026. The Disposition of Hua Xiong

"That depends on whether there's someone to keep me company," Lin Shan said. "Drinking alone is too bitter."

Liu Ying replied, "Then why don't we order two beers? I have a very low tolerance, so I can't drink much."

"Sure."

Lin Shan nodded in agreement, and the two then ordered some side dishes.

Once the food and drinks arrived, Liu Ying picked up her glass and held it out toward Lin Shan. "Lin Shan, I'd like to toast you. Thank you for helping me out of that tight spot today."

Lin Shan clinked his glass against hers and said, "You're too kind. Doctors like you are rare these days, like endangered species; we really should protect you. Helping you today was like helping my future self. Besides, Uncle Deng is such a good person—if I can help, I certainly will."

Liu Ying felt a warmth spread through her heart. The reason she was still able to persevere was precisely because of the recognition from people like Lin Shan.

She tilted her swan-like neck and downed the beer in one gulp. Normally, she would never drink like this, but today, her mood was truly stifling.

After finishing one glass, she immediately ordered another. Seeing Lin Shan staring at her blankly, Liu Ying asked, "What are you looking at? Cheers! Are you trying to raise goldfish in that glass of yours?"

Lin Shan laughed heartily and finished his drink as well. The beer was a craft brew with an alcohol content of around ten percent; it didn't hit you immediately, but it definitely went to your head after a while.

Having downed a glass with such spirit, Liu Ying’s face was already flushed with a rosy glow. She looked at her glass and sighed, "Sometimes I really want to just quit and leave this hellhole. That bald man, Hua Xiong—you know him, right?"

Lin Shan nodded. He could see that after drinking, Liu Ying seemed to want to unburden herself. These things had likely been weighing on her heart for a long time, and now, all he needed to do was be a quiet listener.

"That old lecher hasn't stopped harassing me since I started at the hospital. Based on my hard work and the research results I've achieved, a promotion should have been in the bag long ago. But he uses the little power he has to make things difficult for me in every way possible. Isn't it just because he wants me to get into his bed? Hmph, what a lousy job. If it comes to it, I'll just quit."

Liu Ying drank another glass, already showing signs of intoxication.

These matters had been buried deep within her for a long time. She had never spoken of them to anyone because she knew it would be useless.

If she told her parents, they would only worry. If she told her colleagues, it would be a joke; rumors might start spreading the very next day. As for friends, she didn't have many in this city to begin with.

For some reason, she subconsciously felt that Lin Shan was someone she could trust.

Lin Shan recalled the contents of his hard drive and said, "Do you want to take him down? Actually, I have something on him. It’s explosive material. If it gets out, his position as vice president will be gone for sure, and he might even end up in prison."

Liu Ying was startled, the alcohol sobering slightly. She looked at Lin Shan with suspicion, her expression as if to say, "What kind of dirt could you possibly have on Hua Xiong?"

Lin Shan didn't mind and continued, "A few days ago, when I was at the hospital, I saw Ruan Yan walk into his office with him. Knowing that Hua Xiong didn't have good intentions toward you, I followed them."

A strange emotion stirred in Liu Ying's heart. "Was it for me...?"

Lin Shan didn't notice the subtle shift in her mood and continued, "After I went in, I discovered something incredible. It turns out Ruan Yan had been having an affair with him for a long time, also for the sake of a promotion."

Liu Ying scoffed, "This promotion was really just a contest between me and Ruan Yan. I’m not surprised she would do that."

"After they finished, I accidentally discovered a secret room in Hua Xiong's office. I went inside and found two folders on his computer."

"One folder contained intimate videos of him with various doctors and nurses at your hospital, and the other contained evidence of his corruption and bribery. I’ve already copied both folders. Hua Xiong likely doesn't know about this yet!"

Liu Ying looked at Lin Shan in utter amazement, feeling even more curious about this man. She marveled, "Lin Shan, you're just like an agent in the movies!"

Lin Shan smiled faintly. "With this evidence in hand, he won't be able to stir up any more trouble. We’re friends, so of course I should help you. I think we could first use this evidence to threaten Hua Xiong into putting you on the list, and after that’s done, I’ll submit the evidence and let him spend a few years behind bars."

Liu Ying felt a flicker of temptation, but it quickly turned into resolve. She looked at Lin Shan and said, "No, Lin Shan, it doesn't need to be that complicated. Let’s just submit the evidence directly and get rid of this black sheep. Compared to that, my promotion doesn't matter at all!"

This response was somewhat unexpected for Lin Shan.

"Are you sure?" Lin Shan asked. "Removing Hua Xiong at this critical moment might cause even more trouble for your promotion. Who knows what kind of person the new leader will be?"

But Liu Ying was firm. She smiled and said, "I don't need those kinds of tactics. All I want is fairness. Getting a scumbag like Hua Xiong out of the medical system is far more important. Lin Shan, let's do it!"

Seeing Liu Ying show not a hint of hesitation, Lin Shan couldn't help but admire her even more. She was truly a young woman with a strong sense of justice.

*It would be great if there were more doctors like her...* Lin Shan thought.

"Alright, I understand. I'll submit the evidence when I get back."

Liu Ying seemed to picture Hua Xiong being led away in handcuffs, and her mood lightened significantly. She couldn't help but have another drink. By now, her eyes were a bit misty. She took off the cardigan she had been wearing, revealing her arms, which were flushed a delicate, alluring pink.

She looked at Lin Shan, her eyes shimmering with a heart-stirring charm.

Lin Shan found that he didn't dare to look her directly in the eyes.

An indescribable atmosphere enveloped the two. Liu Ying bit her lower lip gently and said softly, "Lin Shan, thank you. If it weren't for you, I really wouldn't know what to do."

Lin Shan took a deep breath, pushing aside the distracting thoughts in his mind.

"I’ll say it again: since we’re friends, this is only right. You've had a bit too much to drink. Don't have any more; I'll take you home in a little while."

Liu Ying nodded obediently. "Mm... I'll listen to you."

She looked as docile and sweet as a tamed little animal.

After speaking, Liu Ying stood up to go to the restroom, but as she walked down the aisle, she accidentally bumped into a man.

The man was burly and broad-shouldered, with two dragons tattooed on his exposed arms. Stung by the collision, his eyes widened and he was about to start cursing, but when he saw the enchanting Liu Ying, his expression shifted instantly. He grinned lecherously and said, "Hey, beauty, are you here all by yourself?"