Chapter 639: Chapter 610: What Matters Is Dignity

Tang Mingmei already knew Han Tai’s identity, but she felt that Han Tai’s behavior today was extremely rude and disrespectful. She could choose not to call the police, nor demand compensation, but she insisted that Han Tai must publicly apologize to her and that young nurse. In fact, Tang Mingmei’s demand was not unreasonable.

Zhao Feiyang first assured Tang Mingmei that the hospital would cover her medical expenses this time and also help her seek compensation.

Tang Mingmei insisted it wasn’t about the money. Ultimately, this issue stemmed from Han Tai’s lack of respect for their medical staff, and he must publicly apologize.

As Zhao Feiyang left Tang Mingmei’s place, he contacted Tang Jinglun and conveyed Tang Mingmei’s request.

The attitude from Han Tai’s side was very firm. He was willing to cover Tang Mingmei’s medical expenses and offer her some compensation, but he would not apologize. At worst, he would let Tang Mingmei sue him.

Xu Chunliang hadn’t left the hospital either. When the conflict between Tang Mingmei and Han Tai occurred, he was in Gao Xinhua’s office. Knowing that Xu Chunliang was going to the Capital City for study, Gao Xinhua asked him to bring some pancakes and pickles to his father.

Xu Chunliang also took the opportunity to inquire about Tang Tianyi and Han Wensheng’s injuries. They were chatting when Yu Xiangdong called to report that Tang Mingmei had been accidentally injured by Han Tai.

Xu Chunliang became furious upon hearing this. Given his father’s past connection with Tang Mingmei, he couldn’t remain indifferent. He told Gao Xinhua not to rush to step in and decided to go over and assess the situation first.

Gao Xinhua reminded him to control his emotions. Things were different now; he was of deputy section level, and if he handled matters as he used to, it would be easy for others to seize on this and make a big issue out of it.

Xu Chunliang understood the gravity. Initially, he hadn’t planned to bother with someone like Han Tai, a nouveau riche, but since this fellow had gone too far, he had no choice but to intervene.

Xu Chunliang went to see Tang Mingmei first.

Tang Mingmei saw him return and knew he had come specifically for her issue. She was aware of Xu Chunliang’s temper and was worried he might escalate matters, so she hurriedly insisted she was fine.

Xu Chunliang saw that Tang Mingmei wasn’t seriously injured and asked, "Sister Tang, how do you plan to resolve this matter?"

Tang Mingmei said, "You don’t need to get involved. I’ve already reported it to Dean Zhao, demanding that Han Tai publicly apologize. He showed total disrespect for us medical staff."

Xu Chunliang remarked, "Dean Zhao?" He wasn’t hopeful about Zhao Feiyang. Given Han Tai’s close ties with the Tang family, and the fact that Han Wensheng was beaten because of Tang Tianyi, the Tang family likely wanted to downplay the situation. Once Tang Jingwei made a decision, Zhao Feiyang would have to comply.

Xu Chunliang continued, "To deal with someone like Han Tai, you have to fight fire with fire. Trying to reason with him is pointless."

Tang Mingmei was somewhat disheartened: "If Dean Zhao doesn’t stand up for our hospital staff, continuing like this is meaningless." In fact, when the incident happened, she felt a chill. Colleagues like Yu Xiangdong, who she usually got along well with, didn’t dare step forward when something occurred, likely because they were intimidated by Tang Jinglun’s presence.

As the two talked, Tang Mingmei received a call from Zhao Feiyang. Over the phone, Zhao Feiyang told her that Han Tai was very regretful and willing to cover her medical expenses and give her 30,000 yuan in compensation. As for an apology, he was willing to apologize to her privately but hoped not to do so publicly.

Though Han Tai’s concession was significant, it wasn’t what Tang Mingmei wanted. She wanted Han Tai to publicly apologize to her and that young nurse. It could be done in the newspaper, or a video posted online. At the very least, it should be in front of the staff of the entire department. It wasn’t merely about giving some money or a verbal apology.

Zhao Feiyang made his point clear. He felt it wouldn’t be suitable to blow this matter up. Firstly, it would be difficult to explain to Huayuan Group, and secondly, it wouldn’t benefit Changxing itself. He realized Tang Mingmei felt wronged in this matter, so in addition to Han Tai’s compensation, the hospital could reward her with another 10,000 yuan to calm the situation.

Tang Mingmei made herself clear and then hung up the phone, deeply disappointed with Zhao Feiyang’s attitude. She believed she had already made it clear to Zhao Feiyang that what she cared about wasn’t the money, but her dignity.

Tang Mingmei realized a truth, that from the perspective of those in power, the dignity of medical staff like her meant nothing. The only standard for them was money, and they believed money could solve everything.

As Xu Chunliang was leaving, he encountered Yu Xiangdong, Pan Hongwei, and Wu Ruiying coming to see Tang Mingmei.

Xu Chunliang nodded at them without stopping. Yu Xiangdong caught up to him from behind, "Xiaoxu, where are you going?"

From his expression, Xu Chunliang knew he was worried that he might cause more trouble, so he smiled and said, "I’m going back. I’m no longer an employee of Changxing, so no one will pay me if I stay here."

Yu Xiangdong said, "Director Tang’s issue has already been resolved. That person surnamed Han agreed to apologize, cover medical expenses, and offer 30,000 yuan as compensation." Not just Zhao Feiyang, but most people thought that this compensation was already enough. As for a public apology, they didn’t think it was important. An apology was just words, but 30,000 yuan was tangible.

