Chapter 128: Starting the Job

Gu Jianing’s reputation had already spread throughout the military district hospital back when she was still attending training classes.

Of course, the attention she received wasn’t just because of her impressive medical skills, but also because of her beauty—and the fact that she was the wife of Sheng Zexi, that sharp-tongued, handsome “Yama” of a man.

There were two young male doctors in the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) department, both unmarried, but even they had heard the rumors about Gu Jianing.

They never expected that Old Dr. Chen would actually manage to bring such a remarkable person into their usually quiet TCM department.

Just now, they had been discussing how today was Gu Jianing’s first day at work. They wondered what she was really like, since people who had met her for the first time had described her as “astonishingly beautiful.”

They weren’t sure if it was true.

But now, seeing the young woman before them—radiant as a peach blossom, with elegant brows, sparkling eyes, and fair skin—they exchanged glances, both silently thinking: She really is breathtaking.

What a pity…

A pity that she’s already married, and to Sheng Zexi, that sharp-tongued “Yama.” Otherwise, they would definitely have tried their luck.

After all, what man wouldn’t want to marry a capable, goddess-like wife?

“You must be Dr. Gu Jianing?” Zhou Chiyuan, one of the young doctors, stood up and greeted her warmly.

“Yes, I’m Gu Jianing.”

“We’ve heard for a while that you’d be joining our department. With your talent, it’s wonderful to have you here in TCM.”

“Dr. Gu, let me take you to complete the onboarding procedures and introduce you to our department.”

“Thank you, I appreciate it.”

As they walked, Gu Jianing learned that these two were the only other doctors in the TCM department besides herself.

The one who spoke first was Dr. Zhou Chiyuan, and the other was Lu Jin.

It was Zhou Chiyuan who was now taking her to complete the onboarding process.

“Dr. Zhou, so including me, there are only four doctors in the TCM department?” Gu Jianing asked.

That seemed a bit too few.

Zhou Chiyuan understood what she was getting at and nodded, explaining, “In the military hospital, the most popular departments with the most doctors are Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology, and Pediatrics.”

“As for our TCM department, we’re pretty much at the bottom.”

Gu Jianing thought for a moment and quickly understood why.

After all, in this era, some people still regarded TCM as feudal superstition. Besides, TCM treatments could be troublesome—decocting herbs and taking medicine for days—whereas Western medicine often just required a few pills.

That’s why most people now preferred Western medicine.

But Gu Jianing felt that the tradition of TCM shouldn’t be lost.

TCM was not inferior to Western medicine; in fact, there were some conditions that Western medicine couldn’t treat, but TCM could.

Moreover, TCM was a national tradition—something that shouldn’t be forgotten.

In her “Divine Doctor Space,” most of her teachers had been legendary TCM doctors from ancient times to the present, from China and abroad.

Their miraculous skills had left her in awe.

Gu Jianing thought that if possible, she wanted to carry forward and pass on the essence of TCM.

So, even though Zhou Chiyuan said that the TCM department wasn’t popular in the military hospital and didn’t have many patients, Gu Jianing had no regrets about being assigned here.

“Dr. Gu, this is your office.”

Because there weren’t many doctors in the TCM department, the space was relatively generous, so each doctor had their own office. Though not large, it was still a private space.

Unlike departments like Surgery or OB/GYN, where several doctors had to share an office.

“Thank you, Dr. Zhou.”

“You’re welcome.”

Gu Jianing glanced around the office. It seemed to have been tidied up in advance. Though not big, it was clean and neat.

Zhou Chiyuan thought to himself: Of course it’s clean—Old Dr. Chen told Lu Jin and me a hundred times to make sure the office was spotless.

“By the way, Dr. Zhou, you said there are four doctors in the TCM department including me. Who’s the other one?” Gu Jianing hadn’t seen anyone else.

“The other is Old Dr. Chen.”

“Old Dr. Chen?” Not Dr. Chen, but Old Dr. Chen? That wasn’t a title given lightly. Gu Jianing could see the respect and admiration in Zhou Chiyuan’s eyes when he mentioned him.

“Dr. Gu, do you know how you ended up in our TCM department?”

Hmm?

“I was assigned here, wasn’t I?”

Seeing her confusion, Zhou Chiyuan hesitated, then asked, “How do you feel about being assigned to TCM?”

“I think it’s great. I really like it,” Gu Jianing answered honestly.

Sensing her sincerity, Zhou Chiyuan breathed a sigh of relief, then quietly said, “Actually, Director Shu originally planned to assign you to Surgery or OB/GYN. The doctors in those departments were all hoping you’d join them. But it was Old Dr. Chen who stepped in and requested you for TCM.”

Gu Jianing blinked, a little puzzled.

She didn’t think she knew Old Dr. Chen. Why would he want her in TCM?

“Old Dr. Chen is the founder of our military hospital and its first director. He’s already seventy, and his TCM skills are extraordinary. It’s said he’s even treated top leaders.”

“After retiring, he stayed in the TCM department as a consulting expert, but he rarely sees patients.”

Everyone guessed that the reason Old Dr. Chen stayed was to find a worthy disciple to pass on his skills, but so far, he hadn’t found the right person.

Zhou Chiyuan glanced at Gu Jianing. Since Old Dr. Chen had personally requested her, and she was said to be very talented, could it be that he intended to take her as his apprentice?

Zhou Chiyuan wasn’t sure, so he didn’t mention it to Gu Jianing.

But he thought, if Dr. Gu could become Old Dr. Chen’s disciple, she’d be incredibly lucky—her future would be set.

Old Dr. Chen’s connections and background went far beyond just being the hospital’s founder.

Back then, both he and Lu Jin had hoped to become Old Dr. Chen’s disciples, but unfortunately, Old Dr. Chen hadn’t taken a liking to them.

“There must be a reason Old Dr. Chen wanted you in TCM. As for what it is, I’m not sure. Maybe he hopes you can help revitalize our department.”

Gu Jianing understood. Though she hadn’t met Old Dr. Chen yet, and didn’t know why he wanted her in TCM, it was certainly no bad thing for her.

And from what Zhou Chiyuan said, Old Dr. Chen had a powerful background. If she could build a good relationship with him, it would be a valuable connection.

After Zhou Chiyuan finished explaining and helped her complete the onboarding process, he returned to his own office.

And with that, Gu Jianing officially started her job at the military hospital—as Dr. Gu."