Birthday Banquet 16

“I’m an old man now and can’t stay in this position forever. I already submitted a request to promote you to director. The board thinks you’re too young to take the spot, but I think you’ll be fine. Once I retire, you’ll be the one managing the First Hospital and South Side… these hospitals are my life’s work, I see them as my children.”

“Where do you plan to go after you retire?”

“I’ll probably go to the States and live with Xue. Her and her husband’s clinic is doing well. She knows I can’t stay at home and do nothing, so she told me to go help them out.”

“Are you really leaving?” Huo Mian didn’t want Director Wu to leave; she was so lucky to have him as her boss for the last few years.

“All good things must come to an end, and the sun has got to set someday. I’d rather give young people like you the opportunities,” Director Wu said as he patted Huo Mian on the shoulder.

Huo Mian was still recovering, even after she got to her office.

“Sister Mian, once you become the director you’ll be the big boss! Are you happy?” Chen Jie asked with excitement.

“The truth is, I’m worried that I won’t do well,” Huo Mian answered honestly.

“You’ll be fine! You’re already doing a director’s work! Over the last year or so, Director Wu attended one conference after another, and you’ve basically been doing his work! So, the best candidate for his job once he retires is you. You’ll probably be the youngest hospital director in the country! You’re in your twenties and already managing the two biggest hospitals in C City. Imagine how shocked people will be to see this on your resume!”

Chen Jie was a quiet person who rarely showed her happiness, but she was sincerely happy for Huo Mian.

Huo Mian, on the other hand, didn’t really care if she was promoted to director. All she cared about was her love for the job. The truth is, she wasn’t surprised that Director Wu would hand over his throne to her. However… she had just promised Qin Chu that she would go and help out at GK… Was she going to break her promise already?

Would Qin Chu be disappointed with her?

As these thoughts crossed her mind, Huo Mian felt indecisive. She wanted to tell Director Wu to hire an outside director, but he had so much confidence in her – Huo Mian couldn’t bring herself to let Director Wu down.

“I never thought I was that good. I’m happy with what I have.”

“Sister Mian, Ni Yang and I got you a present.”

“I said no gifts, do you want to be kicked off the boat?” Huo Mian smiled.

“It’s nothing expensive, it’s the thought that counts, right?” Chen Jie said as she took out a small, red box from her white lab coat. She opened it to reveal a small longevity necklace. “it’s made of silver, so it’s cheap, don’t worry. Ni Yang engraved the words onto the necklace, he said that way it’s meaningful.”

Huo Mian looked down at the longevity bracelet; the words engraved into it were “Safe and Happy”

Chen Jie had worked with Huo Mian long enough to know the latter’s temper very well. She knew Huo Mian wouldn’t refuse the gift – it wasn’t expensive, and Ni Yang had engraved it himself.

“Allow me to thank Uncle Ni and Auntie Chen on behalf of their nephew,” Huo Mian accepted the gift with a smile.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door…

“Vice Director Huo, a patient wants a consultation from you specifically, do you have time?” a doctor shouted outside Huo Mian’s office.