Xu Chunliang asked, "With so many people in your security department, couldn’t you prevent this from happening?"

Yu Xiangdong sighed, "The incident happened too suddenly, and Han Tai is a friend of the chairman." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Xu Chunliang understood the latter point was key. Faced with reality, Yu Xiangdong had no choice but to stoop for a pittance. He asked Yu Xiangdong a question, "Which is more important, dignity or money?"

Yu Xiangdong said, "Only people with money can talk about dignity. Where’s the dignity for ordinary people?"

Xu Chunliang said, "You may not care, but Sister Tang does."

Xu Chunliang headed to the orthopedic ward. Han Tai was no longer in the hospital. He also realized he had caused trouble in Changxing and temporarily left to escape the spotlight. He planned to transfer his son Han Wensheng to another hospital since he felt it might be unsafe to stay here.

When Xu Chunliang arrived at the door of Han Wensheng’s ward, two people immediately stopped him. These were the two Great Han who had been following Han Tai earlier. After all that had happened, Han Tai was worried his son would suffer, so he arranged for the two of them to closely guard the ward’s entrance for protection, to prevent anyone from retaliating against his precious son.

Xu Chunliang said, "Why so tense? I’m here to visit Han Wensheng."

"President Han has instructed us to refuse all visitors."

Xu Chunliang nodded and said, "If he doesn’t want to see me, that’s fine." He handed a bouquet of flowers to one of them, "At least help me deliver these flowers in."

The two of them exchanged a look and shook their heads simultaneously.

At this time, Li Zhong and another policeman came over. He had now split from Lu Qi and was in charge of Tang Tianyi’s case. He came to find Han Wensheng to get some details about last night’s incident.

Li Zhong greeted Xu Chunliang and called him aside, "Chunliang, what are you doing here?" In his opinion, when encountering such trouble, most would avoid it, yet Xu Chunliang seemed eager to get involved. He was like someone who feared nothing more than a peaceful world.

Xu Chunliang said, "Those two idiots insist that I’m a suspect, so I want to ask them face to face."

Li Zhong, both amused and exasperated, said, "Haven’t you been cleared of suspicion already? Leave the investigation to us, the police, and stop adding to the chaos."

Taking Li Zhong’s advice, Xu Chunliang nodded, agreeing to leave immediately. However, he had one condition: that Li Zhong help deliver the flowers inside, representing a gesture of goodwill from the Hu Shan Town Government to Han Wensheng.

Li Zhong took the bouquet and, seeing nothing wrong with it, brought it inside for him.

Han Wensheng lay on the bed, his right leg held up high. He was unaware of what was happening outside.

Li Zhong had already visited Tang Tianyi, and due to Han Wensheng’s surgery, he came over just now.

Li Zhong placed the flowers on the bedside and said, "These flowers are from Town Mayor Xu of Hu Shan Town, for you."

Han Wensheng glanced at the flowers, "It’s like a weasel wishing a chicken a Happy New Year, with no good intentions."

Li Zhong chuckled and said, "Sounds like you have quite an opinion of him."

Han Wensheng said, "Officer, I suspect the person who attacked me and Tang Tianyi yesterday was Xu Chunliang."

Li Zhong asked his colleague to help record the statement.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because I overheard the attackers talking last night, and one of them was called Xiaoliang."

Li Zhong laughed, "They covered your heads with sacks when they attacked, fearing you’d recognize them. Why would they expose their names in front of you? Besides, there are many people named Xiaoliang in the world; Xiaoliang doesn’t necessarily refer to Xu Chunliang."

Han Wensheng said, "I know he has some connections in Dongzhou, and you’re protecting him."

Li Zhong said, "Han Wensheng, you’d better be cautious with your words. Defaming the police carries consequences."

Han Wensheng said, "You can’t scare me. Xu Chunliang holds a grudge against Tang Tianyi; he stabbed Tang Tianyi in the thigh with a knife before, and this time he used the same method."

"Do you have any evidence?"

"Isn’t it obvious? Huayang fired Xu Chunliang, and he’s holding a grudge, planning revenge. We didn’t offend anyone else in Dongzhou."

Li Zhong said, "Just because you didn’t offend anyone doesn’t mean Tang Tianyi didn’t. As far as I know, this is the second time you’ve been attacked together with Tang Tianyi."

Han Wensheng sighed deeply, thinking Tang Tianyi was really unlucky. If he had known such bad luck would befall him, he wouldn’t have come to Dongzhou for fun, and now his leg was broken because of it.

Li Zhong said, "Tang Tianyi also suspects Xu Chunliang, but our investigation has already cleared him of suspicion; he has an alibi."

Han Wensheng said, "Having an alibi doesn’t mean he didn’t do it. It’s not hard to fabricate an alibi, get someone to provide a false testimony, or maybe he truly wasn’t there, but he could have hired someone else to do it."

Li Zhong said, "You seem quite familiar with such tricks; have you done something like this before?"

Han Wensheng looked at Li Zhong, "What do you mean?"

Li Zhong said, "Nothing, it’s just that everything must be based on evidence. Don’t speak carelessly about things without evidence; everything you say will be recorded, so I advise you to be cautious. Speaking recklessly also comes with legal responsibility."