I Can Hear the Heart's Voice of Traditional Chinese Medicine-Chapter 376 - 159: Upgrading Qiu City Street Health Center (Double-Length)_3

After all, he and Ma Shanjun are actually at the same level, it’s just that his position is a bit higher than Ma Shanjun’s. If it’s the main leaders of the district dealing with those above, his words wouldn’t carry much more weight than Ma Shanjun’s. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

It’s just that he has some reputation within this small district, but once in the city, who knows him!

"If you have no plans for lunch, let’s have a meal in the district before you leave,"

When Yi Gang made the offer, Ma Shanjun couldn’t refuse. After all, it’s not often he gets the chance to dine alone with a leader. Since Yi Gang offered, he had to accept, so he nodded in agreement.

"Right, Mr. Yi, if I may ask, you mentioned you had something this afternoon. What is it?"

Yi Gang thought for a moment and said, "It’s not exactly work-related, but you could say it is. The city official in charge of health had a sudden heart attack yesterday afternoon and was admitted to the City First Hospital. Both district leaders are out, so I have to go and pay a visit."

"Vice Mayor Ji?"

"Yes."

"It’s not serious, is it?"

"That, I’m not sure. But I heard it’s very serious. They resuscitated for a long time, tried many methods without success, consulted many people, and it wasn’t until midnight that he came around. It was said it was almost too late."

"Hiss, that serious?"

"Isn’t it?"

Yi Gang looked serious and said, "I also found it hard to believe when I heard."

"No wonder you said you were unavailable this afternoon."

Ma Shanjun realized nothing could be more important than visiting him.

"Perhaps I should go back for lunch. I wouldn’t want to delay your time. It’s more important to visit him after all." Ma Shanjun thought for a moment, deciding to decline Yi Gang’s invitation for lunch.

"There’s no need to visit so early. That person needs to rest at noon. It’s inappropriate to go too early. Initially, I planned to go in the morning, but since those city officials went in the morning, a small fry like me shouldn’t add to the bustle." Yi Gang said with a smile.

Ma Shanjun nodded with a smile.

Indeed, going in the morning wouldn’t be good. Even if he went on behalf of the district committee and government, it’s unlikely he could make an impression in front of that caliber, where Yi Gang might not even get to show up. In the afternoon, it would be different. Even with others around, at least as a vice district chief, they would likely acknowledge his presence.

At the very least, he could make himself known.

Moreover, this is a good opportunity for Yi Gang. With the two main district leaders absent, he’s the one offering regards. Otherwise, any one of them being present, he wouldn’t get the chance.

Ma Shanjun didn’t stay long in Yi Gang’s office, chatted about some health care issues in the district, but didn’t mention Hu Meiqiao’s project application, knowing there’s no hope. Better not to speak and risk offending Yi Gang; might as well leave well enough alone.

As for Hu Meiqiao, Ma Shanjun didn’t feel guilty about it.

He had done his best.

Hu Meiqiao likely had nothing to say.

At noon, he accompanied Yi Gang for a simple meal in the cafeteria and then returned to his own office.

Meanwhile, Yi Gang had someone prepare things to bring to Ji Huan. After taking a nap in his office at noon, he set off from the district around 1:30 p.m. and arrived at the City First Hospital near 2:00 p.m.

When Yi Gang arrived at the special care unit in the City First Hospital, he thought he should be among the first to arrive in the afternoon. But as he stepped out of the elevator, he was astonished. The entrance of the special care unit was packed with people, all familiar faces—heads of counties and districts, deputy district chiefs like himself overseeing health, and some city agency bigwigs.

At a glance, Yi Gang spotted an old acquaintance and promptly greeted him, "Old Sun, you’re here this early?"

"Yi Gang?"

"I was just wondering, with your district heads absent and him being in charge of health, it’s indeed you standing in. Didn’t expect it to be true."

"By the way, Old Sun, what’s the situation now? Why so many people? Did everyone come so early?" Yi Gang glanced at the special care unit’s entrance.

"Those from the city agencies, and ones like us. You’d say not many, but everyone knew the first batch in the morning were the city officials, so none came. Now, everyone’s flocked here for the afternoon. I should have come tomorrow instead." Old Sun said with a helpless look.

Yi Gang shook his head with a smile and said, "This thing should be done sooner rather than later. Perhaps tomorrow there’ll be fewer people, not a good time when the crowd is dense."

As astute as Old Sun was, he naturally understood what Yi Gang was implying but said nothing, only smiling wryly and shaking his head. He too realized today’s likely crowded but chose to come anyway. No choice, couldn’t really come tomorrow. How would that look to the one inside? What impression would that leave of their district?

Some situations don’t go just as one prefers.

Yi Gang knew Old Sun got the hint, so he continued, "Why’s everyone waiting outside? Is he still resting?"

"Don’t know, should be resting. His secretary Jiang Shengliang told everyone that he’s just recovered and needs to rest properly, so everyone’s waiting here. Regardless, we need to pay respects." Old Sun shrugged.

"So many people, won’t finish receiving them all in one afternoon?" Yi Gang frowned at the dozens of people standing at the special care unit’s entrance.

Old Sun glanced at Yi Gang, "Comrade Yi Gang, you don’t think he’ll meet everyone this afternoon, do you? At most, four or five will be received, the rest are mainly here to accompany."