. "Excuse me, please? Are you out of your mind? Do you think this is some kind of joke?"
Zhan ignored him, slipping past with their shoulders nearly brushing. He walked out without a word, silently vowing that the MD could try what he liked, but he would not bow to him.
The MD turned back to Dr Jing, fuming. Before he could speak, Dr Jing smirked. "You know what I imagine sometimes? That you and that boy...Zhan...match perfectly and could actually end up together. If that led to marriage, it wouldn't surprise me at all. I mean, you don't have a girlfriend right now, do you?" He burst into laughter, ignoring the MD's dark, puzzled expression.
- - - -
Later that evening in Foshan, Zhan returned to his small apartment. Dust coated every surface since he hadn't been home for days. He cleaned up, showered, then cooked a quick meal of noodles.
The night before, he had off the SIM card he used to contact Dr Kexing, unable to bear his constant calling. He picked up the phone now, tempted to unlock it again....but stopped halfway, setting it aside with a sigh.
Alone in his room, Zhan's mind replayed Zhe's harsh words, piercing him with hurt. A bitter smile tugged at his lips as he brushed away fresh tears. The photo the CEO had shown him lingered in his memory, stopping him from doing something drastic. He desperately wanted to know who that woman was, but remembering the CEO's words...that she had passed away....crushed him all over again.
Daniel's betrayal haunted him most of all. He had never imagined Daniel, of all people, could view him like that.
Still, deep inside, Zhan was grateful for Dr Jing. He felt almost like his Yibo.... always steady, always by his side when he needed him. Exhausted, Zhan finally drifted into the sleep he hadn't managed to catch the night before.
By four o'clock the next day, while washing his dishes, a loud knock came at his gate. Sometimes neighbors visited when they noticed he was home... either Mrs. Han next door, or one of the young men nearby. He pulled on a shirt and stepped outside.
"Who is it?" he called.
A man's voice answered, "Excuse me, mister."
Zhan froze. "Who are you?"
"We're visitors. Please open the gate and come out."
Zhan's chest tightened. "Visitors? I'm not expecting anyone."
The man's tone was calm. "We have our reasons. We didn't even expect to be in this neighborhood today."
Zhan said nothing, dread spreading through him.
"To cut it short," the man continued, sensing his fear, "we're police officers. We're not here to harm you, but if you refuse to open this gate, we'll have no choice but to force it open."
Zhan's heart pounded. "What do you want from me?" he asked shakily.
"Open the gate."
Instead, Zhan bolted back inside, snatching up his phone with trembling hands. He hurriedly dialed Dr Jing's number, panic in his voice.
Eng of part one... Part two continue on Monday.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