So Gu Houyi made a decisive decision despite the opposition.
Xu Changshan had not yet shared the good news with his grandson. Over the years, the deepening generation gap had made him cautious in front of his grandson, fearing that any unwise words might touch the boy's fragile nerves.
A formal position at a Grade 3A general hospital is a highly coveted status among countless medical school graduates. According to Gao Xinhua, even master's degree graduates often can only secure standard employment contracts through a third party, rather than permanent positions.
Times have changed, with a surplus of medical students. Without a master's degree, the hospital's personnel department won't even consider you.
Xu Changshan thoroughly understood his grandson's situation. As a high school graduate, what could he realistically do at Changxing Hospital? Even with a formal position, it would likely involve minor support roles.
This didn't deter the old man. Securing his grandson's job was just one of the demolition conditions. The hospital had previously proposed collaborating with him to set up an expert outpatient clinic. As long as he persisted, getting his grandson into the traditional Chinese medicine outpatient department shouldn't be a problem.
If he's willing to learn, within three to five years he should achieve some proficiency in Chinese medicine. Once he masters even a third of his skills, he could secure a stable position at Changxing Hospital.
Xu Changshan truly worried himself over his beloved grandson. Another possible solution was to reopen Huichun Hall at a new location, but that wouldn't allow him to protect his grandson, and the old man couldn't rest easy.
Xu Chunliang called out "Grandpa" while continuing to tidy up, soon cleaning his corner of the study thoroughly. The study aids for the college entrance exam were no longer needed and he planned to sell them later.
Xu Changshan watched his grandson's every move with a kindly gaze. The boy hadn't been so diligent in the past, but adversity seemed to spur growth.
After cleaning up, Xu Chunliang was called downstairs, where statues of the Medical Sage Zhang Zhongjing and Medicine King Sun Simiao were enshrined.
Following his grandfather's instructions, Xu Chunliang washed his hands and offered incense to the two sages.
"Chunliang, do you know why Grandpa wanted you to offer incense today?"
Xu Chunliang knew that in medicine and altruism, all roads return to these revered masters. It was only natural to pay respect to his grandpa's ancestral figures as a Chinese medicine practitioner.
Without waiting for his grandson's response, Xu Changshan said, "Your Uncle Gao came yesterday. He's the director of Changxing Hospital, and just by chance, a position opened up there. He thought of you, and as long as you're willing, you can soon start working at the hospital."
"Grandpa, isn't it difficult to get into Changxing Hospital? I'm just a high school graduate with no qualifications to be a doctor." Xu Chunliang realized the importance of a degree in this world.
"Working at a hospital doesn't necessarily mean becoming a doctor. Hospitals have various departments, including administrative sections that support operations. Like the leadership and security staff, they aren't involved in medical treatments."
"Are you suggesting I work as a security guard at the hospital?" Xu Chunliang, equipped with exceptional talents, quickly adapted to this world and realistically evaluated his situation. Among the intellectual crowd at Changxing Hospital, security might indeed be the most suitable role for him.
Xu Changshan shook his head and said, "Not as a security guard. It's a formal position, and the hospital has agreed to let me open a traditional Chinese medicine clinic. You can work and learn alongside me, and once you're qualified to get a medical license, you can officially practice." The old man knew his grandson might refuse, but still held some hope.
"Okay!"
Xu Changshan was stunned by how smoothly things went. His long-cherished wish had finally come true; the Xu family's medical legacy would continue. The old man was immediately thrilled: "It's settled then. Later, I'll go with you to the substation to replace your ID. You'll need it to sign the contract."
Xu Chunliang said, "Grandpa, there's no need for you to accompany me, I can go alone."
Noticing his grandfather's worried look, he immediately understood the concern and smiled: "Don't worry, I've figured things out and will never worry you again."
The world was new, bustling with people and constant activity.
Xu Chunliang already knew the various kinds of vehicles speeding on the roads were not iron armored chariots, but cars—sedans, SUVs, trucks, and buses.
Vehicles with two wheels included bicycles, electric bikes, and motorcycles.
In the sky, apart from birds, there were airplanes; underground, besides mice, there were subways.
The name on his household registration was Xu Cong, Chunliang was his nickname or given name. Xu Chunliang decided to change it back since he needed a new ID anyway.
After checking the relevant procedures, he went to the local public security bureau's household registration center and submitted the necessary documents. It was estimated that it would take about half a month. The local police station offered convenient services, where he also managed to process the paperwork for a new ID.
On his way back, a police car passed by. The window rolled down, revealing the officer Lu Qi in the passenger seat.
Lu Qi greeted him: "Xu Cong, where are you headed?"
Xu Chunliang's impression of him was positive, so he stopped and replied: "Brother Lu, I just went to get my ID reissued. I've changed my name. It's now Xu Chunliang."
Lu Qi nodded. As he was on duty, he didn't engage in much further conversation with Xu Chunliang. Seeing the young man in good spirits, he was at ease and continued driving after a brief farewell.
Xu Chunliang enviously watched the car drive away, pondering when he might learn to operate a car. Supposedly this vehicle can cover a thousand miles in a day. With it, wouldn't it be possible to traverse the world as he pleased?
He hadn't taken many steps when he saw the very same police car parked by the roadside, and two officers hurriedly entered a nearby mobile phone service store. One of them was Lu Qi.
A crowd had gathered outside the store, intrigued. Filled with curiosity as a newcomer to this world, Xu Chunliang followed the crowd.
So far, this world felt peaceful; there was no war, no slaughter, and compared to the past, it seemed to be a golden age.
The people at the entrance were in lively discussion. It turned out that a large snake had fallen from the ceiling of the service store, scaring both the staff and customers out. In times of trouble, people seek out the police, so the staff called them immediately.
Lu Qi and his partner Li Zhong ventured inside to assess the situation. Li Zhong was especially fearful of snakes and insects, but being a policeman, he couldn't retreat. He whispered, "Shouldn't we call 119 to catch snakes? Why come to 110?"
Lu Qi was also afraid of snakes, but outwardly appeared calmer than Li Zhong: "This is the trust the people have in us. Since we're here, let's understand the situation first. If we can't handle it, we'll call for backup." There were not many cases of snake or insect incidents around Dongzhou, and even fewer were those involving venomous snakes.
He approached a woman in uniform, a store employee, and asked, "Who is the person in charge here?"
"Ma—Manager Yu..."
The woman, still shaken, stammered her response.
"Where are they?"
"In...inside...fainted...A huge snake, three...four meters long... this...this wide..." The woman made a gesture indicating the width of a bowl.
The two policemen exchanged glances, finding her account very exaggerated. "You're kidding, right? That's not a snake, that's a python."