Chapter 186 - 0177: Reversal

After returning from the meeting, Director Han asked Song Zimo to perform surgery without delay and instructed Yang Ping to visit him in his office.

Song Zimo asked a hospital clerk about the meeting.

She told Song Zimo that Director Han had slammed the table. Dean Sun presented the news on the internet, suggesting that Zhang Lin should be fired, but Director Han objected.

The meeting ended in disagreement, with people divided into two camps. One camp argued that though punishment was called for, dismissal was too severe – who would work with dedication if dismissals were easily made?

Another group contended that under the current public pressure, higher authorities would soon pay attention. To maintain the hospital’s reputation and order, they insisted Zhang Lin needed to be fired. Otherwise, it would set a precedent for dealing with similar situations in the future.

The discussion led to a heated argument among the participants. Two camps emerged – Clinical Directors on one side and administrative officials, mainly Deputy Deans, on the other. Director Zhao tried to mediate, but it was ineffective.

Director Han slapped the table furiously and cursed. Dean Sun, with a suppressed red face, announced the adjournment of the meeting until everyone calmed down. When Dean Xia called, saying he would handle the issue upon his return, the matter was temporarily set aside.

Upon reaching the director’s office, Director Han took several gulps of tea, his face and neck appearing a bit red. He took a breath and said, “Xiao Yang, you have seen the news being circulated in the group, right? The current public opinion is very unfavorable to the hospital. If the higher authorities pay attention to it, even Dean Xia might not withstand the pressure, and Zhang Lin’s dismissal would be inevitable. While the public sentiment is just emerging, think of a solution. Do you have any contact with Mayor Li’s daughter, Li Jingshu?”

Yang Ping nodded. He understood Director Han’s intention to ask Li Jingshu for help. Despite her young age, Li Jingshu was a reporter for the city’s television station and also the Mayor’s daughter. She undoubtedly had numerous resources in G City’s media circles, which made her an influential figure.

“I am trying to defer the issue until Dean Xia returns. Xiao Yang, see if you can talk to Xiao Li and ask her to help us. The last issue with Cui Ermin in our department was smoothly resolved with her help. Her intervention now could potentially save Zhang Lin despite the fact that the current situation is more complicated than before. If she can influence the media narrative, there is hope for Zhang Lin,” Director Han said gently.

Yang Ping had reservations about interacting with Li Jingshu, but for Zhang Lin’s sake, he had no other choice but to ask for her help. Upon reflection, there was no need to be overly concerned, it was his own overinterpretation, and she might just want to be his friend.

Feeling embarrassed to make a call, Yang Ping drafted a WeChat message. After rewriting and revising it several times, he sent her a brief account of the actual situation and requested her assistance.

Suddenly, a message arrived from her, “I saw the news online. This is a troublesome issue that requires swift and decisive action. You focus on your work, and leave this matter to me.”

“What did she say? Did she agree?” Director Han asked anxiously. Such matters were sensitive, and not everyone was willing to help.

Yang Ping nodded, “She agreed!”

Director Han said happily, “As long as she agrees, there’s hope for this issue. Despite being young, Mayor Li’s daughter is smart and capable. In the case of Cui Ermin, she demonstrated courage and insights, set a thorough plan, and effortlessly resolved the issue. As the Mayor’s daughter, she’s the only one bold enough to take a strong stand around this sensitive topic, battling with other irresponsible media outlets.”

“Thank you!” Yang Ping texted back.

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I only just heard about it from someone else this morning. It’s okay, though. I have a solution. Concentrate on your surgery, I’ll come to your hospital to understand the specifics better, and will contact your hospital’s PR department. Don’t forget to help see my mom next Monday.” She texted him.

Li Jinghu’s tone was like that of a good friend that Yang Ping had known for a long time.

Yang Ping laughed to himself. Clearly, it was his over-interpretation after all. She only intended to be an ordinary friend, and compared to her generosity, he was overly sensitive.

—

At the News Department of G City Television Station, Li Jingshu stood and walked from her office to the resting room. As she made a cup of coffee and sipped it, she made a phone call, “Xiao Yu, come to the resting room.”

A female reporter about the same age as Li Jingshu entered.

“Sister, what is it?” Xiao Yu asked, sitting down before Li Jingshu.

“Tonight’s news program needs a last-minute adjustment. We are adding a report about Sanbo Hospital. Let’s go to Sanbo for an interview now,” Li Jingshu bluntly declared.

“Is it about the news of a doctor hitting a patient’s family member?” Xiao Yu guessed. She had just told Li Jingshu about this news.

“Yes, the reality is not as it seems. Many online media outlets, in a bid to attract attention, are presenting out-of-context snippets to sensationalize this episode. What should we do?” Li Jingshu asked as she sipped her coffee.

“Speak for the truth?” Xiao Yu seemed excited, clenching her fists.

“Good job!” Li Jingshu complimented.

