Chapter 49 Director Lin

"Comrade Lin Shaowen from the Medical Department has demonstrated exceptional dedication and superb medical skills since joining the factory, winning the deep love and admiration of his colleagues. Through his professional expertise, he has provided tremendous assistance to the development of the factory."

"Approved by the Rolling Mill Committee, he is hereby promoted to Director of the Medical Department, with his original allowances and bonuses remaining unchanged."

...

The broadcast played three times in a row.

The entire rolling mill was in an uproar.

"That punk got a promotion?" Liu Haizhong was dumbfounded.

Director of the Medical Department, equivalent to deputy section chief.

That punk was several years younger than his eldest son, Liu Guangfu. How could this happen?

Yi Zhonghai and Jia Dongxu exchanged glances, both wearing gloomy expressions.

The punk was already difficult to deal with without an official title; now that he was an official, he was practically going to soar to the skies.

First Canteen.

"What? Lin Shaowen actually got promoted?" Xiezhu said in disbelief.

"What do you mean 'what Lin Shaowen'? He is Director Lin now." Liu Lan rolled her eyes.

"Director my ass! Just a bootlicker who sucks up to the leaders," Xiezhu spat.

Qin Huairu did not speak up for Lin Shaowen, but inwardly she was beaming with joy.

Her little man was simply amazing.

Medical Department.

Listening to the broadcast, Lin Shaowen wore a wry smile.

If those two fellows really wanted to thank him, they should have improved his treatment instead.

Promoting him to a grade-eight medical professional, for instance, would have been quite nice.

Now that they had made him a director, his salary and benefits had indeed risen, but from now on his pay would be issued according to administrative rank.

As the current Director of the Medical Department, he was at the deputy section chief level.

His salary grade should be level 17, which was ninety-nine yuan, plus allowances.

His monthly salary would total one hundred and nine yuan—a rather frightening figure.

Yet he genuinely did not want to become an official. When the storm arrived in the future, who knew how many officials would fall from grace? Fortunately, his Medical Department was a quiet backwater, the procurement department was managed by the logistics department, and no funds passed through his hands.

Shaking his head, Lin Shaowen opened the gift sent by Zhao Qingshan.

More than a dozen packs of Panda cigarettes, a few bottles of Wuliangye liquor—this time there was no money, but... inside was a slip of paper with "Zhao Qingshan" written on it along with a phone number.

Nanluoguxiang.

"Director Lin, off work?"

"Director Lin, you're really something."

"Director Lin, does your clinic have any vacancies?"

...

Many residents eagerly greeted Lin Shaowen, laying on the charm thick.

As if the previous hostility had never existed at all.

Lin Shaowen casually brushed them off, turned around, and entered the middle courtyard.

Jia Dongxu glanced at Lin Shaowen and said nothing.

"Why is Heaven so unfair? Some murdering scoundrels only know how to suck up to leaders, yet they even get to be officials. No way, I have to go report him. I won't let such people plague the rolling mill..."

Jia Zhang began her performance again, hurling insults indirectly.

"Old Jia, hurry up and get up to take a look. Look at what your Jia Dongxu has been reduced to... His face has turned white with anger—oh no, his face has turned green with anger! And your Jia Zhang, her lips are turning black, she'll be coming down to keep you company very soon."

Lin Shaowen deployed his ultimate soul-summoning technique, causing the courtyard residents who had gathered at the sound to burst into raucous laughter.

"Little bastard, don't you run..."

"Lin Shaowen, I'm going to hack you to death."

Jia Zhang, armed with a stool, and Jia Dongxu, holding a stick, immediately gave chase.

Lin Shaowen took to his heels, darted swiftly back to his courtyard, and slammed the heavy door shut.

"Little bastard, come out here..." Jia Zhang cursed.

"Old dog, you come in here," Lin Shaowen roared back.

"Fine, you just wait for me..."

With that parting shot, Jia Zhang vanished.

Not long after, a sudden shriek pierced the air.

Lin Shaowen immediately opened the door to take a look and was instantly amused.

Jia Zhang's right hand was densely embedded with sharp thorns, and the stepladder beside her lay overturned on the ground.

