Chapter 57 New Responsibilities, Old Resentments.


    "Thank you for your concern, Professor, Chase said.


    Finiste


    He still kept some things in the dormitory. When he had night shifts, he would stay there to rest.. That afternoon, after getting his sleeve wet during rounds, Chase returned to the dorm to change shirts. nc was sitting on the bed.


    "Good afternoon, Chairman," nc joked. "Man, I''m lucky to be sharing a dorm with the chairman. One person rises to power and the whole group benefits. Don''t forget me when you''re sessful."


    Chase changed clothes without looking up. "What nonsense are you talking about?"


    "You earned the chairman spot on your own. I respect that," nc said. "But listen, Dr. Simon''s not too happy. I heard he pulled a lot of strings trying to get the honorary chairmanship, even treated the previous chairman to dinner."


    nc sat up straight and held up a number with his fingers. "He sent a lot of expensive gifts too. But in the end, the position went to you. Dr. Simon''s been grumbling around the hospitaltely. Don''t take it personally."


    "I don''t care," Chase said calmly. "Being chairman or not doesn''t really matter to me. I only epted because sitting in this position means I can help the one I love. Otherwise, I wouldn''t have bothered."


    ne raised his eyebrows. "Oh? Madam Wendy really worked her magic for you, huh?"


    "We''ll talk about it another time," Chase said.


    Dr. Simon had been at Cloud Hospital for over twenty years. He had worked hard for decades. and had only be a department head ten years ago.


    Originally, the chairman role had nothing to do with him. But with just a few years left before retirement, Simon thought that if he retired as a chairman, his benefits would be better. So he made some moves behind the scenes.


    He spent money, gave gifts-but in the end, the rolended with the young neer Chase. Naturally, Simon wasn''t happy.


    These days, whenever he saw Chase around the hospital, his face was ice cold.


    But Chase had never cared much about how others viewed him. He wasn''t familiar with Simon. and had no dealings with him before. Even during rounds, they didn''t cross paths much.


    Unfortunately, fate wasn''t kind. A recent case required both their departments to work together, so they often ended up in the same meetings. Even in the elevator, they bumped into each other.


    "Well, well, Chairman Gu, Simon said mockingly when they met by the elevator. "Got appointment letter already? What are you doing stilling to meetings?"


    your


    Chapter 57 New Responsibilities, Old Resentments


    Finisond


    Chase was dressed simply, a white coat over his shirt, one hand in his pocket, the other casually texting Wendy back.


    "I left the letter in my office. A still attending consultations, Chairman is just a title. Chase) answered politely.


    Simon rolled his eyes, hands shoved into his coat pockets, giving Chase a long, disdainful look. "Young people really are different. Madam Wendy just visited not long ago, and now, surprise. your appointmentes through. Looks like being good-looking is still the ultimate shortcut, no matter the gender."


    Hearing that, Chase frowned, about to respond, but the elevator doors opened.


    A crowd of nurses and doctors rushed in. Chase was squeezed to the back, separated from Simon by a wall of people. Whatever he wanted to say, he swallowed back.


    At the consultation meeting, the senior doctors discussed a case.


    "Surgery is necessary. Conservative treatment is no longer effective. But the patient is elderly, so recovery will be challenging. We''ve sent the surgical n to everyone. Dr. Chase will be the primary surgeon for the tumor removal. After that, orthopedics will take over. Dr. Simon, any objections?"


    Simon barely nced at the documents, tossed them aside, leaned back in his chair, and stared at Chase.


    "Objections? What objections could I have? Our glorious Chairman Gu will lead the surgery. We orthopedic folks will just follow orders. I only hope our young chairman doesn''t get so excited that his hands start shaking."


    Everyone could hear the sarcasm dripping from Simon''s voice.


    The department head quickly tried to smooth things over. Come on now, Dr. Chase''s appointment letter just came down. Let''s congratte him!"


    The senior professor sitting at the head of the table shot Simon a nce but ignored his jabs.


    "Chase," the professor said, "everyone here is your senior. After the surgery, you should treat everyone to a meal. It''s tradition."


    The professor had been a mentor to Chase, guiding him through the unspoken rules of the hospital. He was giving Chase a way to save face.


    "Of course," Chase said. "Once the surgery''s done, tomorrow night at the Watering Hole."


    Simon snorted disdainfully. He tossed his pen onto the table. "Dr. Chase sure is generous. Treating us to the Watering Hole? We poor little doctors can''t afford to step foot in that ce. A pot of tea costs thousands."


    Even several attempts to ease the tension couldn''t calm Simon down, and eventually, the meeting