The chief physician's actions shocked Professor Li and Elder Dong.
To achieve the position of chief physician at Yan Jing Hospital, one needed not only exceptional medical skills but also considerable seniority!
In a word: persistence!
Yan Jing Hospital was unlike other local hospitals; competition was fierce, with countless eyes fixed on every vacant position.
Yet, the chief physician was willing to abandon his hard-won position and follow Ying Chen, a man of unknown background, as an apprentice laborer!
Anyone else might have exclaimed, "He's gone mad!"
However, after their initial shock, Elder Dong and Professor Li quickly understood the chief physician's actions.
For had they not also been subdued by Ying Chen?
"I have no intention of taking on disciples, nor do I intend to take on an apprentice who starts as a laborer," Ying Chen stated.
To the chief physician's sincere offer, Ying Chen's words directly blocked any further attempts.
The chief physician's lips trembled, as if he still had something to say.
But Ying Chen paid him no mind, turning and walking away after speaking.
Elder Dong and Professor Li cast sympathetic glances at the chief physician and followed.
Only the chief physician remained kneeling on the ground, enduring the curious stares of passersby like a pitiable clown.
"Well, well, isn't this Dr. Hua? You weren't this pathetic yesterday when you insulted me at the meeting! What's wrong? A medical malpractice? Apologizing to the patient's family on your knees?"
At this moment, a doctor walked over.
Upon seeing the chief physician's appearance, he immediately began to mock him.
Yesterday, during a hospital meeting, this doctor had been exposed for a medical scandal by the chief physician, resulting in a hospital-wide reprimand.
He harbored resentment.
Seeing the chief physician embarrassed now, he naturally seized the opportunity.
A nearby bystander, out of politeness, recounted the events to this doctor.
Upon hearing this, the doctor's grin stretched from ear to ear; he was overjoyed.
"Tsk, tsk, I overestimated you. So you wanted to become an apprentice! But you should choose a master wisely. You picked some young man of unknown background and got rejected, how embarrassing."
"Most importantly, have you considered that your actions are a public declaration of your intention to betray the hospital and switch allegiances? If I were a hospital leader, I would fire you immediately! And never rehire you!"
"Dr. Hua, thank you for freeing up your position! You're truly a good person!"
The doctor gave the chief physician a thumbs-up, his mockery overflowing.
The chief physician's expression turned blank for a moment.
He had indeed been impulsive and hadn't considered the consequences.
His actions were highly likely to incur the displeasure of the hospital leadership, leading to his dismissal!
Ying Chen wouldn't accept him, and the hospital would fire him; he was caught between a rock and a hard place, a wretch standing on the precipice of a cliff!
"Hahaha, no, I need to quickly take a picture and show it to the leaders."
As the chief physician was about to be photographed and become a hospital-wide laughingstock, Ying Chen, who had almost reached the hospital entrance, suddenly turned back and looked at the chief physician.
"Hey, do you really want to learn medicine that badly?"
The chief physician nodded solemnly.
Once someone has seen the ocean, it's natural to lose interest in streams and small rivers.
He had witnessed Ying Chen's unparalleled, life-reviving medical skills. How could he possibly settle for being a run-of-the-mill, ordinary chief physician who merely followed the textbook?
"Unfortunately, I truly have no plans to take on disciples. Becoming my disciple is hopeless," Ying Chen said.
His words plunged the chief physician, who had just glimpsed a sliver of hope, back into despair.
Beside him, the other doctor who was recording became even more vocal in his mockery.
However, the next second, the recording doctor's laughter abruptly ceased, replaced by an expression of utter shock.
Ying Chen then slowly said, "Do you mind becoming someone else's disciple? For example—Gui Zhishun?"
His words caused an uproar among everyone present.
Even the chief physician's mouth hung open in disbelief as he asked, "You mean... the 'National Treasure Physician' Master Gui Zhishun?"
"Who else?" Ying Chen retorted.
"I... I... Of course, I'm willing... but... but..." The chief physician suddenly became incoherent.
Compared to Ying Chen, Master Gui, though lacking the ability to bring people back from the dead, possessed immense renown!
His fame was so great that those who had been mocking the chief physician moments ago were now stunned into silence, their faces filled with envy!
"It's fake! It must be fake! How can a fresh-faced brat like you get Master Gui Zhishun to take him as a disciple? Don't be fooled by him!" the doctor who had been mocking the chief physician shouted, feigning concern.
Facing the doubt, Ying Chen saw no need for further words.
He directly took out his phone: "Hello, Xiao Gui? I'm at the entrance of Yan Jing Hospital. Come and take on a disciple. His aptitude is average, but he's perfectly capable of inheriting your legacy. Also, when he completes his training, I, as the introducer, will bestow upon him a marvelous divine technique."
Upon hearing this, Master Gui on the other end of the line unhesitatingly agreed.
It was a joke! A marvelous divine technique!
Who wouldn't want it?
More importantly, if the disciple learned it, wouldn't he teach it to his master?
Any fool would accept this disciple!
Thus, about ten minutes later, two elderly men were seen rushing towards them.
They were none other than Gui Zhishun and Elder Guo!
After following Ying Chen to Yan Jing, they had stayed at Gui Zhishun's home instead of a hotel.
Gui Zhishun's home was located not far from Yan Jing Hospital, so they arrived quickly.
"Where's the disciple? Where is he? Quickly, quickly, your master can't wait!"
"Hurry up and kowtow, offer tea, and present your name card, lest Mr. Ying regrets this!"
Gui Zhishun shouted, ignoring the incredulous gazes of the crowd.
Soon, Gui Zhishun spotted the chief physician kneeling on the ground.
His eyes lit up: "It must be you!"
"Then what are you waiting for? Let's keep it simple. Three kowtows, call me 'Master,' and come with me!"
"From this day forward, you are my closed-door disciple!"
A gasp!
Upon hearing the words "closed-door disciple," the crowd erupted.
Everyone stared at the chief physician, dumbfounded.
Moments ago, they had mocked him; now, only envy and jealousy remained!
Who would have thought that the joke of the crowd would actually prompt Master Gui to come in person to take a disciple?
And not just any disciple, but a "closed-door disciple"!
This meant that after him, Master Gui would not accept any more disciples!
He would wholeheartedly nurture only him!
What an honor and a source of pride!
"How could this happen? How could this happen?"
The doctor who had been recording trembled, muttering to himself.
The video he had intended to use to mock the chief physician had now become a powerful testament to the chief physician's glorious moment!
"Master, you are above me! Your disciple, Hua Chen, greets Master!"
Overwhelmed with emotion, the chief physician performed three kowtows towards Gui Zhishun.
The sound of his kowtows echoed throughout the hospital, drawing numerous people out to witness the spectacle.
Even the hospital leadership was alerted. Shocked, they announced their decision to retain the chief physician's records.
Upon completing his training, if the chief physician wished to return to Yan Jing Hospital to work, a new department could be established specifically for him, and he would be promoted to Chief Physician!
This announcement further filled the onlookers' eyes with envy, jealousy, and hatred.
Especially the recording doctor, who collapsed to the ground, repeatedly pounding the earth in regret: "Why? Why didn't I recognize that young man's prowess?"
"If I had discovered him, then I would be the one becoming an apprentice!"
"The heavens are blind, truly blind!"