Chapter 47

Doctor Yuan was in a state of shock and panic, unable to say a word. 

Not only him, but even the hospital director himself didn’t know that his subordinate was secretly married to the second young mistress of the Zhou family. 

With Su Cheng’s level of skill, she wouldn’t have been able to get into any top-tier hospital without his help. 

 This year, the number of applicants for the intermediate title had indeed been high, making the spots limited. 

 However, with Lin Yuxi’s qualifications, her promotion should have been guaranteed. Doctor Yuan had deliberately excluded her for selfish reasons, which the director was aware of but chose to ignore. 

What he never expected was that this quiet young woman, who always kept to herself, was not someone to be trifled with after all! 

And with the powerful Zhou family backing her, she had kept silent for three years? How had she managed to hold it all in? 

Hearing Zhou Yanjing’s pointed remarks about favoritism, the director wasn’t stupid he knew Zhou’s words were directed at him. 

The director’s face darkened with embarrassment, almost as black as the bottom of the cafeteria’s iron pot. 

“Mr. Zhou, there must be some misunderstanding here!” the director began in a low voice. “Our hospital’s promotion evaluations undergo strict scrutiny, and there is absolutely no possibility of underhanded dealings. 

 Regardless of who someone’s relatives are, they must meet the ethical standards of the position. 

 We would never let a capable doctor go unrecognized. Since there seems to be disagreement about the results, in the interest of fairness, this year’s evaluation results will be annulled!” 

Su Cheng panicked, “Uncle!” 

The director shot her a sharp look, stopping her in her tracks. Now wasn’t the time to call him “uncle.” 

“Uncle? It’s distant!” he thought. 

“We will conduct a new round of evaluations, with the entire process open to the public to ensure transparency and fairness. I pledge on the hospital’s reputation that no favoritism or corruption will be tolerated!” he declared. 

Tan Xingchen clapped enthusiastically, “Well, I happen to have some free time, so why don’t I act as a supervisor? Just make sure I don’t catch any cheating.” 

Everyone knew that the “new evaluation” was simply a way to fix the situation taking the unearned spot away from Su Cheng and giving it back to Lin Yuxi. 

Su Cheng couldn’t accept it and stomped her foot in frustration. “Uncle, how could you do this? You promised me” 

The director shot her another warning look, and Doctor Yuan quickly covered her mouth, dragging her away. 

With a kind expression, the director turned to Lin Yuxi and said, “Dr. Lin, rest assured, I will see that justice is done.” 

Justice? He was the source of the injustice. 

But Lin Yuxi could only respond politely, “Thank you, Director.” 

The director then turned to Zhou Yanjing, asking, “Mr. Zhou, are you satisfied with this resolution?” 

Zhou Yanjing, always poised, complimented him, “Thankfully, the hospital has someone as fair and selfless as you in charge, Director. With you overseeing things, who would dare abuse their power to bully my wife?” 

His meaning was clear: in the future, if anyone wronged his wife, even the director wouldn’t be safe from his wrath. 

“Don’t worry,” the director assured. “Dr. Lin, if you encounter any problems again, just come directly to me. I’ll make sure you’re treated fairly!” 

After finishing his pleasantries, the director didn’t linger. “Mr. Zhou, I have another meeting to attend, so I’ll excuse myself. Dr. Lin, why don’t you show Mr. Zhou around the hospital?” 

As soon as the director left, Lin Yuxi shoved Zhou Yanjing away. 

“Are you out of your mind?” 

“I just stood up for you, and instead of thanking me, you’re scolding me?” Zhou Yanjing retorted. “You’re like a snake you only bite the hand that helps you!” 

“Thank you,” Lin Yuxi said flatly, “but I don’t need your help.” 

This time, he could help, but what about next time? 

Feeling unappreciated, Zhou Yanjing asked, “Why do you always have to be like a porcupine, attacking everyone?” 

“I’m not attacking you,” Lin Yuxi replied. “I just don’t want people to know about our relationship right now.” 

Zhou Yanjing chuckled sarcastically, “So I’m not good enough to be seen with? We’ve been married for three years, and you’ve kept it a secret so well that even your colleagues don’t know. Are you an undercover agent or something?” 

“Wasn’t it you who wanted to keep my identity under wraps?” she asked. 

“I was trying to protect you,” he said. 

“Protect me?” Lin Yuxi laughed and looked him straight in the eyes. “And was all your public drama with Jiang Nan also for my protection?” 

Zhou Yanjing’s expression darkened. 

Lin Yuxi continued, “Now that people know I’m your wife, the director is treating me with respect. But what happens when they find out we’ve divorced and I’ve lost the Zhou family’s backing? Do you think the director will still care about me? Or will he take his revenge, making me pay for all the trouble today?” 

“My divorce rumors have already spread in the department. Doctor Yuan and Su Cheng were just caught off guard today, but it won’t be long before they realize that my so-called ‘backing’ is just a house of cards, ready to collapse at the slightest breeze.” 

“In fact, it won’t even take a breeze. In a few days, it’ll collapse on its own. Have you ever thought about what my situation will be like then?” 

“Of course, you wouldn’t have considered that,” Lin Yuxi said with a sigh. “Someone like you, born with a silver spoon, has always been praised and given privileges. You’ve never had to face the dark side of society.” 

The hospital gossip that was sure to follow weighed heavily on Lin Yuxi’s mind. “When people find out about our divorce, I’ll be in an even worse position.” 

“Divorce? So what? Even after we’re divorced, you’re still my ex-wife. If anyone bullies you, you can come to me, and I’ll help you.” Zhou Yanjing felt anger rising in his chest. “This hospital is ridiculous! Instead of focusing on saving lives, they’re all busy sucking up to the powerful. If you were dealing with this nonsense, why didn’t you tell me?” 

“What good would that do?” Lin Yuxi thought bitterly. “The frustrations I’ve faced with you far outweigh those at the hospital.” 

She suddenly asked, “Do you even remember the last time you came to the hospital to visit me?” 

Zhou Yanjing’s anger deflated as if doused with cold water. 

“It was New Year’s Eve,” Lin Yuxi continued. “You came to celebrate my birthday. Do you remember that?” 

That was nearly three years ago. 

“Back then, I was still an intern, and you would pick me up from work every day. My classmates saw you.” 

Her classmates used to envy her, thinking she had the perfect life a loving, handsome husband even before she graduated. 

After graduation, Lin Yuxi got a job at this top hospital, while her classmates went elsewhere. 

Since then, Zhou Yanjing had never come to pick her up again, and none of her colleagues had ever met him. 

Lin Yuxi said, “In the past two years, you’ve never visited me once, which is why my colleagues don’t know you.” 

Zhou Yanjing fell silent, unable to refute her. 

Normally quick-witted in arguments, he found himself at a rare loss for words. 

“I never relied on you before, and I don’t need to in the future either,” Lin Yuxi said coldly. “I’ve told everyone that our marriage is a ghost marriage, that my husband is dead. You might as well stay ‘dead’ and stop coming back to haunt me.” 

Her words stunned Zhou Yanjing, who had been feeling regretful just moments earlier. Now he was furious. 

“Ghost marriage?” he asked, his face darkening. “Are you seriously going around cursing me like that behind my back?”