Chapter 534

The Provincial People's Hospital is a place full of stories.

Translation: Renmin Yiyuan is a place with stories.

But we need to keep meaning: "Renmin Yiyuan is a place with stories." Could also be "Renmin Yiyuan is a place that has stories." We'll keep simple.

The anti-corruption bureau came to detain Xiang Wenting for questioning, but the person who panicked the most wasn't Xiang Wenting herself—it was Hospital Director He Zhiqiang.

Translation: The Anti-Corruption Bureau came to detain Xiang Wenting, but the panicked person was not Xiang Wenting herself, but Hospital Director He Zhiqiang.

comment.

He Zhiqiang is 55 this year.

Translation: Old He is 55 this year.

comment.

He came from a rural background, got into Baiyue Provincial Medical College through hard study, and later, thanks to a female leader's favor, rose from a township clinic all the way to director of the Provincial People's Hospital.

Translation: He came from a rural background, got into Baiyue Province Medical University through hard study, and later, thanks to a female leader's favor, rose from a township health clinic all the way to director of Renmin Yiyuan.

comment.

His life story completely matches the "Inspirational Bro" standard.

Translation: His life story completely fits the "Inspirational Bro" standard.

comment.

His office hangs a plaque reading "Medical Ethics and Sincerity".

Translation: His office hung a plaque reading "Medicine Path Sincerity".

Better: "In his office hung a plaque that read 'Medicine Path Sincerity'." But we need to keep concise. Let's do: "His office displayed a plaque that read 'Medicine Path Sincerity'."

Yet he often boasts at the dinner table: "Go ahead and drink as much as you want; if your health suffers, I've got you covered. With me around, even the Grim Reaper would have to give me some face."

Translation: Yet he often bragged at the dinner table: "Drink as much as you want; if your health suffers, I've got you covered. With me around, even the Grim Reaper has to give me some face."

We need to keep the quoted speech. Use quotation marks.

In private, he has a strong martial world bearing.

Translation: In private, he carries a strong jianghu aura.

comment.

Usually, when he brags at the dinner table, it's just like when he plays poker with Xiang Wenting in the office—no reservations at all, just letting himself go.

Translation: Usually, when he boasted at the dinner table, it was just like playing poker with Xiang Wenting in his office—no reservations, all about letting himself go.

comment.

For those good-looking and obedient female doctors and nurses, he is quite generous.

Translation: For those good-looking and obedient female doctors and nurses, he was quite generous in his dealings.

comment.

He once rewarded Xiang Wenting with an Audi A6.

Translation: He once rewarded Xiang Wenting with an Audi A6.

We need to keep brand? It's a real-world brand, but we must keep it as is? The instruction says exclude real-world brands/apps/celebrities from glossary, but we still need to translate the line; we can keep the brand name as is (Audi A6) because it's a proper noun. It's not a term we need to translate. So we keep "Audi A6".

However…

Translation: However…

comment.

Behind his generous gestures, he also had very practical demands.

Translation: Behind his generous actions, there were also very practical demands.

At the time, his brother-in-law had just founded a construction company, so he wanted to build a new inpatient building and give the contract to his brother-in-law to make a killing.

Translation: At the time, his brother-in-law had just founded an engineering company, so he wanted to build a new inpatient building, contract the project to his brother-in-law, and make a killing.

comment.

But the approval process was blocked by Wei Shouqin.

Translation: But the approval process was blocked by Wei Shouqin.

He kept thinking it over, recalling that Wei Shouqin had once visited the hospital for an inspection and had glanced at Xiang Wenting several times, so he placed his hopes on her.

Translation: He pondered over and over, recalling that when Wei Shouqin once came to inspect work at the hospital, he had glanced at Xiang Wenting several times, so he placed his hopes on her.

He hoped Xiang Wenting could sweet-talk Wei Shouqin and get the approval documents sorted.

Translation: He hoped Xiang Wenting would sweet-talk Wei Shouqin and get the approval documents sorted.

Xiang Wenting was also very pragmatic.

Translation: Xiang Wenting was also very pragmatic.

If asked to sweet-talk those "rich but powerless" local tycoons, she would certainly refuse; but if someone could connect her with Wei Shouqin, she would jump at the chance.

Translation: If asked to sweet-talk those "rich but powerless" local tycoons, she would certainly refuse; but if someone could introduce her to Wei Shouqin, she would jump at the chance.

comment.

Wei Shouqin held real power and could truly boost her career.

Translation: Wei Shouqin held real power and could truly boost her career to great heights.

Later, Xiang Wenting indeed got her wish: after spending a night with Bureau Chief Wei, her life took off like a cheat code, and before she knew it she was promoted to department head.

Translation: Later, Xiang Wenting indeed got her wish—spending a night with Bureau Chief Wei, her life took off like a cheat code, and before she knew it, she was promoted to department head.

comment.

In the days leading up to New Year, He Zhiqiang once put his arm around Xiang Wenting's slender waist and joked: "Bureau Chief Wei is the big shot I recommended to you—don't forget who helped you get water. He'll definitely help you secure a civil service position. Once you join the Provincial Health Bureau and have authority, you'll need to be more accommodating regarding hospital affairs."

