Seeing Su Tao's appearance, Ms. Han instantly felt relieved as she unhappily grumbled, "Why couldn't we get through your phone?"
Since Su Tao couldn't possibly honestly explain that he just came out from the detention center, he could only cook up a story and apologise, "I'm sorry about that, something came up. I encountered a dispute on my trip here, which I spent some time dealing with."
Ms. Han did not pursue it as long as Su Tao appeared. In the end, she hadn't failed her job and replied, "Seven candidates have already had their interviews, so please briefly wait since you're the last one."
"Thank you for your understanding." Su Tao thanked and nodded his head.
Seeing Su Tao being polite, Ms. Han no longer felt so pissed and warned, "But the judges already know that you're late, so it's useless to apologise to me. You're probably in for torture later."
"Since I've already committed a mistake, then I can only face it and sincerely apologise to seek the judges' forgiveness." A bitter smile appeared on Su Tao's face.
As Ms. Han's lips rose, she responded, "Good luck!"
One had to know how to raise and lower his head on different occasions.
This matter originated from him, and he has caused a problem for the employees here. So if he still acted as if he should be in the right, then there's a screw loose in his head.
After Ms. Han rushed into the office, she reported, "Deputy Director Liu, Su Tao has finally shown up and made it in time for the last bus."
"Notify the judges about it in case they inwardly strike him off." Deputy Director Liu wryly smiled.
Ms. Han also bitterly smiled. "Mr. Helian is famed for his principle, and I'm afraid that he has already given a death sentence to Su Tao in his heart."
"That's not something of our concern. Our task is to ensure that everything goes smoothly and to seek talents amongst the candidates." Deputy Director Liu replied.
As Ms. Han acknowledged, she went to inform the judges that Su Tao has already arrived.
After Ms. Han left, Deputy Director Liu immediately gave Song Sichen a call, since he knew that his teacher was probably going insane from the anxiety in his heart.
As someone with self-control, it's rare for Helian Zhen to show his temper. But that didn't mean that he wasn't strict, especially during the National Healer Selection. He was famed for being impartial and never lenient to anything. This was also the reason why he has always been one of the primary judges.
After Ms. Han reported that Su Tao came, Helian Zhen nodded his head, but he was already determined to reject Su Tao as according to the regulations, even if this candidate was someone recommended by Sire Shui and Sire Cao.
Being late in any circumstance was unacceptable, especially for those in the medical industry. After all, being late might put the patient at risk, and no one could assume the responsibility for the consequences that it might cause.
Finally, when it was Su Tao's turn, Helian Zhen only slightly raised his eyelids and reprimanded, "If the life of your patient is at stake, and you missed the best opportunity because of being late, do you think that you can take responsibility for it?"
His words were sharp, and he instantly jabbed the sore spot.
Su Tao did not panic and calmly replied, "Firstly, as a doctor, I will definitely be on time, and I won't miss the best opportunity for my patient's treatment. Secondly, even if I'm late, I feel that the appropriate method is to face my mistake and try my best to save my patient. Even if there's only a slight chance, I can't possibly give up."
"If you're one of the judges and encounter someone who's late like you, would you let him pass?" Helian Zhen asked another question.
Letting out a sigh, it was difficult for him to answer Helian Zhen's question, so So Tao fell into a brief consideration and replied, "I've been asking myself that question on my way here, and I already know that there's only a slight chance of me making through with me being late, so do I still want to try and make an effort? In the end, I've decided to give it my best and try. I'm unable to answer your question, and I can only express my sincerest apology to the judges. At the same time, I would like to say that I love my career as a physician, and I've considered my career above my life. Even if I might be faced with a cold shoulder and questioning, I will still maintain my passion and persevere with my ideal. So I would like to urge the judges to give me a chance!"
Although he was speaking a bunch of righteous words, it was needed. After all, occasionally being a hypocrite to achieve your goal wasn't entirely wrong.
On the contrary, Tan Luoyou wasn't as mild as Helian Zhen and snorted, "Chance? We've already given you a chance, and you did not grasp it well. Although your words might seem sincere, it can't erase your mistake. Just because of this matter alone, it won't be easy for you to get through the National Healer Selection."
Looking at Helian Zhen, Su Tao responded, "I only have a request. I hope that Mr. Helian can look at this paper before making your decision!"
Since Helian Zhen had no idea what Su Tao was trying to do, he replied in annoyance, "Bring it over!"
However. he had already made up his mind that he wouldn't let Su Tao pass, no matter what Su Tao tried.
But when he opened up the paper that Su Tao had folded, his face changed and he deeply sighed, "Let's end your interview here. We will make a further discussion before we decide if you pass!"
After Su Tao left, Tan Luoyou asked out of curiosity, "I don't think there's a need to give this Su Tao a chance."
Shaking his head with a wry smile, He Lianzhen replied, "Rules and regulations are made by humans, and occasionally we have to be flexible. Someone like him is an outstanding talent! This paper has something to do with you, so you can make your decision after looking at it!"
