When Zhao Changming and Waace returned to Mu Lin’s room at the clinic, Waace felt a bit embarrassed to face Mu Lin. His first words upon seeing Mu Lin were: “Mr. Daniel, I’m sorry! I’ve caused you trouble again! It was my fault this time. I lost my temper and ended the press conference hastily, failing to honor your thoughtful efforts. I’m truly sorry!”
Mu Lin smiled slightly, waved his hand to stop Zhao Changming from speaking, and said calmly, “It’s nothing serious. You’ve both done well enough. Waace, have you made up your mind yet? You’re an international celebrity now. Do you still want to stay at the clinic?”
Waace finally breathed a sigh of relief. “Praise the Lord! Thank you, Mr. Daniel! I thought you would never allow me to stay at the clinic anymore because of my irrational behavior at the press conference.”
“That’s not important at all! Besides, you were defending the clinic’s interests without regard for your own reputation. How could I possibly blame you for speaking up in defense of the clinic? Your performance at the press conference was actually quite impressive, beyond my expectations,” Mu Lin said calmly.
When Zhao Changming and Huas returned to the clinic and entered Mu Lin’s room, Huas felt somewhat embarrassed to face Mu Lin. His first words upon seeing Mu Lin were, “Mr. Daniel, I’m sorry! I’ve caused trouble for you again! This time, it was my fault—I couldn’t control my temper, and it led to the press conference ending abruptly. I’ve let down all your hard work!”
Mu Lin smiled slightly, waved his hand to stop Zhao Changming from speaking, and said calmly, “It’s nothing. You’ve already done very well! But, Huas, have you thought it through? You’re now an international celebrity—do you still want to stay at the clinic?”
Huas finally let out a sigh of relief. “Praise the Lord! Thank you, Mr. Daniel! I thought you might never let me stay at the clinic again because of my irrational behavior at the press conference.”
“It’s really nothing! Besides, you were defending the clinic’s interests without regard for your own reputation. How could I blame you for speaking up for the clinic? Your performance at the press conference was excellent—far beyond my expectations.” Mu Lin’s tone remained calm.
Hearing Mu Lin’s words, the two finally let go of their unease. In the end, Mu Lin dismissed them, saying, “Alright, it’s been a long afternoon. Go to the dining hall for dinner, then get some rest. Huas, let me tell you—I really don’t take the outside criticism to heart. You can stay here with peace of mind.”
Tonight was destined to be an eventful night.
The first to contact Mu Lin was Mr. Thomas, Chairman of the U.S. Family Medical Committee. He arrived alone at Mu Lin’s clinic to discuss matters with him.
During their conversation, Thomas first thanked Mu Lin for bringing honor to the U.S. medical community and preserving the dignity of the U.S. Family Medical Committee.
He told Mu Lin that although he held the title of Chairman, real power had long fallen into the hands of McCall and his group of rising stars. If not for Thomas’s esteemed reputation in the medical field, he might have already been ousted by them.
Finally, as a token of gratitude, Thomas, on behalf of the Y Country Family Medical Committee, presented Mu Lin with two generous gifts.
The first gift was an announcement to the media the next morning: given the advanced medical standards of Mu Lin’s clinic, all test and examination reports issued by the clinic would henceforth carry legal validity. In other words, the clinic’s qualifications had been officially recognized by the U.S. Family Medical Committee, and its reports would now hold public credibility and legal weight.
The second gift was an appointment for Mu Lin as the Chief Expert Representative of the Acupuncture Examination Committee, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to U.S. medical research.
In other words, Thomas offered these two conditions in exchange for Mu Lin and his clinic refraining from making further statements in the media that might harm the Family Medical Committee, in order to quell public criticism of the organization.
After some thought, Mu Lin agreed—after all, these terms were beneficial to him, and a strained relationship with the committee would only hurt his own interests.
The second visitor was somewhat unexpected—a Deputy Director from the President’s Office. Accompanied by the Mayor of New York City, he arrived in New York with minimal entourage and then proceeded to Mu Lin’s clinic. Perhaps he feared that coming alone would result in Mu Lin refusing to see him. After all, Mu Lin’s reputation for being unyielding under pressure had already spread among the upper echelons of the U.S., though Mu Lin himself remained unaware.
After formal introductions, the Mayor of New York excused himself, leaving only the Deputy Director and Mu Lin in the room.
Mu Lin knew this man must be acting as the President’s envoy to persuade him on behalf of Y Country, so he remained silent, waiting for the other to speak. The visitor, however, struggled to find the right words to express his purpose, hesitating awkwardly. The room fell into silence.
“Mr. Daniel, thank you for bringing honor to our nation this time. The President specifically sent me here to express his gratitude,” the man finally managed to say, stumbling over his words. Seeing that Mu Lin remained impassive, he found himself at a loss for what to say next.
After a long silence, perhaps sensing that Mu Lin’s demeanor differed from the rumors, the visitor couldn’t suppress his impatience and continued with a hint of arrogance: “Mr. Daniel, the President sent me here first to acknowledge your contributions to the nation’s medical field. Secondly, there are some matters we’d like to discuss with you to hear your thoughts.”
When Mu Lin still showed no reaction, the man pressed on: “Here’s the thing, Mr. Daniel. As a U.S. citizen, you should know that our government and our ally, Y Country, have always maintained a close partnership. We are strategic allies. Therefore, the President hopes you will cease pressuring the Y Country government. Since you’ve already treated the patients from Y Country, can we consider this matter settled? After all, if this escalates, no one stands to gain—isn’t that right, Mr. Daniel?” By the end, his tone carried a clear threat.