Li Jingshu was a talented graduate from Beijing University’s Journalism Department. Since returning to G City after graduation to work as a reporter at the TV station, due to her great academic background, strong work capability, and the support of her father, she naturally held a distinctive position.

“Is it because of that doctor?” Xiao Yu quietly asked, covering her mouth to laugh.

A tinge of red colored Li Jingshu’s face, “What are you talking about? He’s never taken me seriously. He didn’t even bother when I invited him for dinner, and he reluctantly added me on WeChat.”

“See, your face turns red as soon as he’s mentioned?” Xiao Yu teased.

Li Jingshu touched her face, pointing out of the window, “I was just sitting by the window, isn’t it from the sun’s rays?”

“Enough, you won’t admit it anyway. Last time when you had a fractured arm, you were running around for Sanbo Hospital. Why didn’t you care about the hospital’s affairs before?” Xiao Yu appeared slightly upset.

“Because of that fracture, I believe that being a doctor is a sacred profession and patients also have it hard. We should understand each other. As media professionals, we should report the truth and not ignore or even deliberately distort the facts in doctor-patient conflicts for the so-called news benefits. We should make efforts to improve doctor-patient relations.” Li Jingshu said gently.

“No more talking, honestly, who did you give that tie you bought on our last business trip? Don’t tell me you gave it to your father, he doesn’t suit that color.” Xiao Yu kept insisting.

Li Jingshu was a little overwhelmed, “Go, go, getting ready for Sanbo, notify the others in the group.”

“When are you going?” Seeing her surrender, Xiao Yu let her off the hook.

“Right now, start packing.” Li Jingshu spoke without delay.

“You haven’t had breakfast yet and you’re going out again, can you rest for a bit?” The breakfast that Xiao Yu had bought for her was still on the table, untouched.

“You can’t be a lazy reporter! Especially in the internet era, if you’re a minute late, you’ll be drowned by the tide. I’ll take the breakfast with me.” Li Jingshu finished her coffee and got ready to leave.

“Relying solely on television media is not enough, it’s too slow. I’ll contact several major online media outlets. Yes, I should contact several portal websites, we need to counterattack comprehensively and uphold the truth.”

Li Jingshu was quick-minded and decisive. She picked up her bag, and everyone quickly got into the Toyota Alphard. In the car, she took out a small mirror and touched-up her makeup lightly.

—

At noon, after Yang Ping and Song Zimo finished their surgery, they were still in the changing room. They hastily took out their phones to check on the development of the situation.

The news spread so fast that there were loads of messages, links, and screenshots in the group chat, and those messages practically flooded the group chat.

“Doctor beat patient’s relatives? – The hidden reality, the extinguished news conscience!”

“If your family is violated, would you choose silence? Or would you stand up?”

“Who is the beater exactly? Who gave him the power?”

—

In just a few short hours, all major websites published the same news, describing the cause and effect of Li Shan being beaten and Zhang Lin’s actions clearly and logically, emphasizing the main points.

The video of the family member beating was also posted online, followed by descriptions of Dr. Li’s height, weight, and usual character, as well as the height, weight, and vile attitude of the beating relative.

Especially that video, which was ignored by many other media outlets, was posted now and everyone’s comments poured in like a flood. All condemned the ugly, tall man for beating the defenseless and gentle Dr. Li Shan, especially that kick that landed harshly in her lower abdomen and sent her flying a considerable distance.

“If your wife, your lover, your family member was violently slapped twice and kicked several meters away, all because she didn’t meet his unreasonable demands! Would you choose to stay silent or stand up? We don’t advocate violence but-”

People started calling Sanbo Hospital to ask about Dr. Li Shan’s health and also about Zhang Lin’s situation, whether he was fired or not. They expressed their support for Zhang Lin and strongly opposed his dismissal.

Revealing the truth and upholding justice also requires skills.

The power of the internet is huge. Li Jingshu’s thunderous counterattack was disproportionate to her slender figure.

If G city’s media granted her face because of her father, then those portal websites outside G city didn’t need to be concerned about her father. These were her own connections, many of her classmates, and mentors held important positions in the major media houses.

—

“Sis, we did it!” Xiao Yu excitedly ran into the break room.

Li Jingshu was quietly looking out the window, her chin rested in her hand.

We are only the voice for truth!” Her tone was light.

“What’s up? Aren’t you happy? You can ask him out for dinner now, right?” Xiao Yu stirred.

Li Jingshu: “No, it’s enough to see him regularly.”

Li Jingshu turned her head, didn’t look directly at Xiao Yu, and directly walked out of the break room to the restroom. Her eyes seemed a bit red and a little wet.

“What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?”

Xiao Yu really didn’t understand what was going on, what happened, wasn’t everything great?

“Thank you!” A WeChat message from Yang Ping.

“I am just the voice for the truth!” Li Jingshu responded.

The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!