Chapter 62: Lin Yaodong’s Embarrassing Circuit

Lin Yaodong felt extremely awkward, especially as he sat on the sofa in Han Wen’s home, unable to find comfort. His attempt to show off had failed miserably, leaving him with a sense of social death that was unbearable.

Han Wen looked at Lin Yaodong with a strange expression, her eyes revealing disappointment and a touch of sorrow. Feng Ling, upon hearing that even the director of her own hospital would not give face to Lin Yaodong’s father, felt a chill in her heart and was at a loss for words.

Han Daming’s expression remained unchanged; he was not surprised that the director of the city hospital did not defer to Lin Yaodong’s father. After all, Xu Zhongmu was a deputy division-level official. Although he was just a hospital director, and the position was not as influential as being a section chief in the Organization Department of the Municipal Party Committee, the rank was significant. The city hospital operated relatively independently, beyond the reach of the Organization Department. Even when it came to promotions within the hospital, as a direct subordinate of the Municipal Health Bureau and an institution under the city government, the Organization Department had no say.

“Yaodong, don’t let this weigh on your mind,” Han Daming said, trying to reassure him. “No matter what, thank you for your help. As long as you and Wenwen are stable together, that’s more important than anything.”

He didn’t want to put too much pressure on Lin Yaodong. He did not feel disappointed in him; there are always some things that are simply beyond one’s control. Lin Yaodong was just a minor secretary in the municipal government office, and his father was merely a mid-level official, a section chief in the Organization Department. Lin Liangming, as chief of the Cadres Section, could influence the promotions of deputy section chiefs and clerks in municipal bureaus, but when it came to deputy division-level officials, he was powerless. If Lin Liangming were the deputy head of the Organization Department, that would be a different story.

“Uncle, don’t try to comfort me. I don’t believe I can’t handle a mere hospital director!” Lin Yaodong stood up, his face dark and grim. “I’ll go see Secretary Tian.”

He stormed out, humiliated and stripped of all dignity in front of Han Wen’s family. How could he ever reclaim his pride as a man before Han Wen after this? And since Xu Zhongmu had so blatantly disregarded him, Lin Yaodong now bore him a grudge. Xu Zhongmu would have to pay a price—he would not let this go.

“Yaodong, wait—” Han Daming’s expression changed dramatically as he stood up and called after him, but Lin Yaodong did not look back, slamming the door behind him.

“Wenwen, go after him, don’t let him do something foolish,” Han Daming urged his daughter. He was very satisfied with this prospective son-in-law, and it was not worth it for anything to go wrong over this. Feng Ling’s matter was serious, but not insurmountable; if worst came to worst, after things calmed down, she could simply transfer to another hospital. There was no need to make things so tense with Xu Zhongmu.

“Dad, let him go,” Han Wen replied, shaking her head. “If he can’t even restore Mom’s position, then he’s not much use. Yang Dong managed to harm Mom’s career—if Lin Yaodong can’t resolve it, how is he any different from that loser Yang Dong?”

Han Daming was taken aback by his daughter’s words, finding them excessively pragmatic and materialistic.

…

After leaving Han Wen’s home in a huff, Lin Yaodong drove straight to the municipal government building. Once there, he headed directly to Tian Guanghan’s office.

He knocked, then pushed open the door.

Tian Guanghan appeared lost in thought, gazing dazedly at the window where the last of the snow had melted. It was early spring, a time when all things should be awakening and improving, yet his heart felt inexplicably hollow. He had learned that Yin Tiejun had been released from the Municipal Discipline Inspection Commission’s secret guesthouse and was now hospitalized at the city hospital—a development that sent a very particular signal. Yin Tiejun’s release meant that the investigation was essentially over, and his return to power was imminent.

“Secretary?” Lin Yaodong’s voice pulled Tian Guanghan back to reality, bringing a faint, if forced, smile to his face as he turned to him. “What is it, Xiao Lin?”

