With Divine Medical Skill at his disposal, Ye Chen could easily read the routine prescriptions on the bill.
Zhang Yuan gave a cold snort. "Of course. Hurry up and pay."
"Pay? A quack like you—inept and rotten to the core—doesn't deserve that white coat."
"Brat, what did you say?" Zhang Yuan bristled at the direct insult.
Ye Chen jabbed a furious finger at him. "Do you know who this old man is? He fought on the battlefield and shed blood for this country—a hero of the nation. For decades he's poured every paycheck into the kids at the Orphanage. And you dare treat him like this?"
"Dean Zheng is at death's door and you heartlessly demand 100,000 yuan for surgery—no money, no cure."
"Just now your misdiagnosis nearly cost a life. Dean Zheng can still be saved, yet you were ready to ship him straight to the funeral home."
"Now you're cheating on the bill—most of these drugs were never given to Dean Zheng, yet you come demanding money. How are you even fit to be a doctor?"
Zhang Yuan froze; he never imagined a high-schooler could spot the fraud on the prescription.
"Don't spout nonsense, kid. These are exactly what we used on the patient. Pay today or we call the Police."
Ye Chen flicked the bill with a cold laugh. "You think ordinary folk can't read the fine print? Dean Zheng has a Cerebral Hemorrhage, yet most of this list is Nutritional Drips and cardiac meds—over a dozen kilos of IV fluid. Don't tell me you pumped all of that into him."
"Ten-plus kilos of fluid would finish off an ox, let alone an old man."
"You—"
Zhang Yuan was completely dumbstruck, choking on his own words.
He'd assumed these were just Orphanage kids who knew nothing, so he'd randomly prescribed a mountain of drugs.
It earned him Hospital Kickbacks and under-the-table perks from suppliers; padding prescriptions was his usual game.
Ordinary patients never noticed and simply paid up.
He never thought a high-schooler would expose him today.
At that moment Jiangzhou Hospital's director Fang Qiong walked in with a middle-aged man in a suit.
"Chairman Li, with your charity fund we've opened a Green Channel specifically for patients who can't afford treatment," Director Fang explained.
The middle-aged man nodded. "I financed new equipment so poor patients can be treated. I expect every yuan to be accounted for."
"Rest assured, we will."
As they spoke, Li Li suddenly stopped in his tracks.
"Ye Chen, what are you doing here?"
"Uncle Li?" Ye Chen was equally startled.
Li Li glanced at the quarrel and asked, "Shouldn't you be in class right now?"
Ye Chen shot a look at Zhang Yuan and recounted the whole affair.
Zhang Yuan panicked on the spot.
"Kid, stop making things up!"
Ye Chen snorted and handed the bill to Li Li.
"Uncle Li, this is the breakdown Dr. Zhang gave for Dean Zheng."
"Dean Zheng was admitted yesterday—less than 24 hours—and they've already racked up 32,000 yuan. Look: tonics and pricey heart drugs that don't match his illness. Basically everything except Aphrodisiacs is on here."
Li Li's subsidiary works in medical supplies, so he knows prescription tricks.
One glance at the list and the scam was obvious.
His face darkened. "Director Fang, is this how your Hospital treats patients? Is this how you use my donations?"
Fang Qiong grabbed the bill; her face turned ashen.
She flung the charge sheet at Zhang Yuan. "Scumbag, did you do this? We have a Green Channel—why didn't you use it? And what's this mess of drugs?"
"I… I…"
Zhang Yuan's face was bloodless.
Every department's Green Channel fund is capped; he'd already used the quota for a relative and a few friends—there was nothing left.
He pleaded, "Director Fang, I was wrong, I'll never do it again!"
Ye Chen said coldly, "Since Dean Zheng qualifies for the Green Channel, why didn't he get it? Padding prescriptions and overcharging breaks the law. I bet this isn't his first time."
Director Fang's expression was grim. "You're right, young man. He's a disgrace to our profession, ruining our reputation. We'll investigate thoroughly and hand him to the Police if laws were broken."
She turned, face icy. "Zhang Yuan, you're suspended effective immediately, pending investigation."
"Director Fang, please no! I've got old and young to support—if I go to jail I'm finished!"
In total panic he dropped to his knees.
"Director Fang, young man, please have pity—spare me!"
He knew full well his crimes wouldn't survive scrutiny.
Fang Qiong and Li Li both looked to Ye Chen; the final say was his.
Watching the weeping Zhang Yuan, Ye Chen's eyes held zero sympathy.
"Some patients empty life-savings, sink into debt, even sell homes—every cent is hard-earned. You filled your pockets without conscience. If I pity you, who pities them?"
"I… I…"
Zhang Yuan had no answer and slumped to the floor.
Seeing Ye Chen's stance, Director Fang said coldly, "Zhang Yuan, for the sake of your past service, turn yourself in—maybe the court will be lenient."
She waved and security hauled the limp Zhang Yuan away.
Li Li had stayed silent; now he studied Ye Chen, shock flickering in his eyes.
Ye Chen's composure was far beyond what any high-schooler should possess.
This kid is interesting, he thought.
Director Fang said, "Young man, thanks to your tip we've rooted out a parasite. As an apology, Dean Zheng's medical fees are waived."
Ye Chen nodded, satisfied with the outcome.
He turned to Li Li. "Uncle Li, thank you."
He understood Director Fang's swift action owed much to Li Li's presence.
After all, Li Li was a leading city entrepreneur who funded the Hospital yearly; Fang Qiong couldn't afford to offend him.
Li Li waved it off. "No need—besides, I didn't do anything."
"By the way, Ye Chen, you know medicine?"
Ye Chen replied, "Yeah, I studied a few years with an old neighbor."
He was lying: the system had granted his skill, but that secret would stay with him.
Xia Yingluo gazed at Ye Chen, gratitude brimming in her eyes.
He had been magnificent just now—saving Dean Zheng and wiping out the fees.
Xia Yingluo had grown up under Dean Zheng's care; to her he was father in all but blood.
"Ye Chen is my benefactor; I'll repay him no matter what—I'll give everything for him!"
Clenching her small fist, she made her vow.