I Can Hear the Heart's Voice of Traditional Chinese Medicine-Chapter 307 - 136: A Golden Opportunity to Soar

Hu Meiqiao gave an awkward smile, but didn’t refute.

The old leader’s evaluation of her was fair.

She couldn’t really argue back.

If it were someone else, with Hu Meiqiao’s personality, she would have snapped back long ago, but the old leader knew her too well.

The key was, she came today with a request, and it was from her direct superior; how could she show any dissatisfaction? In fact, facing Ma Shanjun’s sarcasm, Hu Meiqiao even maintained a smile and said with indifference, "Old leader, you’re wrong to say that. I haven’t come to you for quite some time now."

"Haha, it’s precisely because you haven’t come to me for some time that I’m a bit worried."

"If you, Dean Hu, came to me every now and then, I wouldn’t feel anything. But you haven’t approached me for a year or two, suddenly calling me, and even asking if I’m free a day in advance. Do you think it’s a good thing?"

"Old leader, knowing someone too well can be tiring; people should take it easy, not overthink things."

Hu Meiqiao didn’t mind Ma Shanjun’s words. She placed her bag directly on the office sofa, and with a smile, said, "Old leader, it’s been a long time since I made tea for you. The Pu-erh tea I got for you last year, shall I make some for you now?"

As she spoke, she rolled up her floral sleeves and walked toward the familiar cabinet. Upon opening it, she found the Pu-erh tea she had given before the year-end indeed placed there.

The tea wasn’t expensive, but it was very authentic.

Watching Hu Meiqiao attentively making tea, showing no signs of urgency, Ma Shanjun couldn’t help but shake his head: "Come by more often. I’ve brewed that Pu-erh tea twice, but it’s not as fragrant as yours. In this regard, you, Dean Hu, deserve recognition. But don’t bother showing kindness aimlessly; if there’s anything, just say it. No need for me to wait anxiously."

As Hu Meiqiao’s old leader, Ma Shanjun knew this subordinate’s temperament quite well.

No visit without a reason.

It’s not that they don’t interact regularly, but usually, she wouldn’t seek him out unless it’s something important that she couldn’t handle on her own.

Most of the time, it’s just a phone call, like this time making an appointment in advance was a first. How could he not be anxious?

What kind of big issue could make his capable subordinate, Hu Meiqiao, take such steps?

Ma Shanjun really couldn’t imagine.

That’s why he’s eager for Hu Meiqiao to speak up, sparing himself from the suspense.

The calmer Hu Meiqiao appeared, the more anxious he became.

While Ma Shanjun was getting impatient, Hu Meiqiao was meticulously making tea. Once the tea was ready, she poured a cup for Ma Shanjun, then sat on the sofa with a smile and said, "Old leader, see if my skills have declined."

"With all this going on, do you think I still have the mind to drink tea?" Ma Shanjun replied, slightly annoyed.

"First, have some tea. We’ll talk about the matter in a while. I shouldn’t disturb your leisurely tea time, right?"

Reluctantly, Ma Shanjun picked up the cup and took a sip, his eyes lit up: "Not bad, your skills haven’t declined, they’ve improved. It’s very fragrant. I can’t brew it to this standard. It’s the same steps, freshly boiled water, the same tea set, and similar amounts of tea leaves—why does the taste differ so much?"

"Mindset, skill, and process all matter," Hu Meiqiao said calmly.

"Nonsense, of course, I know that."

"To brew tea, the mind must be calm. If you’re not calm, the tea won’t taste as good."

Upon hearing this, Ma Shanjun couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Dean Hu personally coming over to make tea for me—how could my mind be calm?

However, this time, Ma Shanjun didn’t exchange more words with Hu Meiqiao. After sipping a few more times, he straightforwardly asked, "Dean Hu, I’ve had the tea. Now, could you tell me what’s the matter?"

Hu Meiqiao knew she couldn’t delay much longer, and from arrival till now, quite some time had already passed. Further delay would be unwise since the old leader had a meeting that afternoon and couldn’t spend all the time here. Besides, the issue she needed the old leader’s help with was significant and complex. Convincing him wouldn’t be achieved in a moment.

With this in mind, Hu Meiqiao didn’t remain seated. She stood, took a stack of documents from her bag, and placed them in front of Ma Shanjun.

Ma Shanjun glanced down slightly, noticing it was lightheartedly: "Application for launching a Traditional Chinese Medicine studio in the new medical building?"

"What do you mean?" Ma Shanjun looked up, puzzled.

Hu Meiqiao explained, "I’m looking for some advice from you, old leader. Isn’t there a building at our Health Center that hasn’t been used yet? I figured it’s sitting there, might as well make use of it."

"Your Health Center has only so many people. Besides, the Ninth Hospital and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital are nearby. Apart from the pediatrics department, not many people are registering in other departments, right? Is it necessary to use that new building?"

Ma Shanjun knew a bit about the Qiu City Street Health Center situation. When Hu Meiqiao was transferred there as the director, it was upon his approval, so naturally, he had some understanding of it.

The new building was initially constructed to expand and strengthen the Health Center. However, due to some events later, it didn’t develop, leaving the newly constructed building unused.

In the Health Center where Hu Meiqiao works, there are not many medical staff, perhaps around thirty to forty. A four-story building is more than enough. Moreover, there aren’t many people going to the Health Center, so Ma Shanjun really couldn’t understand why Hu Meiqiao would want to use the new building.