Chapter 22: Connections Within the System

It was clear that Zhang Shen was more than familiar with Hu Sihai’s voice. Although Wei Xiaorong’s private room was also filled with government officials, they were negligible compared to Hu Sihai; after all, he was wealthy and influential, and simply renting out the entire Yuehu Impression building put him far beyond their reach.

As they spoke, a middle-aged man entered. Everyone in the private room immediately stood up.

“Good day, Chairman Hu!”

Hu Sihai gave a brief response, “Mm,” and didn’t linger in conversation. Just as he turned to leave, he noticed a figure whose silhouette seemed familiar.

“Director Wei, who’s standing over there? I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before.”

Upon hearing this, some people found it amusing, assuming Hu Sihai must have mistaken him for someone else. If Zhang Shen truly knew Hu Sihai, would he need Wei Xiaorong to help him find a job? That would be resolved in a matter of minutes.

Wei Xiaorong was unaware of any connection between Zhang Shen and Hu Sihai, but since Hu Sihai had asked, she had no choice but to answer honestly.

“Chairman Hu, this is a remarkable physician I know.”

“Oh? A remarkable physician?”

Upon hearing those words, Hu Sihai’s interest was piqued.

“What a coincidence! Just yesterday, I invited a distinguished physician to dinner at my home. I wonder what this gentleman’s name is?”

Not only the people in the room, but even Wei Xiaorong hadn’t expected that Zhang Shen would have the privilege of entering Hu Sihai’s Jinghu Villa, let alone being invited to dinner.

Just as Wei Xiaorong was about to give a perfunctory introduction, Zhang Shen turned around.

“Chairman Hu, fate truly brings us together!”

Hu Sihai was surprised to see that it was Zhang Shen before him, so he hurried over.

He grasped Zhang Shen’s hands, somewhat emotionally.

“Doctor, what brings you here?”

Zhang Shen replied calmly, “Director Wei invited me today, saying she wanted to help me find a proper job.”

Hu Sihai burst into laughter upon hearing this.

“Doctor, you’re making me look bad! You cured my daughter’s illness, and I was just fretting over how to properly thank you. It seems today is truly a heaven-sent opportunity.”

He turned to Wei Xiaorong.

“Director Wei, have you decided what kind of position you’re looking to arrange for the doctor?”

“Not… yet.”

Wei Xiaorong couldn’t disclose everything, so she hesitated. Hu Sihai understood the constraints of the bureaucracy; as the saying goes, money can make the devil work. This physician clearly possessed great talent but was lacking in other respects, otherwise he wouldn’t still be working as a network administrator.

Since he had already spoken, Hu Sihai felt he should fulfill his promise.

“How about this? I’ll allocate fifty percent of my assets to the doctor, allowing him to pursue whatever career he wishes. What do you all think?”

Hu Sihai was sincere, but he was also speaking for the benefit of everyone in the room. For ordinary people, fifty percent of his wealth would mean generations of riches, something no one could resist.

The people in the room were stunned by Hu Sihai’s generosity. Seeing Zhang Shen’s composed demeanor, many of them were taken aback, regretting that they hadn’t gotten to know him sooner. They hadn’t expected him to put on such a display of “playing the fool to catch the tiger.”

Hu Sihai, seeing no one respond, turned again to Wei Xiaorong.

“Director Wei, what do you think of my arrangement?”

Though Wei Xiaorong was a director at the health bureau, she wouldn’t dare offend a figure like Hu Sihai.

“Chairman Hu’s arrangement is excellent, but I think the doctor should decide for himself.”

Zhang Shen didn’t want Wei Xiaorong to be caught in the middle, so he took up the conversation.

“Chairman Hu, I appreciate your kindness, but I prefer to live freely. Being a network administrator suits me well—at least I don’t have to deal with scheming every day. Healing others is just a side pursuit for me.”

“Very well! Whenever you need me, just come to Jinghu Villa.”

“Thank you, Chairman Hu.”

After Zhang Shen accepted, Hu Sihai told the attendant, “Leave this private room as it is.”

No one had expected today’s dinner to be so lively.

“Oh, right! I’ve set up a family banquet upstairs today. I hope the doctor will honor us with his presence.”

Seeing Hu Sihai extend the invitation, Zhang Shen nodded.

“Good! I’ll go upstairs to prepare.”

Once Hu Sihai had left, the private room was silent for a long while. None had expected Zhang Shen to be so close to Hu Sihai.

Then, a thin man with glasses broke the silence.

“It’s a rare privilege to sit with the doctor today—a blessing from past lives. If I ever need your help, I hope you won’t refuse.”

Seeing someone change their attitude, the others followed suit.

“That’s right, doctor, don’t take our earlier words to heart.”

“We were just joking, doctor. Someone as learned as you surely wouldn’t concern yourself with our petty affairs.”

Everyone chimed in, and Zhang Shen, used to such behavior, was unfazed. Not wanting to see more of their sycophancy, he went to say goodbye to Wei Xiaorong.

“Director Wei, I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll be leaving now.”

Wei Xiaorong understood Zhang Shen’s feelings and smiled gently.

“I’m sorry about today!”

“No need to apologize. Today helped open my eyes to a few things.”

Zhang Shen said no more, turned, and went upstairs, leaving Wei Xiaorong and the others behind.

…

Yuehu Impression had five floors; Hu Sihai’s family banquet was on the fifth. As soon as Zhang Shen stepped onto the fifth floor, someone was already waiting at the entrance.

“Steward Shen!”

Zhang Shen greeted him.

Shen Feng replied, “Chairman Hu didn’t want a repeat of what happened last time at Jinghu Villa, so he specifically asked me to wait for you.”

Zhang Shen hadn’t expected that, though Hu Sihai was a businessman, his words and actions were always gracious.

“Thank you for your trouble, Steward Shen.”

“You flatter me, doctor. You cured our young lady’s illness; you are our benefactor!”

Shen Feng became more and more emotional as he spoke. Seeing this, Zhang Shen quickly stopped him.

“I was out of line!”

Soon after, Shen Feng led Zhang Shen to Hu Sihai’s private room.

As Shen Feng pushed open the door, he announced, “Chairman Hu, the doctor has arrived!”