Chapter 240: The Twists and Turns in Officialdom

Chapter 240 The Twists and Turns of Officialdom

This was equivalent to the time when Fu Tinghua was in surgery, and those big shots from Wencheng had been waiting outside the operating room. Now, they had all come to the hospital for a visit.

"Hello, I'm Fu Tinghua," Dr. Fu introduced himself calmly and confidently.

Seeing his composed demeanor, Mayor Ye Chou couldn't help but be impressed by Fu Tinghua.

No wonder he had caught that VIP's eye. Look at this young man—cool as a cucumber in every situation, never resorting to flattery.

Now that the top brass was clamping down hard on corruption and bribery, wasn’t this young man’s attitude exactly what that person preferred?

Word was that with just one phone call, he could get that person to order subordinates to investigate even some podunk police chief in a place like Xinwei.

In just a few seconds, everyone’s minds were working overtime.

These individuals, seasoned political operators, were far from simple—each had at least a million tricks up their sleeves.

Though Fu Tinghua was a hell of a doctor, his medical skills weren’t so extraordinary as to warrant a special visit just for that.

But because he enjoyed that person’s favor, the mayor was bending over backwards to cozy up to him.

"Dr. Fu, truly a remarkable young talent. A single surgery could snatch someone from death's door. Thanks to you, Wencheng dodged a bullet," the mayor couldn’t help but sigh.

"Hmm? Was it really that serious? Just who was that person?" The hospital director finally jumped at the chance to ask about the identity of the patient saved that day.

"That person... though not some bigwig, if something had happened to them in Wencheng, it would have been a major incident," the mayor said with a sigh.

Seeing the mayor deliberately playing coy, the director grew anxious but took the bait.

"What kind of incident?"

"He’s a world-famous agricultural scientist abroad. This time, he returned to give back to his country, aiming to research crop cultivation technology here.

But on the day of his arrival, since he hadn’t informed anyone,

he was marked on the train.

After getting off, he was robbed and stabbed multiple times.

Though the robbers weren’t from Wencheng, if he had died here, our city would've been toast."

After finishing his explanation, the director let out a heavy sigh.

"To think something like that happened. Thank goodness Tinghua’s medical skills were outstanding enough to save him," the director remarked with admiration.

A single violent incident could halt a city’s progress—such things had happened before.

"Indeed. Back in the military, Dr. Fu’s miraculous medical skills already earned him deep respect from the soldiers," Police Chief Song Zhicheng, who knew Fu Tinghua, threw in his two cents.

Fu Tinghua could only roll his eyes. Once you interacted with these figures, there was no escaping these political ass-kissing formalities.

Though he believed saving a patient was simply his duty.

"I'm just doing my job," Fu Tinghua replied modestly.

"Ah, our young Fu here checks all the boxes—except he’s too humble. Young people should have a bit more pride, heh heh!" Mayor Ye Chou teased with a laugh.

Well, now he was even calling him "young Fu."

The dean realized that the purpose of these people's visit today was to see Fu Tinghua.

"Ah, our young Fu has always been like this—hardworking and meticulous. Not that other young folks these days aren’t driven, but he’s cool as a cucumber," the dean piled on the praise.

"Otherwise, how could he handle a scalpel? You need a steady temperament to do this job well," Deputy Mayor Liu Yaoqing finally managed to interject.

"I’m honored," Fu Tinghua replied somewhat helplessly, though his expression remained neutral.

"Young Fu, regarding this incident, the brass wants this covered. However, I’ve already instructed someone to draft an article emphasizing your surgical skills and bedside manner."

This was clearly an attempt to overshadow the incident involving the national high-tech expert who encountered trouble in Wencheng—classic misdirection. Wink-wink, nudge-nudge.

Of course, this was only possible because the man had survived. Had he not been saved, all hell would’ve broken loose.

So, the mayor was genuinely grateful to Fu Tinghua.

If the man hadn’t been rescued, the mayor wouldn’t just have faced disciplinary action—he might have even been given the boot.

After all, everyone knew how crucial an agronomist was to a developing nation at this stage.

"Understood. I appreciate it, Mayor Ye," Fu Tinghua replied respectfully.

Seeing that he grasped his intention, Ye Chou felt quite pleased.

Word was Dr. Fu had exceptional medical skills but an overly rigid personality—someone who couldn’t be bothered with political games.

But today’s encounter suggested the rumors weren’t entirely accurate.

"Hahaha, young Fu, such a talented individual—are you married yet?" Mayor Ye Chou out of the blue asked this question.

He genuinely wanted to play matchmaker for Fu Tinghua. With a face like his, he was sure to be a hit with the ladies.

Mayor Ye Chou did have a daughter, but a doctor’s career alone didn’t cut it for her pedigree.

His daughter, of course, needed to marry someone who could help him move up the political ladder.

Though Fu Tinghua had earned that person’s favor, he was still just a doctor.

Introducing him to some of his nieces? That, he was more than happy to do.

Especially with Fu Tinghua’s face—the kind girls would naturally adore—he was more than willing to facilitate such a match.

"Thank you for your kindness, Mayor Ye, but I’m already married."

Mayor Ye Chou had been off in his own world, so Fu Tinghua’s answer threw him for a loop.

He stared at Fu Tinghua in surprise and said, "I never would’ve guessed, young Fu—married at such a young age! What’s the term for it again? 'Married way too young,' yes, that’s it—married way too young!"

Hearing this, the dean quickly jumped in to save face. "Yes, yes, our young Fu isn’t just married—his children are not little anymore, right, Ting Hua? How old are they again?"

"They’ll be four next month," Fu Tinghua replied, remembering that Zai Zai and Niu Niu’s birthdays were next month.

"Hahaha, wonderful! Thriving at work and at home—no wonder you’re going places."

The group chatted and laughed in the dean's office all morning.

Fu Tinghua didn’t accomplish a thing the entire morning—he was just there to tag along for the chat.

Before leaving, Mayor Ye Chou said to Fu Tinghua, "Xiao Fu, if you ever run into any trouble you can’t solve in the future, come to me. This time, I owe you a favor."

The dean watched Mayor Ye Chou make this promise to Fu Tinghua, his eyes nearly popped with envy.

After all that talking, the mayor hadn’t given him that kind of promise.