CHAPTER 46: CHAPTER 46: THE TREE DESIRES STILLNESS, BUT THE WIND WILL NOT CEASE

4:00 PM.

Zhao Heng was still reading in the break room.

With the master-level clinical anesthesiology knowledge he picked up in the morning, even though it was just one course in anesthesiology, it greatly expanded Zhao Heng’s horizons. Now, looking at textbooks from other courses and the cutting-edge materials given by the old professor, the feeling was entirely different.

Just as Zhao Heng was immersed in the ocean of knowledge, he suddenly felt someone patting his shoulder.

Zhao Heng looked up and saw Wang Qiang. He didn’t know when Wang had come to stand in front of him, staring at him, looking as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

"What’s wrong?"

Seeing Wang Qiang like this, Zhao Heng couldn’t help but ask,

Although they were in the same class in college, Zhao Heng and Wang Qiang weren’t very familiar with each other back then. After working, they only occasionally exchanged a few words. To say the least, they weren’t really friends, just classmates.

"Zhao Heng, I didn’t expect you to get along so well suddenly."

Wang Qiang said.

As a classmate and someone who applied together for the surgical equipment technician position, Wang Qiang knew exactly how fast Zhao Heng had progressed.

Seeing a former classmate doing remarkably well while he struggled, Wang Qiang couldn’t help but feel a bit tempted.

"It’s alright."

Zhao Heng replied indifferently.

After all, he and Wang Qiang weren’t very close, just nodding acquaintances.

"Zhao Heng, you’re doing so well now, could you put in a word for me? I want to go to the clinical department."

Wang Qiang hesitated for a moment and then directly asked.

"Ha? Look at me, I’m not even a contract worker, so I doubt I have that kind of influence."

Wang Qiang’s words took Zhao Heng by surprise. Logically, Wang Qiang wouldn’t make such a request of him.

First, they weren’t close, and second, in the eyes of others, Zhao Heng certainly wouldn’t have that capability.

In terms of status, he was just a surgical equipment technician. Where would he get such influence to let a fellow technician go to the clinical department?

"Zhao Heng, this is my first time asking you for something, can’t you help me out as a former classmate? I know you have that kind of influence."

On hearing Zhao Heng reject him, Wang Qiang’s face turned red, as if deeply insulted, but thinking of his current tough life, he still pleaded with Zhao Heng.

"We both applied for the surgical equipment technician position together. If I had that kind of influence, why would I still be a technician for so long?"

Zhao Heng shook his head slightly.

"No, you didn’t have it before, but you do now."

Wang Qiang insisted confidently.

"Did you hear something?"

Seeing Wang Qiang looking so sure, Zhao Heng couldn’t help but ask curiously.

It was clear that Wang Qiang didn’t truly believe Zhao Heng had such influence now.

Then it became obvious: Zhao Heng didn’t have such a reputation, but his mentor, Gao Jun, certainly did.

However, only a few people knew about Gao Jun’s background at Eastern Hospital, and how could Wang Qiang, just a technician, know about it?

Someone clearly told him.

"Don’t worry about what I heard; just tell me, will you help me or not? We all started at the same place, and now that you’re up there, can’t you give me a hand?"

Wang Qiang stiffened his neck, looking at Zhao Heng.

"Sorry, I really don’t have that kind of influence, and besides, we’re not close."

Zhao Heng coldly refused.

Wang Qiang, this was just absurd.

"Zhao Heng, you’re really cold-blooded, huh? Back in school, I even helped you buy train tickets. Don’t you even recall a bit of that classmate camaraderie?"

Wang Qiang was provoked by Zhao Heng’s cold demeanor, his face flushed as he spoke with resentment.

"Uh... we all took turns buying train tickets, and Eastern Hospital isn’t run by my family. I’m still working hard myself."

For the sake of being classmates, Zhao Heng initially didn’t want to argue, but he said a few more words anyway.

Hearing Zhao Heng say this, Wang Qiang’s face turned a mix of blue and purple. He felt that, even after putting aside his pride and asking Zhao Heng for help, Zhao Heng still maintained such a cold attitude. His dignity felt trampled.

"You’ll regret this!"

Wang Qiang, extremely embarrassed, stood there awkwardly for a moment before spitting out these harsh words, glaring at Zhao Heng before leaving.

What the heck?

This strange episode from Wang Qiang left Zhao Heng feeling affected.

At 5:30, Gao Jun also got off work, and naturally, Zhao Heng had a simple meal with his mentor outside the hospital.

In a small restaurant outside the hospital, the two of them casually ordered a few dishes. As they waited for the food, Gao Jun suddenly asked Zhao Heng, "I heard you had a bit of a conflict with Wang Qiang this afternoon?"

"Teacher, how do you know everything?"

Zhao Heng looked at Gao Jun, a bit surprised.

"The operating room is a small place, naturally I know. Tell me, what happened?"

Gao Jun said.

Zhao Heng was at a crucial stage, and having a conflict with a former classmate at times like this wouldn’t be good for him.

The attention Zhao Heng had been receiving from Gao Jun during this time had already made many people envious.

"Nothing much, just some inexplicable..."

Zhao Heng nodded, recounting what Wang Qiang said at noon.

"Someone doesn’t want to see you progress..."

Hearing Zhao Heng’s words, Gao Jun thought for a moment and said.

"A relative of mine in business once said that seeing others make money feels worse than losing money yourself. It’s normal for others to be uncomfortable, teacher, I think the reason Wang Qiang is so certain I can help him speak up is probably because of you, teacher."

Zhao Heng slowly said.

"You mean Wang Qiang somehow found out about my background and tried to use a backdoor by asking you?"

Gao Jun’s expression became serious as he spoke.

"It’s probably like that. He came in at the same time as I did. Even I found out about your background only recently; how could he know?"

Zhao Heng nodded.

"Someone has ill intentions, trying to use classmate ties to coerce you, ruining your reputation, and affecting allocations given to you later."

Thinking for a moment, Gao Jun quickly drew a conclusion.

"Uh, who would have such malice toward me..."

Zhao Heng thought for a long time, not knowing who he might have offended. Logically, he was always low-key, and since following Gao Jun, he’d never boasted or shown off.

"Don’t underestimate human nature; disliking others doing well is common.

Gao Jun shook his head slightly.

"Alright, stay away from Wang Qiang in the future, I’ll handle this matter."

After a pause, Gao Jun continued.

"This shouldn’t have any negative impacts, right?"

Zhao Heng couldn’t help but ask.

Whoever targeted him like this was simply too despicable.

"If you really fought with Wang Qiang, it would have an impact. But now, it’s just a minor issue."

Gao Jun said.