"Vice Dean Guo, is that true?"
Both Bai Bing and Ye Qiu were stunned, barely able to believe it.
"What? Director Bai, you think I'm lying?" Guo Danu asked with a chuckle.
"It's not that. It just came as a shock."
Bai Bing had specifically spoken to Guo Danu earlier about getting Ye Qiu permanently hired, only to be flatly rejected.
Now Guo Danu was offering Ye Qiu the slot out of nowhere — it was highly suspicious.
Guo Danu explained: "After you talked to me last time, Director Bai, I went through Ye Qiu's record carefully. Since joining the hospital, he's been hardworking, responsible, and unafraid of hardship. If a young man like him can't get permanent status, no one else deserves it."
"So I proposed at the hospital administration meeting today that Ye Qiu be given surgery's only permanent position this year. Everyone agreed unanimously."
He spoke earnestly: "Little Ye, you're now an official member of the surgery department. Work hard, contribute your part, and help build our department stronger."
"Thank you, Vice Dean Guo. I'll do my best," Ye Qiu replied politely.
He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
"No need to thank me. Thank Director Bai — if she hadn't spoken up for you, I never would've known we had such a talented young man in surgery." Guo Danu paused, then added with a smile: "Of course, I did lend a small hand too."
"I'll keep your guidance in mind, Vice Dean. I'll repay you when I get the chance," Ye Qiu said.
Guo Danu's expression turned serious. "Little Ye, do you mean that?"
"Of course I do."
"Then don't wait. Repay me now."
Ye Qiu froze again.
I was just being polite… and you're taking it seriously?
This guy has some nerve.
"What can I do for you, Vice Dean?" Ye Qiu asked.
Guo Danu smiled. "It's nothing big. Just a small favor."
"Go on."
"Since you have the ability to bring the dying back to life, I want you to treat Old Li in the intensive care unit."
Bai Bing's face darkened at once. She quickly spoke up:
"Vice Dean Guo, you overestimate him. He doesn't actually have any miraculous powers — he just got lucky with that patient. As for Old Li, I'm afraid Ye Qiu can't help."
"Director Bai, you need to have more faith in your staff. I believe Little Ye can do it. Besides, Bureau Chief Li has already asked about him. I gave him my word that Ye Qiu could wake Old Li up."
Bai Bing's expression turned grave.
Ye Qiu also sensed the gravity of the situation and asked: "Director Bai, what's wrong with Old Li?"
"Old Li is a vegetative state. He's been bedridden for five years," Bai Bing replied.
A vegetative patient?
How was he supposed to treat that?
Vegetative states were nothing like ordinary illnesses. For other conditions, you could prescribe targeted treatments — even if you couldn't cure them, you knew where to start. But vegetative states were different.
They fell into the category of extremely rare, complicated conditions. Some people fell into such a state for no apparent reason, leaving doctors completely helpless.
Clinical experience also showed that treating vegetative patients was not only extremely difficult but rarely effective.
Ye Qiu stared at Guo Danu, cursing inwardly: Do you think I'm a god? How am I supposed to cure a vegetative patient?
Guo Danu smiled. "Little Ye, since you can bring the dead back to life, waking a vegetative patient should be easy for you, right?"
"Vice Dean, I'm just an ordinary person. I don't have any miraculous powers. Don't believe the rumors. I really can't treat Old Li."
"Little Ye, you're putting me in a tough spot. I already promised Bureau Chief Li you could do it." Guo Danu continued: "You do know who Old Li's eldest son is, don't you? Li Xiangyang — the top official of the Jiangzhou Public Security Bureau."
Damn it.
Ye Qiu wanted to swear out loud.
"I also told the Bureau Chief about your permanent position. He said if you can wake Old Li, he'll make sure you're well rewarded."
"What if I can't?"
"I know you can pull it off."
Ye Qiu said: "Vice Dean, as you know, we're doctors, not gods. We can't cure every illness — especially something as complicated as a vegetative state."
Guo Danu's smile faded. "Little Ye, I strongly suggest you do everything you can to wake Old Li. Otherwise… your permanent position might not be so set in stone."
"Vice Dean, the administration meeting already approved it. How could there be problems?" Bai Bing asked in confusion.
Guo Danu said: "Bureau Chief Li is extremely close to his father. Over these five years, no matter how busy he is, he visits Old Li every week and stays by his bed for half the day. His greatest wish is to see his father wake up."
"When he heard about your 'miraculous recovery,' he was overjoyed and immediately asked for you to treat Old Li."
"If you succeed, your future will be bright — a smooth rise through the ranks.
But if you fail and crush his hopes… then your permanent position may fall through."
"Of course, the choice is ultimately yours, Little Ye."
Ye Qiu understood. Guo Danu was pretending to give him a choice, but in reality, he had none.
If he refused to treat Old Li, he would anger the Bureau Chief. At that point, forget permanent employment — he might lose his job entirely. He might not even be able to stay in Jiangzhou.
Who would dare hire a doctor who had offended the head of the Public Security Bureau?
Whether he liked it or not, he had to agree.
"Little Ye, give me an answer quickly. I have to report back to the Bureau Chief," Guo Danu urged.
"Vice Dean, please tell the Bureau Chief I'm willing to examine Old Li. But I can't guarantee I'll be able to wake him," Ye Qiu said.
"That's all I need to hear! Director Bai, take Little Ye to see Old Li now."
"Alright." Bai Bing stood up and led Ye Qiu out of the office.
Just as they were about to leave the room, Guo Danu suddenly spoke again: "Little Ye…"
Ye Qiu stopped and turned back. "Is there something else, Vice Dean?"
"Nothing major. Just a small question." Guo Danu asked with a smile: "Have you seen Shaocong these past few days?"