“Secretary, Yang Dong’s brother, Yang Nan, broke his leg. Doesn’t that make you feel a little vindicated?” Lin Yaodong raised his brows, letting out a sly laugh as he tried to bait Tian Guanghan’s ire. He did not mention Feng Ling’s situation right away, but started with Yang Dong, knowing that only by igniting Tian Guanghan’s anger could he steer the conversation where he wanted. Otherwise, there was no guarantee that Tian would help him pressure the hospital director.

“Vindicated? Of course!” Tian Guanghan sneered, clearly in better spirits. With Yin Tiejun’s return apparently unstoppable, being able to take revenge on Yang Dong and teach him a hard lesson about the harshness of reality was satisfying.

“But Yang Dong is still stirring up trouble, showing you no respect at all! My girlfriend Han Wen’s mother is a chief physician at the city hospital, and today Yang Dong deliberately set her up, causing her to be suspended. I called Xu Zhongmu myself, but he wouldn’t even give my father any consideration. In desperation, I mentioned you, but Xu Zhongmu still refused to budge. Isn’t that a blatant disregard for your authority?” Lin Yaodong clenched his fists, feigning outrage on Tian Guanghan’s behalf.

Tian Guanghan’s eyes flashed, his expression darkening. “He refused to give me face?”

“That’s right. It’s one thing not to show my father respect, but to treat you, the Secretary of the Municipal Government, the same way—how could he?”

“Deputy, deputy…” Tian Guanghan corrected him bitterly. He used to hate being called Deputy Secretary, especially since Yang Dong always made a point of it, but now he had to accept his place. The real Secretary would soon return, and his own deputy post would remain unchanged.

“Oh, but you’ll be formally appointed Secretary soon enough—it’s as good as done,” Lin Yaodong replied dismissively. His father had already told him that with the Party Secretary’s support, Tian Guanghan’s promotion was a certainty.

“Xiao Lin, try not to stir things up for the time being—keep a low profile,” Tian Guanghan said earnestly. “Xu Zhongmu is the director of the hospital; he has the authority to make his own decisions. This is an internal matter, after all. Best not to get involved, alright?”

“Really? But Secretary… he’s ignoring your authority, and you’re just going to let it go?” Lin Yaodong stared at him in disbelief. Something was clearly off about Tian Guanghan today. He had tried to take advantage of Tian’s notorious sensitivity by provoking him, even though he’d never actually mentioned Tian’s name to Xu Zhongmu. It was a fabrication—there was no way Tian would check. Yet, unexpectedly, Tian was just letting it go?

“There are plenty of people who don’t respect me. So what? Xu Zhongmu is a deputy division-level official, and so am I as Deputy Secretary. We’re equals; why should he defer to me?” Tian Guanghan laughed, taking a sip of tea.

“But… how does he compare to you? He’s just a hospital director, you’re the Secretary of the Municipal Government—the roles aren’t equivalent,” Lin Yaodong persisted, still hoping Tian would act against Xu Zhongmu and restore Han Wen’s mother to her post.

Yet sometimes, pushing too far only breeds suspicion. Tian Guanghan’s brow furrowed as he looked coldly at Lin Yaodong.

“Lin Yaodong, do you take me for a fool? Out!” he shouted, pointing to the door. It was the first time he had ever lost his temper with Lin Yaodong. How could he not sense that Lin was trying to use him? The manipulation was all too obvious.

Lin Yaodong panicked, realizing he had gone too far and angered Tian Guanghan. “I’m sorry, Secretary. I let my anger get the better of me—I just wanted to protect your reputation. I was wrong, Secretary, I apologize.”

Seeing his earnest contrition, Tian Guanghan’s expression softened. He sighed. “Enough. Go back and focus on your work.”

“Yes, yes, I’ll leave you to it. I’ll get back to work right away,” Lin Yaodong replied, bowing and scraping as he backed out of the office.

He had suffered two setbacks in a single day, leaving him dazed and utterly humiliated.