Volume One, Chapter 44: You Were Given a Chance, But You Couldn't Seize It

Ye Sheng was not a public figure and, by all rights, should never have become a trending topic. However, if someone deliberately pushed her into the spotlight, that was another matter entirely.

The whole incident stemmed from the recent medical aid project in Meishan. Huatai Pharmaceuticals had invested in it—not for profit, but as a charitable venture. Still, the publicity was extensive, not only featured on local television but also broadcast by state media.

Yet the attention wasn’t on Ye Sheng herself; the focus was on the project’s sponsor, Huatai Pharmaceuticals, and the dedicated medical staff from Haici Hospital.

Naturally, the name “Huo Lintong” once again made waves in the public sphere.

Major media outlets vied to cover the story, and the very mention of “Huo Lintong” carried its own momentum and effect.

Ye Sheng’s ascent to the trending topics, however, was due to someone extracting images and clips from the original promotional video and posting them online. They specifically highlighted the moment when an ailing villager, accompanied by their entire family, knelt in thanks before Ye Sheng—an image that left viewers uncomfortable.

Comments flourished: “Are doctors all so high and mighty now? Are they here to offer medical aid or just to put on a show? Why is this doctor acting like a deity descending to earth?”

Others chimed in, “I can’t stand these middle-aged women with no compassion. As a doctor, she sits there on her high horse, letting the whole family kneel and kowtow to her without even offering to help them up. Isn’t she afraid of bad luck?”

The comment section grew increasingly heated.

Some instigated discord between doctors and patients, some provoked gender conflicts, and eventually, the discussion escalated into a debate on social class.

Mia was fuming. “This is clearly someone trying to stir up trouble! The netizens are just bandwagoning and taking everything out of context. The official promotional video is lengthy and complete, but they don’t bother to watch it at all!”

Ye Sheng pointed to a few comments. “Aren’t there still some people speaking up for me?”

“Just a handful, quickly drowned out!” Mia stamped her foot in frustration, then looked at Ye Sheng. “Boss, how can you not be angry at all?”

“I just can’t get worked up about it.”

Ye Sheng said, “Everyone has a mouth of their own; I can’t control what they say. And being insulted a few times won’t hurt me.”

“However,” Ye Sheng’s tone cooled, “find out who’s orchestrating this behind the scenes. I’ll deal with that person directly.”

Mia immediately agreed, “Alright, I’ll investigate!”

“You don’t have the time—look at all you have to handle.” Ye Sheng continued, “Contact the president of Huatai Pharmaceuticals’ Greater China division and have him assign someone to look into it. Tell him I said so.”

Mia hurried off to carry out the request.

Ye Sheng truly wasn’t anxious. Though the online attacks were directed at her, the real targets were Huatai Pharmaceuticals and Haici Hospital. Even if the sky fell, others stronger than her would bear the brunt.

All she needed to do was focus on her own responsibilities.

As she made her rounds in the ward, Ye Sheng discussed follow-up treatment plans with the team’s doctors and residents. Noticing someone missing, she asked, “Where’s Dr. Qin?”

“Dr. Qin took a day off today,” an intern replied.

Ye Sheng frowned. “Who did she request leave from? Why wasn’t I informed?”

The intern, seemingly used to such things, murmured, “She probably asked Director Ji directly…”

He hadn’t finished speaking before another doctor nudged him.

Ye Sheng said nothing further and continued her rounds, arriving at Li Mo’s bedside. Li Mo was sitting up, fiddling with his phone. Ye Sheng didn’t greet him specially; she just told his attending physician, “You can arrange for his discharge.”

Li Mo looked up. “You’re discharging me already?”

Ye Sheng fixed her gaze on him. “Are you feeling unwell?”

Li Mo raised his hand, swaddled in bandages like a banana leaf, and admitted honestly, “My hand hurts.”

“It’s a minor injury. Rest at home for a couple of days and you’ll be fine.” Ye Sheng’s expression was impassive. “A young man like you, fit and healthy, taking up a scarce VIP ward is a waste of resources.”

Li Mo gave a wry laugh, “But I paid for it.”

“Even so, you shouldn’t waste resources.” Ye Sheng glanced at him. “Wouldn’t it be better to spend your time at the jiu-jitsu gym?”

At the mention of “jiu-jitsu,” Li Mo’s eyes lit up. “Are you really taking me to the gym tomorrow afternoon? You’re not tricking me, are you?”

“I’ve set aside the time. If you bail, I’ll just go home and sleep.” Ye Sheng’s attitude was not in the least gentle—rather, she was quite aloof. Yet, there was a reassuring strength about her, as if nothing was a problem when in her hands.

Watching Ye Sheng walk away surrounded by colleagues, Li Mo lowered his head to his phone. He saw that “middle-aged woman” comment and immediately replied, “Have you ever met her in person to call her middle-aged? She’s an absolute goddess!”

—

Huo Corporation.

Huo Mingtian sat in the conference room, watching the trending topic soar ever higher, his brows knitted in a frown.

Five minutes ago, his assistant had informed him that Ye Sheng was trending and asked if the situation should be handled.

This Meishan medical aid project had been funded by Huatai Pharmaceuticals. Although their headquarters were in Country M, they were still a domestically rooted company and a competitor to Huo Pharmaceuticals.

A trending topic like this could only benefit Huo Pharmaceuticals, not hurt them. After thinking for just two seconds, Huo Mingtian had said:

“No need.”