CHAPTER 77: 077 VERY CONFIDENT

"Liu Banxia, there’s a report claiming you’ve accepted money from a patient. How do you explain this?"

Just as Liu Banxia arrived at the Emergency Department, before he could even greet anyone, a stern-faced Zhou Shuwen confronted him.

"Heh, Director Zhou, let’s not rush into this. Why don’t we go to my office? It’s not ideal to discuss this out in the open," Qin Hai said, chuckling.

"It doesn’t matter. If he dared to do such a thing, I, Zhou Shuwen, can bear the disgrace," Zhou Shuwen said coldly.

"Director Zhou, I swear, apart from bananas and grapes, I haven’t accepted anything else. Dragon fruit, durian—I haven’t taken any of those," Liu Banxia said with a serious expression.

The atmosphere, which had been very tense, lightened with his words, and several onlookers nearly burst out laughing.

On his way back, he had already thought it through. As long as his conduct was upright, he didn’t need to fear slander. They could say his work attitude wasn’t proactive enough, but accusing him of taking benefits from patients was absolutely out of the question. That could withstand any investigation.

Having figured this out, he was fearless. Not to mention, Qin Hai’s influence seemed to be subtly present. If this had been reported to Zhou Shuwen first, Zhou would definitely have questioned him directly.

"Director Zhou, have doctors become this audacious nowadays? It’s no wonder so many patients don’t trust us," Qin Hai said insidiously.

"Take a look," Zhou Shuwen said, his face grim, as he handed over his phone.

Liu Banxia was genuinely curious to see what it was.

It was a video file on the phone. The moment he tapped it open, he chuckled.

He recognized the video’s content immediately. It was indeed him, and the other person was Uncle Jiang. The incident shown was from that day in the Emergency Department when Uncle Jiang had tried to give him a red envelope, and he had then accompanied him to deposit the money.

He just didn’t know which scoundrel had filmed this segment and added their own interpretation. It said that doctors nowadays were thoroughly corrupt; they wouldn’t accept money in the hospital but would have patients transfer it outside, making it untraceable.

"What are you laughing at?" Zhou Shuwen asked, frowning.

"Director Zhou, the person in the video is indeed me, and that man is indeed a family member of a patient at our Second Affiliated Hospital. But I’m puzzled. Why wasn’t the patient’s family member called in for a direct confrontation, and why was I suspended instead?" Liu Banxia asked.

"When something this significant happens, would patients accept it if you weren’t suspended? Who gave you such audacity?" Just as Liu Banxia finished speaking, someone behind him interjected.

"And who might you be? You look unfamiliar. Did you film this? No, wait. You’re the one who suspended me?" Liu Banxia asked, frowning.

"This is Director Wu from our Medical Affairs Department," Shi Lei introduced.

"Director Wu? So what? Which rule in our Second Affiliated Hospital states that accepting money from a patient warrants suspension before investigation? Just because someone posted some nonsense online, you... that person suspends me without even investigating? Who the hell do you think you are?" Liu Banxia didn’t suppress his anger.

"What are you pointing at? Put your dog paw down! So, being a Director makes you all high and mighty? You think you can discipline whoever you want? Does your family own this hospital? I’m not letting this go today!"

"If you look down on us residents, go complain to the Hospital Director! Why recruit so many each year then? Just to tire yourself out? Point at me again, try it! I’m not afraid of adding assault and property damage to my record!"

"Liu Banxia, calm down," Zhou Shuwen ordered sternly, glaring at him.

"Oh, Director Zhou, they’re really bullying me too much. I couldn’t hold back my temper. I admit my mistake," Liu Banxia instantly became a well-behaved child.

Wu Qiang, who had rushed over, was so furious he nearly had a heart attack. After working at the Second Affiliated Hospital for so many years, even the directors of regular departments had to respectfully call him "Director Wu." Now, this young brat was cursing him out.

"Explain what happened," Zhou Shuwen continued.

"Director, this is Uncle Jiang, the family member of the baby I diagnosed with a hypothalamic hamartoma—the one from when I bought beer," Liu Banxia said.

"He wanted to give money that day, but not to me. It was for Director Xiao and the people in the operating room. I patiently explained things to him. I was also worried his money might get stolen, so I went with him to deposit it at an ATM."

"It’s as simple as that. We can call Uncle Jiang over to explain the situation, or perhaps apply to the bank to retrieve the ATM records from that day, right? I’m not sure about that; I’m not a bank employee."

"Anyway, I just know that people who poke their noses into other people’s business and still can’t get it right are truly detestable. It would be one thing if you could actually catch the mouse."

"So, you got thoroughly rebuffed, feeling good now? Happy? Thrilled? You’ve wasted all your years! What are you looking at? Yes, I’m talking about you! I’m putting it all on the line today. Even if I have to take off this uniform, I will get my name cleared!"

"Settle down. You have the patient’s family member’s contact information, right? Call them over," Zhou Shuwen said.

"Just a moment, Director. I’ll contact him right away," Liu Banxia replied, his face instantly breaking into a smile.

He didn’t delay. He simply told Uncle Jiang to come to the Emergency Department, saying he needed him for something.

"Dr. Liu, what’s the matter?" asked Uncle Jiang, who had hurried over from the inpatient department.

"Here’s the situation. Take a look at this video first," Liu Banxia said, handing the phone over with a smile.

Uncle Jiang had no idea what was going on, so he took the phone and started watching the video.

"Who’s this asshole? This is complete nonsense!" Uncle Jiang also got angry halfway through watching.

Liu Banxia was practically their family’s savior. Now someone had cooked up this scheme. Even though his own face was blurred in the video, how could Uncle Jiang not recognize himself?

From Uncle Jiang’s current reaction, it was already clear what had happened. Then, Uncle Jiang took out his own phone, opened his mobile banking app, and the deposit record on it was displayed very clearly.

"Director Wu, Liu Banxia’s attitude just now was poor. I apologize to you on his behalf. As for his temporary suspension, let’s just drop it. If anyone in your Medical Affairs Department disagrees, just say I said so," Zhou Shuwen said calmly.

"Director Zhou... I... it’s mainly... the online repercussions are too significant..." Wu Qiang stammered.

"That’s a matter for your Medical Affairs Department; it has nothing to do with me." After speaking, Zhou Shuwen looked at Uncle Jiang. "Apologies, we’ve troubled you to make this trip."

"Director, Dr. Liu is a good man. If it weren’t for Dr. Liu, our whole family would have been finished," Uncle Jiang said.

"Uncle Jiang, please don’t be so formal with me. Go back and be with the baby. Remember to call me when you’re discharged. I still need to eat the fish your son-in-law stews!" Liu Banxia said with a smile.

"Hahaha, it’s settled then! We’ll eat once you’re off work," Uncle Jiang said cheerfully and hurried back.

Zhou Shuwen’s gaze swept around the room, finally landing on Liu Banxia. "What are you still looking at? Go get lunch and bring it to my office. Old Jiang, let’s talk for a bit."

After saying this, Zhou Shuwen led Shi Lei away. Before leaving, he even nodded at Qin Hai, which startled Qin Hai.