Director Jake was momentarily choked with indignation. As the esteemed director of the hospital, he was someone highly sought after and respected every year. People clamored to find connections through him for medical treatment. When had he ever had to lower himself like this?
What’s more, the person he was humbling himself before was just a young woman—an intern at his hospital.
But, under the eaves, one has no choice but to bow his head! For the sake of his grandson’s life, he had to bring Sophia back with him.
If Sophia could cure his grandson, that would be fine. If not…
Director Jake’s eyes flickered coldly. If she failed, she could forget about getting a reference for her internship from the hospital, and she could forget about working in any hospital in this city.
Sophia glanced at Director Jake lightly. Though he masked it well, the emotions in his eyes betrayed a fleeting trace of calculation, which she immediately detected.
She smirked faintly. She had always been someone who held grudges. Anyone who had wronged her shouldn’t expect her to simply let it go.
However, holding grudges was one thing, and treating patients was another. She genuinely didn’t have the time.
“Sophia, Director Jake’s grandson, has polio, and the situation is urgent. Can you please come with me?” Professor Michael persuaded.
Even Professor Michael wasn’t confident that his apprentice could cure the child.
But with the venerable Doctor involved, even if his apprentice failed, she wouldn’t be held responsible.
Sophia glanced at the queue outside the door and said:
“Professor, it’s not that I don’t want to go. Look at all the people lining up outside. Some have been waiting for a day or two. I can’t just abandon them and leave with you.”
Professor Michael was stunned and stared at the entrance in shock.
He had noticed the crowd earlier but had assumed they were tourists here for hiking or an outing.
After all, they had ordered takeout, set up barbecue grills at the entrance, and were grilling meat.
The supermarket downstairs had even delivered a few crates of beer. The group was laughing, crying, and sharing their woes with each other.
Did this look like the scene outside a clinic?
That said, there was indeed a line of benches stretching from the clinic to the entrance.
“Could it be that these benches…”
Sophia nodded. “I thought the clinic was too cramped and the smell unpleasant, so I told them to take numbers and queue outside. They weren’t at ease and brought benches to hold their spots while they wandered outside.”
Professor Michael was astonished.
How was this possible? He had visited this clinic decades ago when Sophia’s grandfather was in charge. Her grandfather was a skilled doctor, and there were often a few people waiting, but this…
Sophia had been unremarkable in her studies, consistently ranking at the bottom. How had she suddenly become so accomplished in medicine?
“Why are there so many people?”
“Who knows? Maybe it’s the power of determined parents and the internet.”
She had clearly placed a sign at the entrance stating that only five numbers would be issued per day. But these people had added a “10” in front of the “5,” turning it into “105.” When she refused to see them, the group outside declared they were all family.
People with Northeastern, Texan, and Orlando accents shamelessly claimed to be one family. Parenting wasn’t easy!
Professor Michael was still in shock when someone in the queue shouted:
“Hey, patient! Don’t cut in line, okay? If you want to see a doctor, get a number! Dr. Smith is busy and doesn’t have time to chat with you!”
“Exactly, Dr. Smith could have seen another patient by now.”
“How shameless! Cutting in line? Where’s your decency?”
Professor Michael’s face turned red.
Director Jake, standing nearby, couldn’t take it anymore. He hurried to Sophia and said anxiously:
“Dr. Smith, if you’re willing to come with me now, I’ll let you intern at the hospital and even offer you a position after graduation.”
Sophia glanced at him like he was an idiot and replied rudely:
“Internship? Who cares! A job after graduation?”
Sophia sneered, “Tsk! Do you think offering me a position at your hospital is the greatest favor? I can’t stand people like you. With someone like you in leadership, I can only imagine how harshly you treat your doctors and nurses. It’s ridiculous!”
Then, her tone turned icy. “Enough! If you want a consultation, get in line! If not, you can leave!”
Director Jake was furious. He roared, “What’s the meaning of this? Are you taking personal revenge? Just because I fired you? Shouldn’t you prioritize patients based on urgency? My grandson has polio! Shouldn’t you see him first? Just name your price! I’ll pay you!”
Before Sophia could respond, the queue erupted in protest.
“My mother has b****t cancer. Why should I give up her spot for your grandson?”
“My child has a high fever and seizures. Every parent is worried.”
“Your grandson is important, but does that mean others’ grandchildren aren’t? My grandson has been unable to stand for months. Is that less urgent than your case?”
Suddenly, someone recognized Director Jake:
“Isn’t that Director Jake from the city hospital? No wonder he wants to cut in line and use his power! Turns out he’s the director!”
The crowd immediately understood.
“My father died after a failed surgery at the city hospital.”
“A relative of mine died during childbirth there. Both the mother and baby were cremated without even returning the bodies.”
“When my child had a fever, they insisted we queue up for treatment. Isn’t that basic protocol?”
“Does he think there are no rules here?”
“At his hospital, patients have to follow the rules, but when he’s the patient, the rules don’t apply?”
Director Jake’s face turned red with shame under the crowd’s scorn.
It had been a long time since he’d had to queue. He’d forgotten what it felt like to follow the rules and be treated like everyone else.
Even Professor Michael was displeased with Director Jake’s attitude toward Sophia. He said, “Director Jake, are you queuing or not? If not, we’ll head back to the hospital.”
Director Jake’s expression darkened. After a long pause, he gritted his teeth and said, “I’ll queue!”
—
Professor Michael stayed and helped his apprentice by consulting with patients who had lighter symptoms, keeping busy.
Finally, at 10 p.m., it was Director Jake’s turn.
Sophia had worked hard all day and was ready to rest, but while Director Jake was detestable, his grandson was innocent. After a moment’s thought, Sophia said:
“Fine, I’ll come with you now.”