Translation: A few days before New Year, He Zhiqiang once put his arm around Xiang Wenting's slim waist and joked: "Bureau Chief Wei is the great benefactor I introduced to you—as the saying goes, when you drink water, don't forget who dug the well. Your transfer to an administrative position will surely be handled by Bureau Chief Wei. Once you join the Provincial Health Bureau and hold power, you must be flexible in handling our hospital's affairs."

comment.

Those beautiful visions seemed to have happened just yesterday.

Translation: Those beautiful visions seemed to have happened just yesterday.

He Zhiqiang never imagined that this year's Spring Festival would be so ordeal; returning to work, the first thing he heard was the news that Bureau Chief Wei had fallen—and that Xiang Wenting was implicated!

Translation: He Zhiqiang never imagined that this Spring Festival would be so ordeal; the first thing he heard upon returning to work was the news that Bureau Chief Wei had fallen, implicating Xiang Wenting!

We need to keep em dash? We'll use "—". Good.

If Xiang Wenting were arrested, the next person to be taken would undoubtedly be He Zhiqiang—there's no doubt about it.

Translation: If Xiang Wenting were arrested, the next person to be caught would undoubtedly be He Zhiqiang—no doubt about it.

We're all grasshoppers on the same rope—pull one and the whole string comes.

Translation: We're all grasshoppers on the same rope—pull one, and the whole string comes together.

We need to keep metaphor. We'll translate: "We're all grasshoppers on the same rope—pull one, and the whole string comes together."

Fortunately, Xiang Wenting had a surgery scheduled today, making it inconvenient for the anti-corruption bureau to simply storm in and arrest her.

Translation: Fortunately, Xiang Wenting happened to have a surgery today, making it inconvenient for the Anti-Corruption Bureau agents to directly enter and arrest people.

To buy time.

Translation: To buy time.

He Zhiqiang summoned the patient's son, Zhao Chi, to his office.

Translation: He Zhiqiang summoned the patient's son, Zhao Chi, to his office.

He asked just two questions: "Your father is lying on the operating table; if Doctor Xiang is taken away by the anti-corruption bureau, who will perform his surgery? Have all your relatives come and guard the operating room door—don't let the bureau agents in to seize him. If you do, I'll waive all medical fees—are you in?"

Translation: He just asked two questions: "Your father is lying on the operating table; if Doctor Xiang is taken away by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, who will perform his surgery? Have all your relatives come and guard the operating room door, don't let the Anti-Corruption Bureau agents enter to arrest him. If you do, I'll waive all medical fees—will you?"

comment.

Thus…

Translation: So…

Then this scene unfolded at the operating room door:

Translation: Then the following scene unfolded at the operating room door:

After waiting over an hour, Jian Si-ning tried to enter the operating room to check the situation, but Zhao Chi and his gang blocked the door.

Translation: Jian Sining, who had waited over an hour, tried to enter the operating room to check the situation, but Zhao Chi and his gang blocked the door.

Zhao Chi shouted righteously: "I don't care if you're the anti-corruption bureau or whatever—my father is still on the operating table! If you won't let him live, I'll fight you to the death!"

Translation: Zhao Chi shouted righteously: "I don't care if you're the Anti-Corruption Bureau or whatever bureau—my father is still on the operating table! If you won't let him live, I'll fight you to the death!"

comment.

Translation: This left Jian Sining stuck in the awkward situation of "a scholar meeting a soldier—reason can't be explained."

We need to keep quotes around the idiom.

Meanwhile,

Translation: Meanwhile.

He Zhiqiang then entered the operating room through an internal passage.

Translation: He Zhiqiang then entered the operating room through an internal passage.

He designated a doctor to take over Xiang Wenting's surgery, summoned her to the changing room, and locked the reverse door.

Translation: He designated a doctor to replace Xiang Wenting in the surgery, summoned her to the changing room, and locked the door.

Xiang Wenting misunderstood his intention.

Translation: Xiang Wenting misunderstood his intention.

She ripped off her mask, looking speechless: "Director He, are you crazy? I'm in the middle of surgery on a patient, and you pulled me out just to do this with you?"

Translation: She pulled down her mask, looking speechless: "Director He, are you crazy? I'm in the middle of surgery on a patient, and you called me out just to do this with you?"

"Where do you think you're going?" He Zhiqiang said sternly: "Bureau Chief Wei has fallen—you didn't know? The provincial anti-corruption bureau is now blocking the operating room door, here to detain you for questioning."

Translation: "What are you thinking?" He Zhiqiang said sternly: "Bureau Chief Wei has fallen—you didn't know? The Provincial Anti-Corruption Bureau agents are now blocking the operating room door, here to detain you."

Hearing this, Xiang Wenting's face darkened with shock.

Translation: Upon hearing this, Xiang Wenting's face darkened with shock.

She asked in disbelief: "Bureau Chief Wei just called me yesterday—did you get it wrong?"

Translation: She asked in disbelief: "Bureau Chief Wei just called me yesterday—you haven't got it wrong, have you?"