"You murderous bastard! You actually put poisonous thorns on your wall! You'll come to a bad end..." Jia Zhang shrieked harshly.

"Lin Shaowen, if my mom suffers any mishap, I'll never let you go," Jia Dongxu yelled with bloodshot eyes.

Qin Peiru looked at the mother and son with a helpless expression.

"Are you a dead person? Why aren't you coming over to help mom up?" Jia Dongxu roared at Qin Peiru.

Without a word, Qin Peiru reached out to lift Jia Zhang. But Jia Zhang was too heavy and refused to exert any strength herself; halfway up, her legs gave out and she collapsed back down, instinctively bracing her hand on the ground.

"Ouch, it kills me..."

The thorns pierced deep into her flesh, making her weep with pain.

"Stinking bitch, did you do that on purpose?"

Jia Dongxu raised his hand, ready to slap Qin Peiru, but was intercepted by a sharp reprimand.

"Stop right there."

Qin Huairu pushed her bicycle over.

"Qin Huairu, is there any room for you to speak here?" Jia Zhang rebuked angrily.

"Jia Dongxu, if you dare lay a hand on her, I'll go right back to the factory and bring the security department here," Qin Huairu declared sternly.

"My business with my wife is none of your concern," Jia Dongxu protested bitterly.

"I am the Women's Federation representative stationed in Nanluoguxiang. If you dare strike her, you and your mother can go beg on the streets," Qin Huairu sneered. "Qin Peiru, if he dares hit you, let me know."

"Understood," Qin Peiru said gratefully.

Just as the commotion was peaking, Yi Zhonghai arrived with a group of people. Catching sight of Jia Zhang's hand covered in dense thorns, he seized the opportunity. "Inform everyone, we are holding an all-courtyard meeting right now..."

The courtyard.

Everyone had arrived. Seeing Xu Damao's bruised and swollen face, Lin Shaowen couldn't help but chuckle. "Brother, were you bitten by a dog?"

"Who's to say otherwise?" Xu Damao gritted his teeth.

"Xu Damao, who are you talking about?" Xiezhu immediately bristled.

"I'm talking about whoever hit me..."

Xu Damao stiffened his neck, his eyes filled with hatred.

The Lou family had formally notified him that he and Lou Xiaoe were not suited for each other, without stating the specific reason. But Xu Damao was certain it was because of Xiezhu's previous meddling that his marriage had fallen through.

"Quiet down."

Yi Zhonghai shouted with a resonant voice. "Today's all-courtyard meeting is being called because someone has hidden some very dangerous items in the courtyard..."

"Such a thing?"

Many people wore worried expressions.

"First Uncle, what was hidden?" Xu Damao called out.

"Jia Zhang, come on out..."

At Yi Zhonghai's prompt, Jia Zhang immediately played her part.

Seated on the ground, she began to wail tearfully, "Who else could it be, if not that murderous little bastard Lin Shaowen? Old..."

"Old Jia, hurry up and come up to take a look."

Lin Shaowen shouted, causing Jia Zhang's face to flush bright red.

"Hahaha!"

Many people burst into laughter.

Qin Huairu also shot a reproachful glance at Lin Shaowen; he was a director now, yet he was still so mischievous.

"Lin Shaowen, stop trying to change the subject," Yi Zhonghai pounded the table. "Make an honest confession: what did you plant on your courtyard wall?"

"Boston ivy," Lin Shaowen shrugged.

"Whose Boston ivy has thorns?" Liu Haizhong roared.

"Can't your four eyes see clearly? Mine, of course."

Lin Shaowen looked utterly innocent, provoking another wave of laughter.

"Lin Shaowen, we have so many elderly people and children in our courtyard. Do you know how dangerous this kind of thing is?" Yan Bogui stood up to reprimand him as well.

"Dangerous? Where is it dangerous?" Lin Shaowen looked baffled.

"What if someone gets pricked? Can you bear that responsibility?" Yi Zhonghai said with a stern face. "Look at what you've done to Jia Zhang!"

The crowd crowded around to take a look and collectively drew in a sharp breath.

Jia Zhang's right hand was densely covered with sharp thorns, resembling the back of a toad, making one's scalp tingle.