As Tan Luoyou sighed, he first locked his brows together before loosening them up. "He actually noticed my illness?"
Doctors were ultimately human, and they would also fall ill. Tan Luoyou encountered many physicians in his lifetime, but only a few of them managed to detect his illness, not to mention that he had been controlling it well. So being able to discover his illness meant that Su Tao's skills have reached the height of grandmasters.
"You and I both know a thing or two about TCM, and we know how magical inspection out of the four diagnostic methods can be. Not only did he manage to discover your illness, he even wrote you a prescription. Although it's not a commonly seen prescription, I can tell that it's extraordinary, and the effect should be pretty good. So you can give it a try."
Helian Zhen had extraordinary eyesight, and he's a respected senior. Thus, he started to hesitate out of his admiration for Su Tao's medical skills.
But the moment they finished their conversation, Ms. Han entered in a hurry.
"Mr. Helian, there's a call for you!"
When Helian Zhen received the call, a robust voice sounded from the other side. After receiving the instructions of the other party, he nodded his head. "So it turns out that Su Tao was framed by someone, which was why he came late. Please be reassured. Although we place great importance on our rules and regulations, we're reasonable and not stubborn fellows. We will give him a chance."
When he hung the call, Helian Zhen wore a bitter smile as he faced Tan Luoyou. The latter knew his meaning as someone greeted Helian Zhen. For someone that even Helian Zhen had to talk to with respect, it must be an elder in the team.
With that, their hesitation and doubts disappeared. It was inevitable that Su Tao made it through this phase.
The Hongqiao Earthenware Pot Pavilion had a long-established reputation in Beijing. They had a variety of flavors, and not only did they have a unique taste, but they were also reasonably priced. In addition to the owner having an obsession with cleanliness, it made the restaurant extremely famous.
Ye Yilong waved his hand to his bodyguard and entered the private room by himself. Upon entering, he saw Ni Buwei, who was drinking from a bowl of soup with a spoon.
There were several earthenware pots on the table with steam rising from them. Every single pot had a layer of coriander on it, and there were also two bottles of liquor on the side.
Ye Yilong wasn't polite as he opened the liquor and poured a full cup of alcohol before he grumbled, "Why did you start first and not wait for me?"
"I couldn't resist the temptation! My stomach isn't good, and my doctor has been forbidding me from eating outside as I wish. When I saw the food being served, I only managed to hold myself back for ten minutes before taking a few mouthfuls of the soup. But I never expected that it would be such a coincidence that you would arrive at the right moment." Ni Buwei smiled.
"That's why we shouldn't put our trust in luck." Ye Yilong laughed and waved his hand. "It has been a long time since we sat down together."
When he finished, he raised his chopsticks and ate two pieces of mutton before taking a sip of liquor.
Placing down the spoon, Ni Buwei also took a sip of liquor and replied, "Thank you for making a move and help that brat from Hanzhou City to get through the examination phase."
The one that called Helian Zhen was a National Healer, a magnate of his time. It was someone that Ye Yilong found since not just anyone could ask such a big shot for a favor.
"For you, Ni Buwei, to make a move, that brat is truly fortunate!" Ye Yilong smiled in surprise.
Shaking his head, a bitter smile rose on Ni Buwei's lips. "There's nothing I can do about it, since I owed him a favor. He treated both my wife and daughter, not to mention that he even lured out the Qin Family from the background. Don't you agree that he has made a huge contribution?"
Putting down his chopsticks, Ye Yilong sighed, "I never expected that the Qin Family would have such ambitions!"
"It's only a pity that there's nothing we can do with the military resources that they hold." Ni Buwei helplessly responded.
"Right now, the big shots in the military are all turning a blind eye to the Qin Family, and even allowed them to develop."
"It's mainly because the Qin Family managed to get rid of the old firearms at a good price. Who wouldn't be happy about that? These last few years, he gave the big shots a taste of benefits, which is why they have a high evaluation of Qin Jingyu. The Qin Family has already handed the Dragon Group to Qin Jingyu, and he can be considered the most outstanding person amongst the younger generation." Ye Yilong acknowledged.
"Our families are in the same situation, since we're in an awkward position with regards to not having a good candidate as our heir." Ni Buwei sighed.
Bumping cups with Ni Buwei, Ye Yilong shook his head. "Jingqiu might be a girl, but she's capable and intelligent. On the contrary, my daughter is stronger than my son, and this is a headache!"
Waving his hand, Ni Buwei spoke up, "Let's not talk about these sad things and get drunk tonight!"
"Let's hope that our cooperation will be smooth with regards to South Africa's gold mine and let us shower in money!" Ye Yilong heroically smiled.
The two Patriarchs didn't seem different from ordinary people on the table and they even looked like two good friends. As liquor traveled down their throats, their faces turned red and they joked around with each other.
But when they left the restaurant, they immediately returned to their roles, becoming shrewd and influential figures.