"The anti-corruption agents are right outside—no mistake." He Zhiqiang said: "You definitely can't escape now; I risked coming to see you to tell you something."

Translation: "The Anti-Corruption Bureau agents are right outside—no mistake." He Zhiqiang said: "You definitely can't escape now; I risked coming to find you to tell you something."

"What is it?"

Translation: "What is it?"

Xiang Wenting eyed him suspiciously, feeling this old lecher had nothing good to say.

Translation: Xiang Wenting looked skeptical, feeling that this old lecher had nothing good to say.

He Zhiqiang pondered and replied: "I hope you don't expose what's between us. Give me a way out—that is, give yourself an escape route. When you finish your sentence and are released, I can compensate you. If you drag me down too, we'll all be in the same pot, and nobody will benefit."

Translation: He Zhiqiang replied thoughtfully: "I hope you don't expose what's between us. Give me a way out—that's also giving yourself a retreat. When you finish your sentence and are released, I can compensate you. If you drag me down too, we'll all be in the same pot, and that benefits no one."

"Director He, are you playing 'sacrifice the car to save the handsome' with me?" Xiang Wenting snorted angrily.

Translation: "Director He, are you playing the 'sacrifice the car to save the handsome' game?" Xiang Wenting snapped back with a bitter laugh.

comment.

He Zhiqiang furrowed his brows: "How is that 'sacrificing the car to save the handsome'? It's about 'keeping the green hills so there's firewood.' Think about it: as long as I'm fine, I still have power! After you get out of prison, whether you want money or a job, won't I have to fix it for you? After all, you have leverage over me."

Translation: He Zhiqiang furrowed his brow: "How is that sacrificing the car to save the handsome? It's about 'as long as the green hills remain, there will be firewood.' Think about it: as long as I'm fine, I still hold power! After you get out of prison, whether you want money or a job, won't I have to fix it for you? After all, you have leverage over me."

We need to keep the idiom quotes? We'll translate as is.

"How old are you this year? 55, right?" Xiang Wenting snapped: "If I go in, who knows how many years I'll get? By the time I get out, you'll probably be retired—what power would you have then?"

Translation: "How old are you? Fifty-five, right?" Xiang Wenting snapped: "If I go in, who knows how many years I'll get? By the time I get out, you'll probably be retired—what power would you even have?"

"You can't put it that way..." He Zhiqiang said glumly: "Even if I retire then, I still have plenty of connections and wealth—I can still help you solve problems."

Translation: "You can't put it that way..." He Zhiqiang looked glum: "Even if I retire then, I still have plenty of connections and wealth—I can still help you solve problems."

"Don't give me that line!"

Translation: "Don't give me that!"

Xiang Wenting turned around and took off her white coat.

Translation: Xiang Wenting turned and took off her white coat.

She changed into her own casual clothes.

Translation: She put on her own civilian clothes.

While getting dressed she said: "Figure out a way to get me out of here right away, or we're all going down together!"

Translation: While getting dressed, she said: "Figure out a way to get me out of here right now, or we'll all be in the same pot!"

"As I said, the anti-corruption agents are blocking the exit—how can we leave?" He Zhiqiang burst into tears-laughter: "I'd love for you to run far away, but there's no way out."

Translation: "As I said, the Anti-Corruption Bureau agents are outside—how can we leave?" He Zhiqiang exclaimed, half-laughing, half-crying: "I'd love for you to run far away, but there's no escape route."

"With so many people coming and going in the hospital, have they set up checkpoints to inspect everyone?" Xiang Wenting asked.

Translation: "With so many people coming and going in the hospital, have they set up checkpoints to inspect everyone?" Xiang Wenting asked.

He Zhiqiang thought it over, shook his head, and replied: "No checkpoints have been set up. But they have people stationed at the hospital entrance. As soon as you show up, you'll definitely be recognized."

Translation: He Zhiqiang thought it over, shook his head, and replied: "No checkpoints, but they have people stationed at the hospital entrance. If you show up, you'll definitely be recognized."

"Then it's settled—give me your wig."

Translation: "Well, then it's settled—give me your wig."

Speaking, Xiang Wenting reached out and directly pulled off the wig on He Zhiqiang's head.

He Zhiqiang rubbed his smooth bald head, feeling as depressed as a turtle: "Don't mess around like this; I'm, after all, a dean—you can't ruin my image..."

"What a load of bullshit image!" Xiang Wen Ting scolded: "You held me on the desk and licked me, calling me wet nurse—when did you ever care about image? Old rascal!"

"This... this and that..." He Zhiqiang rubbed his bald head again, looking at Xiang Wen Ting as she coiled her long hair: "Dressing as a man won't help; you can't escape, really. Rather than being hunted nationwide, it's better to turn yourself in voluntarily—at least you can seek leniency..."

"Shut up!"

Just thinking about turning herself in and going to jail, Xiang Wen Ting felt only rage—what right did she have to spend the rest of her life helping these old dogs who've taken their fill block the gunfire?

Xiang Wen Ting said: "You, He, you'd better pray I can escape! Otherwise, if I'm caught, you won't get away either!"