Mu Lin sighed inwardly. Did they really think they could dismiss him so easily? It seemed that by not causing trouble for the U.S. government, they had mistaken him for someone easily manipulated.
Remaining calm, he replied, “Oh, so now I’m a U.S. citizen? Then let me ask—when Y Country’s government and media were attacking a legally tax-paying U.S. enterprise, where was the government’s concern? When Y Country’s government sent those patients, I recall it was after intergovernmental negotiations, even opening a green channel reserved for emergencies. Where was your concern for this U.S. citizen then?”
“Also, let me remind you—my clinic is a legally tax-paying business! I assume you’ve already verified that with the IRS? And one more thing—remember that I am a taxpayer. It’s people like me who fund your salaries, including the President’s. Is this how you treat a law-abiding, tax-paying citizen?”
“If I were to share the details of this conversation with the media, I wonder how the American public would view your administration. Would the President still have the energy to focus on strategic partnerships with Y Country then?”
Mu Lin’s words left the visitor squirming in discomfort.
Tonight was destined to be an uneasy night.
The first person to contact Mu Lin was Mr. Thomas, the chairman of the U National Family Medical Council. He came alone to Mu Lin’s clinic to have a discussion.
During their conversation, Thomas first thanked Mu Lin for bringing honor to the U nation’s medical community and preserving the dignity of the U National Family Medical Council.
He told Mu Lin that although he was the chairman of the U National Family Medical Council, real power had long been seized by the younger generation led by McCaul. If it weren’t for Thomas’s high reputation in the U medical community, he might have already been removed from his position by those people.
Finally, to express his gratitude, Thomas, on behalf of the Y National Family Medical Council, presented Mu Lin with a generous gift.
The first gift was that tomorrow morning, they would officially announce to the media that, in recognition of the clinic’s advanced level in the medical field, all test and lab reports issued by Mu Lin’s clinic would have legal validity. In other words, Mu Lin’s clinic was officially recognized by the U National Family Medical Council, and its reports would carry public credibility and legal authority.
The second gift was that, in recognition of Mu Lin’s outstanding contributions to U’s medical research, the U National Family Medical Council would appoint Mu Lin as the chief expert representative of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Acupuncture Examination Committee.
In other words, Thomas was offering these two conditions in exchange for Mu Lin and his clinic refraining from making any statements in the media that would be detrimental to the Family Medical Council, in order to quell public outrage against the organization.
Mu Lin thought for a moment. After all, this was beneficial to his own interests. Moreover, antagonizing the Family Medical Council would also harm his own interests, so he agreed to the two conditions.
The second visitor to arrive was somewhat unexpected—it turned out to be a deputy director from the President’s Office. Accompanied by the mayor of New York City, he came to New York without bringing many attendants. After arriving in New York, he and the mayor went together to Mu Lin’s clinic. Perhaps he was afraid that if he came alone, Mu Lin wouldn’t receive him. After all, it was well known among the upper echelons of the U nation that Mu Lin had a bad temper—he responded to kindness but not to force, though Mu Lin himself was unaware of this reputation.
After the formal introductions were completed, the mayor of New York City left Mu Lin’s meeting room, leaving only the deputy director from the President’s Office and Mu Lin alone.
Mu Lin knew that this person must have come on behalf of the President to act as an emissary for Y country, so he remained silent, waiting for the visitor to speak. However, the visitor hesitated for a while, unable to find appropriate words to express his purpose, creating a momentary silence in the room.
“Mr. Daniel, thank you for bringing honor to our country this time. The President specially sent me here to express his gratitude,” the visitor finally managed to say, somewhat hesitantly. Seeing that Mu Lin still showed no surprise and remained as calm and composed as ever, he didn’t know how to continue.
After a period of silence, perhaps noticing that Mu Lin was different from the rumors he had heard, the visitor could no longer contain his emotions and began to continue his monologue with a tone of arrogance: “Mr. Daniel, the President sent me here primarily to express his appreciation for your contributions to the national medical cause. Secondly, there are some matters we need to discuss with you and hear your opinion.”
Seeing that Mu Lin still showed no reaction, the visitor continued: “You see, Mr. Daniel, as a citizen of U country, you should know that we have always maintained a close cooperative relationship with our ally, the Y government. Our two countries are strategic partners. Therefore, the President hopes that you will stop exerting pressure on the Y government. Moreover, you have already treated someone from Y country. Can’t we just let this matter drop? After all, if this situation escalates, neither side will benefit, won’t you agree, Mr. Daniel!” By the end, the visitor’s tone had become threatening.
Mu Lin sighed inwardly. So this was how they wanted to simply dismiss him. It seemed that since he hadn’t actively sought trouble with the U government, they had really started to see him as an easy target.
Thinking this, he still spoke in a calm tone: “Oh, so now you’re treating me as a citizen of U country! Then I’d like to ask you, where was the government’s concern when the Y government and its media were openly attacking a legitimate, tax-paying U business? When the Y government sent someone here, I remember that after consultations between the two governments, an emergency green channel was opened for them—where was your concern for me, a U citizen, then?
Also, please remember, my clinic is a legitimate, tax-paying business. I assume you’ve already verified this with the National Tax Bureau. And another thing, please remember that I am a taxpayer. It is we taxpayers who support you government officials, including the President himself. It is the taxes paid by us citizens that fund your salaries. Is this how you treat a legitimate, tax-paying U citizen?
If I were to tell the media about this conversation, I wonder how the citizens of U country would view the ruling party of your government? And then, I wonder if the President would still have the time and energy to focus on maintaining the strategic partnership with Y country?”
Mu Lin’s words left the visitor extremely uneasy, as if sitting on pins and needles.
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