The controversy escalated much quicker than Liu Banxia could comprehend. Once his interview concluded, the number of comments on the video was simply countless. What was initially a minor incident had snowballed into the hottest topic, ranking first. This was likely because the issue touched upon the interests of many people. Even those currently unaffected would inevitably face similar concerns in the future. The conflict arose because patients didn't want to spend extra money, and doctors didn't want to incur losses.

Liu Banxia spent the entire morning in a daze. He couldn't completely ignore the issue, as he was one of the parties involved and was now awaiting news from the Medical Affairs Department of the Second Hospital. The Medical Affairs Department would hardly pass up such an open opportunity to cause trouble for him.

Fortunately, he was quite popular, and this matter also involved many surgeons. During lunch in the cafeteria, he received numerous words of comfort. Zhou Qiang, being a good friend, specially rewarded him with a chicken leg, a Four-Happiness Meatball, and a generous extra helping of rice.

"President Liu, are you worried?" Wang Chao asked curiously on their way back.

"A little, I suppose, but mostly I'm just bothered by the hassle," Liu Banxia replied. "This matter has blown up so much that it has even alerted the city authorities. I just don't know if the provincial authorities will be alerted as well."

"Personally, I don't see it as a big deal. However, our hospital just put the emergency center into use, and now I've caused a scandal. It doesn't look good."

"Actually, I don't think it's a big deal either," Wang Chao said with a smile. "This is a common phenomenon in the industry. It's impossible for the authorities to target just us."

"However, there will certainly be related policies introduced in the future. How strictly they'll be enforced will depend on the specifics of those policies. I think we should just face it as it comes and continue doing what we need to do."

Liu Banxia chuckled and patted Wang Chao's shoulder. He knew these were words of comfort because if this matter were truly pursued, it would be considered a violation of regulations.

What surprised Liu Banxia was that by three o'clock in the afternoon, no one from the Medical Affairs Department had contacted him. This unsettled him, and he began to fear that something might genuinely go wrong.

Finally, at half-past three, Liu Banxia received a call summoning him to the Medical Affairs Department.

He sighed deeply, a bad premonition settling in.

"Dr. Liu, you've probably guessed why we called you here," Wu Qiang said.

Liu Banxia nodded. "Just tell me directly."

"After an emergency meeting of the hospital committee, we have decided to suspend you for half a month, effective immediately," Wu Qiang announced calmly.

Liu Banxia frowned. "Okay, then who will handle my work at the emergency center?"

Seeing Liu Banxia's calm reaction, Wu Qiang paused for a moment. "You'll need to consult Director Zhou about that. Half a month isn't very long; try not to get too emotional."

Liu Banxia laughed. "I'll just treat it as a vacation for myself, a good chance to go out and have some fun. Is there anything else? If not, I'll be going."

"Nothing else. You can handle the relevant procedures at the emergency center," Wu Qiang said.

"Thank you. You seem quite decent, not taking the opportunity to sneer or mock me. Let's forget our past disputes and get along well in the future," Liu Banxia said with a grin, then very cheerfully ran out.

Wu Qiang was thoroughly exasperated. What on earth did this guy mean? Did he really have to act like a mad dog, tearing into him? Couldn't he just savor this moment quietly?

Liu Banxia, who had run out, wiped the smile from his face. His praise, of course, wasn't genuine. Zhou Shuwen hadn't told him in advance, and the Medical Affairs Department had announced this so hastily, revealing their eagerness.

When he returned to the emergency center and saw Zhou Shuwen was also there, he hurried over to greet him. "Director, you're here."

"Have you received the notice?" Director Zhou asked.

Liu Banxia nodded. "The fault lies with me, and I willingly accept the punishment. But you can't say I did this to slack off or that I'm thoughtless. The punishment is actually more severe than I anticipated."

"Well, you have a good mindset," Director Zhou said, nodding in approval.

"If we were to be truly strict about it, your suspension should be at least a month, and it would also be recorded in your file. The discussion during the hospital committee meeting was very intense."

"Firstly, your procedure was incorrect. Normally, Jinshui District Hospital should have sent a consultation letter, and the hospital would have then dispatched you. The hospital would settle the expenses and then distribute the funds to you."

"Director, I'd like to hear the 'secondly' and 'afterward' parts," Liu Banxia said with a smile.

Director Zhou glared at him. "I won't bother you with all the other messy details. After all, this is an issue that affects the entire industry. You're not the first, nor will you be the last; your case just happened to be exposed."

"Furthermore, the materials provided by Xu Chengjun were a great help. After all, you signed a teaching and training agreement with him, which played a significant role. He also took all the responsibility upon himself. Without him, you wouldn't have gotten through this so easily."

