C10 The Infuriated Dean!

Upon hearing the message, Xu Jin promptly responded, "Yes, yes, yes. I ran into a bit of trouble on the way, but I'm on my way now."

After speaking, Xu Jin quickly started her car and shot a glance at Lee Mu beside her. "This is all your fault. If it hadn't been for you, I would have been at the hospital briefing the director and the others by now. This meeting is crucial for us because our research project has achieved new results. If we can share this with them, we're sure to secure another round of funding from the hospital. Missing this chance could mean all our hard work has been for nothing..."

Throughout the drive, Xu Jin talked nonstop. Lee Mu just shrugged, unable to get a word in, and closed his eyes, feeling somewhat detached from the situation.

Of course, if he were serious about securing a position at KM Hospital, it would be wise to pay some attention.

Twenty minutes later, Xu Jin's car pulled into the KM Hospital parking lot. She hurriedly opened the door and dashed toward the building, but since she was wearing high heels, she had to slip them off and run barefoot.

Lee Mu trailed closely behind her, thinking that despite her occasional stubbornness, she was incredibly dedicated to her work.

"I'm so sorry, I... I'm late," Xu Jin gasped as she opened the conference room door.

At her words, a sea of eyes turned to her. A middle-aged man seated at the front desk frowned and gave Xu Jin a sidelong glance.

"Ms. Xu, perhaps you owe us an explanation?"

"Director, my apologies, I... I had a tire blowout on the way here, so... there was a slight delay..."

"Just a slight delay, Ms. Xu? Am I hearing you correctly? It seems rather casual coming from you. Do you realize how much revenue we could have generated for KM Hospital in the hour we've been waiting for you?"

The director's gaze fell on the high heels in Xu Jin's hand as he spoke icily, "You were the one who called this meeting for updates this morning. It was your initiative, yet here you are, not even in your hospital uniform, barefoot and holding your high heels. Can you honestly tell me you're taking this report seriously?"

"I…"

"Dean Zhang, Ms. Xu may have encountered some difficulties. I know she's usually very responsible. Perhaps we should allow her to present her report before we consider any disciplinary action. Would that be acceptable?"

A man with glasses rose to his feet and quietly addressed Dean Zhang. He was Jia Zhengjing, the director of KM Hospital. The research project Xu Jin was currently working on had been approved by him.

Jia Zhengjing, in his thirties, was already a distinguished expert in the medical field, particularly in oncology. He had taken a liking to Xu Jin, a fact well-known throughout the hospital. Despite being a divorcee with a three-year-old daughter, Jia Zhengjing was unfazed by his personal life. Confident in his youth and high status within the hospital, he believed that ordinary women simply didn't meet his standards.

Alas, his affection was unrequited. Jia Zhengjing had made numerous attempts to win over Xu Jin, but she remained solely devoted to her work, indifferent to his advances.

"Director Jia, this isn't the time for you to speak up. If you hadn't been so lenient with them, allowing lax standards, we wouldn't be seeing such undisciplined behavior."

Jia Zhengjing had barely spoken when Dean Zhang rebuked him. He could only offer a sheepish smile in response. Then, Dean Zhang turned his gaze to Xu Jin and said, "Ms. Xu, I'm not interested in why you're late. What I want to understand is why you're dressed like this for your presentation. Do you think you're going to the mall instead of the hospital?"

"I... I didn't mean to..."

"Dean, may I ask who said that one can't give a presentation in high heels?"

As Xu Jin was about to explain, a young man's voice interrupted from behind. All eyes swiftly turned to the newcomer, Lee Mu.

Dean Zhang, upon hearing Lee Mu's interjection, furrowed his brow. He rose slowly and approached Lee Mu, stopping two meters away, clearly not recognizing the young man.

"Young man, who are you?"

"My identity isn't important. I'm here to explain that the essence of being a doctor isn't the white coat he wears, but his medical expertise and compassion. Without these, a doctor in a white coat is no different from a butcher in a meatpacking plant."

"You... insolent kid, spouting such nonsense! How dare you compare us to butchers!"

Upon hearing Lee Mu's words, Dean Zhang was shaking with fury. He turned his glare toward Xu Jin.

"Ms. Xu, who authorized you to bring outsiders into the conference room? Do you realize how many mistakes you've made today? Don't assume that I'll overlook this just because you're working on a research project. I'm warning you, with the errors you've made today, I can indefinitely delay your project until you've rectified every single one!"

With that, Dean Zhang rose and strode out of the conference room.

"Please, don't..."

Xu Jin tried to intervene, but Dean Zhang had already departed without a backward glance. The room erupted into chaos, as no one had anticipated the situation escalating to this extent.

"Oh, Little Jin, what have you done? Making a mistake is one thing, but why bring someone who's clearly going to cause trouble? You're just asking for problems."

At that moment, Jia Zhengjing approached Xu Jin, his face etched with reproach. "Given the current state of affairs, there's nothing more I can do for you. Dean Zhang is truly incensed. He was already on edge, and your actions were the last straw."

"I'm sorry, I didn't foresee this outcome. It's all my fault, causing everyone here to waste their time. Please, go on with your work. I'll make it up to the Dean later."

After her apology, Xu Jin retreated to a corner, her back to everyone.