"Sister Xi, how are you?" Qin Si Yue stumbled a step to the right with her, breaking out in a cold sweat, and quickly stepped forward to check on her.
"I'm fine." A hint of panic flashed across Shen Xi's expression as she tidied her clothes and turned to the male doctor who was supporting her, saying, "Thank you!"
"You're welcome, it was just a small effort." The male doctor smiled shyly.
Then, a crisp slapping sound echoed through the dining hall. Shen Xi trembled slightly and turned to see Qin Si Yue fiercely slapping Doctor Yuan.
"Yuan Li, you've gone too far. You were badmouthing Doctor Shen behind her back just now, and now you've even pushed her. Who do you think you are, to be so arrogant? Apologize quickly!"
It was only at this moment that Shen Xi realized Qin Si Yue had been protecting her all along.
"You... how dare you hit me? I... I'll fight you today." Saying that, she lunged at Qin Si Yue.
Qin Si Yue's lips curved into a slight smile. She nimbly sidestepped, and Yuan Li missed.
Losing her balance, she fell directly to the ground, landing face-first in the dirt.
The onlookers exclaimed again, covering their mouths and trying to stifle their laughter.
Doctor Wang, the older physician who had pulled her away earlier, quickly went over to help her up.
The fall was not minor. Yuan Li's eyes welled up with tears. As soon as she steadied herself, she furiously raised her hand towards Qin Si Yue again.
"If you have any complaints, you can take them out on me." Her hand, still in mid-air, was caught by Shen Xi.
As Yuan Li turned her head, she heard Gu Lin's voice ring out in the hall.
"Stop."
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Gu Lin, his face stern, striding towards them.
Seeing this, Shen Xi slowly released her hand.
"Director Gu, Qin Si Yue hit me. You must deliver justice for me." Yuan Li saw him and acted as if she had found a savior, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Gu Lin was a chief attending physician in surgery at this hospital and one of its shareholders, his position at Ankang Hospital second only to President Bai.
He raised his eyes and looked deeply at Shen Xi, then said, "A single clap of the hand does not make a sound. You are fighting in public like this, what kind of decorum is this? Where is your medical ethics?
Alright, everyone disperse and continue eating. You two, come with me to my office."
After speaking, he led the way out of the crowd.
Yuan Li glared at Qin Si Yue and Shen Xi, then turned and limped behind Gu Lin.
Qin Si Yue’s lips curved slightly. She looked at the male doctor who had supported Shen Xi earlier and said, "Wei Tao, you did well just now. I'll treat you to a meal another day."
Then, she looked at Shen Xi and said, "Sister Xi, you continue eating. I'll be back shortly."
"No. I'll go with you." Shen Xi linked her arm with Qin Si Yue's and walked forward.
She had stepped out to defend her in the first place; how could she let her suffer the consequences for her?
Upon arriving at Gu Lin's office and hearing a detailed account of the situation, Gu Lin looked sharply at Yuan Li.
"What else do you have to say? The cause of this whole incident rests on your tongue. Was it wrong to ask you to apologize?"
"I... I wasn't the only one saying it?" Yuan Li's voice lowered instantly.
"Who else? Name them all. None of them will escape." Gu Lin slammed his hand forcefully on the desk, glaring at her with cold eyes.
Yuan Li suddenly lowered her head and fell silent.
"I know, there were four people in total." Qin Si Yue felt a great sense of relief and listed their names one by one.
Three women and one man, all from the Traditional Chinese Medicine department.
"Good." Gu Lin made a phone call, asking for the other three to be summoned.
Soon, the three walked in with their heads bowed. Under Gu Lin's stern reprimand, they had no choice but to apologize to Shen Xi one by one.
Shen Xi hadn't expected such an unpleasant incident to occur on her first day at work.
Seeing that their attitudes were reasonably sincere, and that the most arrogant one had already been taught a lesson by Qin Si Yue, she forgave them and publicly declared that she would not pursue the matter further.
Gu Lin concluded, "Doctor Shen is an internationally renowned physician personally invited by President Bai. Whether she is capable or not is something the President knows best, and her patients are the best witnesses.
Instead of wasting your time gossiping, you should focus on studying your professional knowledge. If you can reach Doctor Shen's level one day, your fees will naturally increase.
This incident was entirely caused by the four of you. Each of you will be fined half a month's salary and receive a formal reprimand from the hospital."