Liu Banxia was stunned, his expression turning serious. This favor from Xu Chengjun was immense.

"However, there were still procedural errors. Just be more careful in the future," Zhou Shuwen continued. "Don't feel burdened; think of this as a vacation. If you decide to travel, bring back some local specialties when you return."

"Er... my hometown seems to grow a lot of potatoes," Liu Banxia casually replied.

"Get out! Just looking at you is annoying," Zhou Shuwen said, exasperatedly amused.

"Thank you, Director. Please also thank the Chief Director and the other leaders for me," Liu Banxia said seriously. "I know that if it weren't for everyone looking out for me, I definitely wouldn't have received such a light punishment."

"And don't worry, I genuinely won't feel any burden. This is a good time to rest for a while, read some books, and recharge my batteries."

Zhou Shuwen nodded contentedly. "Then it's settled. Hand over your current work to Shi Lei and Chen Xuehai. While you're gone, they'll take turns overseeing things."

"I was worried you wouldn't be able to handle it and would act recklessly. The Chief Director was right; your previous damn personality was all an act. Even I was fooled by you! Next time you go to Jinshui District, bring me some of those sizzling plate dishes too. I haven't had any in years."

"Alright then, Director, I'll go handle the handover now," Liu Banxia replied cheerfully, then skipped and hopped as he ran out.

Zhou Shuwen felt a bit helpless. Liu Banxia had accepted the situation perfectly. Since he was in the wrong, he shouldn't harbor any inappropriate resentment.

But looking at his current flighty demeanor, Zhou Shuwen felt a bit of a headache. He didn't seem as composed as he'd imagined, but at least he wasn't psychologically burdened, which was acceptable.

"President Liu, how did it go?" Seeing Liu Banxia run out, Wang Chao and the others hurried over.

"Suspended for half a month, effective immediately!" Liu Banxia declared cheerfully.

"Damn, it's that serious?" Wang Chao couldn't help but curse.

Liu Banxia nodded. "I was the one who stuck my neck out, so getting shot was to be expected. Comrades, you must learn from this experience; you must prioritize procedure."

"Banxia, are you getting some kind of thrill out of this?" Wang Chao asked, clearly worried.

Liu Banxia rolled his eyes at him. "Do you think this is a punishment for me? I see it more as a reward. I'm suspended, but they didn't say they're docking my pay. Isn't this equivalent to half a month's paid vacation?"

"Er... well, if you put it that way, it sounds right, but that's probably not how we're supposed to interpret it, right?" Wang Chao was dumbfounded.

"Heh heh, the leaders advocated for me; it won't be recorded in my file, so this is a vacation," Liu Banxia said gleefully. "Anyway, there isn't much work. I'll hand things over to Chen Xuehai, and then I can openly take an early leave."

"Teacher Liu, what about us then?" Xu Yino and the others protested.

"Oh, what are you all worried about?" Liu Banxia said. "You can all get some rest this half-month too. Otherwise, with me around all the time, you'd all end up with nervous breakdowns."

"Dr. Shi, Dr. Wei, Doctor Qi, and Doctor Wang—their skills are all top-notch. There's a lot you can learn from them; you can't just focus on me."

"But you mustn't relax too much. I've decided: when I return to work, I'll perform a surgery to test you all. I'm really looking forward to seeing who the unlucky one will be."

"You're such a handful! I just wanted to get some decent sleep at home. Aren't you even going to give me that chance?" Shi Lei came over at this moment.

"Boss, there's nothing I can do. Right now, management can only be left to you and Dr. Chen," Liu Banxia shrugged.

"Just looking at you annoys me. Quickly pack your things and get lost," Shi Lei said, punching him on the shoulder.

Actually, Shi Lei also didn't want Liu Banxia to bear too much psychological burden because of this. He himself had been quite surprised when he received Zhou Shuwen's call.

This was probably also thanks to the emergency center having opened not long ago, so there weren't too many things that needed to be handed over. Besides some postoperative patients transferred from the inpatient department, there were also the newly admitted patients in the emergency center.

"Dr. Liu, where are you planning to go for fun tomorrow?" Qing Kewa asked, approaching him after he had finished the handover.

"What are you up to?" Liu Banxia asked curiously.

"I have a day off tomorrow. I want to go out with you and Qiaoqiao," Qing Kewa said. "Actually, I can leave after work today. There's still a bit of time. Can I join you guys tonight?"

"Okay, okay. Secretary Liang, you're also off, right? Want to join us as well?" Liu Banxia asked.

"Heh heh, will I be a bother?" Liang Xiaolin asked with a grin.

"Come if you want, don't if you don't," Liu Banxia shot her a glance.

Liang Xiaolin didn't care; she was used to it anyway. Since she was invited, she figured she might as well go.